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Forum Discussion
FURRYe38
Dec 27, 2024Guru - Experienced User
New - RBE970 / RBE971 Firmware Version 9.12.5.3 (All Regions!)
Enhancements: 12/26/2024
Improved 2.4 GHz WiFi connectivity.
Bug Fixes:
Fixed an issue where the 2.4 GHz channel did not change when using channels 9-13.
Fixed various minor bugs.
S...
OrbiTechDude
Jan 15, 2025Apprentice
FURRYe38 , the satellites if factory reset do not broadcast any SSIDs if factory reset and only do a solid white to indicate they are ready to synchronize with the router. If I do a sync via the router’ UI or the physical sync buttons, they will sync fine and join the network and start broadcasting the same SSID as the router.
Firmware is always manually installed on satellites and router (I hate auto update, so I have always turned that off on any Orbi systems). I update each satellite one by one first, then update the router.
Router is connected to my ISP’s Tarana G1 Remote Note (they’re a fixed wireless provider). Cable from internet port of router plugs into LAN port of the Taran’a POE injector.
I have main router at building where the Tarana resides, then 3 satellites. One satellite receives the internet from the router via a Nanostation 5AC Loco PTP System (to pipe the internet into my home), essentially creating a wired backhaul, with the other two satellites then connecting themselves to the satellite that has the wired backhaul. ISP has clear line of sight at the adjacent building so that is why the setup is this way. Wi-Fi broadcasts within that building to serve clients there as well.
4000 square feet home, but that doesn’t include outside perimeters which I have Ring cameras connected to. Satellites are 40-50 feet apart from each other and the router is about 0.2 miles away from the house. This is irrelevant, as it spikes to the proper bandwidth across all areas for a brief period, then starts to be erratic on bandwidth, then eventually bombs. I can even test with only one satellite connected. NOTHING, makes a difference.
I have Apple TVs, MacBooks, iPhones, Ring Cameras, and many iOT devices. I have 52 devices connected to my system.
Disabling the randomizes make zero difference.
FURRYe38 wrote:So when doing a factory reset with the PDF process with the RBS near or in same room as the RBR, do they auto sync at all to the RBRs default SSID network prior to starting the setup wizard with a PC and web browser?
How was FW on the system updated? Automatically by the system or manually and did you update the RBS first then the RBR lastly?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
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 🛰
What channel configurations are currently set on the router?
What wifi devices are you connecting to the system?
Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/2220016/jump-to/first-unread-message
OrbiTechDude wrote:Wanted to chime in here, because this Orbi 970 has been a royal pain and coming from an RBK40 system, I honestly expected way better. 9.2.4.16 was horrible. 9.12.5.3 is slightly better. It fixed random disconnections of my satellites, I’ve done hard resetting everything, hell I’ve even tried nmrpflashes on the satellites, throughput still is degraded on both wired and wireless. Debug logs show things are good with the router itself, but every single satellite reports TR and RX issues . I’m not exaggerating, every single satellite I own reports that in the debugs. Every single satellite I own also reports NVRAM issues, the router does not. None of my satellites after a factory reset of them emit the factory default SSID and password that is labeled on each unit either. They used to, they don’t now. I don’t know if Netgear changed that behavior, they never tell you and talking to support is like talking to a brick wall.
I’m changing all my cabling out to TrueCable Direct Burial Shielded Cat6A as my ISP piped Cat5e cable and did horrific ends, so I want to rule that out this Saturday, but if that doesn’t work I don’t know what else more I can do. I’ve provided logs to Netgear, but it just is a back and forth ping pong game and not a single technician has escalated it to an engineer to at least just review the logs!
My plan is 400down, 50up, yet my Orbi only pushes 120-200 across all devices direct at the router and from satellites.
FURRYe38
Jan 15, 2025Guru - Experienced User
How are you factory resetting the system? Pressing the reset button or using the ERASE button the RBRs web page?
- OrbiTechDudeJan 15, 2025ApprenticeReset button. Is there an actual difference though? It should accomplish the same thing.
- CrimpOnJan 15, 2025Guru - Experienced User
Yes, holding the reset button for 15 seconds does a true Factory Reset.
- OrbiTechDudeJan 15, 2025ApprenticeYep, which was done on everything. Thanks for confirming. This isn’t my first rodeo with Orbi and I remember the RBK40 being hell in its early days until the firmware got better over time.
- FURRYe38Jan 15, 2025Guru - Experienced User
Use the ERASE button the RBR, and if RBS are wirelessly or ethernet connected, sends ALL RBS the FR command then the RBR follows up. I prefer using this path when I have the RBS near or in same room as the RBR:
Something you can try and see if this path exhibits the same issue with the RBS not syncing to default SSID name on the RBR after the FR has completed. Give the RBS about 5-10 minutes and they should auto connect and turn BLUE to the RBR before you start the setup wizard.
If the RBS do not auto sync to the RBR after the system is reset and is at the beginning setup stage, then there maybe a problem with the RBS.
OrbiTechDude wrote:
Reset button. Is there an actual difference though? It should accomplish the same thing.- OrbiTechDudeJan 15, 2025ApprenticeWhile it sounds nice, I trust nothing via commands. I go one by one and physically reset. It gives me more certainty that a true hard factory reset was complete and not potentially only being a soft reset.
As far as the satellites I already know this. Primarily, what I want to know is, if someone else resets one of their RBS 970 satellites, does it start broadcasting the factory default SSID on the bottom of the unit? When I had the system brand new they all did that, now not a single satellite does that.