Netgear router compatibility(?) issue

Question

Level 1

6 points

Netgear router compatibility(?) issue

I have the Netgear r6100 (latest firmware) router and a MBP 2015 13" base model on OSX 10.11.5.

About every 5-10 minutes, requests and pings to the router will not be answered. I'm not sure if it's the macbook not receiving the response from the router or if it's the router not issuing a response at all, all the while the wifi status is showing connected at full signal. Here is the results from a ping and a request to the router:

PING 192.168.1.1 (192.168.1.1): 56 data bytes

Request timeout for icmp_seq 0

Request timeout for icmp_seq 1

Request timeout for icmp_seq 2

Request timeout for icmp_seq 3

--- 192.168.1.1 ping statistics ---

5 packets transmitted, 0 packets received, 100.0% packet loss

Turning the wifi off and back on will fix this but it's annoying to have to deal with that every 5 minutes.

The router runs fine with all other devices I own - iPhone 5s, iPhone 6s - 64gb, iPhone 6s - 16gb, iPad mini, Toshiba thinkpad on windows 10, Asus (forgot which model) laptop on windows 7, self-built desktop on Windows 10, printer, smart-Tv.

None of them have any issues.

MBP also runs fine on other wifi networks, which leads me to believe this may be a compatibility issue between the MBP and the Netgear router.

The router is configured to recommended settings by apple.

Here are some things I've already tried -

- Reseting network settings (deleting preferences file)

- Changing wifi channels (tried all 2.4ghz channels, all 40mhz channels, and all 80mhz channels)

- Short and Long preamble modes

- Packet size reduction (tested 512, 1024, 2048, and 2346)

Any ideas on how to fix?

Additional information:

RSSI: -36dB to -40dB

Noise: -92dB

Tx Rate: 820mb/s (for 5ghz ac)

Tx Rate: 290mb/s (for 2.4ghz)

MCS: 6-7

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), Netgear r6100

Posted on May 28, 2016 9:20 PM

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Answer 1

kaz-k

Level 9

51,108 points

May 28, 2016 9:43 PM in response to Kokowang

Not sure about Netgear, though router usually is not set to answer the ping request. Read router manual to check it up.

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Answer 2

Kokowang Author

Level 1

6 points

May 28, 2016 9:46 PM in response to kaz-k

Here's the results from when it is working (before it stops responding every 5-10 minutes)

PING 192.168.1.1 (192.168.1.1): 56 data bytes

64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=0 ttl=64 time=1.846 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=1.939 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=2 ttl=64 time=1.935 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=3 ttl=64 time=1.951 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=4 ttl=64 time=1.855 ms

--- 192.168.1.1 ping statistics ---

5 packets transmitted, 5 packets received, 0.0% packet loss

round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 1.846/1.905/1.951/0.045 ms

It normally responds.

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Answer 3

sanjampet

Level 5

7,988 points

May 29, 2016 1:10 AM in response to Kokowang

Just a thought here for you to check, try holding the OPTION key and clicking on the WI-FI icon in the menu bar and see what the channel is,as well as how many "other Devices" are on this channel. As well a the noise floor. You may consider changing the channel, as there may "too much traffic"

Just a thought.

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Answer 4

Kokowang Author

Level 1

6 points

May 29, 2016 6:59 AM in response to sanjampet

Umm, not to be rude but did you even read the entire question?

There should be almost no interference as the RSSI is over 50dB above noise, I also said that I tried all available channels on all bands.

There are 0 other devices on this channel. 80mhz channel 149.

There are 0 other devices anywhere near this channel, closest is a -87 dB signal on channel 46.

I don't think there would be any issues with interference since noise is so low and there are no devices near my channel, but I do have about 30 wifi networks in range but most are close to -80 or -90dB.

Note: I'd prefer not to drop to 40mhz bands since wifi would be slow, I have 300mb/s service and I think I only get about 120mb/s in my living room if I use a 40mhz band.

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Answer 5

Kokowang Author

Level 1

6 points

May 29, 2016 7:24 AM in response to Kokowang

Could Dos/port scans disturb the connection between the computer and the router (perhaps take up all of the router's resources to try to drop the packets or block the connection)?

I've been getting several port scans from confirmed sources (not false positive), could that cause problems with in-home connectivity?

Just a thought, probably nothing to do with it since all other devices have stable connection.

I find this whole situation kind of odd since all my other apple devices work fine on this network, and my MBP works fine on all other networks.

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

May 29, 2016 8:32 AM in response to Kokowang

Notwithstanding Apple's recommendations, some routers work better with late-model Macs if you disable the 2.4 GHz radio mode in the settings and use only the 5 GHz mode. Note, however, that very old Apple devices and some third-party devices may then not connect at all.

Some third-party routers have advanced settings that you may need to change:

The encryption algorithm should be AES.

The group-key interval should be 3200.

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Answer 7

May 29, 2016 9:38 AM in response to Kokowang

Interference (caused by other Routers, using similar modulation techniques) is NOT the same as Noise (caused by devices not using the same modulation techniques, such as baby monitors).

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Answer 8

Kokowang Author

Level 1

6 points

May 29, 2016 10:20 PM in response to Linc Davis

I'm afraid I can't disable 2.4ghz that since some of my other devices connected to the router isn't capable of using 5ghz.

I have 2 laptops and 2 consoles that wont work with 5ghz.

Encryption is set to AES.

Where would the Group-key interval be on a Netgear router's settings? (Netgear Genie Ui)

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Answer 9

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

May 30, 2016 5:45 AM in response to Kokowang

I can't give you specific instructions for changing those settings, because all routers are different. Refer to the vendor's documentation.

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Answer 10

May 30, 2016 10:53 AM in response to Kokowang

Some Routers have the capability to set different network-names for the different {2.4GHz, 5GHz} bands. Setting a unique name for the 5GHz band can allow you to selectively connect to 5GHz, for better performance on devices that can use that band.

Your Mac spends some time evaluating all available networks to find a better connection. If you do not want it doing that, make this selection:

... then remove all unwanted networks from this Wi-Fi > ( Advanced) pane:

.

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Answer 11

Kokowang Author

Level 1

6 points

Jun 2, 2016 12:04 PM in response to Kokowang

Okay so I decided to go with the simple solution and just replace the router. I'm now using a technicolor TC8715 and it seems to be fairly stable so far (speeds range from about 700-860mb/s). I've always had issues with Netgear and Apple devices so I suppose I just won't be buying any more netgear equipment anymore. 😝

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