I have the 973 with 12.1.11.15. Orbi router connected to AT&T Gateway in passthrough and gateway radios turned off, Orbi in Router mode. Router on main floor. One satellite on main floor on the other side of house with wired connection. Never any issues with this one. Second satellite upstairs with the following connections. From wall outlet to Asus 2.5 unmanaged switch. From switch to Satellite, from switch to URC MRX 5, and from switch to LG C3 TV. Connected to Router from wall outlet behind router on main floor. In the Orbi web interface it will show connection as 1000m for 2 to 3 days and then drop to 100m. Will go back to 1000m if unplugged at router and plugged back in or a power recycle. The MRX-5 is for a URC remote. I am aware that both the MRX-5 and LG C3 are 10/100 max. Why will it show 1000m for 2 to 3 days and drop to 100? This will happen also if I unplug the Satellite and have it in wireless backhaul. My question is if I leave the satellite in wired backhaul and the web interface shows a drop to 100m is this effecting the speed of the wired backhaul?

The obvious answer is, "Yes. If the router Show Statistics reports a speed of 100mbps, that will affect the backhaul connection. How about this:Connect the 970 satellite directly to the cable from the router (bypassing the switch)Connect the switch to one of the other 970 satellite ports.Connect the LG TV and the MRX 5 to the switch

Yes all are in the off position.

The MRX5 and LG TV are connected to the switch. Connecting the Satellite directly to the Router would require running more wiring through the walls and floors. It's the switch that is connected to the router. Since the drop occurs when the satellite is in wifi backhaul also, is the drop occurring and only effecting the MRX5 and LG TV which the switch port is showing in the web interface. My question is since the satellite is also plugged into the switch is it effected also?

Hi, so you are saying that when the satellite is left plugged into the switch it is affected when the drop occurs. Even though the drop also happens when the satellite is unplugged from the switch and left in wifi backhaul. I changed the cabling from the wall to the switch and from the switch to the satellite and holding at 1000 for almost a day. We will see if it holds past the usual 2 to 3 days before dropping. It is a long run of cable from the basement through the floor into the wall of the stairs leading to the third floor and into the attic and then over the ceiling and down another wall to the jack. There are 2 female /female couplings in the run one in the basement and one in the attic which I'm told is acceptable.

Billy1956 wrote: It is a long run of cable from the basement through the floor into the wall of the stairs leading to the third floor and into the attic and then over the ceiling and down another wall to the jack. What grade is the cable? Router->2.5 gbps switch->Satellite should be negotiating 2.5 gpbs. So I am suspecting that cable might be Cat 5e. FWIW, I have seen some similar symptoms with Cat 5e and multigig - sometimes negotiating 100M instead of gigabit. If this continues, then try using a gigabit unmanaged switch instead of the multigig switch. Only connect the satellite and router to the switch - connect other devices to either the satellite ethernet, or (if not enough ports), connect the Asus switch to the satellite. In general, with the Orbi mesh systems it is best not to mix backhaul traffic with other traffic to clients.

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11 Replies

FrumpyGrandpa
Apprentice
Sep 07, 2026
The obvious answer is, "Yes. If the router Show Statistics reports a speed of 100mbps, that will affect the backhaul connection.

How about this:
Connect the 970 satellite directly to the cable from the router (bypassing the switch)
Connect the switch to one of the other 970 satellite ports.
Connect the LG TV and the MRX 5 to the switch
- Billy1956
  Tutor
  Sep 08, 2026
  The MRX5 and LG TV are connected to the switch. Connecting the Satellite directly to the Router would require running more wiring through the walls and floors. It's the switch that is connected to the router. Since the drop occurs when the satellite is in wifi backhaul also, is the drop occurring and only effecting the MRX5 and LG TV which the switch port is showing in the web interface. My question is since the satellite is also plugged into the switch is it effected also?
Billy1956
Tutor
Sep 08, 2026
Thank you, Stephen. I connected the router to the satellite, and the satellite to the switch. The LG TV and MRX-5 were left connected to the switch. The connection immediately showed a 2500m connection. I will monitor it for the next few days to see if it drops.
- FURRYe38
  Guru - Experienced User
  Sep 08, 2026
  What is the brand and model# of this LAN switch your using?
  - Billy1956
    Tutor
    Sep 08, 2026
    ASUS QG-U1050 5-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Ethernet Switch

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