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Forum Discussion
JeffinDallas
Oct 01, 2025Aspirant
RBR850 Slower Than Expected
I have an RBR850 Router and an RBS850 Satellite connected to a Spectrum-provided modem. I get 1Gb DL and 1Gb UL from the modem, but the Router degrades my speeds. I'm running firmware V4.6.9.11 on each device which 192.168.1.1 believes is the latest.
Things I've tested:
LAN connection to modem: 1Gb/1Gb
LAN connection to router: 700Mb/250Mb
WiFI connections to router (vary at times)
- Macbook #1: 700Mb/120Mb
- Macbook #2: 700Mb/200Mb
- iPad: 700Mb/250Mb
- iPhone: 750Mb/300Mb
Since the speed is good from the Modem and degrades when it hits the Orbi RBR850 Router, I assume I have a Router problem.
Who can help?
JeffinDallas
14 Replies
- FURRYe38Guru - Experienced User
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.Your behind on FW. v.7.x is most current FW. v.21 was most stable. v.31 has IPv6 problems.
Wireless speeds is around good specs for wireless devices. What I saw with my Mac Book Pro 2018 while connected to my 850 series. Pretty good for that device.
- JeffinDallasAspirant
How do I force a FW update? Here's what I see in the admin app. Thank you.
- FURRYe38Guru - Experienced User
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.Please check NG download site first:
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rbk852/#download
Use this process to update the system manually:
Procedure to Manually Firmware Update Orbi and Nighthawk Mesh systems. | NETGEAR Communities
- CrimpOnGuru - Experienced User
JeffinDallas wrote:
connected to a Spectrum-provided modem. I get 1Gb DL and 1Gb UL from the modem
Like FURRYe38 , I would like to know the model number of the Spectrum modem and which app was used to report the download and upload speeds when connected directly to the modem.
- plemansGuru - Experienced User
I'm curious. I didn't know Spectrum had reciprocal upload/download on their coax setup.Maybe a fibre setup but not their coaxial. And you say modem which makes me assume its a coax setup.
- what modem is it?
- Are you sure those are your upload speeds?
- JeffinDallasAspirant
I've followed the instructions to force update my FW. Thanks FURRYe38 KevinLiT StephenB ! I now have 7.2.7.15 on both the router and satellite. May have helped a little, but still not right.
My speeds at the Modem continue to be at or better than 1Gb/1Gb. But via WiFi 12inches away from the router, I see 750Mb Down/520Mb Up.
The Modem is Hitron EN2251 - brand new as of 2 months ago. My plan is definititely 1Gb/1Gb on a Coax Modem. I've used the Orbi app on my phone as well as Speedtest.net to test speeds at Modem, Router and Satellite independently. I've tested the speed at the Modem via the cable to the Router and get the 1Gb/1Gb speed via that ethernet cable - cable's good.
Speedtest.net from MacBook connected to RBR850 Router via WiFi yields 750Mb down/520Mb up:
Speedtest app on my phone connected to RBR850 Router via WiFi yields 843Mb down/376Mb up:
Orbi app on my phone measuring connection speed at RBR850 Router (removing WiFi connection) yields 1140Mb down/1000Mb up:
I don't expect my speed tests to peg at 1Gb/1Gb everytime, but i never see anything other than some level of speed degradation via WiFi and Upload is usually significantly degraded. Am I expecting too much? -JeffinDallas
- FURRYe38Guru - Experienced User
Better however thats still wifi which will not have same results as ethernet.
Orbi app tests speeds between the RBR and ISP Modem. WiFi device is not tested in the mix there.
Ooklas speed test app does test with the wifi device in the mix. Devices will have some impact on this based on there design and support. Most devices are 2x2 which is limiting for performances. 4x4 can handle more speeds and rates.
- JeffinDallasAspirant
I'm not sure what you mean by 2x2 and 4x4. I guess my question is: should I be able to get close to 1Gb/1Gb when very near the RBR850 (assuming the Modem is delivering 1Gb/1Gb and the ethernet connection between the Modem and Router is good)? I just haven't expected this much degradation at the Router. I realize the devices (laptop, phone, etc.) will have an impact, but I can't find a single device - I've tried 6 - that comes close... making me think that the Router is struggling in some way.
Thanks for the help everyone!