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Orbi AC3000 generally unhappy
hi, I am struggling with a few issues with wifi on my Orbis:
- I have six Phorus PR5 receivers (these are hard-wired to an amp which is connected to wired ceiling speakers around the house and allow your phone to stream music over wifi). The PR5s randomly show up and vanish in the list of Airplay devices, so i never know what I can stream to or not from my iphone. These are physically right next to the main Orbi. The issue seems to be worse when my iphone is connected to the satellite Orbi, but the main one has this issue too. These have always been a little flakey but now seem almost useless they appear in the list so infrequently. (They have all been upgraded to the latest firmware)
- My ipad seems to have an issue staying connected to the Orbi satellite that covers one end of the house including the master bedroom. It will disconnect and reconnect from wifi multiple times in a few minutes when I first go upstairs and am reading on the ipad in bed.
- Even when the ipad stays connected it sort of acts like it is not. Wifi is showing full strength but the network is HORRIBLY slow. i often reload a web page several times to get it to go
- Just bought an AppleTV yesterday and I can't connect to it over wifi. It is physically connected by Ethernet to a hub which is plugged into the main Orbi. It's like the Orbi is not bridging ethernet to wifi?
- I was not able to get my iPhone to connect to my Denon AVR but it suddenly started working yesterday.
The Orbis are at firmware V2.7.4.24 and say no updates are available. All the other devices are updated to latest firmware/OS version.
Any help would be appreciated!
Here is a diagram of my setup:
Final update: I bought the Nintendo Ethernet adapter (above) for all the PR5s and they have been rock solid since.
Given that the MBP does not always appear in the list of AirPlay devices, plus the iPad issue when connected to the Orbi satellite, plus the drop outs on signal on the Orbis, I will lay the blame on the Orbis, but it is not 100% proven.
Done messing with this, and shame i had to throw money at the issues.
74 Replies
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. 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 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?One User Experience/Configuration:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Most-Stable-Orbi-Configuration/m-p/1941087/highlight/true#M97026Be sure that phones and pads have any MAC Address randomizers disabled while at home:
> What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
The cable modem is not involved in several of these issues, e.g., phone to Phorus is entirely local. i.e., stream music from iOS Music app to the Phorus.
> Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6 is recommended.
Yep, I was a network engineer for many years (but on large corporate gear; consumer stuff is a little alien since they implemented some of this differently (e.g., what Netgear considers a DMZ).
>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 🛰️The distance between them is around 50'. From the satellite to the iPad is around 15'. The house is typical wood I-joists between floors, 2x4 and 2x6 wood studs, with wood flooring or drywall.
>What channels are you using? Auto? 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?11 and 48, respectively. I used a scanner to see who else in the neighborhood is using what channels and I am the only on these.
Thanks for introducing the Phorus PR5. The literature shows units scattered around next to separate audio systems. Having six in one place is a unique solution. This is an interesting option for someone who already has audio equipment and wants to stream music to it. (Instead of, for example, buying Echo or Nest speakers and mumbling, "Alexa, play Rolling Stones.") If the existing audio systems are high quality, then this can essentially turn them into a "Super Echo" for only $30US.
The diagram is well done, thanks.
Basements present awkward issues for WiFi systems:
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs) often deliver service to basements when they use buried cables (rather than overhead delivery), so it is more convenient to locate the WiFi router there.
- Some customers need network service in the basement. (Which is different from "I'll put the computer stuff in the basement because that's where the router is")
- There is no mention of an Ethernet patch panel in the basement, so it might be safe to assume that equipment is not located in the basement "because that's where all the wiring terminates".
- But basements often interfere with WiFi signals to the rest of the house. "Other end of the house" brings up an image of the WiFi connection between router and satellite having to penetrate the concrete basement wall, through a lot of dirt, and up into the house.
- When the iPad shows a strong signal in the upstairs bedroom, that is because it is relatively close to the satellite. Those two devices have a strong connection. It would be useful to know more about the connection between router and satellite. Does the Orbi web interface Attached Devices page show the connection as "5G Good"?
See page 99 of the User Manual: https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/Orbi_UM_EN.pdf
>Thanks for introducing the Phorus PR5. The literature shows units scattered around next to separate audio systems. Having six in one place is a unique solution. This is an interesting option for someone who already has audio equipment and wants to stream music to it. (Instead of, for example, buying Echo or Nest speakers and mumbling, "Alexa, play Rolling Stones.") If the existing audio systems are high quality, then this can essentially turn them into a "Super Echo" for only $30US.
The idea of these is great for whole house audio. a bunch of them plugged into an amp with 6 different physical amps inside connected to hard-wired speakers. But in practice there have been headaches such as initially their app had to be used to mimic things like the iOS Music app, Pandora, Spotify, etc. Later they fixed the PR5s to allow them to show up as AirPlay devices so i can now just use the actual iOS apps. But they have mostly had this issue of disappearing from the list. if i can get that fixed i would be a very happy camper!
>The diagram is well done, thanks.
Thanks. It's simple but it gets the idea across.
>Internet Service Providers (ISPs) often deliver service to basements when they use buried cables (rather than overhead delivery), so it is more convenient to locate the WiFi router there
I had that done intentionally since that way i can centralize all the comm gear in a rack in the home theater closet. (the HT Gear has its own rack)
>Some customers need network service in the basement. (Which is different from "I'll put the computer stuff in the basement because that's where the router is")
Our basement is finished and leads to a walk-out patio and outdoor room, so it is basically just another floor in the house
>There is no mention of an Ethernet patch panel in the basement, so it might be safe to assume that equipment is not located in the basement "because that's where all the wiring terminates"
The problems I am experiencing is all with gear connected with Cat6 cables directly from devices like the AVR receiver directly to the Netgear hub.
I also have structured wiring but it is not involved in the paths where I am having issues
>But basements often interfere with WiFi signals to the rest of the house. "Other end of the house" brings up an image of the WiFi connection between router and satellite having to penetrate the concrete basement wall, through a lot of dirt, and up into the house.
The floor between the basement and the rest of the house is standard wood I-joists. There is not concrete slab between the basement and the rest of the house
>When the iPad shows a strong signal in the upstairs bedroom, that is because it is relatively close to the satellite. Those two devices have a strong connection. It would be useful to know more about the connection between router and satellite. Does the Orbi web interface Attached Devices page show the connection as "5G Good"? See page 99 of the User Manual: https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/Orbi_UM_EN.pdf
Yes, it shows as 5G Good.
Amazon says my PR5 will be here tomorrow. Was a bit disappointed to see the "mixed reviews" on Amazon. But, I've spent $30 on a bottle of wine that was 'gone' in less than one hour. This gadget will provide much more entertainment.(and may replace the ancient iPod Play that provides Christmas Music to our stereo system).
I'm not an AirPlay House, so that aspect is beyond me. May be worth some internet searching.
If you can tolerate the rambling, this review of the PR5 offers some interesting comments on the device:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87R-y_kNfHM
Maybe Apple customer forums have general solutions for AirPlay problems.
Devices roaming seamlessly between Orbi devices (or not roaming well) is a frequent topic on the forum. Once connected to the upstairs satellite, the strong WiFi signal and the satellite being connected as "5G Good" seem at odds with being horribly slow. Does the iPad seem to work normally in other locations?
There are numerous models of Apple TV. Which one is this that will not connect to WiFi but has an Ethernet connection?
As an aside, there actually is a newer version of Orbi firmware, v2.7.5.4. It came out in late February. Honestly, I doubt that firmware is responsible for these issues, but one of the comments often made is, "why not update the firmware?" At some point, Netgear will change settings to make the router "aware" of the new firmware and let the user select to have the router perform an update automatically. Until then, it is available for users who want to update firmware manually at
https://kb.netgear.com/000065539/RBR50-RBS50-Firmware-Version-2-7-5-4 Instructions for manually updating firmware can be found here:
Hello Stinky_W_Teats ,
Welcome to the NETGEAR Community!
I understand that you are having issues with your Phorus PR5 Receiver connecting to the 5Ghz band. This may be caused by the Phorus PR5 Receiver compatibility. The Phorus PR5 Receiver is compatible with the 802.11a/n Wi-Fi wireless protocol. The wireless standard needed for 5Ghz compatibility is 802.11ac.
Best,
Kevin
Community Team
802.11ac is backward compatible with 802.11n
Which Orbi model system do you have? The 20 or 50 series?
What FW version is currently loaded?
What iOS and OSX versions are loaded on the Mac Book, phones and pads?
What model is your Mac Book Pro?
