Re: My Orbi speeds are slow, inconsistent, less then upstream maximum speeds

ahughf1 · ‎2022-08-05

I Have a slightly different issue to ORBI speeds degrading. For a couple of years all was well My ORBI plugged into My BT Smart Hub2 and I was getting the max speed from my ISP all over the house. My main user is in the study cabled into an ORBI satelaite, so the ORBI's are a WiFi bridge from my ISP's Hub. When I came back from vacation a week ago I could see some serious speed degredation, so I investigated. I have a laptop wired directly to my BT Smart Hub 2 and the ORBI router also plugged into the BT Smart Hub 2. With this configuration the laptop reports speeds ~10% to 5% the ISP max speeds. If I unplug the ORBI router from the Hub and re run the test on the wired laptop I get the full ISP speed I used to get. I even tried plugging in the ORBI during a test and you could see the speed drop after doing so. I also tried a test with the ORBI router plugged in and then un plugged it half way through the test and the speed increased (I used this speed test website that has a speed dial and pointer https://www.speedtest.net/).

So it would apear that something the ORBI Router and/or Orbi network is doing is causing the speed issue, has anyone else seen this? or should this be a new thread?

FURRYe38 · ‎2022-08-05

What Firmware version is currently loaded?

Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop

I would try option #2 first for the Orbi system.

What CAT# lan cable are you using between the modem and RBR and to the laptop? CAT6 is recommended.

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS📡 to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 📡

What channels are you using? Auto? Try Auto and 48 on 5Ghz. Or try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?

I recommend using Ooklas installable speed test app on the laptop instead of the browser. Browser can cause some inaccuracies in speed testing.

ahughf1 · ‎2022-08-05

What Firmware version is currently loaded? V2.7.3.22 on Router and the single Satelite. did try an update before my holiday, but no new version was found (which is odd because I know there is a new version)

ISP Modem has the WiFi disabled by me switching it off in the configuration. Router is still enabled, I will look at switching it to modem only. Now I think about it I believe that is how I had my virgin HUB operating when I was with them a coupe of years ago. When I get this done I'll report back here.

To be clear the ORBI router is direct cabled into the back of the BT Smart Hub 2. Also was working fine a couple of weeks ago, i.e. up in the study at the remote end directly wired to my RBS. I am only seeing these intermittent speed drops since I returned from vacation.

What CAT# lan cable are you using between the modem and RBR and to the laptop? CAT6 is recommended. : Cat 5e, but that works fine giving full speed results when the ORBI is not plugged in to the BT Smart Hub 2, (don't think I have any cat 6 cables)

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft? I could work this out, but I see the affect on a cabled laptop plugged directly into the B.T. Hub, so no WiFi involved in that connection, and no distance either (cat 5e cable used is a couple of feet long at most)

What channels are you using? Auto? Try Auto and 48 on 5Ghz. Or try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many? See previous answer, or I am not using any channels. Admittedly I noticed the issue in the study ~ 30 feet away from the RBR, but I see the same issue when directly cabled to the BT Smart HUB 2

I recommend using Ooklas installable speed test app on the laptop instead of the browser. Browser can cause some inaccuracies in speed testing. I will investigate using the speed tester, but accuracy of the test is not the issue. I can consistently get high readings without the RBR plugged into the HUB, and not with it plugged in, both sets of readings on the lap top directly wired into the BT Smart Hub 2.

You have given me a lot of information / links and things to try. I will have a go at your suggestions over the weekend. Thanks for your help.

FURRYe38 · ‎2022-08-05

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/New-RBR50-RBS50-Firmware-Version-2-7-4-24-Released/td-p/221345...

NG may not be auto updating users Orbi systems as this has caused problems in the past historically. So manual FW updates is recommended and gives users the choice. So you'll need to check NGs download page or here in the forums for new FW updates.

Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended.

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)?

ahughf1 · ‎2022-08-05

Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. : Reading about this now, and will look at turning HUB into modem only node, if I can

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft? : 1700 sq Ft over 3 floors

What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? ~ 22 ft.

FURRYe38 · ‎2022-08-05

@ahughf1 wrote:

Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. : Reading about this now, and will look at turning HUB into modem only node, if I can

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft? : 1700 sq Ft over 3 floors

For this size of home just the RBR would work alone. Or the RBR and one RBS. Two RBS is probably too much wifi:

https://youtu.be/UR0viMLISz4

What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? ~ 22 ft.

Distance is too close between he RBR and RBS. 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS📡 to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.

One User Experience/Configuration:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Most-Stable-Orbi-Configuration/m-p/1941087/highlight/true#M970...