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RBRE960 limits MacBook Pro download speeds to 80mbps max
I have an RBRE960 with two satellites all running the latest V7.2.8.5 firmware connected to my provider's router via a Cat 6 ethernet cable.
I have a 1 Gbps connection; the 960 consistently shows >= 900 Mbps on a speed test.
I have two MBPs – one a personal one, one work – that 5 GHz connect to the Orbi at a Tx rate of 1,300 Mbps, but have a max download speed of 80 Mbps.
Both MBPs are updated with the lastest macOS. Each MBP is connected to a different satellite.
If I connect the MBPs to the provider's router (which is in my basement), I can connect at >=500 Mbps, so it's not the MBPs; it's definitively the Orbi system causing the reduced download speed issue.
I've tried everything short of resetting the Orbi system to factory settings (resetting the MBPs, limit tracking on/off, spoofed MAC address (to see if it's tied to that)), etc, but I can't find a solution. I'll reset the Orbi system if I need to, but wondering if anyone has run into this situation, and if so, what the fix is.
Thanks.
Thank you for all of your help.
Out of sheer frustration, I just reset everything. Was much less painful than I thought it'd be in my head.
That seems to have fixed all the issues I've been experiencing, across the board.
Lesson learned.
15 Replies
One more note: Confusingly, my iPhone connects to the Orbi at 800+ Mbps.
How are the Orbi satellites connected to the router? and how far are they from the router?
Both are connected via wireless backhaul. One is about 20 feet away through a floor, the other about 40 feet away.
It's not the backhaul.
I've tested my kid's M3 MBP on the same satellite as the work computer; it gets 700 Mbps.
It's something about how the Orbi is seeing these two specific MBPs.I just checked: I'm seeing the same issue on my AppleTV, too. It's a mystery.
I'm thinking more and more I just need to bite the bullet and factor reset the Orbi system.
*factory
I have two MBPs – one a personal one, one work – that 5 GHz connect to the Orbi at a Tx rate of 1,300 Mbps, but have a max download speed of 80 Mbps.
Each MBP is connected to a different satellite.Have you tried connecting the MBPs without using any of the MBP ports?
Sometimes poorly shielded HDMI and USB cables can cause this issue.
Yes. Have tried both without any peripherals plugged in. With power, without power. It's not the MBPs. It's 100% the Orbi.
I have a USB-C to ethernet coming on Friday. That'll tell me definitively if it's the Wi-Fi negotiation, or something else.
Stay tuned.
My next move is to unplug both satellites to see if connecting directly to the base changes things.
Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on Macs, phones and pads while at home:
NETGEAR Mobile Applications and Android/Apple/Windows Devices FAQ | NETGEAR Communities
What channels are you using on the RBR?
What model MBPs do you have?
What OSX version is on the laptops?
- I've tried will all the iCloud/Private Relay/etc. stuff on/off; no difference
- MBPs
- 2019 Intel MBP w/ Sequoia 15.7.5
- 2022 M2 Air w/ Tahoe 26.3.1
- I've tried every combo of channels, but:
- 2.4 GHz: Auto
- 5 GHz: 48
- 6 GHz: 165
Both laptops get >=400 Mbps, a floor away from the provider's Wi-Fi router.
Do the units which report low speed select the same Speed Test servers as the M3 that reports fast speed?
Thank you for all of your help.
Out of sheer frustration, I just reset everything. Was much less painful than I thought it'd be in my head.
That seems to have fixed all the issues I've been experiencing, across the board.
Lesson learned.
Ok ya sometimes, even after rebooting or a power cycle and after a FW update, a full on factory reset and setup from scratch is needed.
Glad you got it working. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
Enjoy. 📡
