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No ethernet connectivity from RBR50 (backhaul or devices)
I think I may have a similar issue as posted here (https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-Wi-Fi-5-AC-and-Orbi-with/Orbi-RBR50-No-connection-to-ethernet-wired-devices/m-p/2096775#M120756).
Everything has been working (and untouched) with my setup for a couple of years now, apart from adding the odd device here and there. All of a sudden last night, my wife noticed a loss in internet connectivity on one of our Sky boxes (UK satellite provider) and I noticed that my Xbox went offline.
I tried the usual thing of power-cycling the router, but only the Wi-Fi came back online. I figured I'd leave it overnight to sort itself out, but when I woke up this morning, no change. My lights are automated to switch off at midnight and they were all still on this morning, as the hub is connected to my router via ethernet (and I run Homebridge on my NAS for non-HomeKit devices, which is also connected via ethernet).
Fast-forward to now (some 16 hours after the initial issue arose) and after around 30 power cycles of the RBR50 and the two RBS50s, a full factory reset of my Orbi, I now have seem to have a stable issue of Wi-Fi being fine, but all ethernet-connected devices having an IP address in the 169.x.x.x range (whereas the others are 192.168.x.x), and both my satellites being connected via 5G and refusing to connect via ethernet.
I cable tested all my cables connecting directly into the router and they're all fine, so I'm guessing I have a dodgy cable somewhere in my setup, which may take some time to find.
If anybody has any other thoughts that would be appreciated.
For info:
- TP-Link Archer acting as modem only
- Orbi RBR50 in Router mode acting as router
- The 3 LAN ports on the back of the router are:
- 1 x runs upstairs to an RBS50 that is then connected to a managed switch and controls everything in my office (2 x NAS, Apple TV, UPS, TV, PS4)
- 1 x runs into my lounge and connects into an unmanaged switch that controls Xbox, PS5, TV, Apple TV, Sky box. An ethernet then runs from this switch through the wall into the dining room, and connects to another unmanaged switch and controls Sky box, TV, Apple TV and another ethernet runs from that switch to an RBS50
- 1 x connects to a switch in the hall that connects to an IKEA Tradfri gateway and a Philips Hue hub
I've fixed it.
I would never have known this was even a 'thing', but the unmanaged switch in my lounge - between the router and the switch into my dining room - was the culprit.
I narrowed it down to the switch, so I unplugged it and tried it elsewhere in the chain and it worked without issue, which made me doubt whether that was the issue after all. I then positioned back in its original spot, plugged it in and all of a sudden, it's working without issue. I systematically plugged everything back into it, and everything is now purring like a kitten.
I did not realise that simply power cycling a dumb switch could fix the problem (given that there are no 'brains' going on in there) nor would I have thought that that could cause the issue in the first place... how has it managed to cause an issue in the network when all it's doing it providing more ports in the network?
In answer to your latest question though, FURRYe38, so as not to be rude when you've been helping me out...
The switch in question is a Netgear GS316-100UKS 16-port Gigabit unmanaged switch. Cables are mainly Cat.5e given that Cat.6 were too thick to manoeuvre around where required (i.e. when not in a straight run). My broadband is only 45 Mbps so I'm not suffering by using Cat.5e, although ultimately I would like to move to Cat.6 as a minimum, but that's a MAJOR job involving running cables through walls (I live in a brick house) and around bends and doorways.
13 Replies
Does the top ring LED turn on PINK when this happens?
https://kb.netgear.com/31030/What-do-the-LEDs-on-my-Orbi-mean
Has a power off for 1 minute then back ON with the ISP modem and router been performed since last update?
Be sure to restart your network in this sequence:
Turn off and unplug modem.
Turn off router and computers.
Plug in and turn on modem. Wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on the router and wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on computers and rest of network.What Firmware version is currently loaded?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6 is recommended.
The other linked thread ended up being a bad LAN cable connector on a LAN device.
I've had various different colours throughout this process.
I've had white when it's restarting; blue on the satellites when they're syncing; and pink on the router when it's trying to establish a connection or obtain an IP address.
I've had the pink light a few times in the past - normally after a firmware update or when something somewhere has gone wrong and it's lost connectivity - sometimes get drops in connectivity through the night according to the HomeKit notifications on my phone most mornings ("All home hubs are not responding").
At the moment I don't have any lights on anything - all Wi-Fi devices are working perfectly; all ethernet devices are not.
I've powered off the router and the modem several times for one minute minimum each time, and have performed the sequential reboot of devices several times to no avail.
RBR50 is running firmware v2.7.5.4, RBS50s are running v2.7.4.24 (and continuously tell me there are no further firmware upgrades available).
CAT.6 between the modem and router (right next to each other).
So as painful as it may end up being, I think I may be at the stage of systematically cable testing every cable in my setup and trying to isolate the offending device.
Yes I would check ethernet cabling for all wired devices to see whats going on. Disconnect ALL ethernet cables from the back of the RBR and just connect one wired PC or laptop and test.
You need to update the RBS as well to same version of FW manually using a wired PC and web browser and send the FW file package to the RBS web page:
