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Orbi RBR50 router randomly disconnects/blocks internet for the whole network.
Multiple versions of the firmware, now latest: 2.3.5.30, at least also 2.3.1.60. Probably also 2.3.1.48 and 2.3.1.44 (don't remember exactly, as I blamed the isp in the start).
Also notice that I'm running Circle and Armor on the router (bought license for both).
So, the story started with random disconnects lasting up to 10 mins before automatically resolving. This was firmware 2.3.1.60. This was when I was still on my 90 day support, so I talked to support.
I ended up trying the whole recipe for fixes, i.e.
- Power cycle router and both satelites (didn't fix it)
- manually installing the same firmware from a laptop connected to the switch in both satelites and router (didn't fix it)
- Factory reset - partially fixed the issue. I still got "disconnects", but they only lasted 10-20 seconds instead of 10 minutes.
Also, it broke the router, as when you enabled Circle, it crashed after a few mins, so next time you checked parent control, circle was disabled. - I was offered a RMA for the router (but I did not use it yet, as I'm certain this is a software issue).
- Fixed the circle issue after a while when Circle suddenly couldn't find my config and offered me to start a new one.
I asked the CS person if there was some way to continue debugging the router, as I had no access to SSH or advanced menus in the UI.
No response.
Luckily, I found the topic on hidden features for the router on this forum.
This made it possible for me to enable Telnet (why not SSH???).
Armed with shell access to the router, I did some lite debugging.
And this is what I found:
When I'm "disconnected" from internet, i.e. nothing working from any machine, including any machine connected directly to the switch in the router (so no connection issue between the satelites and router), I'm still able to access internet from the shell on the router.
This leads me to think that the "disconnects" I read about on this forum isn't disconnects, but network blocking from the router.
When I looked at it, the routing table had not changed before and while "blocking" was happening.
I'm not 100% certain, but it looked like IPTables wasn't changed either.
I have also disabled Armor to test a theory that it might have been Armor causing the issue, but disabling it didn't make any change other than alot less CPU usage on the router (verified using top).
Would be interresting if some dev could give some feedback on what data they would like me to produce to help debug and fix the issue, because it's pretty anoying having a router randomly blocking you from the internet.
30 Replies
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.After a factory reset, and if you don't enable Armor and Circle, does the RBR still experience these disconnections?
The Orbi is connected to a fiber -> ethernet/coax (for TV) splitter.
No modem.
This splitter is branded "Canal Digital", but have no number.
ISP is Telenor.
Question is what does any of your questions have to do with my issue, as I've confirmed that the issue also occurs when directly connected to the switch in the Orbi router (no wifi used at all). But to humor you:
We count in Square meters. 3 floors and totally 162sqm, google tells me this is 1722,23 sqf.
All neighbours have wifi, however, I see only like max 4 within my range.
I'm reluctant to do a factory reset, as it's alot of work to get everything back up and running.Like if I do a factory reset and upload my config again, it beats the reasoning for doing a factory reset.
I can tell you however that after the last factory reset I did when I had my CS case, it took about 2 days until I saw the issue again.
Usually, I see it daily.I can tell you that I did disable armor yesterday (did not fix it).
And I did disable Circle like two hours ago,
I can update tomorrow with new status if that fixed it.
Also notice, I try to only do one thing at the time to help pinpoint what fixes the issue.I tell you though, the reasoning for disabling armor before circle was that the router have internet access (when using ping from the router shell), while the rest of the network does not.
Or to simplify:Anything inside that the router serves (wifi or ethernet) can ping the router but not the ISP GW. at the same time, the router can ping the ISP GW.
Also at the same time this is happening, I'm able to ping the ISP GW directly from any equipmet I connect to my Asus router that I also connect to the fibre->ethernet splitter.Last piece of information: The fastest way to recover from the "blocking" is to open the router ui, click the internet link in the basic menu, then click "Test".
It seems this is doing a dhcp release/refresh, as this always give me a new IP.
Sometimes Wifi can effect the router as if there is noise or interference, the RBR may reboot on it's own to find a more clear channel. Thus giving this disconnect. Thought it should come back online. Reason for asking about this...
Possible that you have a issue between the RBR and this ISP ethernet/coax switch. Possible lease time is running out and the RBR is failing to get a new IP address on it's own correctly from the ISP service box.
Are you seeing a public IP address on the RBR? ##.##.###.### or a private IP address on the WAN side of the RBR? 192 or maybe 10.something?
A factory reset should be performed and this time, dont' enable any Armor, Circle, Traffic Meter, QOS or Access Controls and see if the issue still appears. Do a backup configuration to file first.
Also swap out LAN cables between the RBR and ISP service box. CAT6 is recommended.
Having this exact same problem. Strange thing about it, is that it is affecting my Macbook Pro the most, almost unusable. iPhones and other devices fairing better, except for our Sonos. We also have a Sonos audio system that I am a beta tester for them. Had lots of discnnects and so I submitted a diagnostic to them and even though my Sonos speakers are wired (ethernet) the Sonos devs could see from the logs that they were showing tons of disconnects. Hope this gets figuyred out quickly or I'll be going back to my old Linksys
What Firmware is currently loaded? Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last update?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).Does the system work with SONOS fully turned OFF?
ThrasherDawg wrote:Having this exact same problem. Strange thing about it, is that it is affecting my Macbook Pro the most, almost unusable. iPhones and other devices fairing better, except for our Sonos. We also have a Sonos audio system that I am a beta tester for them. Had lots of discnnects and so I submitted a diagnostic to them and even though my Sonos speakers are wired (ethernet) the Sonos devs could see from the logs that they were showing tons of disconnects. Hope this gets figuyred out quickly or I'll be going back to my old Linksys
- Joining in.... I just installed Orbi, and I am experiencing lots of disconnects.... Chose it over Ubiquity, speeds are mind-blowing, but disconnects makes me furious and wonder if I chose wrong!
On most Devs I see missing connections, after a few seconds they connect but I am tired of seeing "no internet" messages, and only had it running a few weeks....
Fix it or I'm returning my gear! - Disable Circle. That fixed it for me
Glad that worked for you. Seen odd issues with Armor and Circle.
Thanks for letting us know.
back-to-reality wrote:
Disable Circle. That fixed it for me
back-to-reality wrote:
Disable Circle. That fixed it for meUnfortunately, I payed for the service as I need it for the small kids at home :)
Just an idea: you could try to set all devices that you don´t need to monitor as "unmanaged" in Circle and just leave the kids devices. Maybe that would reduce the load on the CPU and may help.
Also, I suppose you can disable it temporary just to see if it solves the disconnects and then decide what you do next.
Exactly the same in my case... disabled Circle and disconnections stopped.
Having said that, I truly would like to be able to use Circle...
Please post about this in the Circle app forum:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Circle-Smart-Parental-Controls/bd-p/en-home-circle
Good Luck.
BlackApron wrote:Exactly the same in my case... disabled Circle and disconnections stopped.
Having said that, I truly would like to be able to use Circle...
