C7800 with EX700 - constant disconnect and no internet

[Htx_Donnie]

Hello,

I bought the Nighthawk C7800 router/wifi combo. I was having issues with wifi upstairs and in the back yard, my house is approximately 3000 sq ft. The C7800 is downstairs in the front of the house. I bought the EX7000 and placed it upstairs in the back of the house. The connection between the 2 units seems to be stable
I believe the issue is competing SSID + Antenna (C7800 .vs EX7000) so this is what I have done so far.

This is my latest config:

- C7800 - firmware v3.01.40 (comcast won't upgrade to .43)

• Single SSID name/password for 2.4 & 5

- EX7000 - firmware v1.0.1.94_1.0.172

• Enable one WIFI name
• Fastlane - Router to Extender 2.4g only Extender -to- device 5g only

I've tried several different combinations between the 2 but we constantly have:

• No wifi on phone
• devices connecting to poor signal in the wrong area i.e. being downstairs but connected to the upstairs

TIA

Donnie

[plemans · Accepted solution]

I wouldn't scrap the setup.

The C7800 is a solid modem/router with docsis 3.1

It just doesn't support smart connect. 

You can set the extender in mesh mode and with it running that route, you'd only have 2 networks showing. Put the slower devices on the 2.4ghz and the faster on the 5ghz. Many prefer this option anyway. 

I'd try that first. 

any of the combo devices the firmware is locked by the ISP. Even the newest CAX devices the modem side firmware is locked. You can upgrade the router side of it. 

If you were planning on upgrading, I'd look at a triband mesh system like orbi. You can put the C7800 in modem only mode (disables its router) and connect the orbi to it. Or leave it in router mode (the orbi would be in access point mode in that route) so you can use the wifi as a backup or to offload the primary router. 

[plemans]

the C7800 doesn't support smart connect. (same ssid mesh function)

That could be part of whats causing your issue with the extender.

Try setting a seperate ssid for 2.4ghz and the 5ghz. you can use the same password. 

then reinstall the EX7000

[Htx_Donnie]

OK, this is good information, thank you.

• I don't like that Comcast won't upgrade the firmware of the C7800 to .43 
• I don't like that I have to list both 2.4 and 5... I am willing to basball bat this C7800 and go to Modem only + Wifi device +EX7000

Hell at this point I'm ready to scrap the entire setup and start fresh. . . .

Do you have any recommendations? 

I want to cover:

• 2 story house 3000 sp ft + backyard
• need mesh/extender to give wired handoff for gaming PC upstairs

TIA

Donnie

[plemans · Accepted solution]

I wouldn't scrap the setup.

The C7800 is a solid modem/router with docsis 3.1

It just doesn't support smart connect. 

You can set the extender in mesh mode and with it running that route, you'd only have 2 networks showing. Put the slower devices on the 2.4ghz and the faster on the 5ghz. Many prefer this option anyway. 

I'd try that first. 

any of the combo devices the firmware is locked by the ISP. Even the newest CAX devices the modem side firmware is locked. You can upgrade the router side of it. 

If you were planning on upgrading, I'd look at a triband mesh system like orbi. You can put the C7800 in modem only mode (disables its router) and connect the orbi to it. Or leave it in router mode (the orbi would be in access point mode in that route) so you can use the wifi as a backup or to offload the primary router.