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New Orbi RBK53 install - a few drops, questions about MU MIMO and Beamforming
Hi - installed Orbi router and two satellites a few days ago. Firmware v1.12.0.8. Window 10. Have had a few brief drops on one of the satellites using an iPad. Also noticed that MU MIMO and Beamforming were both disabled by default. Did some research, and found it inconclusive whether these could be enables or if they needed to be fixed with a future firmware release. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
19 Replies
Hi -
I know this is being discussed in a variety of threads, but I was just hoping for a straight answer from someone in the know...I have seen some Netgear reps comment here and there in these threads.
Should I enable Beamforming? Should I enable MU MIMO?
Will that increase or decrease the number of drops I have been experiencing, or increase it? What is the latest position on this?
Is there a firmware release I should be waiting for before I do these things instead?
I have even PM'd DarrenM...no response.
Sigh...
Thank you.
Yes with the latest firmware those features should help what your seeing about having them off was a old issue.
DarrenM
Thanks, Darren. I did enable those features a couple of days ago. I am still seeing some occasional drops where my iPad indicates that it cannot find the network, then after a moment or so it comes back up. Usually on my iPad, when using it in the vicinity of the satellite furthest from the router. This satellite glowed blue when I set it up, so I am assuming distance from the router is not an issue.
Based on what I have been reading in these forums, this seems to be a known issue under some varying circumstances. Is there work in progress to release a firmware version that will prevent these drops in the near future, or is there something else I should be doing on my end? Thanks.
DarrenM wrote:Yes with the latest firmware those features should help what your seeing about having them off was a old issue.
DarrenM
First you have to understand what implicit beamforming and MU-MIMO do.
Implicit beamforming is a feature which allows the router to broadcast WiFi signals in a specific direction. It boosts the WiFI signals. If you are experiencing a drop in the connection, this feature should be enabled.
MU-MIMO most of the devices today do not support it, yet. It basically divides the bandwidth so that all your devices receive good signals. I think it only supports upto 4 devices at the moment. This feature does not make much difference. I would not enable it.
If you are experiencing wireless intermittent issues, these are some things you can do on your end.
1. Change the WiFi channels for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. Choose the non overlapping channels like 1,6,11.
2. Check the firmware version on the router and the satellites just to make sure it is the latest.
3. Make sure you do not have electronic devices near the router or satellites especially wireless speakers or cameras. They interfere with the WiFi signals.
I hope this helps.
Arjun0o wrote:First you have to understand what implicit beamforming and MU-MIMO do.
Implicit beamforming is a feature which allows the router to broadcast WiFi signals in a specific direction. It boosts the WiFI signals. If you are experiencing a drop in the connection, this feature should be enabled.
MU-MIMO most of the devices today do not support it, yet. It basically divides the bandwidth so that all your devices receive good signals. I think it only supports upto 4 devices at the moment. This feature does not make much difference. I would not enable it.
If you are experiencing wireless intermittent issues, these are some things you can do on your end.
1. Change the WiFi channels for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. Choose the non overlapping channels like 1,6,11.
2. Check the firmware version on the router and the satellites just to make sure it is the latest.
3. Make sure you do not have electronic devices near the router or satellites especially wireless speakers or cameras. They interfere with the WiFi signals.
I hope this helps.
OK thanks! I will try that (as well as keep MU-MIMO unchecked)
Router model RBR50 with 2 satellites purchased from Costco a couple of months ago. Aside from the dropped VPN connections there another nagging issue:
Have 2 devices connected directly to a NetGear AC1750 modem (model C6300):
1) Network drive (western dig)
2) Orbi Router.
The problem is that the network dr. is not visible on the Orbi. This wasn't the case with my prev. router (NetGear nighthawk 1900) . All I did was swap out the prev. nighthawk router for the Orbi.
