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RBS850 reboot randomly with RBR850 WiFi signal drops
Hi,
I have had an RBR850 and two satellites for five years running in AP mode, with no problems until recently. Firmware updates are set to install automatically.
Since last week, I’ve been experiencing a lot of issues, even though there have been no changes to the configuration — no new devices, no changes in placement, etc.
The most obvious issue is that one of the satellites reboots randomly. I tried a full reboot (long power-off). I also set the 2.4 GHz channel manually to channel 1, set Short preamble. Thinking it might be a firmware issue, I downgraded both the satellites and the router to version V7.2.6.21_5.0.20. This seemed to stabilize things for a day or two, but then the reboots started again.
I also tried powering off the modem, router, and satellites, and turning them back on in the correct order: modem first, then router, then satellites. But this didn’t change anything. I repeated the process, but this time I didn’t plug in the satellites. That’s when I noticed that the WiFi from the router was randomly dropping every 5 to 10 minutes, disconnecting my devices (phone or computer), and then reconnecting again. There was no indication on the router (no lights) suggesting it was rebooting.
When I reconnected one satellite, it appeared that the WiFi signal drop from the router caused the satellite to reboot.
I live in a house with few neighbors, and the distance between the router and satellites hasn’t changed in five years.
What also strikes me is that the SSIDs of the Guest network and the IoT network are visible when I scan, even though both networks are disabled on my router.
Also, even though I’m running version V7.2.6.21_5.0.20, the system says there is no new firmware available.
Beyond a hardware factory, any idea ?
Thanks for your advice.
Today, everything is perfect.
I managed to reinstall my two satellites in their original positions, and now the RBR and both RBS units are working fine.
To sum it up from my experience:
- If something strange is going on while supposedly nothing has changed, the first thing to do is reboot the entire Orbi system and your router, in the correct order.
- If that doesn’t help, try switching between Router mode and AP mode to see if it makes a difference.
- → In my case, the system was stable in Router mode, but completely unstable in AP mode — there was an issue between my router and the RBR.
- I had already checked the hardware: cables, connections, etc. Everything was fine — so that wasn’t the problem.
- I had set a static IP for the RBR a long time ago, but for some unknown reason, my router changed the MAC address of the RBR at some point (probably last week).So check the MAC address on your router, not just the IP address.
- → This caused a conflict with the static IP rule and led to completely erratic behavior from the Orbi system.
- Also, there’s a minor bug in the French interface of the Orbi management web page: When setting a static IP in AP mode, the popup window doesn’t appear.In the English version, it works just fine.
Finally, I’d like to say that this forum is great, with very responsive members who helped me see more clearly through this frustrating fog of network issues.
Thanks again, truly.
12 Replies
Do both RBS exhibit this issue?
Does the front LED on the RBR turn PINK or blink white as well when this happens?
What is the Mfr and model# of the host router the NG router is connected too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.How is the RBR configured for AP mode? Dynamic or Static?
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 🛰Any downgrade in FW on the system would need a Factory reset and setup from scratch. Also problems seen after a FW update would also need a factory reset and setup from scratch to check the problems: Orbi Systems Manual Factory Reset Process | NETGEAR Communities
Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz. I normally use 1 and 40 with my system.
I had my 850 series with two RBS online, both wireless and ethernet connected for 30 days and saw no issues on current version of FW v.15
Do both RBS exhibit this issue?
Yes, I switched them at the beginning thinking it was a hardware problem on the satellite, but the other one did the same.
Does the front LED on the RBR turn PINK or blink white as well when this happens?
No, no light. That's why I didn't notice the problem of WiFi drops from the router itself at the beginning.
What is the Mfr and model# of the host router the NG router is connected too?
It's a router from the Internet box from Free, a French provider.
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.It's a CAT8 STP since 3 years.
How is the RBR configured for AP mode? Dynamic or Static?
AP mode dynamic, but I set a static IP on my router fo it.
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
About 2700 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.About 25 feet, but it's the same since 5 years.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 🛰Any downgrade in FW on the system would need a Factory reset and setup from scratch. Also problems seen after a FW update would also need a factory reset and setup from scratch to check the problems: Orbi Systems Manual Factory Reset Process | NETGEAR Communities
I did finally a manufactory reset. We'll see.
Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz. I normally use 1 and 40 with my system.
I set it like that.
Unfortunately, the satellite rebooted twice when I was typing this post. I'm a little bit desperate.
I presume you have the RBR connected to the host router using the RBRs WAN port right?
So for that size of home, the RBR and just one RBS should be enough. Can you turn OFF one RBS for now and test with just one RBS deployed.
25 feet is too close, need to set it out at 30 feet or more.
First of all, thanks for your quick responses.
Yes, the Ethernet cable is plugged into the correct port on the RBR — nothing has changed since the installation five years ago.
I have two satellites due to the layout of my house (thick walls, multiple floors — it’s a real maze).
I’ve already tried connecting only one satellite.
The first (and currently only) satellite is placed about 40 feet away now.
(Even when only the router was on, I was already experiencing these WiFi drops.)
Still, the satellite has already rebooted twice in the past 15 minutes.
