Orbi RBK50: mobile devices lose connection when traveling to different floors

[airahcaz]

I've installed the RBK50 on three different floors.  Router on 1st floor, Satellites are in basement (hardwired backhaul) and 2nd floor.  All permanent devices connect accordingly.  However, when carrying a mobile device such as an iPhone that was connected to the 2nd floor, and traveling to basement, it will lose connection until I turn Wi-Fi off and then back on again so that it can connect to the closest Orbi.  It is certainly not a password issue and I have the latest Firmware 2.1.2.18.  It is an annoyance, but I thought the whole point of the Orbi system was seamlessness?

[DarrenM]

Have you enabled fast roaming in the advanced wireless settings? It could be a issue of the iphone sticking to one router.

DarrenM

[airahcaz]

Thanks, what is FR and why isn't it enabled by default?  what are the Trade-offs?

[DarrenM]

You can find the option under Advanced-Advanced Setup-Wireless settings enable that and see if that helps with the Iphone issue.

DarrenM

[Roamabout]

Description of fast roaming here and why you might turn it off in some environments due to older devices with poor 802.11 implementation.

https://www.networkcomputing.com/wireless-infrastructure/wifi-fast-roaming-simplified/1993108957