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The phone keeps telling me the wifi is poor quality and switching back to mobile data
I have The same issue with my Google Pixel android phone.
The phone keeps telling me the wifi is poor quality and switching back to mobile data, even though the wifi strength is showing strong on the phone.
Internet download/upload is 526.32Mbps/483.03Mbps. I have Orbi 960 with 5 satellites. Backhaul Status is good.
I do notice that the phone wifi signal diminishes as I move about the house but if I disconnect and reconnect it comes back full strength. It's as if the phone-to-satellite connection is too sticky.
Anyhow this problem was not an issue when we first got our Orbi system.
What is the fix?
9 Replies
I have same issue.
Android phone, many call dropouts almost unusable wifi calling. Got worse ~?May 2026. Orbi 960 with 5 satellites. Firmware V7.2.8.2 as of August 2026. Wifi icon on the phone shows strong signal. Speed test shows internet download and upload 526.32Mbps/483.03Mbps.
I'd switch away from wifi calling except we have no cell coverage here.
What's the fix?
I should have added that the orbi 960 plus all satellites are on firmware V7.2.8.2 as of August 2026
Does this happen only the Google phone?
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?
What channel configurations are currently set on the router?
Do you have the 6Ghz network enabled on the RBR?
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
What OS is on the phone? Be sure it's up to date.
Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
https://community.netgear.com/kb/en-orbi-knowledge-sharing/netgear-mobile-applications-and-androidapplewindows-devices-faq/2457046
Haven't checked iPhone, so far just Google phone but I'm noticing peripherals like printer, web cameras seem to be dropping Internet but that may be unrelated.
4600 sq ft, 2 floors
Satellites are separated >>30 feet haven't measured all the distances. Edges of house have 2 hops to router.
Channel config is default - I'm an end user not a network expert
6Ghz network doesn't seem to be enabled. Phone and most devices are 5ghz.
No Wi-Fi neighbors near.
Os is fully up to date - Android
Mac address randomizers??? No idea.
Mac address randomizers??? No idea.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102509
https://help.sfasu.edu/TDClient/2027/Portal/KB/Article/134150/Disabling-Random-MAC-Addressing-on-Android-Smart-Phones
6Ghz network doesn't seem to be enabled.
Do the phones support 6 ghz?
4600 sq ft, 2 floors
Satellites are separated >>30 feet haven't measured all the distances. Edges of house have 2 hops to router.One possibility is that the backhaul wifi that connects the satellites to the router might not have a solid connection. Honestly, the backhaul status reported in the app and web ui isn't that useful.
One good way to check for that is to turn off the satellites, and then measure the wifi speed with your phone at the satellite locations. Use the free ookla (speedtest.net) app on the phone, and disable mobile data while testing.
In your case, start with the satellite locations that directly connect to the router. Then turn on the satellite(s) that act as a relay, and measure at the satellite locations that are daisy-chained. If performance is poor, you should look more closely at the satellite locations (again, testing speed with all satellites off), and see if there are better spots. Ideally you'd want to eliminate the daisy-chain.
Another path (which will give you better performance) is to install cat 6a cable to the satellite locations, and connect them to the router using ethernet. If you don't have enough LAN ports on the router, you could also get a small multigig ethernet switch.
