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Forum Discussion
Devices dropping from network
Any ideas please?
I am running small home network, comprising of 2 x Microsoft Windows 11 laptops, 1 x Raspberry pi file servers running samba share, 1 x Raspberry pi running Urbackup server with 2 WD 2 & 4T drives. 2 x Android phones and 2 x tablets, 3 Networked Cameras.. These are connected vis Netgear GS108Ev30 and a Netgear Orbi RBR860 with 2 x satellites. (I also have 20+ devices connected to control lights etc as my wife is disabled)
Up to last month everything could see everyone else, transferring from samba to windows to Android with no problems. The camera uses its own software and still ok.
About a month ago I thought I would try the Armor AV as my brother-in-law used Bitdefender on his phones. At the same time, I put the Netgear managed switch in place as needed more ports. This in a bare knuckle install with no VLans or settings changed.
About 3 weeks funny things were starting to happen plus I didn’t like Bitdefender. So, I disabled the Armor on the Orbi, removed the software from laptops and phones, now with the exception on my phones and tablets. I am unable to view any devices on the network, using network discovery.
My phones and Tablets are the only can see all the networked devices and samba share. I can ping the devices, I can network map a drive using \\server\share, I borrowed a clean laptop but still no joy. I plugged one of the Raspberry pi from the switch to a direct port on the satellite, nothing. I have set the Orbi to Factory reset, connected devices via Wi-Fi and Ethernet but still no joy. I have checked that the services etc are still active on the laptops, just in case I defaulted the laptop firewall setting, but I have never had to do that before I have never set any ports or protocols on the Orbi I don’t think it’s that. But nothing
Ideas please.
Mike
17 Replies
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6 is recommended.How many RBS are deployed?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR📡 and RBS🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 🛰️Does this happen with the RBS turned OFF?
Does this happen with both wireless and wired devices?
What channel configurations are currently set on the router?Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/2220016/jump-to/first-unread-messageAre the RBS wireless or ethernet connected to the RBR?
thanks for reply, hope following helps
latest .2.4.5
sky box, have no issues with internet connectivity
Yes good cables Cat6
One main router and 2 x satellites
no idea, middle sized bungalow, two bedrooms,
distance from main door where main router is connected to the outside world is about about 30 ft to the satellites that has he connected equipment , another about 10 feet more on the opposite side of building,
with the satellite turned of i loose the ethernet connectivity as expected but wireless still works, but still cant see devices on the windows network discovery which i need.
have tried moving some raspberry pi servers to other satellite but to no avail.
channel 40 (42), not much on this channel, i am a distance from other houses so very little going on,
o, have tried the MAC address as suggested.
both wireless and ethernet, Ethernet controls hive and Pulpits lights and heating
devices
Hope this helps, Mike
Mikepedley wrote:
thanks for reply, hope following helps
latest .2.4.5
sky box, have no issues with internet connectivity
What is the model # of this ISP device please.
Yes good cables Cat6
One main router and 2 x satellites
no idea, middle sized bungalow, two bedrooms,
Need near or best estimate of acutal size of home in sq feet please.
distance from main door where main router is connected to the outside world is about about 30 ft to the satellites that has he connected equipment , another about 10 feet more on the opposite side of building,
Might move the farther RBS a bit closer maybe.
with the satellite turned of i loose the ethernet connectivity as expected but wireless still works, but still cant see devices on the windows network discovery which i need.
have tried moving some raspberry pi servers to other satellite but to no avail.
channel 40 (42), not much on this channel, i am a distance from other houses so very little going on,
o, have tried the MAC address as suggested.
both wireless and ethernet, Ethernet controls hive and Pulpits lights and heating
devices
Has a power off for 1 minute then back ON with the ISP modem and router been performed since last update?
Be sure to restart your network in this sequence:
Turn off and unplug modem.
Turn off router and computers.
Plug in and turn on modem. Wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on the router and wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on computers and rest of network.Try this with just the RBR ON to see if networking returns to expected behavior.
Mikepedley wrote:
I am unable to view any devices on the network, using network discovery.
Could you please explain network discovery in more detail. Does this mean
- Viewing the Orbi web interface Attached Devices page?
- Using a utility program on a laptop or other computer?
Could you navigate to the Orbi web interface, Advanced Tab, Security Menu, Access Control and confirm that Access Control is enabled (or disabled)? Does it show any devices as "Blocked"?
Thanks
thanks for reply. Sorry should have given more detail on this
its the windows network discovery program which is now not working, phones ok Tablet has odd hiccup
I have a few Raspberry pi file servers that i use for centralised storage and backup, i am familiar with this, re my job (retired). My Daughter-in-Laws and sons also use this storage to copy of data from there phones and laptops - mainly pictures... lots of pictures. they come over scan network and copy to their labelled storage. , but if they cant see devices to connect to they tend to panic. ok if I'm around but unfortunately my health is not good and have spent a lot of time in hospital. this also applies to my wife who is not computer literate.
looking at the Orbi web interface and the phone app i can see all connected devices.
Access control looks disabled, there is nothing in the tick box that say turn-on. I can see all devices in list , nothing is blocked. No setting in blocked sites and services
Many thanks, hope this helps
Mikepedley wrote:
its the windows network discovery program which is now not working, phones ok Tablet has odd hiccup
Having never installed Bitdefender, I have no idea what it may have done to Windows settings. Might be worth a few minutes verifying that Windows Discovery is actually enabled.
I use various programs to scan the local network, including Slitheris Network Discovery (free)
Could you please give that program a try and see if it "finds" the resources?
It is not blazing fast, but is pretty thorough.
