Orbi WiFi 7 RBE973
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Re: RBR760 Network issues

MussMan
Aspirant

RBR760 Network issues

I have an RBR760 with 2 satellites and I'm having a lot of connectivity issues.

 

Many of my wifi devices will intermittently connect to the network with Internet. When I can't connect to the Internet on my main network, I can connect through the Guest network and it will work just fine. This happens on PCs, phones, Chromebooks, Amazon devices, etc. See attached pic for example. When I reboot my router, some devices will be able to connect to the main network again that otherwise couldn't.

 

The biggest problem with this is I have printers on the main network and I can't use them if I'm on the guest network. Also, it gets annoying needing to switch streaming devices over when they can't connect.

 

I'm currently running firmware version v6.3.1.0_1.1.41.

 

I typically have anywhere from 40-60 devices in my home network.

 

Is there something obvious that I'm missing? Does the main network cap out at 40 devices that can connect?

 

Message 1 of 14
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: RBR760 Network issues

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.

 

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 📡

 

What channels are you using? Auto? Try Auto and 48 on 5Ghz. Or 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?

Message 2 of 14
ekhalil
Master

Re: RBR760 Network issues

This looks like a double routing (double NAT) issue.
What is the make and model of the ISP modem/router to which Orbi router is connected please? If this happens to be a router then this can explain the issues that you’re here reporting.
Message 3 of 14
MussMan
Aspirant

Re: RBR760 Network issues

I'm using an older Motorola SurfBoard SB6141 with the cable that the Orbi came with to run between the router and modem. I can check on the other info later tonight when I'm home.
Message 4 of 14
MussMan
Aspirant

Re: RBR760 Network issues

See my answers in bold italics below. Thanks for any help.

 

What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?

 

Motorola SURFBoard SB6141


Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6 is recommended. Check - It's a good CAT6 cable.

 

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 

 

My home is a single level and a basement. 5,000 sq ft combined. The router is almost exactly in the center of the home in the basement. The satellites are on the main level at opposite extreme ends of the home. I'd guess they're around 50-60 feet each straight line from the router, but there are obviously walls between them as well.

 

 

What channels are you using? Auto? Try Auto and 48 on 5Ghz. Or try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.

 

I was using Auto on 2.4GHz and 40 on 5 GHz. I just tried changing it to 1 on 2.4 and 40 on 5 and I'll see what happens.


Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?

 

I regularly see fairly weak signals from 1-2 neighbors. Sometimes 3, depending on which side of my property I'm on.

Message 5 of 14
MussMan
Aspirant

Re: RBR760 Network issues

No change with the updated WiFi channel settings.

Message 6 of 14
ekhalil
Master

Re: RBR760 Network issues

What devices do you have connectivity issues with? All devices?
Do you have AX features activated on Orbi? Any AX devices in use?
What wired devices do you have in the network?
Is any of your satellites wired to the router?
Message 7 of 14
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: RBR760 Network issues


@MussMan wrote:

 

 

My home is a single level and a basement. 5,000 sq ft combined. The router is almost exactly in the center of the home in the basement. The satellites are on the main level at opposite extreme ends of the home. I'd guess they're around 50-60 feet each straight line from the router, but there are obviously walls between them as well. 

I might bring the RBS closer to the RBR, say 40 feet? 


 

Message 8 of 14
MussMan
Aspirant

Re: RBR760 Network issues

Connectivity issues are with all devices (even a wired TiVo).

I believe AX is activated if it is activated as a default setting. I don't believe I have any AX devices.

I'm using 2 wired TiVo boxes, a wired security system (which hasn't had connectivity issues), a wired SmartThings controller, wired telephone modem, a wired MoCA device for my TiVo network, and an ethernet switch to handle the extra wired devices.

None of my satellites are wired.

 

On the wired TiVo that is having issues: When it's connected via Ethernet, it sees the other devices on my network (through the MoCA network if you're familiar with that), but it doesn't get an internet connection. This allows me to watch on my other devices, but it only updates the guide info when I'm connected to the internet. To get around this issue, I disconnect the main TiVO from ethernet and connect it to the network via WiFi about once per week to download the info. Then I reconnect it to ethernet so my other TiVO boxes can connect to the main box and watch.

 

I don't believe the satellite distance is causing the issue. Even when the satellites aren't connected, I'm having the same connectivity issues.

Message 9 of 14
MussMan
Aspirant

Re: RBR760 Network issues

Also note, I was using an older NightHawk router before I moved to the Orbi system and all of my devices were working normally.

Message 10 of 14
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: RBR760 Network issues

So even with the RBS turned off the RBR is having issues here alone? 

Does the front LED turn PINK at all when this happens? 

 

Might try re-loading FW on the RBR, then factory reset the RBR and setup from scratch. Try default settings after the reset accept set up the wifi SSID name and password of course. Don't set up any Armor, SPC or Traffic Meter. 

 

Might set manual channels, and 40Mhz only. 

 

If the problem continues, you might return the system for another. 

Message 11 of 14
ekhalil
Master

Re: RBR760 Network issues


@MussMan wrote:

.....

On the wired TiVo that is having issues: When it's connected via Ethernet, it sees the other devices on my network (through the MoCA network if you're familiar with that), but it doesn't get an internet connection. This allows me to watch on my other devices, but it only updates the guide info when I'm connected to the internet. To get around this issue, I disconnect the main TiVO from ethernet and connect it to the network via WiFi about once per week to download the info. Then I reconnect it to ethernet so my other TiVO boxes can connect to the main box and watch.

.....


Orbi is sensitive to IP loops, and devices that both use Ethernet and wifi can sometimes cause such loops. Do you have the possibility to disconnet those devices from your network and see if this will have any change to this issue. 

Message 12 of 14
MussMan
Aspirant

Re: RBR760 Network issues

I may be able to try the reset after work tonight. The light on the router isn't ever pink, it's always operating without errors. On one of my resets, the satellite lights turned pink to indicate they weren't connected. When I reset again, they were working. When the satellites weren't working, the connectivity issues were the same.

 

This is actually the second router I have tried. The first one I bought wouldn't connect the satellites. I contacted Netgear tech support and they advised me to exchange them for a new unit. The first unit was having similar connectivity issues, so that leads me to believe it could be a setting I'm missing or possibly an issue with my modem?

Message 13 of 14
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: RBR760 Network issues

Possible could be a modem or ISP issue. Would have to try a different router with this modem and see. The SB6141 is getting fairly old so you might consider replacing it with a newer Motorola something. 

 

Id try a full on FW reload and reset and setup from scratch. Power OFF the modem for 1 minute then back ON then walk thru the setup wizard. I would leave the RBS OFF for this and just work with the RBR. 

 

Might also set DHCP IP address pool size to .100 to .200. 

 

Something you might try, enable email logging on the RBR and see if anything changes. We saw odd issues with 7 and 8 series FW a few versions back that email logging helped. 

 

 

Message 14 of 14
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