My Orbi keeps going down and I'd like to see if I can understand why before replacing/returning. To be more concrete: 1) my Macs show still connected to our local ORBI network (I have a main unit and a satellite configuration), 2) I can't access the internet or the Orbi home page, and 3) the top light on each Orbi are not glowing. Also, my gateway is fine as I have an older Netgear Nighthawk router as a back-up and when I plug that in I can connect to the internet no problem and without doing anything to the gateway (like restarting it, etc.).
For perspective, the Orbi router was working fine for about three weeks (I bought it in later January), but last night it went down and then went down again today. The yellow light in the back of the main Orbi unit is still glowing (I'm assuming that is a power light) and that circle light at the top of the units are not glowing (although when I power back up the satellite glows pink for a while, which I guess is some sort bootup/connecting status light). If I power down the Orbi and then power up and wait it seems to reset itself and I have no issue getting to the internet or the Orbi local home page. Multiple devices are not able to connect when this happens (no device can but the point is this isn't machine-specific) and changing from the main network to the guest network doesn't do anything, nor does changing back to the main network from the guest network.
Once the Orbi is powered back on and has reset itself I can log into the local home page and don't see any errors or issues called out. Everything on the router home overview page looks good and on the advanced tab every section has a green checkmark. I do have a guest network set up but I haven't done any setup work or changes for a few weeks so I'm assuming this isn't operator error. Also, I checked the logs in the Admin -> Logs and it basically just has a bunch of "access allowed" messages. Nothing to indicate an error.
Thoughts?
Model: RBK50| Orbi AC3000 High-Performance Tri-Band WiFi System
My Orbi keeps going down and I'd like to see if I can understand why before replacing/returning. To be more concrete: 1) my Macs show still connected to our local ORBI network (I have a main unit and a satellite configuration), 2) I can't access the internet or the Orbi home page, and 3) the top light on each Orbi are not glowing. Also, my gateway is fine as I have an older Netgear Nighthawk router as a back-up and when I plug that in I can connect to the internet no problem and without doing anything to the gateway (like restarting it, etc.).
For perspective, the Orbi router was working fine for about three weeks (I bought it in later January), but last night it went down and then went down again today. The yellow light in the back of the main Orbi unit is still glowing (I'm assuming that is a power light) and that circle light at the top of the units are not glowing (although when I power back up the satellite glows pink for a while, which I guess is some sort bootup/connecting status light). If I power down the Orbi and then power up and wait it seems to reset itself and I have no issue getting to the internet or the Orbi local home page. Multiple devices are not able to connect when this happens (no device can but the point is this isn't machine-specific) and changing from the main network to the guest network doesn't do anything, nor does changing back to the main network from the guest network.
Once the Orbi is powered back on and has reset itself I can log into the local home page and don't see any errors or issues called out. Everything on the router home overview page looks good and on the advanced tab every section has a green checkmark. I do have a guest network set up but I haven't done any setup work or changes for a few weeks so I'm assuming this isn't operator error. Also, I checked the logs in the Admin -> Logs and it basically just has a bunch of "access allowed" messages. Nothing to indicate an error.
Thoughts?
Unfortunately, it's almost certain that you're just running into what most us are. The Orbi's are completely unreliable due to significant backhaul issues. While it's possible you have some other issue going on, your description matches what most other users complain about. If that's the case, stop now. Don't waste any more of your time and don't donate your efforts as QA to Netgear. They won't be helping you.
That was both very helpful (that I'm not alone) and dissapointing (that they haven't addressed this issue) all at the same time.
Given this appears to be a known issue, does anyone from Netgear have anything to add before I return these? I love the concept (wifi mesh) and form factor of these. But if netgear doesn't have the basics right what's the point?
It appears this is in fact a firmware issue. I downgraded, per a private message from someone who I assume, but don't know, was from Netgear support, to an older firmware version and it seems fine for the limited time since that downgrade.
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem? Built in router here by chance?
When doing a reset, you can press in the reset button on the back of the router or satellite until the top led turns on amber, then let go. Or use the web page for the router/satellite to do an ERASE under Advanced tab/Advanced settings/Restore and Back up.
