Orbi RBR50 - Disconnects random devices throughout the day

Hi Kevin - 

Thanks again for the response.  I followed your steps below and it did resolve some of our dead zones.  So, that was refreshing.

Both of the RBS50's  are on the same firmware,  Currently testing out with just one satellite plugged in, however still have other dead zones.

Jill

Hello JC-Corcoran ,

Thank you for the update!

Orbi users notice issues when moving from the router's network to the satellite's network when the satellite and router are placed too close to each other. Please move your first satellite further away from your router. 

Please try the suggested troubleshooting method listed below:

• Turn off your second satellite. 
• Then move your first satellite to the position of your second satellite (If you are unable to get to the position of your second satellite please get as close as possible to that second satellite position. ).
• Now use your network as normal mainly checking your reported network problem areas (Also please ensure that your RBS50's are on the same firmare as your RBR50).

Please keep us updated on the progress of this issue!

Best,

Kevin

Community Team

Work computer. could very well restrict what the user can do to network adapter settings.

Normally, the first question is, "what changed?"  With Apple devices it is often software updates.

So these devices used to be able to roam around the house with no problem, but now cannot?

No other WiFi devices in the house are having disconnection issues?

These devices all support WiFi6 (802.11ax), which the RBR50 does not.

On the laptop, it should be possible to into the WiFi adapter settings and tell it not to use 802.11ax. Could you try that and see if it makes any difference?

(I have no idea what iPhones allow users to do with WiFi settings)

Hello JC-Corcoran , 

Are you using a satellite paired with your RBR50?

Best,

Kevin

Community Team

Which specific model of iPhone and laptop?

It is not unusual for Attached Devices to report that a phone is connected at 2.4G and later report it is connected at 5G.

When I pull into the driveway, my phone connects almost immediately to a satellite in the garage at 2.4G.  After I enter the house and sit here at the computer about four feet from the router, the phone changes to a 5G connection to the router.

There are two different processes going on at the same time:

• The phone constantly searches for "a better connection".  It was looking for WiFi all the time I was away from home and not finding a WiFi network that it knew the password for.  When I got close enough, the phone detected WiFi that it could connect to and did so.  The signal was weak, so the connection was at 2.4G.  Once I was inside, the phone eventually connected to the base router at 5G.
• The Orbi system updates the information about connected devices using a process that runs on a schedule.  Thus, the 2.4G entry remained for the Attached Devices web page to display for some time and then got updated later. We expect computers to update instantly, but that is not always the case.

Technically, it is possible to observe the phone switching connections, but it requires setting up a process to capture the WiFi management frames to record when devices associate with WiFi access points.

This, however, does not explain why a WiFi device would totally drop WiFi when moving from one Orbi unit to another.

How far apart are the router and satellite?  What building construction is in the path between them?

Hi again all... KevinLiT  CrimpOn 

Welp...I thought all of that did the trick.  My IPAD for one, seems to work throughout the house now.  That device seems to be resolved for the moment.  My iphone is NOT staying connected to Wifi unless I'm in the room with the Orbi.  Also my work computer is not staying connected to the Orbi unless I'm in the room with the Orbi.

So, prior to all of this, (couple weeks back) things have been working just fine with all devices, all rooms in the house.  We did add two new cameras to our "Arlo" system, but then have since removed them.  That was the only technical change recently....then all the sudden we started having issues with things dropping...which is why I originally came on here and got advise to update the firmware...which I THOUGHT did the trick...but it's back to it's old games.

But now, when I leave the room with the router and move to a room with a satellite...my phone and computer both drop wifi.  Ipad stays connected.

So - I guess I'm looking for next steps on things to check/do.

Currently have Orbi RBR50

Firmware version now:  V2.7.5.4

Motorola Modem:  DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem - Model: MB8600

When I'm sitting in the room with the modem and Router, I can check the Orbi app and it shows my work computer is connected to the Router via 2.4G Wifi...but then I check again and it is all the sudden on the 5G Wifi.

My phone while sitting in this room is connected to our Kitchen Satellite Orbi...5G, but then switches back to the Router at 5G.

All while just sitting here.

If I get up and move to the kitchen that has the Kitchen Satellite - my work computer automatically drops wifi, as does my phone.

So sitting in the room with the Modem and Router, everything is good.

Ipad seems to work ok throughout the house (this was not working previously)

It is only working in the room with the router now.

Any suggestions for next steps here?  I did also do an unplug of the router, then modem...waited...plugged back in the modem...then plugged back in the router.