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Satellite only connects with 5Ghz
I have an NETGEAR Orbi Tri-Band Whole Home Mesh WiFi System, with Wall Plugs (RBK33) for more than and year. I no problem with the range but what I have found is, the both satellites always connect w...
You have discovered one of the most common issues with mesh router systems. There is an 802.11 standard protocol where the device and the WiFi access point inform each other of their capabilities and the device then decides where to connect. It seems that devices which are not designed to "roam" (like garage door openers) tend to "stick" to the access point they first connect to, even if there is another access point which would give better service.
What most people suggest is to (a) reduce the transmit power on the relevant frequency band (in this case 2.4G), (b) go to the configuration of the device (the opener), (c) have it disconnect from the Orbi WiFi, (d) search for and connect again. With the access point in the garage giving better service, the opener should connect to it (and then resist moving, just like before).
Can you give this a try and report how it goes?
You have discovered one of the most common issues with mesh router systems. There is an 802.11 standard protocol where the device and the WiFi access point inform each other of their capabilities and the device then decides where to connect. It seems that devices which are not designed to "roam" (like garage door openers) tend to "stick" to the access point they first connect to, even if there is another access point which would give better service.
What most people suggest is to (a) reduce the transmit power on the relevant frequency band (in this case 2.4G), (b) go to the configuration of the device (the opener), (c) have it disconnect from the Orbi WiFi, (d) search for and connect again. With the access point in the garage giving better service, the opener should connect to it (and then resist moving, just like before).
Can you give this a try and report how it goes?
CrimpOn Thank you for providing problem explanation and things to try
I found that, I did have 3 days left on my support with Netgear and connected to one of their specialist right after putting a question on community. Surprisingly he gave me the exact opposite steps to try (reducing transmit power on 5 Ghz) and setting 2.4 Ghz channel to 11. All other steps remained same. I tried that and the problem still persisted. Today morning, I also contacted the smart garage door opener company and they issued a firmware upgrade after which I see that it has been consistenly connected to the satellite in my garage (something that you were also expecting to happen after I follow the steps you provided). So the problem might be with garage door opener itself. Do you think that reducing the 5Ghz transmit power, will have any adverse effect on coverage or speed?
Irrespective of that, your explanation have me good insight about the possible problem. I will try the steps you provided and will let you know if things work out.
Thank you again !!
- Reducing transmit power will reduce maximum range. I would not do it without a good reason.
CrimpOn and FURRYe38 : thank you for all your help and troubleshooting steps.. After the reduce the transmit power for 2.4Ghz to 50% and reconneted the garage door opener.. everything is working fine and there are no more offline products
FURRYe38 Regarding the position of the satellites, they are around 30 feet and 45 feet away from main router. With the satellite themselves about 20 feet apart with multiple solid wall in between (They form a triangle)
Thanks for letting us know.
Enjoy. :smileywink:
