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Forum Discussion
Rax80 smart connect issue wifi dropping
Ive been having issues with my RAX80 since purchasing it , if i leave the router with the seperate bands (2.4ghz &5ghz) it runs fine but once i activate smartconnect all i get is intermittent connecti...
Sorry, I had to log back in under another account. The one I was using is actually older.
In any event. I contacted support, and we moved my AP (now an AP RAX80) to V1.0.1.62_1.0.26.
Will see if that works past 2 days without dropping. If it does. I very well may take this thing back to bestbuy, and go with the Asus or Linksys brands.
New firmware for the RAX120 was released (v1.0.1.108). I was able to upgrade via the Nighthawk app. "Things" appear to be fixed now (for now). I'll post here in a week or so on my further findings.
If Netgear has fixed these same issues for the RAX120, they must have done so for the RAX80. Perhaps there's an update for the RAX80 as well now, or in the works.
I'm running version V1.0.1.10_1.0.40 on the RAX200 and unfortunately I can't say the same, but I'm glad you got yours working! Maybe mine is around the corner...
- Fingers crossed this means good news coming soon for the others but I'll wait until someone else has tried it our first.
I'm enjoying the peace & quiet not having the entire household complain hourly the Wi-Fi is down again.
Not sure for anyone else but the nighthawk app wouldn't even find an update for my RAX80 when the update 64 was released.
I had to update manually via the web interface. - Add me to the list having this issue. I've been chasing my tail the last couple weeks trying to figure out my problem, only to discover it's my brand new router. My Amazon Echo devices and smart plugs can't maintain a consistent connection. Also using smart connect. If this doesn't get patched in the next few days I'm returning and moving on.
- I had exact same issue with alexa and smart plugs. They'd randomly give me red ring or just said plugs weren't connected. I sent back to amazon for full refund. Gone with a different brand as it seems a lot of netgear routers are affected and the fix is taking way too long
- I had a message from the support guy today who's been dealing with my case.
They asked me to disable my extender (Netgear ex8000) and tell them of the issues are still present.
The extender was in my basement running a completely separate ssid with a hardwired Ethernet connection to the modem so not linked at all to the RAX80.
Ironically it's the same extender which is providing the main Wi-Fi connection for the house now I've disconnected the RAX80 and has worked for a full week without even a hiccup.
I'd guess we are no closer to a solution for the RAX80 even if the RAX120 issues seem improved.
If I remember right the 80 & 200 share the same chipset. The 120 uses a different manufacturer which might explain why one is corrected but we are still waiting for news for our routers?
Anyway I'm not holding out much hope for a fast solution.
Gabbo
GabboCH wrote:
I had a message from the support guy today who's been dealing with my case.
They asked me to disable my extender (Netgear ex8000) and tell them of the issues are still present.
The extender was in my basement running a completely separate ssid with a hardwired Ethernet connection to the modem so not linked at all to the RAX80.
Ironically it's the same extender which is providing the main Wi-Fi connection for the house now I've disconnected the RAX80 and has worked for a full week without even a hiccup.
I'd guess we are no closer to a solution for the RAX80 even if the RAX120 issues seem improved.
If I remember right the 80 & 200 share the same chipset. The 120 uses a different manufacturer which might explain why one is corrected but we are still waiting for news for our routers?
Anyway I'm not holding out much hope for a fast solution.
GabboYou almost described my situation. I have a Netgear extender in the basement directly connected to my RAX120 upstairs, not the modem. (My modem is in "pass-thru.") This direct connection to the RAX120 is where we differ.
That extender has always provided the best/most consistent connections, even upstairs!!! But, according to your experience (and Netgear), it could screw up the router altogether, even more so in my case since I'm directly connected to the router.
I wish I'd known about this particular connection (potential issue) between the router and extenders earlier. I could have tried disabling mine as a test. But, for now at least, things are fine on the latest version (v1.0.1.108) of the RAX120 firmware. Let's see if that holds over the coming days/weeks.
- I'm pretty sure my extender doesn't cause the problems (otherwise this is another major bug).
I have no nearby networks except for my two so they should operate in separate channels at the end of the spectrum.
I had the same problems before I added the extender in the basement, basically because the tv on the far wall is just a bit too far from the living room router for a reliable connection.
However, there is on guy on the forum complaining about the RAX80 paired with the EX80 (8-stream Wi-Fi 6) extender, which should be perfectly matched in terms of technology.
I'm still convinced the route cause is the RAX router. The router works better if disable Smart Connect and give the networks two separate names. Connect your smarthome devices to the 2.4GHz and connect your phones, tablets, and computers to the 5GHz... I briefly tried smart connect back in March and it only gave me problems. Have had no issues with it off except for QoS issue and the random brief LAN disconnects.
I believe that defeats the purpose of this entire thread, though. The Smart Connect feature is something we all paid for and expect to work well. Disabling smart connect on my tri-band router and having to add and configure and maintain two additional SSIDs is unacceptable to me and a large portion of the reason I decided to splurge the $600 and get Netgear's "Top of the line" router.
It seems none of the new routers are working well... I've tried to be patient but I've had mine almost a year now and same issues still haven't been fixed. Parents had another one that gave issues and Netgear wanted to charge $100 for support out of warranty... told them to just goto Walmart and get $50 Linksys and that solved the issue.
I'm also having pretty great success without the Smart Connect feature. That being said, SC did work - but it wasn't as quick or snappy in practice. It wasn't dissimilar to how some very high-end commercial grade APs behave, such as Aerohive, which we used to install at my old job.
On testing more, I've found that my biggest problem is 2.4Ghz. I'm just at saturation. All the smarts in the router aren't able to counter the 60 apartments i have between my building and the two either side. 5Ghz AC has been rock solid for two weeks and counting. My settings have been most ideal with MU-MIMO off, and AX on.
I hope ya'll find some resolutions. I'm happy with how everything is working, finally.
I fear that your worry about being in a congested area may be a lost cause. I live in a detached house with a good 5 metres clear gap to neighbours and I experienced lots of issues still. While turning off smart connect and AX may sort your issue, your effectively reducing your router to the equivalent specs of a £60 router. It's a joke that this hasn't been resolved by Netgear. I have since switched to a competitor and it has had no issues whatsoever and it's a tri-band wifi 6 router.
Release notes for the RAX120 firmware are now available:
New Features and Enhancements:
- Supports the Tx Beamforming option under Advanced > Wireless Settings to improve legacy wireless client support.
Bug Fixes:
- Wireless disconnection when WiFi password authentication failed.
- Internet and Wireless menu links under the Basic tab do not work properly.
- The attached device list in the Nighthawk app does not display any devices.
- Fixes minor web UI issues.
The only item which seems related to our problems would be "Support Tx beamforming option" but this is described as a new feature rather than a BugFix.
I've already tried disabling beam-forming on the RAX80 & I'm pretty sure it didnt change the behaviour.
Good to see that the "attached devices" bug should be fixed though, this was a pain before.
- Supports the Tx Beamforming option under Advanced > Wireless Settings to improve legacy wireless client support.
Unless this was causing an issue with legacy devices. So if you had any legacy devices (wireless A, B, G, N) it could cause an issue if they are connected. I know I have several devices that are fine using N, and at least one that doesn't want you to use 5Ghz anything. Again, this is fine with all the mixed devices I have. I may do this in a week or so, over a weekend. just in case I have to back out of it. :-)
Been going well for over a week now. No issues to report. WiFi stays up and I haven't had any issues to report back.
So, from what I can get on this. We need a more reliable way to update these devices. Firmware corruption maybe causing updates to not fully "work". At least that is what I am getting fom talking to support and from what I am seeing happen.
Another thing is that updates does not seem to work consistenty for everyone, even if done correctly. And since I have had the same issues with a previous router. It maybe time for a complete re-write of the firmware for these devices. They maybe exceeding on the hardware side, what the software can do. Spec wise, the hardware is great. Software and feature wise, not so much.
- I had the same feeling.
The behaviour of router was initially much better after a factory reset following a firmware update.
However despite a few days of uptime the problems quickly returned.
As an out of the box user this didn't inspire confidence. (I only changed ssid and set as an access point).
Latest information from the Engineering Team on my case is they have still no idea what could cause any of the problems & they've asked me to reconnect the RAX80 without the Netgear extender to see if that changes the behaviour.
I'm getting the feeling we are never going to get this thing working...
There's still not even an acceptance that theres problem. Today I tried the firmware 70 (despite the confirmation from netgear support that it does not address any of the Wifi connection problems).
With this firmware I couldnt even stay connected to the LAN port (this was experiencing connect-disconnect-connect-disconnect) issues.
Perhaps these problems are not Wifi related at all but instead the router soft-boot-looping?.?:?
Either way, I dont recommend anyone else to try the 70 firmware unless you have free time to waste.
Just when you thought the RAX80 couldnt get any worse...... (:facepalm)
I think the only way you can install any updates is to do it manually. And a factory reset after installing it.
Even so, I'm still on V1.0.1.62_1.0.26. I have only rebooting it once in the past few weeks of it being up and working the whole time.
Again, only as an AP device. I'm still using my older R6300 as my LAN router, no WiFi enabled on it.
It is still a bit off at times with the 5G signal. 2.4Ghz seems to work more reliably. But, it's MUCH better than it ever was before.
GabboCH wrote:Today I tried the firmware 70 (despite the confirmation from netgear support that it does not address any of the Wifi connection problems).
With this firmware I couldnt even stay connected to the LAN port (this was experiencing connect-disconnect-connect-disconnect) issues.
Perhaps these problems are not Wifi related at all but instead the router soft-boot-looping?.?:?
Either way, I dont recommend anyone else to try the 70 firmware unless you have free time to waste.
Just when you thought the RAX80 couldnt get any worse...... (:facepalm)
It is working okay for me. Still have QoS issue, random LAN disconnects, etc. Also had to factory reset it twice after update because speeds were being capped to under 30Mbps... unfortunately I can not return since bought in February. Having been putting up with same issues all year... I swore of Netgear in past due to issues and now regret my purchase somewhat. I think may south to new Ubiquiti Alien AX router soon when have funds.
- That doesn't sound like it's working ok if you have LAN disconnects & a speed cap from QoS...
Rather, like many of us, you have paid a lot of money & have no choice but to limp on with it....
GabboCH wrote:
That doesn't sound like it's working ok if you have LAN disconnects & a speed cap from QoS...
Rather, like many of us, you have paid a lot of money & have no choice but to limp on with it....I spoke too soon... I agreee with poster above that newest 70 firmware is somehow worse.... have done 6 factory resets now and it's constantly dropping to 30Mbps, internet connection drops, etc... ridiculous
I did some more troubleshooting... seems Comcast is having trouble in my area along with Netgear QoS issue so that is why my speeds are so slow. Once Comcast is fixed will report back on if can get QoS issue to stop.
Last 2 days, WiFi is been finicky. Seems to be up, but some devices don't connect while others do.
Had to reboot it, and it took a long time before it connected to everything agian. I have various deivices like smart lights, wifi remote control, tablets, laptops, computers, printers, phones, and watches, and consoles, smart TV's etc.
When it doesn't work via WiFi, but something else does. It's annoying as can be.
PLEASE FIX THIS THING!