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Forum Discussion
Orbi 960 - RBRE960 - WiFi broadcast only on Satellites, not on Router
Hi,
I have been troubleshooting a weak WiFi issue on the side of my home closest to the router. The router is upstairs on the north side of the home (the back side), one satellite is on the south side upstairs, the second satellite is on the south side in the basement. After installing the system 2+ years ago this was the best option for indoor coverage and for the front and backyards.
A few months ago I noticed WiFi was weak on the north side. I could be in the room where the router was and Zoom calls would drop and signal would be poor.
I finally got around to try to figure out what was going on. When I power down both satellites, I have no WiFi signal from the router at all. I tried rebooting, no change. I did factory resets to the router and the satellites and still no change. When I look at the network map in the app, only wired devices are connected to the router. The satellites will connect to the router by either wireless or by cable. I prefer to use cables to have faster back-haul speeds. Also I place the satellites a fair distance from the router to be able to get max coverage outdoors. My temporary remedy is to move one satellite to a more central location in the home to get better coverage on the north side.
Are there any config changes that you'd recommend trying? Thanks in advance for your advice.
16 Replies
Got a floor layout drawing of your home and where the Orbi units are located?
Have you swapped RBS locations to see if the issue remains?
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.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?
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?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-messageHas a power off for 1 minute then back ON with the ISP modem and router and satellites been performed since last update?
Be sure to restart your network in this sequence:
Turn off and unplug modem.
Turn off router and computers.
Plug in and turn on modem. Wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on the router and wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on computers and rest of network.
DenverGuy wrote:
When I power down both satellites, I have no WiFi signal from the router at all. I tried rebooting, no change. I did factory resets to the router and the satellites and still no change. When I look at the network map in the app, only wired devices are connected to the router.
The 960 has no setting to control whether WiFi is "on" or "off". (There is an advanced setting to control the Transmit Power level, but the primary WiFi is always ON.) If there is no WiFi, the router is broken.
CrimpOn I am coming to the same conclusion. When I disconnect the satellites from power or ethernet, I do not see evidence of a WiFi signal being broadcast. When I did the factory reset yesterday I did see the default " ORBI09" network broadcast for a bit and then it disappeared. I configured the router using a PC wired into the router.
FURRYe38 Firmware is V7.2.15
Try this, power OFF the RBS and then power OFF the RBR then back ON. Does anything show for the wifi signal coming from the RBR? If not, try a factory reset and setup from scratch, with the RBS not connected. Is a signal seen from the RBR at all after the reset and setup?
