Some apps intermittently not connecting to RBR / RBS750

[MK2022]

Configuration: RBR750 and RBS750 via ethernet backhaul; AP mode

Firmware: V4.6.14.3

Since few weeks, some applications on my Android 13 phone intermittently don't work while on the Orbi WIFI, but they work fine on mobile data and WIFI at work. The apps which intermittently get stuck include Google maps, banking apps, domotics including the Orbi app. These apps start working just after disconnecting and reconnecting to WIFI. Everything else on this mobile phone, as well as my other devices registered on my home network seem to work fine. I did notice though that the issue does not reproduce while connected to WIFI at work. Therefore:

1) Can the Orbi setup be somehow causing this issue? What fixes do you suggest? Note that the problem started occuring before the FW upgrade V4.6.14.3. 

2) General question: what is the correct sequence to restart the Orbi network?

Thank you in advance!

[FURRYe38]

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. 

Make sure that any MAC Address Randomizer is disabled on mobile devices while at home:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/222...

Orbi would not be blocking anything while in AP mode. Check your host router or ISP services, DNS and configurations here. 

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.

Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update? A complete pull of the power adapters for a period of time after the factory reset then walk thru the setup wizard and setup from scratch with a wired PC and web browser. Recommend setting the default DHCP IP address pool range to the following after applying and a factory reset: 192.168.#.100 to 192.168.#.200.
https://kb.netgear.com/24089/How-do-I-specify-the-pool-of-IP-addresses-assigned-by-my-Nighthawk-rout...

I would power OFF the ISP modem for 1 minute. Factory reset the Orbi router and power it off. Power ON the ISP modem and let it sync. Then power ON the Orbi router and walk thru the setup wizard again using a wired PC and a web browser.
Press the back reset button for 15 seconds then release. 
https://kb.netgear.com/31486/How-do-I-reset-my-Orbi-system-to-factory-default-settings
https://kb.netgear.com/000062081/How-do-I-erase-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System

[MK2022]

Hi @FURRYe38 ,

I've just posted a reply, but can't see it now...

I proceeded with a network restart, als did a network reset on the phone and disabled randomized mac. ~24 hours later, the problem occurred once again...

For your information, I am using CAT6a network cables; the modem is a SagemcomFast5359; and no factory reset since latest FW upgrade.

[FURRYe38]

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...

[MK2022]

Hi @FURRYe38 ,

Understood, but my Orbi is already in AP mode and the WIFI of the ISP modem is off. 

[FURRYe38]

Try changing DNS on the ISP modem router to something else. Try Google or Cloudfare. 

Orbi would not be blocking any apps while in AP mode. It's just passing thru data.

[MK2022]

Hello @FURRYe38 ,
1) Could you please advise whether the advanced wireless settings copied below are optimal? Note that AX is enabled as well.
2) What does the CTS / Threshold mean and what is the optimal value?
3) I recall having set the 2.4 GHz power to 50% to avoid mixing router (on 1st floor) and satellite (on 2nd floor) signals, but now I see the phone switching to mobile data few meters from the satellite (incl. walls).

Thank you

[FURRYe38]

I would try default 64 first for CTS. See if the phone exhibits any better results, then try 500. 

I would reduce the power on the 5Ghz as well to same value as 2.4Ghz. 

Uncheck the 20/40Mhz co-existence box. 

Has the phone OS been updated any? 

[MK2022]

Hello @FURRYe38 ,

Thanks; in the meantime did some further data digging. The ISP modem received a software update in March and I have been having these apps problem on my Android phones since then (it happened on my other phone today - so at least now I know it isn't specific to that particular Android 13 phone). Today I noticed that IPv6 is enabled on the ISP modem - just turned it off.

I am reading a number of posts regarding some apps on Android intermittently not working on WIFI when IPv6 is enabled:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ipv6/comments/hhjnrg/ipv6_still_causing_issues_on_android_on_home/

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-Wi-Fi-5-AC-and-Orbi-with/Problem-with-Andrdoid-apps-when-IPv6-...

Let me test a few days without IPv6; though I don't know if disabling IPv6 can cause other problems...

Two questions:

1) Do I need a network restart after disabling IPv6?

2) Do you recommend changing the WIFI settings nevertheless?

Thanks a lot.

[FURRYe38]

Lets leave the wireless settings alone then. 

I would do a power cycle OFF of the ISP modem and RBR for 1 minute then back on with the modem first then RBR. Observe for a few days...if you notice any continued wifi issues, then try the suggested wifi changes. 

[MK2022]

Hello @FURRYe38 ,

After disabling IPv6 on the ISP modem two weeks ago, the apps don't get stuck anymore on the Android phones - that is good news. However, the past couple of days the Orbi satellite has been quite erratic: it regularly lights up magenta / purple, at which point its wifi isn't working and usually recovers on its own. I am pretty sure that when these hick-ups occur, both the ISP modem and the Orbi router have internet connection (the RBR doesn't show any lights).

My configuration: Orbi in AP mode and the backhaul between the RBR and the RBS is wired.  

I did proceed with a network restart yesterday night; but I just saw the RBS light up blue (I don't know what happened just before as I am not always near the device to monitor; but it was likely recovering from the same type of incident).

Can you pls. advise? Thank you.

[FURRYe38]

Is the RBS directly connected to the back of the RBR or is there a LAN switch in between the RBR and RBS?

What CAT# lan cable are you using between the RBR and RBS? CAT6 is recommended.

[MK2022]

The RBS is directly connected to the back of the RBR with a CAT6a cable already 1+ year.

There is a switch connected to the RBR for other devices; but I don't see how this would be at play here.

The Orbi web interface reads "Backhaul status: Good".

[FURRYe38]

Might try swapping LAN cables to check this. 

Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update? A complete pull of the power adapters for a period of time after the factory reset then walk thru the setup wizard and setup from scratch with a wired PC and web browser. Recommend setting the default DHCP IP address pool range to the following after applying and a factory reset: 192.168.#.100 to 192.168.#.200.
https://kb.netgear.com/24089/How-do-I-specify-the-pool-of-IP-addresses-assigned-by-my-Nighthawk-rout...
I would power OFF the ISP modem for 1 minute. Factory reset the Orbi router and power it off. Power ON the ISP modem and let it sync. Then power ON the Orbi router and walk thru the setup wizard again using a wired PC and a web browser.
Press the back reset button for 15 seconds then release. 
https://kb.netgear.com/31486/How-do-I-reset-my-Orbi-system-to-factory-default-settings
https://kb.netgear.com/000062081/How-do-I-erase-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System

[MK2022]

I can try swapping LAN cables.

No, factory reset and setup from scratch were not performed since last FW update. Is that a must? Before I go in that direction, any chance these settings might be at fault here? Or anything to check in ISP modem?

[FURRYe38]

No. 

[MK2022]

Hello @FURRYe38,

I've realized that both the RBR and RBS WIFI are disconnecting (LAN connection via the RBS is always working). But it is only the RBS that signals the issue by going solid purple; the RBR doesn't light-up. That's why I only suspected the RBS in the first place.

Thing I've tried:

1) Reduced WIFI output power to 50% on both frequencies (5G was 100% and 2.4G 50%).

2) I am using channels 06 and 48. Proceeded with a channel scan using an app and these channels seem to be OK; so no change here.

3) On 2.4 GHz: Unchecked 20/40 MHz coexistence and disabled AX.

4) The RBR (on 1st floor) and RBS (on 2nd floor) have wired backhaul. Still, I've moved the RBS slightly further.

5) NTP settings: time was 1 hour off. Corrected the time by enabling daylight savings option.

6) On the ISP modem: allocated static IP addresses to the RBR and RBS. Increased the DHCP lease duration from 1 day to 8 days for the remaining devices. Note that the RBR is in AP mode and the modem's WIFI is disabled.

My set-up has been rock-solid for 1.5 years. I really have a hard time figuring out what is wrong...

Anything else I should look into?

[FURRYe38]

And you've tried with configurat with the RBS turned OFF for a while? 

Something else to try, Try the Orbi system in router mode and the IP address that it gets from the host router put into the host routers DMZ. 

Seems like there is something happening between the host router and the RBR causing problems. 

[MK2022]

Hi @FURRYe38 ,

I’ve attempted the solution provided above; here is what I have:

1. In the ISP modem interface: the only connected device shown is the RBR. The corresponding IP address is in the DMZ of the modem (still in DHCP, with an 8-day lease). But that IP address is actually the IP address of the internet port.
2. In the ORBI web interface: The RBR is now in router mode and has an IP address ending with .1. All connected devices in the network are shown & managed there. I didn’t change any router settings.
3. As far as I can see, I haven’t noticed a Wi-Fi connection drop-out / RBS turning solid purple since May 28th PM. I will keep an eye few more days.

Is that the targeted configuration in this solution?

If the solution proves to solve these Wi-Fi drop-outs, is that OK to put the 5 GHz signal back to 100% and keep 2.4 GHz at 50%? I would like my smart devices to use 5GHz & AX as much as possible; and only use 2.4 GHz on IoT devices.

Thanks a lot!

[FURRYe38]

Good to hear.

Yes.