Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 issues with WiFi close to router

[ditchdoc7893]

Hello. I have had the XR500 for just over a year. We really haven't experienced problems with it and its WiFi reach. What we have experienced a problem with is that in the room where the router is located, our living room, we appear to have good connectivity, but the closer you get to the router, it's almost like the signal is overshooting the proximity to whatever device we are connecting, very similar to the way you can bounce a low frequency radio signal off the atmosphere and skip over the immediate area you are physically located in for several hundred miles. We live in a more rural area, so our cable internet speeds (hardwired) are normally in the 60 Mbps download neighborhood, upload 5 Mbps from the provider. When using a device on WiFi approximately 12 feet away, we get good speed tests and good connectivity. WiFi calling works on our phones (usually FaceTime video or audio). If you move within 10 feet of the router or closer, connectivity is degraded, and many times you cannot use WiFi calling or FaceTime. 

We live in a brick house and even if you walk outside several meters into the yard, the signal over FaceTime is significantly better than sitting right beside the router. 

My question, is there a fix for this, or is there some way in the settings to throttle the WiFi signal back a bit so that we are able to use more reliably in the living room? 

Many thanks for any information you can provide. 

Best, 

Ryan

[FURRYe38]

What Firmware is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?

What WiFi devices do you have? 

This happen on every wifi device? 

Is Smart Connect and Beamforming enabled on the XR router? 

Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?

The issue is probably not the signal, however maybe rather how the wireless device is handling a stronger signal vs a weaker signal...

[Netduma-Fraser]

Are there any wireless devices within 3ft of the router? This could be any device that uses a wireless signal e.g. headphones or perhaps the ISP router that has its WiFi still enabled?

[ditchdoc7893]

Unfortunately, I wish it was as easy as that. All the devices that are within 10 ft. of the XR500 are all wired connections. 

[ditchdoc7893]

See answers below:

What Firmware is currently loaded? V2.3.2.22
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too? Arris (not a wifi modem, wired connection only) model TM822A

What WiFi devices do you have? Multiple iPhones, iPads, Laptops

This happen on every wifi device? Typically only see this manifested when using an iPhone/iPad for Facetime Video or Audio strictly over WiFi, no cellular. Does not affect laptops' WiFi speed. Numerous tests done with laptop. Speed tests also done with multiple iPhones, speed does not appear to be affected, however when you move closer to the router, the signal on FaceTime video and audio is severely degraded. 

Is Smart Connect and Beamforming enabled on the XR router? Beamforming is enabled, Smart Connect is enabled

Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many? Two Wifi neighbors but 50+ yards away, can't detect their networks

The issue is probably not the signal, however maybe rather how the wireless device is handling a stronger signal vs a weaker signal... Fair point, I have upgraded the software on iPhones and iPads, no change. Will upgrade the firmware on XR500 and assess if any changes in behavior.

[Netduma_Alex]

Could you try disabling Smart Connect and see if the problem is more noticable over 2.4GHz or over 5GHz?