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Orbi RBR50 - Disconnects random devices throughout the day
We have the Orbi RBR50 along with the Motorola DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem Model: MB8600 Things have been working just grand for months and months...but the last few days multiple devices will lose inte...
Hello JC-Corcoran ,
Thank you for the update!
The current firmware version 2.7.5.4 does not show up since it is an optional update that has been proven to help several users with interim network compatibility issues. However, the firmware version 2.7.5.4 is still an optional update. Since the RBR50 firmware version 2.7.4.24 is not an optional update, your RBR50 will think that it has the most recent update installed because it has the most recent mandatory update installed.
Please keep us updated on the progress of this issue!
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?
Thanks for the explanation on 2.4 vs 5.
All devices,2 iPhones (XIII), 2 iPads, Dell Latitude computer L154-HVWXSV3
Router to kitchen satellite = 34 feet. Same floor. 3 walls…regular house. Wood/sheetrock.
Router to upstairs satellite is just a floor difference. So, wood, plywood, typical house flooring…
All devices,2 iPhones (XIII), 2 iPads, Dell Latitude computer L154-HVWXSV3
Router to kitchen satellite = 34 feet. Same floor. 3 walls…regular house. Wood/sheetrock.
Router to upstairs satellite is just a floor difference. So, wood, plywood, typical house flooring…
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
- I should add…our Alexa devices as well as our security cameras all seem to work seamlessly with the WiFi. And they are throughout the house/outdoors
- Currently all WiFi devices are having issues when moving away from the base station. They all were fine couple weeks ago.
Phones are both same model
iPads are completely different models, but likely same IOS update
But computer experienced same issue as well.
All at the same time. 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?
- Interesting…I’m pretty locked down with it being a work issued computer. I don’t have many admin rights. Will see what I can finagle.
So, are we thinking something changed recently with the Router or the devices? Everything was working without issues a couple weeks back and months prior to that. Just a recent issue. 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)
- Yes. We have two satellites