Nighthwark 8000 router doesn't accept new device connections, from multiple devices

[PhilFromCA]

I have a Netgear X6 8000 that supports 2.4 and 2 different 5.0 networks, because this router has two independent 5.0 radios.  This router has the latest available firmware for this device, 1.0.4.84_10.1.84.  Security is WPA2-PSK [AES] on all wireless networks.  It is reset or power-cycled periodically.  The router gets its Internet feed from an Arris cable modem that I own.

I can no longer add any devices to any of my WiFi networks, which is why I’m doing this post.  I have stared and stared and stared again at the Advanced configuration screens for a really long time, and I can't see any reason why new network connections aren't accepted.

At present, the router supports connections to 1 desktop, 3 laptops, 2 iphones, 2 iPads, an Arlo security camera, and 2 Roku sticks.  The Roku sticks are plugged in to the “upstairs” TV and the “downstairs” TV.  The “downstairs” TV is less than10 feet away from the router, but the “upstairs” TV is maybe 30 feet away, and on a different floor from the router.

There are no issues with connections from any of the PCs or the phones or tablets, or the Arlo camera.  All these connections were set up at least six months ago, maybe a lot earlier.

There are several different issues with adding a Roku stick to one of the 5.0 networks.  In each case, the Roku stick says that there was a failure to connect to a WiFi network when I have attempted to do connections in the last month or so.

The upstairs Roku stick was installed several years ago, and successfully connected to both 2.4 and 5.0 networks.  Several months ago, the 5.0 network connection stopped working, although the 2.4 network connection still works.  Even though I have tried many, many times, this Roku stick is not able to connect to either 5.0 network.  The 2.4 network is too slow to stream most programs on this Roku.

The downstairs Roku stick was installed about a year ago, and was successfully connected to both 2.4 and 5.0 networks.  Those connections continue to work.  However, I needed to get a new

new Roku stick that supports 4K, to use with the “downstairs” TV.  This new Roku stick also has “Fast Wi-Fi® performance.”  However, even though the signal strength for both 2.4 and 5.0 networks is excellent, this new Roku stick was not able to connect to either network, no matter how many times I tried.

So at this point, what is my next step with the router?  Do I, or can I, open an official support case with Netgear?

[plemans · Accepted solution]

Sometimes old settings can cause issue when you upgrade firmware. Its why one of our first recommendations for those having issues after an update is to try a factory reset and set it up from scratch (not from a backup).

Hope removing the special characters helps! I know roku occasionally has issues with those. 

[plemans]

1.What modem/gateway is the router connected to? 

2. How old is the router? 

3. Any special characters or spaces in the SSID/password? If so, remove them. Roku's don't always play nicely with them

4. Has a factory reset been tried lately? The R8000 had quite a few firmware changes. 

[PhilFromCA]

Model is an Arris T25.

The Netgear router was installed Oct. 2019

There are indeed special characters in the Wifi passwords, * and &.  In the past, Roku has accepted such passwords.  However, since I have two independent 5.0 bands. I will change the password for one of those bands and try again.

I have not done a factory reset in quite a while.  However, I do have the latest firmware installed.  Are you suggesting that just installing the latest firmware isn't enough to fix my roku stick issues?

[PhilFromCA]

Forgot to say that I really appreciate this reply.  It's specific and something I can do.

[PhilFromCA]

Forgot to spell out that the Arris T25 is my cable modem.  Service (such as it is) from Comcast.

[plemans · Accepted solution]

Sometimes old settings can cause issue when you upgrade firmware. Its why one of our first recommendations for those having issues after an update is to try a factory reset and set it up from scratch (not from a backup).

Hope removing the special characters helps! I know roku occasionally has issues with those. 

[PhilFromCA]

I

Score!

I changed the 5.0 (2) network only, to just letters and numbers.  The Roku stick connected right away.

It's really weird that the Roku screen for entering a password contains all kinds of special characters.  That's what confused me.  I guess I assumed that Roku was doing a better job of software quality control.  gotcha!

I know that I need to perform a full router factory reset, upgrade to the current firmware, and then re-enter everything.  But I'm pretty busy right now, so this task is technical debt.  Also I want to do it when my wife will not be at home, so as to disrupt her online work.

[plemans]

Glad that got it working!

its surprising how many devices have issues with spaces/special characters. Like I said, it seems like roku will do fine for a while, then we'll see a rash of posts about them not connecting. The special characters usually fixes it but not always.