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Forum Discussion
Manually assign/connect device to satellite
Hello,
I have Orbi 1 router (RBE 971) and 2 satellites. Many times, when I turn on a device, it connects to the router instead of the nearby satellite and it may take a long time before it gets assigned to a satellite.
My desktop PC is on the top floor, and there is a satellite in the same room, but instead, it sometimes connects to the router, which makes the internet practically unusable.
How can I make sure that my PC always connects to the satellite right next to it? Please skip the "use cable" type of answers, for now, I want to stick to wireless.
This is extremely frustrating. The satellite is on and functioning, confirmed from the app.
Thank you.
5 Replies
Or if not automatically, then at least manually assign to one...
It's up to wifi devices to pick and choose where they connect too based on distances, signal quality and noise. Also distance between the RBR and RBS. There is no manual setting to force a device to connect to a particular satellite.
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 🛰Best way to ensure is via ethernet to the RBS.
Please skip the "use cable" type of answers, for now, I want to stick to wireless.
OK. While a $10 Ethernet cable would guarantee a gigabit connection with higher performance than WiFi (full duplex vs. half-duplex w/overhead), a $60 purchase is a method to guarantee a wireless connection:
- Purchase a WiFi extender with access point (AP) mode capability, such as the TP-Link RE615X. $59.99 on Amazon.
- Connect the RE615X Ethernet port to an Ethernet LAN port on the RBE970 satellite.
- Configure the RE615X to access point mode and configure the 5G signal to a unique SSID (different from the Orbi WiFi SSID).
- On the PC, "forget" the Orbi WiFi SSID.
- On the PC, search for this unique WiFi signal and set it to "Connect Automatically".
Every time the PC turns on, it will search for WiFi signals that it knows the password for, find the RE615X, and connect. Assuming that the PC has a WiFi adapter capable of WiFi6 (802.11ax), this should be a decent wireless connection when the satellite is in the same room. Not as fast as WiFi7, but it is wireless. (Netgear's EXS27 supports WiFi7 for $150)
I would go with the cable, but "anything is possible"
Another random thought: borrow a big cookie sheet from the kitchen (temporarily, of course) and place it directly in the path between the PC WiFi antennas and the RBE771 router. This might reduce the router WiFi signal enough that the PC would connect to the satellite by itself. If it works, buy the cook a new cookie sheet. (If not, sneak it back into the kitchen.)
Thanks all!
