My 5G wifi keeps dropping out randomly than fires back up automatically later. I've seen firmware issues identified but I didn't see anything specifically for the R6900P. Any suggestions or instructions on what to do?
Thanks!
Model: R6900P|Nighthawk AC1900 Smart WiFi Dual Band Gigabit Router
My devices lose internet connection. I can switch to 2.4 and it picks right back up. I have't paid attention to see if it's still broadcasting or not. My computer wifi icon goes to the global icon (not sure if it says "connected, no internet" or not). This has been going on on for months, maybe just under a year. I was hoping a new firmware would come out and fix it. I've had it for years without noticing any issue before.
I'll have to bring my laptop home over the weekend to upgrade over LAN but I did update over WIFI today and had the issue. It does say "connected without internet" on my phone.
Feed in your model number and check the documentation for your hardware.
That page will also have any software, firmware and drivers for your device, if they exist.
Look for the model number on the label on the device.
Check the section in the manual on updating the firmware.
You may have done that already. I can't tell from your message.
I mention it because Netgear gave up on supplying paper manuals and CD versions some years ago and people sometimes miss the downloads. So you might find it helpful to stash away a copy of the manual.
The manual also only mentions updates via WiFi and the person helping me has mentioned not doing wifi which is why I wanted to clarify the exact process they were proposing to make sure I wasn't doing things different than they suggested. Also, I can reset the router by just pushing and releasing the reset button or I've seen the hold the button, unplug, hold the button, ... Option (I forget the exact sequence of the top of my head).
@aeroflyer711 wrote: The manual also only mentions updates via WiFi and the person helping me has mentioned not doing wifi which is why I wanted to clarify the exact process they were proposing to make sure I wasn't doing things different than they suggested.----The only difference from the manual is hardwiring it in and using the older firmware. Also, I can reset the router by just pushing and releasing the reset button----yes. After the firmware is fully installed and the router reboots, push and hold reset for 7-15 seconds. or I've seen the hold the button, unplug, hold the button, ... Option (I forget the exact sequence of the top of my head).
Your first post mentioned the newer firmware. When your later post said the older firmware I assumed that was a typo. After the rest, which "older firmware" should I install?
@aeroflyer711 wrote: The manual also only mentions updates via WiFi ...
Only if you interpret it like that.
What the manual actually says (page 156) is:
"Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the network."
No reference to wifi.
In general, experienced users avoid wifi wherever possible, in use and in configuring the thing. Wifi is more likely to go down, especially when you are paying around with settings.
Upgraded firmware, reset, reinstalled again. I also went ahead and enabled QoS and let the router auto assign between 5 ghz and 2.4. I thought I would know if it worked out not but this morning my kids were streaming Netflix (presumably on 2.4) while my phone and computer (presumably on 5) both went down, connected without internet. All device listed were on the same floor one room apart. Any other thoughts or suggestions? I see A LOT of similar posts with the 7000 router.
@aeroflyer711 wrote: I also went ahead and enabled QoS and let the router auto assign between 5 ghz and 2.4.
Why? On both counts.
QoS and auto assign have nothing to do with one another.
What is your Internet speed? Above ~200 Mbps, QoS can do more harm than good. It takes processor power. That's why even Netgear advises against it.
Have you tried to fix the wifi bands?
@aeroflyer711 wrote: ....this morning my kids were streaming Netflix (presumably on 2.4)
Presumably? Not much help there. Do they have 2.4 GHz only devices?
@aeroflyer711 wrote: I see A LOT of similar posts with the 7000 router.
Which ones? The R7000 and R7000P, two different devices with different hardware, are not the same as your R6900P, which is a notch lower down the router hierarchy.
You may think that all these questions are picky and annoying, but without useful answers, we are left in the dark.
@aeroflyer711 wrote: I also went ahead and enabled QoS and let the router auto assign between 5 ghz and 2.4.
Why? On both counts.
My speed from Spectrum is 100 Mbps. On 5 ghz it clocks in at just over 100, and just under 100 on 2.4. I saw somewhere (I thought router settings but I don't see it now) that if you speed in under 200 or 300 (I don't remember exactly) that the QoS enabled can help direct internet traffic and inprove efficiency. Thought it couldn't hurt...
Same with same network names. Thought this would make things more efficient on data traffic. I thought devies could get on 5 ghz when they can and the 2.4 when needed without the need for multiple networks saved.
Are those worthless? Should I turn QoS off and got back to separate networks?
QoS and auto assign have nothing to do with one another.
What is your Internet speed? Above ~200 Mbps, QoS can do more harm than good. It takes processor power. That's why even Netgear advises against it.
Have you tried to fix the wifi bands? What do you mean? Like assigning channels? If so here's what I scan (see pics). My channels are currently set at: 2.4: Auto, 5: 153. SSID: NSA Surveillance.
@aeroflyer711 wrote: ....this morning my kids were streaming Netflix (presumably on 2.4)
Presumably? Not much help there. Do they have 2.4 GHz only devices? Presumably because when 5 ghz drops out 2.4 is always on. I can switch on my computer and keep going. They're watching via a chromecast. This is where the same network name hurt me in continuing to investigate the issue...
@aeroflyer711 wrote: I see A LOT of similar posts with the 7000 router.
Which ones? The R7000 and R7000P, two different devices with different hardware, are not the same as your R6900P, which is a notch lower down the router hierarchy. I didn't pay attention to which ones. Just thought they may be similar enough to the 6900 that the issues may be related or the same. Most of those solutions seem to point to going back to an older firmware which kind of seems counter productive as you may be giving up security fixes.
You may think that all these questions are picky and annoying, but without useful answers, we are left in the dark. Not at all. I have an engineering degree so I know al about needing data. I'm not a computer guru but I know more than enough to be dangerous so I'm open to any help and appologize if I ask or say something dumb.
I thought I answered everything above in red except I did notice I didn't answer the speed. I have 100 Mbps. What else would help? The computer is about 14' from the router. When it drops out my computer says no internet connection and the wifi signal changes to the globe. As I mentioned beofre that'll happen but my kids will be on 2.4 and their streaming devices will work fine or if I switch over to 2.4 on the computer it works right away.
