Orbi RBR750 - Intermittent Drops and Unable to Connect to Google

[bldewitt]

Hello,

I have an Orbi RBR750 AX4200 with one satellite. Over the past week, we have experienced intermittent drops and issues connecting to and staying consistently connected to the wifi. The issue has been noticed on multiple device including phone, laptop, Roku, etc. It has also been seen on both the primary wifi network and guest network. In particular, we have noticed that we have had issues going to Google sites and having them properly load from time to time. I found a similar post (link below) that suggested updating the DNS primary to 8.8.8.8 and secondary to 8.8.4.4 which we did and saw improvements at first but the issue returned. We have rebooted the modem and the Orbi multiple times, disconnected and reconnected device, etc. but the issue persist. We tend to be able to get all devices back online. We get the Google sites to load after consistent refreshing or connect/disconnect to wifi. We have been unable to get one of the Roku devices back online as it connects to the router, but does not receive internet.

Any recommendations? Thank you in advanced. 

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-Wi-Fi-5-AC-and-Orbi-with/Orbi-RBR50-can-t-connect-to-Google-si...

Model: RBR750

Firmware: V4.6.14.3_2.3.12 

House SqFt: ~2300 sq ft

Modem: Fios quantum gateway g1100

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

Does this happen with wired devices as well? 

Does the front LED on the RBR turn PINK any when this happens? 

What mode is the FIOS gatway working in? Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop 

Try option #2 first...

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 ‌‌🛰

What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?

Also try turning down the power output of the RBRs wifi radios from 100% to 50% and see if this changes anything. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings

️

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

Does this happen with wired devices as well? 

Does the front LED on the RBR turn PINK any when this happens? 

What mode is the FIOS gatway working in? Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop 

Try option #2 first...

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 ‌‌🛰

What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?

Also try turning down the power output of the RBRs wifi radios from 100% to 50% and see if this changes anything. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings

️

[bldewitt]

Thanks for the quick follow up. One note, I have had the router since September 2022 and this is the first time we have had issues.

Does this happen with wired devices as well? I do not have any wired devices and have not tried to connect any at this point, but could give it a try. 

Does the front LED on the RBR turn PINK any when this happens? I have seen it turn pink, but that is not the case most of the time or by the time I look.

What mode is the FIOS gateway working in? The wifi has been disabled on the FIOS gateway and I am using the Orbi in Router Mode.

What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? I am closer than 30 feet and did recently move the RBS probably 2-3 weeks ago.

What channels are you using? Auto?  Using Auto on 2.4Ghz, I will update, and I am in the 40 to 48 channel range for on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many? Generally can see 3-6 other networks.

Also try turning down the power output of the RBRs wifi radios from 100% to 50% and see if this changes anything. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings I assume this is the "Transmit Power Control" setting. Should I turn this down on both 2.4 and 5Ghz?

Thank again!

[FURRYe38]

If you have seen pink on the front of the RBR, this can indicate there is a loss of connection to the FIOS gatway router. 

Though wifi is disabled on the gateway router, there is still a double NAT condition here which can cause problems with the RBR. I would try option #2 as suggested on the gateway router to be sure. 

So the RBS is closer to the RBR that 30 feet or have you now moved it farther away? 

Yes and Both. 

[bldewitt]

Thanks!

Though wifi is disabled on the gateway router, there is still a double NAT condition here which can cause problems with the RBR. I would try option #2 as suggested on the gateway router to be sure. Do you have a link or instructions on how this is done?

So the RBS is closer to the RBR that 30 feet or have you now moved it farther away? I moved them closer

Yes and Both. Thanks!

[FURRYe38]

Something to check online seach with the model# of the gateway and see or ask the ISP about. 

So how far was the RBS initially from the RBR? 

Whats the distance now between the RBS and RBR? 

[bldewitt]

Went from 20 down to 15 feet.

[FURRYe38]

30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.

[bldewitt]

Okay, I have moved the satellite and will make the other updates and report back. Thank you.

[FURRYe38]

👍

[bldewitt]

After moving the satellite further away, I made the changes to the channels and power output and all has been going well since last Thursday (*knock on wood*). 

Thank you so much for the assistance and suggestions!

[FURRYe38]

Glad you got it working. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
Enjoy. 📡