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Forum Discussion
RBR750 and ESP32 based embedded devices
I'm having trouble getting any ESP32 based embedded device to connect to an Orbi AX4200 (RBR750 plus 2x RBS750).
I'm using the latest Espressif ide version and the Netgear devices are all on version V4.6.8.2.
Device is just stuck trying to connect indefinitely. Works fine on an Asus wifi router.
I've tried disabling AX, disabling 40/20 coexistence, tried using a static IP, tried changing the base IP range (10.0.0.x vs 192.168.1.x). Nothing has worked.
I'd like to disable Smart Connect and try using different SSIDs for 2.4 vs 5 Ghz channels, but this does not appear to be an option on these models.
Aside from throwing these devices in the bin (I have a lot of home automation and lighting based on ESP32s), what are my options here?
Thanks đ
2 Replies
If I read the Espressif documentation correctly, these ESP32 devices have a combination Bluetooth/WiFi capability that is entirely 2.4G. Thus, it cannot detect or be influenced by 5G signals.
Disabling ax on the 2.4G band seems reasonable. Although it is supposed to be backward compatible, there have been posts describing how products suddenly worked with ax was disabled.
IP subnet and DHCP options likely have nothing to do with the underlying problem if the device is not actually connecting to WiFi. Perhaps attempting to connect to the guest WiFi with no password might be something to try.
There is a definite sequence of steps that devices go through when connecting to WiFi:
https://netbeez.net/blog/how-wifi-connection-works/
Using Wireshark and a WiFi adapter that can be put into monitor mode will allow examination of the actual progress, from the initial Probe Request through to Association. The DHCP process begins after Association.
I have anumber of Shelly devices that are based on ESP32, and they are working just fine with my Orbi.
In the beginning I had some issues, but found out later that ESP32 wifi is very sensitive to input power level. I was supposed to feed it with 12V and the power source (my garage opener) only provided around 10.8V and that caused the Shelly relay to not be able to paied with wifi. When I corrected the power all went well.
Apart from that I did not have any issues with Shelly devices. I have AX enabled.
Another thing that you might try, is instead of pairing the device using it's phone app (I suppose this is what you tried), please try to log in directly to the device web interface (when it has an IP address, when it's e.g. connected to your old router) and enter the SSID and password of the Orbi wifi.
