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Forum Discussion
Orbi RBR850 unstable/DHCP assignment issues after reboot
Post concerns a RBR850 and 2 RBS850 satellites, all running firmware version V7.2.6.31_5.0.24. Summary: I have to turn off all WiFi devices near the router in order to get a successful reboot whe...
So with all these devices online, and setup IP address reservations, does the system work ok?
I see some devices that you might consider setting a Static IP address ON that would be outside of the suggested default DHCP IP address pool range.
You have lots of plugs and lights. Wondering if some of these could be causing issues. Wondering if the system is bogging down.
What channel configurations are currently set on the router?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router 📡 and satellite(s)🛰️? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR 📡 and RBS 🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wired or wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 🛰
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.
What FW version was loaded prior to v.31?
Prior FW working?
Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update?
Channel configurations:
- The house is about 250m2 (2690 ft2). About 10 of these devices are outside (garden, front area), total property is about 1100m2 (11840 ft2).
- Distance router to first router is now about maybe 15m in a straight line (it's now in a staircase, walls between it) but is connected via ethernet (I also have a Gigabit switch that is taking care of the cabling, so 1 cable from modem to Orbi and another one running back to the switch). Distance to 2nd satellite to 3rd is about 10 meters (32ft). One brick wall between them.
- It's a Zxel ZXHN F670. Why is this relevant, curious? The rest of the house is oblivious to it and it's here for years. The Orbi doesn't have an issue with it. WiFi is turned off on that modem.
- Sure, I use good cables. I've also tested them with an ethernet tester. There is no issue with the wired connections. Wired devices do get a DHCP address correctly.
- I don't know what version was loaded prior to it. I just had it running without paying attention to it.
- Yes, I had to do factory reset as it was already upgraded to the latest version.
Reason for asking about ISP modem or ONT is to see if there is any router and built in wifi here. I see this unit you have does have a router and wifi. Additional WiFi noise can cause interferences. Additional router can be problematic as well with having a double NAT condition. Just wanna rule out this as well. Can you let us know what configuration this ONT is in? Please disable any wifi radios on the ONT to help check this if you haven't already.
For users with built in routers and wifi at the ISP level, what is recommended:
Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WIFI-6-AX-AND-Wi-Fi-6E-AXE/Procedure-for-Factory-reset-of-RBS850/m-p/2367505/highlight/true#M53985
https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
Try option #2 first...What is the brand and model of the LAN switch in between the RBR and the RBS?
So of wired devices get good IPs and wireless don't, possible wifi issue on handling all those devices that are wireless and the system maybe having an issue or in this new FW version.
Something to review, might consider downgrading back to v.21 on the RBS first then RBR lastly and after all is downgraded, power cycle the system OFF for 1 minute then back ON with the RBR first, then about 1 minute later, power ON the RBS. See what happens.
I see a few things that could be in play - not guarantee that they are, but possible.
1) It takes a while for the satellites to connect and sync to the router (unfortunately this is something across all Orbi lines). So when you reboot the router, all of your devices try to connect to the router - because that is all that is seen for a few minutes. If they don't have a great connection, they still try to connect and may pop on/drop off, pop on, drop off, etc. A lot of older devices, once connected, don't try to reconnect to a better signal once they have connected. Remember, it is the device that requests connection - not the router/satellite asking to connect to the device. That is why after your system (router and satellites come up), turning off and turning on your devices seem to make a better connection - they can connect to the closest and best signal.
2) On the flip side - if you have too much coverage - that do try to reconnect, may ping pong between router and satellite - thus providing crappy connectivity. Check your router logs and see if you have a device or multiple devices doing lots of DHCP requests - this is a sign of ping-ponging. If this is the case, you may want to drop the power level on your system (if that is still available on the 850 - it was previously). You can choose 100%, 50%, 25%. It has been seen previously that dropping the transmit power helps eliminate ping-ponging.
3) There are two methods to insure devices get the same IP address every time - Reserved Addresses - set on the router - and Static Addresses - set on the device. Make sure you are not assigning static IP addresses (on the device) within the DCHP Pool (you have set an address pool, I just don't remember what it is now). So - devices assigned by the router will only get addresses within that pool range, devices with static IPs will get outside of that range.
I use reserved addresses for 90% of my devices - and they always get that address without fail. The only time they don't is if I forget to turn off MAC ID randomization on the device and it doesn't recognize the device. When you set your reserved addresses, you may need to turn the router off for 5 minutes or so to insure that all of your devices see that they are disconnected (sometimes this is slow) - or the other way to do this is to power off off and power back on the device to insure they forget. Some devices are just stubborn sometimes.
Unfortunately, I don't use HomeKit for anything and don't know much about it - but if Homekit can assign or manage IP addresses - make sure you are not double booking IP addresses between static, reserved, and Homekit.
