Orbi RBR30 exhibits 30+% speed loss over direct Ethernet connection from Arris modem

Question

I've had my Netgear system for several years and it appears that the internet speed is getting slower and slower. My normal download is 19Mb/s, upload 2.9 Mb/s via the RBR30 base station located about 10 feet from my Mac Mini (OS 10.15.7). When I connect the Mini directly to my Arris TM3402A modem via an Ethernet&nbsp; cable the speed increases to 28 Mb/s and 3 Mb/s, which is what my ISP promises. The Netgear connection is displayed as Channel : 48 (5 GHz , 40 MHz). The RBR30 Firmware is 2.7.2.104 (currently the latestest version). Any suggestions on what I can do to increase the speed?

JBuddenbrooks · Answer

Wow! let me express my appreciation of your willing to ventuing into the land of Macintosh. I checked the youtube video on the steps required to replace the Mac mini Airport card. It appears to be far, far more involved that the previous surgeries on done on the Mini. One has to end up removing the Airport cirboad from the Mini mother board. Since the Mini is working farily well I think I'll follow the old engineering advice: If it ain't broke, don't fix it! The isn't isn't really broke, just sota ailing!&nbsp;Thank you so much for taking the time and interest to trying to resolve this mystery.

plemans · Answer

Is your mac mini directly connected to the router?

Or are you testing over wifi?

It shouldn't have any issues maxing out that speed.

what speedtest site are you using?

have you tried other devices?

JBuddenbrooks · Answer

Thanks so much for the fast reply! When I tested with an Ethernet cable iI did connect it directly from the back of the Arris Router (the port that was previously connected to the RBR30) to the Ethernet port on the Mac Mini. The WiFi connected was the standard connection using the interna; Mac WiFi receiver. So, yes, it was a direct connection from Router to Mac Mini. I used two apps to measure speed with similar results: Speedtest.net and flash.com and can use others if desired. I also just checked my wife's iMac which is connected, via WiFi, to one of the satellite RBS50s and the speed measured with fast.com was 28 Mb/s and 3 Mb/s! Her iMac is located elsewhere in the house on a different floor.

plemans · Answer

So her mac does fine?&nbsp;Its just yours with issues?&nbsp;

JBuddenbrooks · Answer

Oh Lordy! Your second question prompted me to bring my old 2012 MacBook Pro (MBP) and place next to the Mac mini. Running fast.com with the MBP 2-feet away from the Mac Mini indicated a WiFi speed of 28 Mb/s and 3 Mb/s. In other words, the MBP was much faster than the Mac mini using the Netgear Router.:smileyfrustrated:

I have no indications of any problems with my Mac mini. Since it works properly in all other respects I guess I'll have to live with the slow WiFi speed.

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Orbi RBR30 exhibits 30+% speed loss over direct Ethernet connection from Arris modem

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