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Hansom's avatar
Hansom
Follower
Sep 06, 2018

EX6100v2 Signal dropping constantly

I have a Netgear wifi range extender model EX6100v2 and the signal drops all the time. The problem doesnt seem to be with my router, distance, or anything of that sort because I have a Linksys wifi adapter that works perfectly other than the kind of slow speed.The extender is ethernet connected to my computer also so the connection when doing the smart setup is usually 90-100%. I have tried the Fastlane also, it doesn't help the problem at all. After having it happen for so long I started timing it to see if it was timed, sometimes it seems to be on a 30 minute-ish timer. Others it can happen constantly or just all together lose connection for no reason. I dont know what to do, but I also dont want to use my warranty if the device isnt deffective.

18 Replies

  • DexterJB's avatar
    DexterJB
    NETGEAR Moderator

    Hi Hansom,

     

    Welcome to the community!

     

    1. What is the firmware version of the extender?

    2. When you say "the signal drops", do you lose the SSID/WiFi  signal or just just the Internet access?

    3. Have you tried changing the wireless channel?

    4. What is the status of he router link LED when it drops?

    5. Have you tried resetting the extender?

     

    Regards,

     

    Dexter

    Community Team

    • DexterJB's avatar
      DexterJB
      NETGEAR Moderator

      Hi Hansom,

       

      I would like to follow up and check if you are still experiencing the issue.

       

      Regards,

       

      Dexter
      Community Team

      • GJHolmes's avatar
        GJHolmes
        Tutor

        I am having the same issue. I have two EX6100/AC750 range extenders one at home and one at my work place. They are both set up as access points and both drop the wifi signal frequently. I am connected to the wifi on my Mac Book Pro. All frimware is up to date. Looking for a solution please.

    • Ijn's avatar
      Ijn
      Aspirant

      Ok, so I believe the situation may be resolved my problem, though not perfectly. I have come to believe that when two AC750 (EX6500) units are both set up as extenders (i.e. they are connected to a router by ethernet) AND they are within radio range of each other, they do not coordinate their frequencies. So as time passes if they are set to auto (they adjust to the best frequency) they will at some point sooner or later pick the same frequency, and jam each other - and clients on either one loose their connection. For some reason this also appears to happen if I specify a particular frequency (i.e. not set to auto).

      So, to resolve this issue, I set one of them as an extender. The extender is set to repeat the access point's signal. In this configuration, I THINK that the two units are forced  to coordinate frequencies. I find that often the nearest EX6100 (which is the extender) will drop my client, and I'll wind up on the far EX6100 (the access point), but I still remain connected to the internet. As I say, its not perfect, but its much less frustrating than the original situation.

      • StephenB's avatar
        StephenB
        Guru - Experienced User

        Normally a single band or dual band extender needs to use the same channels as your router.  That's because it only has one radio per band - which can't be tuned to two channels at the same time.  The only way to avoid this is to use fastlane.

         

        In AP mode the channels can be independent.  I agree it's reasonable idea to manually assign them, especially in the 2.4 ghz band where the channels overlap. 

         

        Generally speaking it seems very odd that changing one of the EX6100s to extender mode would reduce the signal drops - I can't think of any mechanism that would do that, especially when the channels are manually assigned. Even when there is interference, you can almost always still connect - you might see somewhat lower performance, but you normally won't see a drop.

  • I also have two EX6100 units set up as acess points, which drop wifi signals consistantly. I’ve been trying to solve this issue for quite sometime. The problem seems to be associated w IOS clients.

  • DexterJB's avatar
    DexterJB
    NETGEAR Moderator

    Hi GJHolmes and Ijn,

     

    Please provide your response to my previous inquiry with Hansom.

     

    1. What is the firmware version of the extender?

    2. When you say "the signal drops", do you lose the SSID/WiFi  signal or just just the Internet access?

    3. Have you tried changing the wireless channel?

    4. What is the status of he router link LED when it drops?

    5. Have you tried resetting the extender?

     

    Regards,

     

    Dexter

    Community Team

     

     

    • Ijn's avatar
      Ijn
      Aspirant
      1. V1.0.2.24_1.1.134
       
      2. just the internet access. My ipad reports I'm still connected to the extender's network.
       
      3. yes. I have two access points set up using EX6100s (the first version of the model). They are situated at opposite ends of my home and connect to the router via CAT5 cable. 
       
      My home is shaped like the letter "T". The wired router sits at the end of one wing on the ground floor. Each extender is at the end of the remaining wings, one on the second floor, and one in the attic to cover an area which otherwise would be a dead spot. Currently the 2.4GHz on both units is set to 'auto', and the 5.8GHz is set to the lowest frequency on one unit, and the highest available on the other. They have however previously had other settings, but exhibited the same issue. Note that all three units, the router and two extenders are emitting their own 2.4 and 5.8 GHz network, all under unique names. There are also other networks at nearby homes. I have surveyed the spectrum with Stumbler, an OSX app, which seems to indicate no two networks occupy the same channel, but obviously devices can frequency hop.
       
      4. Typically green, although it does display red lights on occasion.
       
      5. I have reset the extenders many times. 
       
      Additionally, when I set up the two units, the last time, only one was powered while I was configuring it. I then powered off the first, and configured the second in the same way. The two units their networks named differently.
       
      Typically the signal drop occurs while surfing with my ipad. This unit runs IOS12.x. I have rebooted the ipad, and reset it, done network resets, and forgotten the networks & re-initialized them many times. I have not noticed the internet dropping with other hardware, but rarely connect to the extender networks with anything but an ios device.
      • DexterJB's avatar
        DexterJB
        NETGEAR Moderator

        Hi Ijn,

         

        Do your iOS devices stay connected when on the main network (not on the extender)?

         

        Regards,

         

        Dexter

        Community Team