Orbi CBR40 Dropping Internet Connection Multiple Times Throughout the Day

[Yrok]

Router/Modem combo randomly loses internet connection 2-3 times a day. I've had it for over 4 years and it has worked fine until a couple weeks ago. It randomly loses connection to the internet throughout the day. I thought it might be our Roku Ultra that we use for streaming but I unplugged it and used the TV to stream and experienced two drops today. Reseting the CBR40 fixes the problem and everything works fine for a while until it loses internet again and has to be reset. I've checked connections, reset the modem through my ISP, updated to the latest firmware, and repositioned the device and continue to have the same problem. Please help!

[michaelkenward]

While many questions about routers are generic and could be answered anywhere, some things need specialist knowledge.

You might get more help, and find earlier questions and answers specific to your device, in the appropriate section for your hardware. That's probably here:

Cable Modems & Routers

I will ask the Netgear moderator to move your message.

In the meantime you could visit the support pages:

Support | NETGEAR

Feed in your model number and check the documentation for your hardware.

Check for various troubleshooting tips.

You may have done this already. I can't tell from your message.

I mention it because Netgear stopped supplying printed manuals and CD versions some years ago and people sometimes miss the downloads.

[Yrok]

Here's the event log from the most recent drop. Again any help would be appreciated. I really don't want to have to buy a new router/modem right now but can't continue resetting and waiting several minutes for the modem to reboot 2-3 times daily. Also, I have two satelites connected wirelessly. One is in my garage and other in my kitchen. Each is 20-30 feet from the CBR40 and they are probably 40ish feet away from each other forming a triangle. The kitchen satellite is an RBS20 and garage one is an RBS50. I originally had just the RBS20 but added the RBS50 last summer and have been using this setup for nearly a year without issue.

Jun 23 2022 14:36:31     Warning(5)     MIMO Event MIMO: Stored MIMO=-1 post cfg file MIMO=-1

Jun 23 2022 14:36:31       Notice(6)      TLV-11 - unrecognized OID

Jun 23 2022 14:38:29     Warning(5)     MIMO Event MIMO: Stored MIMO=-1 post cfg file MIMO=-1

Jun 23 2022 14:38:29       Notice(6)      TLV-11 - unrecognized OID

These messages are all over the event log for the last 8 days (only shows last 8 days of events). Another one that shows up periodically is 

Critical(3)     No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out

[michaelkenward]

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@Yrok wrote:

Here's the event log from the most recent drop.

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Is that the log from the router? I don't recognise the format.

You are on a cable Internet service. There are people around here who are much better informed on that front. They can help you to unravel the connection data. That is often a source of problems. Your ISP may say everything is fine at its end, but a lot can happen between the ISP and your device.

That is why I suggested getting your message out of the router zone and into an area where people understand cable modems.

With luck someone like @plemans will see your message and step in.

That the modem/router worked for four years certainly suggests that there is something happening outside the device.

You say that you reset the  modem through the ISP. Have you done a local factory reset?

[plemans]

A full screen snip of the event log and the cable connections page helps the most for checking the line.

But a few tips for troubleshooting cable coax lines.

Start with removing any amplifiers, signal attenuators, or splitters from the coax.
From there check the line for kinks, damage, moisture in the line.
Check the connectors for improperly made ends, foil touching the copper coax line, bad/old/cheap connectors, or corroded connections. Replace them if you do.
If you can, simply connect the modem right where the coax comes into the home. This prevents wiring in the home from being the issue. And some ISP’s charge if the wiring issue is in the home. So this helps prevent this.

[Yrok]

Modem isn't exactly where it comes into the house but isn't far from it. It's connected with a high quality coax that's less than 6 ft long. There is nothing in the line from the wall to the modem other than the cable. Also, it has been set up this exact way since we bought the house in Nov. 2019 and has had no problems. ISP is COX cable and I get 250 down when everything is functioning properly. I tried swapping my 2.4GHz channel as well. It was set to auto and using channel 3. I switched it to channel 6. Would have done 11 but my neighbors wifi appears to be on 11. 5GHz is on channel 48.

[plemans]

Your signal is actually a bit hot (high). 

Try putting a good quality double or triple splitter in line to cut the power level down. 

You should be between -7.5dbmv to 7.5dbmv. You're a ways above that. 

[Yrok]

Ok, I have a 2 way splitter coming tomorrow that I'll put in the line. Strange that too much power would be a problem. Also, I assume the power has been the same for the last 2.5 years with no problem. I'll put the splitter in tomorrow and see what I get.

[Yrok]

Just put the splitter in. Didnt bring the power down as much as you wanted but it is better. I also moved the router/modem further from my TV since I have the extra cable length now with the splitter. I'll give it a couple of days and see what I get. I also ordered a 10dB attenuator from Amazon that I'm thinking I'll put in place of the splitter. Thoughts? Attached is the results after the splitter install.

[plemans]

10db attenuator is quite a significant jump. You can try it but make sure to take the double splitter out. Normally, I'd rather see the signal on the high side versus low side. reason why is if the downstream is high, it usually means the hub is closer to the home and so it doesn't take the modem as much power to communicate with it. If you're to low, it means its further away and the modem has to increase its output power to compensate. 

[Yrok]

It has dropped again since installing the splitter and moving it further away from other electronics. The 10db attenuator should put me around 2-3 dbmv. I figured getting as close to 0 as possible was the goal when I ordered it. Either way, not sure it's going to help or not since it's already acted up again at the 9dbmv it's sitting at now. I ordered a new coax too just to rule out the cable. Both the attenuator and cable should be here Monday...fingers crossed that they fix my problem but I'm not very optimistic. Latest log is attached too. Installed the splitter around 1300

[plemans]

Yeah, the logs are still showing connection issues. You might have to have the isp check the line. 

Again, direct connect it to where it comes in just to ensure it isn't an issue inside the home as many ISP's charge if the wiring is internal to the home. 

[Yrok]

This is outside where cable comes in...not sure how to undo what's there to plug directly into modem

[plemans]

It looks good externally. but I've seen poor crimping/stripping jobs where the shield was touching the copper coax line though. so even though it looks good, externally, sometimes you have to check all the connections. But if the issue is outside the home, its on the ISP. 

I've actually had to rent a modem before to prove to an isp that it wasn't the modem as they wouldn't troubleshoot anymore without charging me for it. Not saying 100% it isn't the modem as a hardware issue with the modem could give you errors too, its just something I've had to do. 

[Yrok]

Ok. Directly plugged into the line coming into the house.(except for the 6ft cable attaching it to the modem). Attached is how it looks at the moment. I know it's not pretty but it's only temporary. Without the splitter, the signal was very hot (15dBmv). With the splitter installed as shown, the power levels are around 12dBmv. Unfortunately I don't yet have the 10dB attenuator. I will post the event log after 24 hours.

[Yrok]

Direct hookup no splitter.

[Yrok]

Direct hookup with splitter.

[Yrok]

Attenuator was in the mailbox. Replaced the splitter with it outside where the cable comes in. Attached are the power readings. If it still drops now, I guess I'm at the point of contacting the ISP.

[plemans]

Yeah those power levels are pretty spot on perfect. 

[Yrok]

No drop outs since installing the attenuator yesterday. 21 hours without dropout. Event log only shows 1 event and it occurred at 6am this morning. So I guess we've narrowed it down to either the line through the house or the excessive power. Moving modem back into the house and installing attenuator. Fingers crossed this is my fix. Going on a work trip through Thursday...I'll give an update when I get back. Thanks for all the help so far.

[Yrok]

Here's the connection after moving modem back inside. Signal is obviously a bit lower than it was outside but I also notice the number of correctables increased from 15 to 72...does that imply there is a problem with the cable running through the house?

[plemans]

tough to say after that little time. A few errors isn't a big deal, its when its constant and that number grows consistently. Ideally you'd like zero but again, a few isn't an issue