Forum Discussion
Random TV Buffering
OK. I studied all the setup procedures, tweaking and ideas to get the most performance out of my T-mobile gateway. Though having good speed is only part of the answer, I cannot seem to rectify my TV(s) random buffering. I really want this service to work for me. Any suggestions out there?
Gracias,
Charlie
@coooldad, those numbers look pretty good to me! I'd be very happy if I could get that speed. My gateway connects, at best, at 60-70 Mbps, and usually only 35-40 Mbps. Nonetheless, I am still able to use 48 devices simultaneously, including streaming TV, computers, et al. My point is that speed is relative to what you're trying to do. If your devices are operating well and are accessing the Internet at the speeds you show above, you are doing very well.
You did exactly the right thing with the Orbi! While you are adding a hop from the gateway to the Orbi, it doesn't appear to have negatively affected your WiFi signal. Just make sure that the Orbi is in Access Point mode so that solo the T-Mobile gateway is managing DHCP.
As for WPA, that is really a factor of the client that is connecting. It's a security setting for the WiFi you are broadcasting in your home. It has nothing to do with the tower. Hence, WPA3 is more secure than WPA. Some older devices can't read WPA3, which is why you sometimes have to create a new network with only WPA/WPA2 and 2.4 GHz.
Hope this helps. Good luck, although it doesn't look like you need it!
@coooldad, are you using the Orbi in Access Point mode or did you just plug it in to the Ethernet port on the back, configured the way it's always been?
There is limited configuration for the T-Mobile gateway, so you can't shut off or configure DHCP, DNS, or add a VPN at the gateway level. You also can't NAT from the router if it's in AP mode.
As an experiment, disconnect the Orbi completely from your network, then try running the TV and see if the problem is still there. (I'd reset the TV first re @copz1998's suggestion.) If you still have buffering, then obviously the Orbi has nothing to do with your problem. On the other hand, if the buffering stops, you'll know what's causing the problem.
Make sure you are running your Orbi in AP mode so that DHCP is handled by the T-Mobile gateway. Dual DHCP servers can cause lots of problems on a network.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
@coooldad if you have a ping of 14 ms with downloads of over 100 Mbps, your buffering issue is not with your gateway. I would look at my smart TV and check the following:
- Is it hard wired with ethernet or wifi
- If hardwire try connecting to your gateway via wifi
- Make sure your TV is connecting to the correct wifi ID
- Try deleting all wifi options and then rescan for the T-mobile gateway
- In the past while trying to resolve network issues with my Samsung smart TV I unplugged the TV for a few minutes and restarted it to clear any old cache.
When you get the buffering, is it while streaming Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.?
Are you only using the T-Mobile gateway or do you have a router attached?
I hope this helps!
- Is it hard wired with ethernet or wifi
¡Gracias por tu ayuda! Yes, I have rebooted everything from time to time. I failed to mention that I have an Orbi Mesh system that I use throughout the house for better coverage. I am using Nvidia Shield TV Pro to stream (Netflix, Prime Video, etc..) and have tried using both T-mobile and Orbi wifi with the same results. Never really had buffering issues with my last (cable) internet service (except the price). Though the Nvidia Shield shows a ever-so slightly stronger WiFi signal through Orbi, I wonder if there's any benefit using T-mobile's WiFi.
I see that I am able to remove T-mobile's network. It that only referring to its WiFi, and would this be the best option for removing its WiFi so I can dedicate WiFi connections throughout the house using only my Orbi Mesh?
gracias
Ok, bocaboy2591,
Regarding your advice, I decided to give my Orbi's SSID a whole new name and not the KVD21's SSID, if that's ok. I then reconnected all devices solely to that while hiding T-mobile's WiFi. Also, I noticed channel drop-down settings for each 2.4 & 5GHz in both my KVD21 and my Orbi settings. They both are at a default number. But what's the best way to find the right settings to achieve maximum performance? Am I able to attain such information from my nearest cellphone tower or is there another way? I have a tower less than a half mile away. I'm upstairs in the house and did a speed test. Though upstairs and expect slower speeds, still not impressed. The Ping is slightly high and packet loss at 88.7%. Though I'm mechanically inclined and somewhat techs savvy, I'm not an expert at this. Could use some help tweaking any settings to Max performance. I'm trying to do my diligence in order to keep this service. I would like to believe in it! …..
Thanks so much!@coooldad, those numbers look pretty good to me! I'd be very happy if I could get that speed. My gateway connects, at best, at 60-70 Mbps, and usually only 35-40 Mbps. Nonetheless, I am still able to use 48 devices simultaneously, including streaming TV, computers, et al. My point is that speed is relative to what you're trying to do. If your devices are operating well and are accessing the Internet at the speeds you show above, you are doing very well.
You did exactly the right thing with the Orbi! While you are adding a hop from the gateway to the Orbi, it doesn't appear to have negatively affected your WiFi signal. Just make sure that the Orbi is in Access Point mode so that solo the T-Mobile gateway is managing DHCP.
As for WPA, that is really a factor of the client that is connecting. It's a security setting for the WiFi you are broadcasting in your home. It has nothing to do with the tower. Hence, WPA3 is more secure than WPA. Some older devices can't read WPA3, which is why you sometimes have to create a new network with only WPA/WPA2 and 2.4 GHz.
Hope this helps. Good luck, although it doesn't look like you need it!
Ok, I made sure that the Orbi Mesh System is in Access Point mode so that solo the T-Mobile gateway is managing DHCP, as you recommended, but that caused smart devices and Nvidia Shield Pro devices to buffer or lose WiFi connection all together. So I disabled Orbi's AP mode and connections improved. Instead of enabling Orbi's AP, would it benefit if in Orbi's advanced settings, I simply unchecked "Use Router as DHCP Server," or would that do it a disservice?
Nuevamente, gracias.
That should work fine. The main thing is NOT to have two DHCP servers on your Local Area Network (LAN).
I'm not sure what Nvidia Shield Pro is, but it sounds like most of your other devices connected correctly with the Orbi in AP mode. I bet if you reset one of your Smart devices (an Echo or automated switch?) and then go through a normal setup with the Orbi in AP mode that they will recognize it.
¡Buena suerte!
@coooldad I think you and @bocaboy2591 are close n your resolution. As noted, you want to avoid dual DHCP and WIFI gateways in the same location, so turning off the DHCP and WIFI to your Orbi seems like the best solution. Then, the Orbi acts as a repeater or access point for the T-Mobile gateway.
I found the following on how to turn off DHCP: https://kb.netgear.com/24090/How-do-I-disable-the-DHCP-server-feature-in-my-Nighthawk-router
Here is how to turn on AP mode: https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point
After resetting both os the Orbi settings, I would reboot T-Mobile gateway first, then a minute later, reboot the Orbi. If the Orbi is plugged into the gateway via ethernet, the Orbi will detect the gateway as the internet source and the gateway will spool out ip addresses as a DHCP server.
Please let us know if this works.
¡Buena suerte!
copz1998 .. Regarding your recommendation "Check the DNS settings on your Orbi. The first DNS server should be 192.168.12.1 (your gateway), then use 8.8.8.8 (Google) . The "Could not reach the server" messagYou are getting close to the finish line. Please double ce is a DNS issue."
When Orbi is in AP Mode, tabs like Internet, WAN and LAN Setup under Advanced are greyed out. Not sure how to access DNS settings.
