NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
RBR850 - Poor download speeds on Wi-Fi
Hi guys,
Having some serious issues with download speed when on Wi-Fi. Have 500/500 Internet link and when I use cable connected directly to router i get about that so just Wi-.Fi that's affected. This started quite recently after upgrade to V7.2.6.21_5.0.20. Have tried to downgrading to 4.6.14.3 but that did not help. Did a factory reset and confiugured from scratch but did'nt help either 😞
Setup:
Hardware Version RBR850
Firmware Version V7.2.6.21_5.0.20
GUI Language Version V3.0.3.10_2.1.30.3
2 x RBS850: V7.2.6.21
Wi-Fi settings:
2.4 GHz Channel: Auto (tried changing but no effect)
5 GHz Channel:: 40 (tried changing but no effect)
WPA2-PSK [AES]
IoT disabled
20/40 MHz Coexistence enabled
WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (2.4 & 5Ghz GHz) enabled
CTS/RTS Threshold (1-2347): 64/64 (tried changing this but had no effect)
Internet: 500/500 IP-Only fiber connection
Router connected to fiber-box with CAT6 RJ45 (tested a brand new CAT6 but made no difference).
Tried PC, Macbook, iPhone, PS5 etc really close to RBR and all devices get around 50-90Mbit download and 350-450 upload using speedtest and other apps (we have one in Sweden called "bredbandskollen").
(with cable connected to router LAN port ~450/450).
Any ideas on what to do here would be greatly appreciated!
//Mike
16 Replies
I agree that these speeds over WiFi are totally unexpected.
I would leave the RTS/CTS setting at 2347. RTS/CTS is a really complicated subject and Netgear has changed the default setting from one firmware release to another with no formal explanation. The way I read general explanations indicates that each device may have its own RTS/CTS setting. Thus, a very small value for the router would result in nearly every packet transmission using the RTS/CTS mechanism. This would cut into maximum download bandwidth quite a bit.
Would it be possible to find the reported Link Rate on these various devices for both transmit and receive?
(for example, my Android phone is now reporting Transmit link speed of 468Mbps and Receive link speed of 650Mbps.)
Thank you for the advice on RTS/CTS settings.
PC (Dell 7320) link rate: 1201/961 Mbps
Speedtest result: 74/444Mbps
Macbook Pro: link rate 867Mbps
Speedtest result: 45/398Mbps
Is there a way to see this on an iPhone?
Mickesj wrote:
PC (Dell 7320) link rate: 1201/961 Mbps
Speedtest result: 74/444Mbps
Macbook Pro: link rate 867Mbps
Speedtest result: 45/398Mbp
These connection link rates indicate that the PC is connected at WiFi6 (802.11ax) and the Macbook Pro is probably connected at WiFi5 (876Mbps). The product specifications would indicate the WiFi capabilities precisely.
I cannot conceive of anything that could cause the WiFi performance to be unbalanced this way. If the WiFi frequency is overloaded by nearby users, it would affect WiFi transmission regardless of 'direction'. Unless some other device on the network is absolutely hogging the download link at the precise time these tests are run, I just don't get it.
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 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 🛰️Does this happen with the RBS turned OFF?
Does this happen with both wireless and wired devices?
Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/2220016/jump-to/first-unread-messagehttps://www.increasebroadbandspeed.co.uk/realistic-speeds-wi-fi-5-and-wi-fi-6
https://www.wiisfi.com
https://www.duckware.com/tech/wifi-in-the-us.html
https://support.google.com/fiber/answer/6250056#zippy=%2Cmobile-devices-wi-fiThanks for the tips and advice!
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Inteno XG6846
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.
Using CAT 6 STP
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
2600
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)?Over 30 feet
Does this happen with the RBS turned OFF?
Yes
Does this happen with both wireless and wired devices?Only when on wireless (wired gives full up/down speeds)
Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.Tried changing them around, no change.
Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
Tested this, no change.
Also, did a test where I disabled main Wi-Fi and enabled IoT wireless network (forced 5Ghz) - same results as with the main Wi-Fi.
Mickesj wrote:
Thanks for the tips and advice!
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Inteno XG6846
This checks and indicates there is a router built in here. Is this bridged or in router mode?
FYI:
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://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...Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.
Using CAT 6 STP
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
2600
For this size of home, the RBR and just one RBS would be needed. Maybe two with power settings set to 50%.
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)?Over 30 feet
Does this happen with the RBS turned OFF?
Yes
Does this happen with both wireless and wired devices?Only when on wireless (wired gives full up/down speeds)
Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.Tried changing them around, no change.
Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
Tested this, no change.
Also, did a test where I disabled main Wi-Fi and enabled IoT wireless network (forced 5Ghz) - same results as with the main Wi-Fi.
Points to maybe something with the wifi device. When speed testing, make suure that when you are near the RBR or RBS, disable the wifi radio on the wifi device for 5 seconds then re-enable it then speed test. This ensures the wifi device locks on ot the nearest signal for best speed test performance.
Last app I had was WiFi Sweetspots however not sure if that app works anymore.
