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Orbi WiFi 6E performance
(I did look for posts about this, but I couldn't find anything that matched. If I missed it, please point me in the right direction.)
I recently upgraded to faster Internet, with GotNetSpeed 1 Gbsp fiber, so I switched to the Orbi 6E. Here's my setup:
Basement:
- ISP's fiber terminal.
- Orbi router, connected by Cat6 patch cable to 10G port.
- Computer used as a network storage device, connected by Cat6 to the Orbi.
Main floor:
- Orbi satellite, connected to a TV.
Second floor:
- Orbi satellite
- Main computer, connected by Cat6 patch cable to 2.5G port.
All over:
Assorted WiFi devices running on 2.4 Ghz, 5 Ghz, and even 6 GHz.
When I run SpeedTest on the basement computer, which is wired directly to the Orbi that's just a few feet away from it, I get about 930 Mbps down, 950 Mbps up. Great speeds, and pretty close to what I pay for. Even if I unplug the Ethernet and connect with WiFi over 6 GHz, it's pretty close to that, at 760/830. This is the sort of performance I'd like to have upstairs.
But when I run it on the main computer, wired to the second-floor Orbi satellite, and selecting the same upstream server, I get 260/600!
Ok, I understand that I'm going to lose some speed because it's going through two floors, but I don't understand why I'm losing so much or why I lose less on the upload speed. I'd even imagine that the satellite on the main floor might be able to relay signals from the basement, so it's two hops, not one long one. All this is on modern, fast computers and no VPN.
What can I do to fix this?
I'm returning it. Still have the original boxes I got it from Amazon.
I was already frustrated with the fact that it's not getting me 600 Mbps over WiFi 6MHz from 3 feet away or more than 400 Mbps upstairs, and I don't need the second satellite. At this point, I went with an Ethernet backhaul and turned off the spare satellite, so I'm barely using it for its designed features.
That's why I was frustrated. Just now, the satellite stopped working. Rebooting it didn't help. Removing the Ethernet backhaul didn't help. Turning on the spare didn't help. I could have tried rebooting the router itself and then repeating the steps to sync with the satellites and so on, but this would have been pointless.
The Orbi does not do the job I need it to and it's not even reliable for what little I ask of it. So it's gone.Thanks for your attempt to help me, though. I sincerely appreciate the time and effort you took. I am not at all likely to purchase an Orbi product in the future.
12 Replies
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?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 wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 📡Are these computers the same or any differences between them?
Same ethernet connection?
Try using the 1Gb ports on the RBS. If your PC doesn't support multi gig speeds, it's recommended to use the 1Gb ports on the RBS.
(Repeated questions, adding answers)
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
V6.0.3.85_3.1.15
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?It's whatever GoNetSpeed provides. I don't think it matters, since it's consistently fast when connected to directly (or even through the Ethernet ports of the router right next to it).
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
1,500 sqft for the first and second floor combined, but not including basement.
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS.
They're one floor apart, although not stacked on top of each other. I haven't measured, but that's usually 9 feet in height, perhaps a little less for the basement. If you think that disabling the middle satellite would help, I could do that, but I'm not sure why it would. I didn't really want a second satellite, but unfortunately that's the only way the 6e model is available.Are these computers the same or any differences between them?
They're not identical, but they're both late-model desktops that are more than capable of gigabit I/O. The one on the 2nd floor has only 5 Ghz WiFi but a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, while the one in the basement has 6 GHz WiFi but I think only gigabit Ethernet. If it helps, I could use my laptop, which has 5 GHz WiFi and gigabit Ethernet; it can be easily tested at both the second floor satellite and the basement router. Should I do that?
Same ethernet connection? Try using the 1Gb ports on the RBS. If your PC doesn't support multi gig speeds, it's recommended to use the 1Gb ports on the RBS.
As I mentioned above, the second-floor computer does support 2.5 Gbps Ethernet.
SteveNetSpeed wrote:
(Repeated questions, adding answers)
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
V6.0.3.85_3.1.15
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?It's whatever GoNetSpeed provides. I don't think it matters, since it's consistently fast when connected to directly (or even through the Ethernet ports of the router right next to it).
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
1,500 sqft for the first and second floor combined, but not including basement. <For this size of home, the RBR is only needed. Maybe 1 RBS and you'll need to set the RBRs power to 50% or even 25%.Too much wifi for that size of home.
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS.
They're one floor apart, although not stacked on top of each other. I haven't measured, but that's usually 9 feet in height, perhaps a little less for the basement. If you think that disabling the middle satellite would help, I could do that, but I'm not sure why it would. I didn't really want a second satellite, but unfortunately that's the only way the 6e model is available.Need to measure distances to get a more accurate result. 30 feet is needed in between them to start.
Are these computers the same or any differences between them?
They're not identical, but they're both late-model desktops that are more than capable of gigabit I/O. The one on the 2nd floor has only 5 Ghz WiFi but a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, while the one in the basement has 6 GHz WiFi but I think only gigabit Ethernet. If it helps, I could use my laptop, which has 5 GHz WiFi and gigabit Ethernet; it can be easily tested at both the second floor satellite and the basement router. Should I do that?
Worth trying.
Same ethernet connection? Try using the 1Gb ports on the RBS. If your PC doesn't support multi gig speeds, it's recommended to use the 1Gb ports on the RBS.
As I mentioned above, the second-floor computer does support 2.5 Gbps Ethernet.
SteveNetSpeed wrote:
What can I do to fix this?
Short answer: connect the two upstairs satellites to the router using Cat6 Ethernet cables, a separate cable to each satellite. For many users, such as myself, this is simply impractical. (i.e. really costly)
It would helpful to verify how the satellites are connected now, i.e. do they both connect to the basement router or do they Daisy Chain. The Orbi web browser Attached Devices page will show this, or the Orbi 'app' Network Diagram.
If the main computer has a gigabit Ethernet port (as most do), then using the 2.5 GB port instead of one of the gigabit ports makes no difference.
Yeah, it's impractical because I'd either have to have it snaked through the walls or crudely attached near the baseboards. One thought is that I could use a 30' Ethernet cable to bring the router to the top of the stairs, right behind the door and almost at the level of the first floor. That would avoid any interference from metal in the basement.
I checked as you suggested and I was surprised to find that both satellites were connecting directly to the router, not daisy-chaining. Based on the WiFi Analyzer software on my phone, the basement signal is pretty weak on the second floor, which is precisely why I went for mesh. Is there some way to convince it to daisy-chain?
I don't think the 2.5 Gbps port makes much of a difference here as top speed is still a little under that limit. I'm just mentioning it because it's my topology.
