2.4ghz Dropping

[loremipsum]

I roamed around while watching the signal strength of my connections, and I noticed that the 2.4ghz bands (there are 2) keep dropping. In the image they are the red and blue lines, and dark green and pink are 5.0ghz bands. I doubt this is normal; can anyone explain it?

I never lost any connectivity while I walked around.

[st_shaw · Accepted solution]

Your laptop WiFi can only listen on one channel and one band (2.4 or 5 GHz) at any one time.  So, to make those plots the scanning software on the laptop needs to set the WiFI band and channel, listen brefly, rapidly change channels, then repeat across all channels and both bands.  In doing so, your scanner will miss some packets broadcast by the Orbi, because they are in no way coordinated.

If you are concerned about it, obtain a copy of Acrylic WiFI professional, and a supported WiFi adapter.  With that combination you can lock the WiFI card to the specific band and channel used by Orbi, and ensure no packets are missed. Then you will see there are no drop outs.

[st_shaw]

Doesn't mean much.  It just means your computer missed a few packets when doing the test. It does not mean your WiFi stopped working or something is wrong with your Orbi.

[loremipsum]

Thank you for the reply. I find it suspect that it was just the 2.4ghz though, and that the drops happened while I was next to the satellite or router.

[st_shaw · Accepted solution]

Your laptop WiFi can only listen on one channel and one band (2.4 or 5 GHz) at any one time.  So, to make those plots the scanning software on the laptop needs to set the WiFI band and channel, listen brefly, rapidly change channels, then repeat across all channels and both bands.  In doing so, your scanner will miss some packets broadcast by the Orbi, because they are in no way coordinated.

If you are concerned about it, obtain a copy of Acrylic WiFI professional, and a supported WiFi adapter.  With that combination you can lock the WiFI card to the specific band and channel used by Orbi, and ensure no packets are missed. Then you will see there are no drop outs.

[loremipsum]

Thank you for the follow up response.