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Forum Discussion
Intermittent connectivity/latency spikes/disconnects
Recently upgraded to a new mesh - orbi 972 - to replace an “aging” 850 series. I was excited to pump enhanced 6E around the home as well as the (on paper) stronger wireless backhaul setup. Sadly my ex...
Have done so yep - no response as of yet.
I’ve done further testing on this and been working with NG support (which has been a rather painful experience so far). I’ve found that the latency spikes I’m experiencing are taking place every hour at exactly the same time, like clockwork.
The exact time might differ (I’m assuming if a unit was reset etc). Behaviour only seems to affect devices on the satellite, not connected to router.
Eg tonight I tested, had my ps5 hardwired into router via Ethernet, steamed via a ps portal wirelessly via satellite and hit massive latency spikes at :38 past the hour twice over two hours. Spike lasts for 2-4 seconds then back to normal. I get the same behaviour using other real-time sensitive applications (video conferencing etc).
Anyone else happened to notice this at all? I’ve had the satellite RMAd and replaced but still the same issue. I’m running the latest FW in the EU region (not the one posted a few days ago as that’s NA only).
The exact time might differ (I’m assuming if a unit was reset etc). Behaviour only seems to affect devices on the satellite, not connected to router.
Eg tonight I tested, had my ps5 hardwired into router via Ethernet, steamed via a ps portal wirelessly via satellite and hit massive latency spikes at :38 past the hour twice over two hours. Spike lasts for 2-4 seconds then back to normal. I get the same behaviour using other real-time sensitive applications (video conferencing etc).
Anyone else happened to notice this at all? I’ve had the satellite RMAd and replaced but still the same issue. I’m running the latest FW in the EU region (not the one posted a few days ago as that’s NA only).
It appears that there are two WiFi links being used:
- User facing WiFi link between satellite and user device (PS Portal). According to the User Manual, page 16, this is 5.18–5.24 GHz.
- Dedicated WiFi backhaul link between satellite and router, using 5.745–5.825 GHz (US). Most Orbi router User Manuals describe the backhaul link to be one set of frequencies for North America and a different set for Europe and World Wide. If you are in contact with Netgear support, it might be interesting to ask what frequencies are actually in use where you are. (UK, correct?)
It might be useful to determine if there is regular interference on one (or both) of these WiFi frequencies that might cause the latency that is being observed. For example, if one were to temporarily replace the router-satellite backhaul link with an Ethernet cable, does the latency problem appear every hour.... or not? Obviously, this would not be viewed positively by the family unit but surely they can tolerate a couple of hours of inconvenience.
Perhaps it would be easier to temporarily relocate the PS Portal to be close to the PS5 unit so that it connects to the Orbi router rather than the satellite.
Would have been more interesting if the satellite to PS Portal WiFi link could be replaced with an Ethernet cable, but the Portal appears not to have an Ethernet connector.
p.s. Does this gaming experience require internet resources? i.e. can the internet link be "ruled out 100%"?
I'd make sure that NG support is aware of this issue that your seeing and if it it repeating on certain intervals, you might enable debug logging under the RBR and RBS IP address/debug.htm and capture the logs from both units when this happens and send them off to NG for reveiw.
Kappo_84 wrote:
I’ve done further testing on this and been working with NG support (which has been a rather painful experience so far). I’ve found that the latency spikes I’m experiencing are taking place every hour at exactly the same time, like clockwork.
The exact time might differ (I’m assuming if a unit was reset etc). Behaviour only seems to affect devices on the satellite, not connected to router.
Eg tonight I tested, had my ps5 hardwired into router via Ethernet, steamed via a ps portal wirelessly via satellite and hit massive latency spikes at :38 past the hour twice over two hours. Spike lasts for 2-4 seconds then back to normal. I get the same behaviour using other real-time sensitive applications (video conferencing etc).
Anyone else happened to notice this at all? I’ve had the satellite RMAd and replaced but still the same issue. I’m running the latest FW in the EU region (not the one posted a few days ago as that’s NA only).- Thanks both. I already have a case raised with NETGEAR so they are looking into it, slow progress however.
It seems unlikely it’s a user device issue given this problem affects multiple devices/applications at the same time in the same way. I didn’t have this issue with the older orbi 850 mesh system this replaced.
As far as I know when using a portal device on the same WiFi, the WiFi is used to stream vs internet connection. Impossible to rule out however, as I can’t disconnect the PS5 etc.
I’ll try Ethernet backhaul however will need to go purchase a cable long enough (this is why I have a mesh). Make sure you get a CAT6A STP cable.
- I just went with cat7 as it was weirdly cheaper, shielded 600mhz. Is there anything specific needed to wire in the satellite? Does it just auto switch to Ethernet when it’s plugged in or do I have to go reset it?
Is the cable UTP or STP? there is a difference...
If it's already wirelessly connected, then just connect one end to the RBR first, then connect the other end of the LAN cable to the RBS. Will auto switch to Ethernet BH.
- It’s STP. Thanks.
👍
Let us know how it goes with the RBS ethernet connected.
- Did some further testing with my Mac (which also experiences the issue). Router and satellite hardwired, Mac connected wirelessly to satellite. Same issue. Latency spike hourly.
Will try testing mac hardwired but I need to get a usb ethernet adapter. - Ok managed to find an adapter and did some testing.
Router and satellite not hardwired (usual wireless backhaul), Mac hardwired into router. I did not experience the latency issue. I forgot to test hard wired into satellite (I’ll try that when I can). But seems it might be an issue with the wireless vs the backhaul wireless.
I can’t check on the ps portal as it’s WiFi only, but that doesn’t use the internet (internal network only) so I think it’s unlikely it’s an isp issue given the above also.
