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Forum Discussion
CAX80 Multi-gig ethernet port dropping
I've upgraded to the CAX80 to take advantage of Xfinity's new 1200mbps speed. My PC has a 5gig ethernet port. I've already spent over 2 hours on the phone with NETGEAR support - with no resolution besides a "defective unit" which I do not believe based on the circumstances. As you can imagine I've tried all of the troubleshooting steps they require, with no success. I do have a replacement from BestBuy coming, but I fear it's going to be the same result. ONLY the 2.5gbps ethernet port cuts in and out. My only other option (if I stay with NETGEAR) is to get the CM2000 + RAX120, which I don't want to do based on the addtional $300 it'll cost me. The 1gig ports seems to work fine and doesn't cut in and out randomly. Only the multi gig port does. Tried different ethernet cords, factory reset, MTU decrease, etc. I was talk all of my Cable Connection info looks great as far as channels, power levels, etc. I really don't know what to do at this point and would appreciate any info. Firmware Version V2.1.1.4
Also want to mention - I get great speeds. 1400mbps+. Speed is not the problem, the ethernet just continuously cuts out on the multi-gig port.
Thanks everyone!
41 Replies
What is the brand and model# of this 5G adapter in your PC that your connecting to the port?.
Be sure the drivers for this adapter is up to date.
Does a 1000Mbps network adapter do the same thing? You might try a 2.5Gbps adapter instead...
Like FURRYe38 says, check the card in the computer.
I had a qnap 2.5/5/10g card that has been nothing but problems in my server/media pc.
I could pull full speeds but my streaming would freeze/drop consitently. Opened a support case with qnap and had a few beta drivers we tried and it kept happening. I finally switched to a tplink 10g card and its been rock solid since.
Every once in a while I pull the old card out and update drivers and test it and its still been sketchy.
Please review my reply to him above and let me know your thoughs. I really hope it's not my $400 motherboard.... :smileyfrustrated:
Hello, thank you for the reply!
it is a Marvell AQtion AQC111C 5Gb EthernetYes, the drivers are fully up to date. I've attached the screenshot below.
So what I've figured out after hours of testing - the ONLY time the ethernet drops is when Muli-Gigabit port is being used AND in multi-gig mode. The multi-gig port works fine in 1gbps mode! With that being said, I don't know what to do.
Also for reference - my 5Gb port is on my ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero
Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
I have the same problem, 2.5gigabit cuts out. I've done extensive testing discovered the flaw with the cax80 is related to the wifi. When the frequency of the 2.4 & 5 Gig wifi are at the lowest settings the 2.5 multi-gig port cuts in and out every several hours or so. If you set the wifi frequencies for the 2.4 and 5 gig radios to the max the 2.5 multi gig port cuts in and out every 5 to 10 minutes. If you disable the wifi radios, turn them off, the 2.5 multigig ports work fine. I get 1400+ mbs downloads on comcast. I have disabled the radios and use anouther, R7000 router, as an access point. Very shameful of netgear as i have had the cax80 replaced once and now out off warranty stuck with a lemon of a cable modem/router (cax80). Several others have noted simular problem on reddit.
- The cax80 was released July 2nd. Under a year ago..... Should still be within warranty....
I am really glad to hear I wasn't the only one. I ended up returning it and just ordered Xfinity's XB7 router/modem combo for $14/mo. It includes WiFi 6 and also a 2.5Gb Ethernet port. Been using it for a few months now, not a single problem!! I like to own my own eqipment and have since day 1... unfortunately the CAX 80 is broken.
Something to contact NG support about to let them know. Maybe a faulty unit as well. I've had mine since last year and have had no issues with it.
traleigh wrote:I have the same problem, 2.5gigabit cuts out. I've done extensive testing discovered the flaw with the cax80 is related to the wifi. When the frequency of the 2.4 & 5 Gig wifi are at the lowest settings the 2.5 multi-gig port cuts in and out every several hours or so. If you set the wifi frequencies for the 2.4 and 5 gig radios to the max the 2.5 multi gig port cuts in and out every 5 to 10 minutes. If you disable the wifi radios, turn them off, the 2.5 multigig ports work fine. I get 1400+ mbs downloads on comcast. I have disabled the radios and use anouther, R7000 router, as an access point. Very shameful of netgear as i have had the cax80 replaced once and now out off warranty stuck with a lemon of a cable modem/router (cax80). Several others have noted simular problem on reddit.
I am having the same issue as everyone else; except I did contact Netgear, they sent me another CAX80 and I have the same issue with that one as well.
If you factory reset, the issue goes away; but as soon as the firmware updates with the new security on it; the issue resumes.
Tested 2x CAX80s, 3x cables and 2 different hardwired machines; all same issue as everyone here.
Its surprising netgear has not fixed this yet as it has been happening for a LONG time.
It's July 2022 mine is doing the same thing random disconnects, and when in a game that 15 drop is terrible. Very disappointed in this modem. Paying for 1200 and only can use 947.
- Cat 6, one computer, extensive troubleshooting with cable company. Report was the modem. That is my conclusion. This modem has not worked properly on the 2.5 gig port since I've owned it. Latest firmware update went back to 2.1.3.5. The problem persists. On the one gig ports it is flawless. I have turned off the radios on both wiifi. The problem lies in the modem.
