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Forum Discussion
RBK852 packet loss on Zoom / FaceTime / internet dropping
My RBK852 system is experiencing random packet loss (over 80%) when on Zoom or FaceTime on my iMac (latest model) or iPhone 12 Pro - both runing latest operating systems), and it also randomly drops ...
houtany wrote:My RBK852 system is experiencing random packet loss (over 80%) when on Zoom or FaceTime on my iMac (latest model) or iPhone 12 Pro - both runing latest operating systems), and it also randomly drops internet.
The satellite is in my office which is about 30-40 feet from the router which is centrally located in my house. The house is 3,000 sq.ft. and only one story. Speedtests via the router settings is over 900mb download (router wired to modem) and around 420mb download on iPhone 12 Pro (wifi) and same on my iMac which is wired to the satellite via ethernet.
Both router and satellite are running v3.2.18.1_1.4.14 firmware. I've tried the following:
Try downgrading to v22?
- power cycling modem then RBR / RBS (in the proper order, etc.)
- Upgrading both RBR and RBS to firmware V3.2.18.1_1.4.14
- disabling SIG ALP< This should be enabled.
- disabling 2.4ghz AX< Does disabling AX on 5Ghz do anything?
- disabling 20/40mhz coexistence
- setting NAT Filtering to Open
- assigning manual IP to both iMac and iPhone via router reservation + client network settings
- changing DNS to 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1 / 8.8.8.8 / 4.4.4.4 in router settings and also on the client devices< Try using ISP DNS?
- changing channels to channels with less interference using WiFi Explorer (2.4ghz on CH6 and 5ghz CH48) <Try channel 40?
- disabling daylight savings time setting for router<This should be enabled.
- updating NTP server to cloudfare's NTP
- setting CTS to 2347< Try 500?
- disabling IPv6
- disabling Traffic Meter
Generally, it works fine except when on FaceTime or Zoom call which initiallly work then lag and drop. My PS4 tends to get no more than a fair connection when playing NHL21 as well although the WiFi signal is shown to be 100% in the PS4 settings.
It seems many people are having this issue, but I was not able to find any clear solution. I would appreciate any help! I have contacted NG support as well. Thanks!
I still think your underlying problem is bufferbloat. Many times people have such problems and think they need to get a faster service, but in reality, it's bufferbloat. This shows up most readily with gaming and activities such as facetime and zoom.
https://evenroute.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045162413-Optimizing-for-Zoom-conferencing
This is one the main reasons I switched my Orbi to AP mode with my Asus as router. The Orbi (for wifi) does exceedingly well for my purpose, but the Asus blows the Orbi away in terms of controls - including QOS. As fast as the Orbi is overall, I still experienced stuttering with Cisco Jabber. After switching to the Asus for routing and adjusting QOS as stated earlier, I no longer have the issue.
You can check your bufferbloat on sites such as
https://www.waveform.com/tools/bufferbloat
or
https://www.dslreports.com/speedtest
Don't depend on sites such as speedtest.net or fast.com as those are just simple speed tests and do not truly test for bufferbloat.
tak1313 wrote:I still think your underlying problem is bufferbloat. Many times people have such problems and think they need to get a faster service, but in reality, it's bufferbloat. This shows up most readily with gaming and activities such as facetime and zoom.
https://evenroute.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045162413-Optimizing-for-Zoom-conferencing
This is one the main reasons I switched my Orbi to AP mode with my Asus as router. The Orbi (for wifi) does exceedingly well for my purpose, but the Asus blows the Orbi away in terms of controls - including QOS. As fast as the Orbi is overall, I still experienced stuttering with Cisco Jabber. After switching to the Asus for routing and adjusting QOS as stated earlier, I no longer have the issue.
You can check your bufferbloat on sites such as
https://www.waveform.com/tools/bufferbloat
or
https://www.dslreports.com/speedtest
Don't depend on sites such as speedtest.net or fast.com as those are just simple speed tests and do not truly test for bufferbloat.
You are right. I just tried the waveform.com test and I got a F. And it is exactly latency that I feel is happening during all activities, whether streaming or video calls. Mind you, I did the test with the RBS unplugged from power and I am connected via WiFi from my iMac to the RBR which is 30 ft away, but I expect the exact same results with the RBS which I will try and report back now.
Results: https://www.waveform.com/tools/bufferbloat?test-id=a3653a63-cb88-439f-bc3e-d13be25273e4
FURRYe38 wrote:
houtany wrote:My RBK852 system is experiencing random packet loss (over 80%) when on Zoom or FaceTime on my iMac (latest model) or iPhone 12 Pro - both runing latest operating systems), and it also randomly drops internet.
The satellite is in my office which is about 30-40 feet from the router which is centrally located in my house. The house is 3,000 sq.ft. and only one story. Speedtests via the router settings is over 900mb download (router wired to modem) and around 420mb download on iPhone 12 Pro (wifi) and same on my iMac which is wired to the satellite via ethernet.
Both router and satellite are running v3.2.18.1_1.4.14 firmware. I've tried the following:
Try downgrading to v22?
- power cycling modem then RBR / RBS (in the proper order, etc.)
- Upgrading both RBR and RBS to firmware V3.2.18.1_1.4.14
- disabling SIG ALP< This should be enabled.
- disabling 2.4ghz AX< Does disabling AX on 5Ghz do anything?
- disabling 20/40mhz coexistence
- setting NAT Filtering to Open
- assigning manual IP to both iMac and iPhone via router reservation + client network settings
- changing DNS to 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1 / 8.8.8.8 / 4.4.4.4 in router settings and also on the client devices< Try using ISP DNS?
- changing channels to channels with less interference using WiFi Explorer (2.4ghz on CH6 and 5ghz CH48) <Try channel 40?
- disabling daylight savings time setting for router<This should be enabled.
- updating NTP server to cloudfare's NTP
- setting CTS to 2347< Try 500?
- disabling IPv6
- disabling Traffic Meter
Generally, it works fine except when on FaceTime or Zoom call which initiallly work then lag and drop. My PS4 tends to get no more than a fair connection when playing NHL21 as well although the WiFi signal is shown to be 100% in the PS4 settings.
It seems many people are having this issue, but I was not able to find any clear solution. I would appreciate any help! I have contacted NG support as well. Thanks!
It was doing this with all the default settings, including ISP's DNS, other channels, and I read DST was a firmware bug that may cause it, but doesn't seem to be the case. I also read on many sources that SIP ALG is terrible for video calls and it affects the packet transmission but I am sure you know better than me. But I feel it is the blufferbloat issue that's being pointed out and the test results seem to confirm that.
Yeah. I don't know what WMM is SUPPOSED to do. I think it's supposed to do some QOS, but if it's doing ANYTHING AT ALL, it really s*cks at it - like a lot of Orbi controls.
When I decided to try mesh, I should have stayed with Asus and gone with their AiMesh system. Oh well, not wanting to waste money, I will stick with this set up until it's time to move on equipement wise, which for me is oddly frequently - at least that's what my wife complains about. I have to take some insignificant problem and make like it's a really big deal, so I have get new stuff to fix the issue.
Netgear has really let me down, and I'm done with them on any future upgrades.
DST has nothing to do with that your seeing.
I recommend contacting NG support and get there help. Ask about a RMA relacement for the RBS if you have narrowed down the problem at the RBS.
FURRYe38 wrote:DST has nothing to do with that your seeing.
I recommend contacting NG support and get there help. Ask about a RMA relacement for the RBS if you have narrowed down the problem at the RBS.
The test where he got the "F" was performed sans satellite and through the main router. I suspect there are other loads coming from elsewhere in the network, but Orbi doesn't allow for enough control of traffic/traffic types except for WMM...which s*cks (if it's doing anything at all).
I think the WMM box is like the "press button to cross" at cross walks - just something to pacify the pedestrian into thinking something is happening.