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Forum Discussion
970's 6E Broadcast Issues. Router vs Satellite
Hi! Quick question. Seems some folks are having similar issues with posts in other forums. 970 Router and satellite are up and running. Speed test looks great. When I am in the room with the satell...
Yes. That is correct.
I do not use Apple or Mac products so I am generally unaware of her settings or the functions of her devices. However I can confirm that she does experience the same connection issues as I do. Today both her laptop and cell dropped connection during a work video call....
Prior to this, we did not have any issues or dropouts with our Orbi 860 product.
Current setup as suggested by support was to have the main SSID with only WPA3 security mode selected. No "mixed mode". And now a separate "IOT" SSID using both 2.4 and 5ghz (and I assume WPA2 security)
I believe the issue has to do w/ WPA3-P and the 6Ghz signal.
To illustrate this a bit, I can give this example right at this very moment where my phone is continuing to connect / disconnect.
I am currently about 4 feet my my rain router in an office. Using a wifi monitor app and the Orbi app itself, I can confirm that I am connected to the main router (not the satellite). It shows I am connected via a 5Ghz signal. I can force a disconnect, forget network, reset etc. My phone will NOT re-connect to the 6E/6Ghz band.
The connection to this main SSID (using WPA3) appears as a Wifi 6 connection on my phone (not 6E)
My signal strength is -70dBm / 5Ghz band. That seems HORRIBLE given I am only an arms length away.
Speed test yields, 117Mbs down / 84 Mbs up.
Without moving, I disconnect from the main SSID and then force a connection to that side "IOT" SSID.
The IOT also shows as a Wifi 6 connection (but not 6E).
The IOT connection shows my signal strength is -19dBm / 5Ghz band. Which seems correct / accurate.
Speed test yields 593Mbs down / 686 Mbs up.
Still not moving around and remaining seated. After a few minutes being connected on the IOT, I disconnect. Then manually reconnect to my main SSID (the WPA3 one).
It now it appears as a 6E connection. -38dBm signal strength. Confirmed 6Ghz band connection.
Speed test yields 1076Mbs down / 1436Mbs up.
I havent moved once in the room over a fairly short time period. I started this process / taking notes as my phone was connecting and disconnecting over and over. It seems it is only solved by disconnecting for a time period, not allowing the device to auto-reconnect to the main ssid (wpa3), manually connect to that alternate IOT broadcast, wait 5 minutes, and THEN I am able to reconnect and get on that wpa3/6ghz channel.
Hello,
Engineering Team Here.
6GHz is limited to Low Power Indoor due to FCC regulations at the moment. This has been the case since FCC release 6GHz spectrum for wireless devices to connect. Therefore, 6GHz range is less and clients such as GS23 will self roam to 5GHz when they move away from the node. Now if you will like the client to go back to 6GHz, try locking your phone for 3-5minutes. Then unlock your phone and see if your phone is connected to 6GHz. Please note phone might move back to 5GHz if it is far away from the node.
Please watch your message inbox Hmmmm523 Sagnew, we will be messaging privately shortly.
Hi Straq!
I really appreciate your prompt response. Thank you very much! I will try the lock screen and report back.
I have a question for you, I spend most of my day in my office, which is only 4 feet away from the main router, and it's in here I've been experiencing frequent disconnects on the 6E/6GHz band in this room.
However, when I'm in areas of the house that are connected to the satellite (like the living room and bedroom), I rarely experience any disconnects. Speed tests are great. Connection signal is strong. It seems like my satellite connection is relatively problem-free, and the issues seem to be isolated to the main router's own 6Ghz broadcast.
I'm wondering if this particular main router unit might be a faulty unit with broadcasting 6GHz? Or...is it possible that being too close to a 6GHz signal source could be causing the problem? (could such an issue exist!)
Fwiw, we are the only 6Ghz signal on the block, so I do not think it's 6Ghz cross-channels
No problem. Interesting that you are 4 feet away and experiencing disconnects. We will be reaching out to you privately to see if a few things will help you out.
- That 4 feet may have been the issue.....?
Previously my main router was on my desk, about hip height. Right next to my desktop and monitor. Just arms length away from me and my phone.
This morning I unplugged it, moved the router to a shelf just a few feet away. Almost the exact same height as before. Satellite has not moved.
The 6Ghz/6E signal strength / Dbm reading from the router has improved (despite it being further away?) So far this morning I have yet to disconnect or have my phone switch to a 5 or 2ghz signal. When walking around the house I can actually see where/when the mesh network switches to the satellite. It's near instant (ie do not have to turn my phone off for 2-3 minutes).
Other possibilities : Perhaps it's not the position of the router in the room but simply the unplugging / reset of the router.
We'll see! I'll keep an eye on the connection for the next few days.
Any idea if a 6Ghz broadcast would need a bit more room to "breathe"?