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LRSS's avatar
LRSS
Tutor
May 03, 2023

RBR750 - using a certain Wifi SSID doesn't work but any other SSID does?

I have the Orbi Mesh RBR750, firmware V4.6.14.3_2.3.12. Recently it hasn't been working well; it's hit or miss if devices can connect to the main WiFi network SSID, let's call it "Main". I've power cycled and rebooted several times, no luck.

 

I finally decided to simply do a factory reset. I did. I put in the same SSID, "Main" during setup so all of my devices would reconnect. It didn't work - my devices see that network, but when I click on that to connect, the WiFi symbol (at the top of the iPhone for example) just spins and spins and it doesn't work. It connects perfectly fine when I connect to the guest network.

 

Here is the weird thing: I have done a factory reset several times and it still doesn't work. However, when I name the Wifi SSID anything but "Main" it works great. And the gues network also still works great. It's only when I use the previous SSID that it doesn't work. Of course, I'd rather not have to go through tons of devices to connect to the new WiFi network.

 

So, the issue doesn't seem to be with the modem, the router in general (it works), WiFi in general (guest network works and other named networks) - it's only that specific previous WiFi SSID,

 

What am I missing? Thank you!!

20 Replies

  • So the SSID name of Main doesn't allow mobile devices to connect? 

    Would be curious if you disabled WPA security on the RBR temporarily, while using SSID name of Main, does any mobile connect then? Re-enable WPA2 and AES after testing. 

     

    What devices are you trying to connect? 

    For Apple and Android be sure that MAC ADDRESS randomizer features are disabled while at home:

    https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/2220016/jump-to/first-unread-message

     

     

    • CrimpOn's avatar
      CrimpOn
      Guru

      Did this Orbi replace a previous WiFi system that used the same SSID?

      Did that system have exactly the same password?

      Is that system "gone".  (Not broadcasting WiFi any more?)

       

      Might be useful to tell the iPhone to "forget" the SSID "Main", then select it from the menu, enter the password again, and connect.

      • LRSS's avatar
        LRSS
        Tutor

        Thank you so much for reaching out. No, this was the same router, I did a factory reset (no other devices broadcasting the old WiFi - I even hard reset the satellites). WHen I went through the process to set-up the Orbi, if I put in the old WiFi network name as the "new" network name, it didn't work, but naming it anything else did.

         

        Thanks again.

    • LRSS's avatar
      LRSS
      Tutor

      Thank you so much for the suggestion. I tried that, but it also did not work. I am just resolved to use a new network name and re-connect all my devices. That will take a while but by the time I figure out what is going - if that would even happen - I could have connected devices to the new SSID.

       

      Thanks again.

      • What was the problem SSID name that you were trying to use on the RBR750? 

         

  • I have this exact same problem on this router with the same firmware. I rebooted today and then wifi would not reconnect. I reset the modem and I can connect with the default ssid. If I change the ssid back to the one of was using the it will no longer connect. I am thinking of trying the lasted firmware and see if that fixes it. This is so strange.
    • Roadrashtx's avatar
      Roadrashtx
      Aspirant

      I upgraded to V7.2.6.21 and it did not make a difference. I reset the system back to the original SSID I was using before and it is discoverable and some of my devices are able to connect to it but many of them, including my Galaxy S23Ultra can no longer connect. I have forgotten the network on my phone, tried to connect and just get "Couldn't get IP address" or "Connection failed"

      • Roadrashtx's avatar
        Roadrashtx
        Aspirant
        New update : I was about to throw this thing in the trash. I tried changing from wpa2 to wpa2 +wpa3. That did not work. I then changed back to wpa2 and the rebooted the router. For some reason, now all my devices are connected. I am getting tired of how tempermental this router is.