RBR20 & RBS20 x2 Giving very poor WiFi performance

[maortiz1969]

I am completely frustrated with this system.  I've owned it for about two years now and had no complaints other than the fact that I cannot designate which Satellite my stationary devices should connect to.  Huge flaw in my opinion.  Regardless, I have had no complaints otherwise . . . until now. 

I just upgraded my service to 1/1Gb from 200/200Mb and while the base RBR20 Speed Test shows beautiful numbers, when ever I test any of my WiFi devices I get subpar 100mb throughput, if I'm lucky.  I am literally sitting right next to my satellite, which is within line of site of the router, with my laptop and iPad and get crappy throughout.  I have searched all over and have not found anything suggested to help.  All settings have been enabled and disabled, tested and re-tested with all possible configurations.  I am on the latest Firmware, V2.5.1.16 on all three devices (RBR20 & RBS20 x2).

To note, even when on 200/200mb I never hit 200 unless it was during the uploading test.

Can someone please assist me in getting this sorted out?  I'd hate to think I've had bad Satellites all this time and my warranty expired a long time ago.

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
What are the speed results with a wired PC or laptop connected behind the RBR? 

Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update? 

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 channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
https://kb.netgear.com/19668/Link-Rate-and-Transfer-Speed

Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings

Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
What are the speed results with a wired PC or laptop connected behind the RBR? 

Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update? 

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 channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
https://kb.netgear.com/19668/Link-Rate-and-Transfer-Speed

Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings

Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).

[maortiz1969]

We're onto something!  Getting better throughput now.  Doing some testing and tweeking and I will get back to you.

[FURRYe38]

Let us know how it goes. 

[maortiz1969]

So I am averaging now 215mb down on my WiFi devices where as it used to be below 100mb.  Here is my current configuration after tweeks based on what you provided:

Hardware Version	RBR20 + (2) RBS20
Firmware Version	V2.5.1.16
GUI Language Version	V1.0.0.375
Operation Mode	AP
Region	North America
2.4G Channel	Auto ( 4(P) + 8(S) )
2.4G Mode	Up to 400 Mbps
5G Channel	36(P)+40+44+48
5G Mode	Up to 866.7 Mbps
Wireless Network
2.4GHz Channel:	Auto
5GHz Channel:	36
Security Options	WPA2-PSK [AES]
Latest test result (20:02 Jun 24, 2020) From the RBR20 Speed Test
DOWNLOAD	UPLOAD
813.47Mbps	931.97Mbps
Advanced Wireless Settings (2.4GHz b/g/n)
Enable SSID Broadcast	True
Enable 20/40 MHz Coexistence	False
Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings	True
CTS/RTS Threshold (1-2347)	2347
Preamble Mode	Short Preamble
Transmit Power Control	100%
Advanced Wireless Settings (5GHz 802.11a/n/ac)
Enable SSID Broadcast	True
Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings	True
CTS/RTS Threshold (1-2347)	2347
Preamble Mode	Short Preamble
Transmit Power Control	100%
Backhaul Topology
Enable Daisy-Chain Topology	False
Enable Implicit BEAMFORMING	True
Enable MU-MIMO	True
Enable Fast Roaming	False

A definite improvement, but I'm hoping there is something else I can try to boost it more.  Is there hope?

[FURRYe38]

Looks like you have made the improvment. If your ISP speed is to spec now, then this is what you should see from now on. 

I would make a backup configuration to file. Also mark your thread as solved so others will know. 

Enjoy. 

[maortiz1969]

I'm not an expert and I do appreciate anything that adds to my knowledge.  Can you please clarify: what I am now getting is all I am going to get?  My ISP is 1Gb/1Gb and my desktop using an ethernet cable get's almost the full 1Gb download throughput.  Is this Router only capable of giving me 215Mb?  Or is the current WiFi technology only capable of that?  Again, I ask in order to learn.

[FURRYe38]

Wired connection thru the Orbi with a PC should see near 900Mpbs. Wireless will be depended upon your wireless devices and what they support, desiged for and what they connect with the RBR. 

https://kb.netgear.com/19668/Link-Rate-and-Transfer-Speed

Even with a AC 5Ghz supporting link rate at 866Mpbs, this is a link rate only, not a thruput speed so wireless devices may max out at around 400-500Mbps on the down while others may max out at lower rates. I have a Galaxy Tab S2 that mostly maxes out at around 200Mbps. Usually see around 150Mpbs on average. Just what the pad was designed for and rated at when it was built. 

[maortiz1969]

Ok, I understand now.  Thank you soooo much for your help, patience and explanation!  I am very happy with the resolution!

[FURRYe38]

Enjoy.