NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
R7000P drops WIFI connections frequently
I'm finding that the r7000P frequeently drops client wifi connections. I have two PIxel 2XL's that frequently get booted off the 5GHz wifi whenever you put any demand on the router. The symptoms are...
After many hours of troubleshooting, I've found that disabling the MU-MIMO function on the R7000P gives my devices a stable connection.
Advanced > Advanced Setup > Wireless Setting > [Disable MU-MIMO]. Apply.
I have been able to transfer several large files from a wifi device to a wired device without constant dropouts/disconnections at the expense of actually being able to use the MU-MIMO functions of the router.
There are either issues in the way Netgear has implemented MU-MIMO or an incompatibility issue with some other wifi devices on the network. Since I replaced the r7000P with a new one I suspect it's an issue in the Netgear router not my devices (I can't confirm this though as I don't have a different make/model MU-MIMO router to test).
Since MIMO is one of the main selling point for this router this also raises a few new questions.
After many hours of troubleshooting, I've found that disabling the MU-MIMO function on the R7000P gives my devices a stable connection.
Advanced > Advanced Setup > Wireless Setting > [Disable MU-MIMO]. Apply.
I have been able to transfer several large files from a wifi device to a wired device without constant dropouts/disconnections at the expense of actually being able to use the MU-MIMO functions of the router.
There are either issues in the way Netgear has implemented MU-MIMO or an incompatibility issue with some other wifi devices on the network. Since I replaced the r7000P with a new one I suspect it's an issue in the Netgear router not my devices (I can't confirm this though as I don't have a different make/model MU-MIMO router to test).
Since MIMO is one of the main selling point for this router this also raises a few new questions.
- Unbelievable that a router with MU-MIMO on the front of the box has to be disabled, but this is indeed the fix for 5GHz dropping out. Thank you very much for sharing.
Thanks, I have unchecked the Enable MU-MIMO option and this has kept the connection from dropping.
I'll point out that it wasn't just wifi connectivity in my situiation but all my wired connections as well. Appreciate you sharing your troubleshooting and solution to this.
Ok in an update to my earlier reply, I'm still having issues w dropped connection but so far much less frequient than before. It was literally 2-3 times a day requiring a reboot. After disabling MIMO as recommended I've had a single instance that also required a reboot. I don't know that it's related and will do a bit of research. Though want to update that at least connectivity is much more stable after unchecking the setting.
quick update, support had me flash the fw manually (download and install vs update within the portal). My connection dropped again over night and required a reboot in the morning but has held up since then.
Hello joejoeinc,
Thanks for sharing your experiance!
I purchased this router 2 days back. I have started facing this issue from the day 1.
Then when I searched in this community and happened to see your post.
I could recreate this problem, when I connect my external hard disk and browse few files. Later after few mins, all my devices connected to this router fails to connect to the internet, but the LEDs of 2.4 and 5G stays lit without blinking, which means there is no packet transmission between any devices.
Still I haven't tried disabling the MU-MIMO option. Thats the buying point for this router.
I was very exited when I bought this router, now feeling very disappointed. Also upset that netgear doesn't came forward in sovling this issue.
I will try disabling the MIMO option and try.
I am thinking of returning this router.
You should return it while it's still within the return window. I plugged in my old R6000 and haven't had a single issue for weeks now, but it's an older router and as you said, I bought the R7000P for specific features. Disabling MIMO didn't solve the problem for me anyway.
I also suggest switching brands. No reason to throw more money at Netgear when they won't fix the problem after all these years. I'm waiting for the Acer to come back in stock and I'll never look back at Netgear.
I tried the below,
1. Disabled the MU-MIMO
2. Connected USB Hard Drive and browsed few files.
After few mins, router freezes, All the LEDs in white no blinking.
Now, disconnected the external hard drive and restarted the router. Let me see if I see the issue again.
I dont think still keeping this router without
1. MU-MIMO
2. Use of External storage devices.
Sorry Netgear!
Considering that MIMO is selling point of this router and no one seems to be able to use it that's pretty poor form.
Can we tag anyone from netgear into here to have a look?
THANK YOU! I know this is an older thread, but I have had a lot of trouble with my R7000P dropping WiFi if more than one device tries to wirelessly connect. I had to troubleshoot with support staff multiple times until they replaced my router with the same model, but that didn't solve the problem. After finding this thread today, and disabling MU-MIMO, I have had no problem connecting 4+ devices.
