Orbi AC2200 Tri Band RBR-40 w/2 RBS20's

[timanghar]

I have the Orbi AC2200 Tri Band Mesh system with 2 RBS20's. I had an older nighthawk router before this. I had no issues with the nighthawk but wanted to upgrade and extend my wifi range with the mesh system since we built a barn which is right beside the house. Since switching, our wifi is actually worse. We no longer have wifi in our garage or on our back porch with the mesh system however with the older nighthawk we had internet all over our house and outside on our porches and even all the way to our gate. I'm wondering if it is the mesh system, or is it in how I have it setup? The wifi connections are now very spotty and in/out, not as extended as they were with just my nighthawk router, and really I feel as though I wasted $350 on a system that doesn't work and I can no longer take back since I'm past my return period. I have chatted with support through the iPhone app and did troubleshoot but nothing changed. Does anyone have any suggestions? Reviews I have read say this system should give me service in my barn, but I can't even get service from one room to the next even if I'm sitting right beside one of the satellites. Right now my MacBook is connected to the main RBR40 even though it is literally sitting 1 inch away from a RBS20. Same thing with our phones, they won't connect to the different satellites or router as you move through the house. They stay connected to just one. It's like the system is not "meshing". They're each acting as stand alone wifi units but devices pick and choose which one they want to connect with even though they aren't connecting to the closest one. I greatly appreciate any help or advice in trying to get this system up and running correctly or if you know if I can send it back to Netgear for something else. I'm ready to unplug this and go back to my old nighthawk that was working better than this upgraded system. Thanks!

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

I would remove the check box and apply the setting. The RBR will reboot. I would power OFF the RBS for 30 seconds then back on. 

[FURRYe38]

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?

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router

What is the distances from the house to the barn? 

[timanghar]

What Firmware version is currently loaded?  V2.5.1.16
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?  Our ISP (Cirranet) provides you with a POE device only.  It's what I had the nighthawk plugged into and also have the RBR40 plugged in to it now.  There is no model or serial number on it.  Would it be best to plug my Nighthawk back in and connect the RBR40 to it?

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?  Living is 4000 sq ft, under roof (garages) is 5200 sq ft.
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.  One of the satellites is right around 30 feet from the RBR 40 and the other one is probably closer to 40-50 ft.  We have no insulation in the interior walls at all.  So just wood framing and sheetrock.

 https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router   

What is the distances from the house to the barn? The barn sidewalk and our backporch sidewalk connect.  The house and barn itself are  maybe 10 feet apart.

[timanghar]

Sorry! I answered in color but it didn't add my colored responses.  

[FURRYe38]

Do you have Daisy Chain enabled on the RBR? 

Is the RBS placed out in a line from the RBR or are they on opposite sides of the RBR? 

Was checking to see if your ISP modem had a built in router is all. I think your fine here. 

[timanghar]

I will have to check on the Daisy Chain after I get back to the house.  I can only login remotely from the app on my phone and I don't see that anywhere on there.

The RBR is located in the center of the house.  One RBS is located to the left down a hallway and in a bedroom, and the other is located to the right of it down a hallway and in my office.  This is the one that is a little further away from the RBS.

[timanghar]

Ok so I'm not sure if Daisy Chain is enabled or not.  When I look at attached devices it shows both satellites and says that are connected to the Orbi Router.  Is that how it should be?  I'm sorry for any dumb questions, this mesh system is completely new to me.

[FURRYe38]

nder Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings on the RBRs web page, 

Daisy Chain to see if there is a check box that checked which means it's enabled...

[timanghar]

Yes, Daisy Chain is enabled.

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

I would remove the check box and apply the setting. The RBR will reboot. I would power OFF the RBS for 30 seconds then back on. 

[timanghar]

Ok - so disable Daisy Chain, let the RBR reboot, power down the RBS's, turn back on.  And then enable Daisy Chain again or leave it disabled?

[FURRYe38]

Leave it disabled. 

[timanghar]

Daisy Chain is disabled.  I powered the RBS's off and back on.  Now they show they are disconnected from the router and won't connect again.  My attached devices shows 0 for satellites and everyhting is now connected to just the RBR.  Under Backhaul Status on the RBS's it has Disconnected and then a Remove option.  Do I need to remove them and try to add them back?

[FURRYe38]

No, They should have reconnected. 

What is the distance from the RBS to the RBR? 

You might try this, power off 1 RBS and bring it to the same rooms as the RBR. Power it on and see if it connects there. 

[timanghar]

Ok - they are both showing to be connected again.  1 RBS shows the connection as good and is about 30-35 feet from the RBR.  The other RBS shows connection as poor is about 48-50 feet from the RBR.  Should I place this one in a different area?  I was hoping that where I have it would help increase the wifi to our barn which is about 20 feet from where this particular RBS is sitting.

I still feel as though the Nighthawk AC2600 I had previously had a wider range for wifi.  I had wifi all the way to our gate which is quite a ways away from the center of our house where it was located.

[FURRYe38]

Ok, The RBS seems to take a bit longer than expected to get connected. Give them time in the future. 

Yes I would move the farther RBS nearer until you see a GOOD status seen. 

[timanghar]

Ok.  I'll do that.  I'll also monitor how the wifi seems to be working over the next few days after making these changes.  If we still have issues I'll post again.

Thank you so much for all of your help!!  I was definitely at a loss on what to do and I have no idea how all these settings should be.  Thanks again!!

[FURRYe38]

Be sure to make a backup configuration to file for safe keeping after making sure things are good. Saves time if a reset is needed later on down the road. Under Advanced Tab/Adminstoration/Backup. 

[timanghar]

Awesome!  Thanks for heads up and advice!!  🙂

[FURRYe38]