RBR50 Dropped Connections v. Incomplete Coverage - Is there a Solution?
This is another post about Orbi Mesh dropping WiFi connections.
Yesterday I spoke with support. They concluded that the Orbi Mesh (RBR50) with two units can't be used in a 1600 sq. ft. apartment, because one unit covers 2500 sq. ft. So I should dsconnect the satelite and "save it for the future" (that was literally what the support person said). Adding insult to injury, he then tried to sell me on their extended support plan.
After disconnecting the satelite, I appear to have solved the connection issue (though we'll see...). But now I have no coverage in several areas. One unit does not cover 2500 sq. ft., at least not in an apartment with concrete walls.
Before disconnecting the satelite, I had it as far away as possible from the router and more than 30 feet. Before that, it was a little closer but with its back to a concrete wall. So I doubt moving it around will help.
Is there any other solution that I should try before getting a Google or whatever.
Re: RBR50 Dropped Connections v. Incomplete Coverage - Is there a Solution?
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?
Where in the home is the RBR placed? Centrally on the main floor is recommended.
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?
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).
Re: RBR50 Dropped Connections v. Incomplete Coverage - Is there a Solution?
Hi. Thank you very much for your response.
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
The latest, as confirmed yesterday by Netgear support.
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Provider is a local company with fiber optic service.
The modem is a Planet Gepon ONU EPN-103.
Where in the home is the RBR placed? Centrally on the main floor is recommended.
The home is an apartment, just one floor. The router is in a linen closet about 2/3s along the length of the apartment.
What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
The channels suggested by Netgear yesterday.
2.4Ghz is on 6. 5Ghz is on 44.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
Lots. It's an apartment. I can see at least 24 on my computer.
Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
What are the implications of this? Why didn't Netgear support suggest this before telling me to disconnect the Satelite? Why are they off by default?
Try disabling the following and see: Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only.
I haven't purchased Armor. Don't know what any of the rest is. However, it sounds like the advice is to disable the system's functionality. Why? How is that a solution?
Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).
Re: RBR50 Dropped Connections v. Incomplete Coverage - Is there a Solution?
Well another problem you may have is with having lots of other wifi neighbors near by. This is a wifi congested area. This will cuase problems for any wifi router or MESH system
You can try this. Turn on the RBS again and let it connect. Then turn down the power output of the RBRs wifi radios from 100% to 50% and see if this changes anything. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Re: RBR50 Dropped Connections v. Incomplete Coverage - Is there a Solution?
I assume you are not a Netgear rep, so I really appreciate your help. Will try the solution once the system has been stable w/o the satelite for a day or two, so as to confirm that the dual-unit setup is probably the issue.
That being said, I respectfully disagree with the "it's your environment" response. This is an expensive product and nowhere does it say that apartment use is improper. Netgear support did not say that yesterday. It is also unclear to me why turning off one satelitte will solve the problem if the real cause is a congested environment. And if the problem is the RBR50's power level, why can't the software adjust that? I thought mesh systems were supposed to be intelligent.
Re: RBR50 Dropped Connections v. Incomplete Coverage - Is there a Solution?
Putting in something that automatically change something would be more problematic then expected. NG gives the options to change the power levels manually. Also not everyone lives in the same conditions and there are many wifi factors and variables which no router mfr can deal with completely. So at least there is some features that mfrs put in so users can make adjustments as needed. Living in a wifi congested neighborhood or apt complex will always be problematic for any wifi router. Been like this for years. Thus one reason why mfr give the power adjustment feature, helps reduce the wifi foot print to lesson the wifi interferences with other neighboring wifi signals.
Re: RBR50 Dropped Connections v. Incomplete Coverage - Is there a Solution?
Netgear support likes to BS without occasion.
I have a triplex. On my first floor, 1 router plus 4 satellites (RBK50) = 5 nodes = barely cover my 2080 sq ft floor. No issues. But I need 5 nodes to cover it well. And bathrooms still get **bleep**ty speed.
On my ground floor (400 sq ft) I have my fifth satellite.
In my basement (1200 sq ft, no walls), I use TP Link C2300 in AP mode. I tried a satellite but it can't cover 1200 sq ft of open space. I would have needed at least 2-3 satellites just for the basement. A single TP Link C2300 does a much much much better job.
If your apartment is just 1600 sq ft, a single Nighthawk R7800S or TP Link C2300 will give you better coverage and speed than the RBK50 with a router and satellite. Period.
I assume you are not a Netgear rep, so I really appreciate your help. Will try the solution once the system has been stable w/o the satelite for a day or two, so as to confirm that the dual-unit setup is probably the issue.
