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Forum Discussion
Wifi drops occasionally RBK852 with 1 satellite
I have the RBK852. Main unit wired with all my devices is in my media room where I am now. My 1 satellite is all the way at the end of the house on the mantle of the fireplace. A few nights ago I was sitting in bed. (Bedroom right next to media room, shared wall) my wifi on my phone dropped for about a minute. I can’t imagine why when I was still rather close to the Orbi. Any ideas as to how to prevent this from happening again? I’m sure I’ve left out some crucial details. My home size is about 1600 sq ft. House built in the 60s. I have heard that there is something about signal interference where the 2 units intersect with each other. I have read that check about this you’re supposed to lower the power of the routers to like 25%. Not sure what that means. But I’m sure someone in here can enlighten me. Just looking for help so I can have a stable Internet connection. My town just got fiber Internet so by all accounts, I should have no trouble whatsoever anymore!
22 Replies
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 wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 🛰️Too Much Wifi: https://youtu.be/UR0viMLISz4
Also try turning down the power output of the RBRs wifi radios from 100% to 50% and see if this changes anything. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s). Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
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. CAT6 is recommended.What device is dropping the connection for a minute then re-connecting. Possible this device should be looked at as well.
- 1. Well beyond 30 ft.
2. Maybe 1 neighbor with wifi.
What does turning down the power output do?
Also, the channels thing. I don’t know anything about this stuff.Exactly how far beyond 30 feet?
Reduces the wifi signal overlap between the RBR and RBS.
I recommend you find someone nearby to help you out with this as well. Friend, family member or nieghbor.
muusicman wrote:
A few nights ago I was sitting in bed. (Bedroom right next to media room, shared wall) my wifi on my phone dropped for about a minute. I can’t imagine why when I was still rather close to the Orbi. Any ideas as to how to prevent this from happening again?Diagnosing WiFi problems can be difficult, especially if the problem is sporadic. If the phone disconnects from WiFi frequently, this may be a symptom of an underlying problem.
At some point, it may be useful to learn more about configuring Netgear Orbi systems, such as by downloading a copy of the RBK852 User Manual: https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK852/RBK852_UM_EN.pdf
This provides information on how to log into the router web administration interface and control various settings.
The Orbi 'app' (for Apple and Android) provides some control and information about the system, but much less than the web interface.
Yes, reducing the transmit power of Orbi radios is proposed as a solution to specific problems. At this point, it is not clear what might have caused the phone to lose WiFi for one minute.
Likewise, the "town just got fiber" is an interesting anecdote, but would not seem to be relevant. Did you change from some other Internet Service Provider to a fiber system recently?
I'd suggest that the most useful path forward is to document what is going on rather than rush to change things.
- Yes, I did. I had SpaceX Starlink. Just got my Fiber hooked up a couple weeks ago.
Hello,
Is your Router and Satellite connected via wired? Or is it connected wirelessly?
- Main Orbi is wired. Satellite is wireless
Got it.
Is you phone by any chance an Apple Device?
Reason for asking is there are known Wi-Fi bugs currently in iOS 16 according to the forums.
Please check this out if so: (1) iOS 16.4.1 (a) WiFi issues : ios (reddit.com)
If you do not have an Apple Device, then I have a few questions:
Did you experience loss of internet for at least 30 seconds max 1 minute when the issue occur or was it just that the Wi-Fi icon disappear then came back?
Did you lose connection again within 10minutes of issue occurring?
Which is closer to your bedroom, router or satellite?
Has it happen again every since you experience this issue?
