Orbi90 Router is terrible - does not actually disable 5Ghz

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Orbi90 Router is terrible - does not actually disable 5Ghz

canterburydays

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Master Geek

#306979 9-Sep-2023 18:06

These routers give you an option to disable 5ghz, but they actually can't disable it despite the Gui leading you to think you have.

I have at least two devices that need 2.4Ghz connection, nanoleaf and Robot.

I normally create two SSIDs with each disabled. However you can't with the Orbi's. I confirmed with 2Degrees.

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meow
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#3125435 9-Sep-2023 18:20

You don't actually need to ever do this these days (queue the people who say "I can't get xx connected unless if I do this").

I've got a Nanoleaf that is connected totally fine to my 2.4GHz / 5GHz mixed mode wireless network. Basically these devices can't see the 5GHz radio anyway so should connect no problems (unless if you're using an Android phone with a poorly coded app that tries to enforce this like some Tuya devices - but normally you can skip this warning). I've also had this Nanoleaf connected to an Orbi in the past with 2.4GHz/5GHz mixed mode wireless without any issues at all.

In the 100's of installs I've done over the years along with the many routers and devices I've tested I've actually never encountered a device that has such issues.

So no, this router is not terrible as you state. It is following best practices as these days you should combine your SSID's. The only exception to this is I have an older 5GHz only SSID broadcast from my wireless access points for streaming devices and devices I want fully fixed on 5GHz only but really I can do without this now.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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canterburydays

68 posts

Master Geek

#3125436 9-Sep-2023 18:31

Teach me, what can I do in order to get a stable working connection. Firmware is up to date. Nothing is working.
I can get it to pair, but some nights my phone app can't see the nanoleaf. When I look at connected devices it shows nanoleaf on 2.4, and my phone on 5.
I think a router is terrible if it has a gui that offers to disable 5ghz, but it does't actually disable it.

Same issue with my vac robot.

michaelmurfy

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#3125439 9-Sep-2023 18:36

To get a stable working connection -

Set your SSID up with WPA2-PSK (or WPA2/WPA3 Mixed if this is a feature these days). The Nanoleaf doesn't support WPA3-Personal. Also enable 2.4GHz AND 5GHz because seriously this side of things doesn't matter. Basically the defaults that Netgear recommend should work fine for all your devices:

canterburydays

68 posts

Master Geek

#3125441 9-Sep-2023 18:46

ok, this is what I have.
Nanoleaf don't share the same opinion as you. Recent customer support feedback.

michaelmurfy

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#3125442 9-Sep-2023 18:48

I’ve got multiple Nanoleaf connected no problems so this isn’t opinion but fact…

canterburydays

68 posts

Master Geek

#3125444 9-Sep-2023 19:09

through 2degrees? Maybe we run different firmwares?
You are motivating me to maybe factory reset and try one more time, but the fact that the vac is performing the same as nanoleaf....

richms

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#3125454 9-Sep-2023 20:32

Turn off the AX support on 2.4GHz - that messes up so many devices that I dont know why they even bother to try to have it enabled.

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michaelmurfy

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#3125462 9-Sep-2023 21:15

Even with AX support on 2.4GHz it still works fine with the Nanoleaf. There is still fallback.

@canterburydays I don’t run an Orbi but have done multiple setups, had Nanoleaf working through multiple routers including a number of Orbi’s and have never ever separated my 2.4GHz network away and if it really matters I’m on 2degrees too but again the Nanoleaf is actually one of the better devices that normally just works with any router including this Orbi fine. I’ve done many, many WiFi and network installs so have quite a bit of experience here. I’ve also been through multiple access points in the time I’ve owned my Nanoleaf and never actually needed to reconnect it, it just works.

I say it again - there seriously isn’t any need these days to disable 5GHz on a SSID. The defaults your Orbi have should have excellent compatibility with all devices. I recommend however with some devices perhaps only enabling WPA2 (I do have one device that seriously doesn’t like WPA3 enabled at all).

MattEast

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#3125475 9-Sep-2023 22:11

Try changing the channel on the 2.4Ghz to a lower one, I had a similar issue with an older RBR50 and that was the advice given for that router for connecting some 2.4Ghz devices. I’ve since upgraded and haven’t had any issues since (RBK852). Worth trying, agree with the above, no need to disable a frequency an endpoint device can’t connect to.

Matt East

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#3125478 9-Sep-2023 22:13

michaelmurfy:
You don't actually need to ever do this these days (queue the people who say "I can't get xx connected unless if I do this").

I have a neighbour who bought some Arlo Pro 4 cameras by mistake. They only connected to 2.4GHz and would only start the setup routine if her iPhone was also connected to 2.4GHz. Even the Arlo Pro 5 that can use 5GHz have this in instructions
"Note: Your mobile device and Arlo camera must connect to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network during the initial installation".

michaelmurfy

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#3125538 10-Sep-2023 00:30

Bung: "2.4GHz Wi-Fi network during the initial installation".

Yeah I've seen software locks before but normally there is a way past this in most cases (Tuya is another one that tells you to connect your phone to 2.4GHz, but will allow you to skip). Assuming you can skip this step though you normally don't have any problems connecting the device.

It is just annoying some developers decide to do this.

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#3125561 10-Sep-2023 10:14

canterburydays:

These routers give you an option to disable 5ghz, but they actually can't disable it despite the Gui leading you to think you have.

Note that the screenshot @michaelmurfy posted says "Enable AX" so those checkboxes aren't for turning off one band or another. Are you "turning off" 5 GHz somewhere else on the UI?

I don't have an Orbi but it looks like there's another page with a checkbox "Enable wireless router radio" - is this the one you are using?

As mentioned above, networks with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz shouldn't be a problem but make sure you are using the right box to turn 5 GHz off.

canterburydays

68 posts

Master Geek

#3125578 10-Sep-2023 12:37

Your right. Disabling 5ghz is only for ax option, was not that obvious as its in the first setting on the Wifi Settings and made me think it was for disabling the radio.

Does't look like Orbi can disable it. Shame as it'd be my next thing to try, i bet it'd work first time with only 2.4 enabled.

I've just tried a nano shapes and the nano original with Ax disabled and forced to long preamble, was auto. Both fail.

Both fail. I can go through the set up options, i get to switching between nano wifi and then back to home wifi, then it fails on both of them. I've connected nanoleafs to multiple home wifi as well, but only via specific 2.4 SSID. Only way I can disable is to decrease the power to 25% on 5ghz and walk far enough away LOL.

Lastly, the roborock robot says only 2.4 supported when I try to add it. Worked fine with our phone hot spot solution before we got fibre.

MattEast

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#3125629 10-Sep-2023 13:31

Yes, just checked all the settings on my Orbi, settings all relate to settings for each band, there is not option to fully disable either radio band. The best way to ensure your phone and device are on the 2.4G band would be to make sure you are a distance away from the router and/or satellite…ideally with a few walls in between to ensure the phone is forced onto the stronger network. That’s said it shouldn’t matter if your phone is on the 5Ghz network, my pellet grill which runs on the 2.4G band only (and says the phone must also be on that network band) is fine on the Mesh network when it’s on the 5G band…I guess some devices might be fussier than others?

Matt East

jonathan18

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#3125668 10-Sep-2023 19:57

MattEast:
Yes, just checked all the settings on my Orbi, settings all relate to settings for each band, there is not option to fully disable either radio band.

Yep, this mirrors my experience with a 2D-supplied Orbi RBR350 router - in that case I needed to disable all WiFi as my sister had separate APs for WiFi duty. Apparently Netgear supply them to 2D with that locked-down firmware. (The ‘solution’ was to get 2D to swap out the Orbi for a Fritzbox.) See thread at https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=305995.

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