Running the latest V1.0.4.46_10.0.53 on R7900 Nighthawk. Recently my 2.4ghz (both guest and main SSID) won't connect to Internet. All devices that are connected to it (printer, smart bulbs etc) lose connection. These devices can connect ONLY to 2.4ghz. I did a factory reset but after a day or two, I again lost internet connection AND devices cannot connect. I figured out that if I remove the password all devices connect perfectly, internet connection works too. Channel 1 (was recommended by the Nighthawk App), Upto 54 Mbps (I changed this to different values - Upto 217 Mbps, Upto 450 Mpbs but they didn't have any effect). Enable Smart Connect is OFF (Unchecked). I would like to have the password security back and still have 2.4 Ghz work. Any workarounds used by others that I can try?

About 25 to 50 max on 2.4ghz. Another about 20 on 5ghz UPDATE - When I removed password from 2.4ghz, all devices work great. I put a password and happiness is only for couple or so days.

Ah! I think as soon as I reach more than 32 on 2.4ghz, it starts behaving crazy! No new connections, existing connections drop etc!! This is mainly because I have a bunch of Feit Ceiling Smart fixtures that ONLY works on 2.4 ghz (about 20 of them - large house - about 4700 sqft). I am ready to upgrade!!!!! Any recommendations of Netgear product for a larger size home (Mesh is absolutely ok) that can satisfy more than 32 devices? Wifi 6 or 6E? I really prefer a mesh as I can have my Ring cameras (moved them out from 2.4ghz to Chime Pro Network. Chime pro itself is connected to 5ghz) connect directly to home wifi instead of to Chime Pro Network.

Please let me know if I understood the concept correctly here. I saw SXK30B3 - 3 satellite extender at Amazon. Gives me 6000 sqft, 40 devices. If I use my existing R7900 as an AP (wired into the SXK30B3), I will have a bunch of wifi devices connect into R7900 AP (32 max). The wifi extenders (2) will be strategically located to cater to 2.4 and 2 other 5ghz channels. I cannot connect through wired for the extenders (I believe you used the term backhaul). They will connect wirelessly with the main router. Who does the DHCP? R7900 or SXK30B3 or both? What I like about the above is I can potentially get 2 more extenders at a later date to increase coverage to 10,000 sq ft - if I move to a bigger home. PS: I am also looking at Costco website and they have quite expensive Netgear Routers. $850 can handle 100 devices! The above setup if it works - is much cheaper- I can reuse R7900. Not sure in what way the more expensive routers would be better. I have 1gbps upload/download FIOS.

The SXK system isn't extenders. Its a router and 2 satellites (SXR30=router, SXS30=satellites). And its a dual band system. Again, its not an extender its own router/satellite ecosystem. Just want to make that clear so you're not trying to add satellites to the r7900 as it won't work. The satellites (SXS30) have to connect to the router (SXR30) The biggest downfall to dual band mesh systems is that they have to share the bandwidth between front haul/backhaul. That means they only have roughly half the available bandwidth. If you're not needing the peak speeds at the peripheral of your home, they'll work great. But if you're wanting the best possible, then either hardwiring them in or going with a triband (and its dedicated backhaul) will make a difference. You can go R7900--->SXK30---->Satellites You'd want the SXK30 system in access point mode to prevent a double nat. the R7900 wouldn't work as a satellite but it could be its own wifi. You'd just want to make sure it was using a different ssid and on different wifi channels to prevent interference.

plemans, you are more than just a GURU - you are a GOD in this! 😀 I saw your another message https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-WiFi-Routers/R7900-Is-there-a-limit-to-the-number-of-connected-devices-on-2-4/td-p/2184909 where you had mentioned that you hardwired for high bandwidth devices. I cannot do it for ALL the devices because they are scattered from room to room. Will do that for a few devices soon.Also, I didn't like the fact that mesh systems "share the bandwidth between front haul/backhaul".Till then, thinking of the following setup temporarily. Trying to follow on the cues that I understood. It won't get me the best reach but right now I am not having any problems with wifi dead spots in the home. Please let me know if I am on the right track here. Wall -> R7900 -> Frontier Router (dual band - ARRIS NVG468MQ - want to use only a modem) to be set up as AP. Since this is near Kitchen, Living Room, Walkway etc, I can connect many of the Smartlights to ARRIS 2.4ghz and the remaining to R7900 2.4ghz. Next project:Wired connections to as many places as I canI have had very good success with Netgear products for past 2 decades! https://kb.netgear.com/24043/How-many-WiFi-client-devices-can-my-NETGEAR-router-support recommends some Nighthawk Wifi6 routers.

Nighthawk R7900 2.4 ghz | NETGEAR Communities

21 Replies

plemans
Guru - Experienced User
May 28, 2022
You could try downgrading the firmware a version.
- capperrice
  Star
  May 28, 2022
  I was in the older version and its older version and its older version and this was a persistent problem. I rebooted the router several times to make it temporarily work. Thought there may be better workarounds than this.
  - plemans
    Guru - Experienced User
    May 28, 2022
    are you using any special characters/spaces in the ssid/password?
plemans
Guru - Experienced User
May 30, 2022
What modem/gateway is it connected to?
- capperrice
  Star
  May 30, 2022
  It is connected to a FIOS Modem of Frontier. It has its own 2.4 and 5 but it has a different name and has been switched off. Even though I cannot connect to the wireless of Frontier Cable Modem, both SSDs do show up as available. I am planning to reset this FIOS modem as well.
  
  I am uploading a older version of firmware 1.0.3.18_10.0.42 (20191024 Release notes) as I do remember that this problem was not there about 2 years ago.I will reenter my settings manually after the downgrade instead of uploading a configuration file.
  
  Will post results.
  - plemans
    Guru - Experienced User
    May 31, 2022
    turning off the wifi doesn't disable the frontiers router functions. it leaves you in a double nat. It normally doesn't cause much issues but occasionally it does.
    
    A double nat happens when you cascade more than 1 router.
    https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
    Fixes? There’s 3 options but only use 1.
    1. Put the modem/gateway in modem only/pass through mode. This disables its routing functions.
    2. Leave the modem/gateway in router mode but put the Netgears IP address into its DMZ. This forwards the data to the netgear. You can either leave the modem/gateway’s wireless enabled or disabled. Just make sure its using a different wifi channel to prevent interference
    3. Put the Netgear into access point mode. This disables its routing functions. Wifi/ethernet still works but it does disable some features.
    https://kb.netgear.com/26765/Which-features-are-disabled-on-my-NETGEAR-router-when-it-is-set-to-AP-Mode

Forum Discussion

Nighthawk R7900 2.4 ghz