B2 WiFi Connection Issues

[ML H]

Hello, new B2 owner here. I was able to connect the unit to my network, it displayed an IP address and the time, and showed signal strength of -11. Unfortunately, I couldn't get it to show up as a connected device on my router, so the B2 app couldn't find it. No success with the displayed IP address, either. I updated the B2 and router firmware, power cycled all, and checked to make sure no other connected devices were using the same IP address, but no success.

I'm leaving on an extended trip on 17 October, and the product return window closes 24 Oct, so I'm concerned that I might not have enough time to troubleshoot. I contacted Amazon to request an extension to the return window. They attempted to help me troubleshoot, and had me select "Use HDD" in the Maintenance menu. So, now the unit is completely disconnected from WiFi and when I try to set it up again, it can't find the network at all. Then Amazon dropped my chat :(.  I then contacted Brennan USA through Amazon's 'contact seller' option to request an extension to the return window, so I hope that will be granted.

Anyway, hoping I can get some support here to help me get the unit reconnected to WiFi and resolve the visibility issue. I have a Netgear Orbi RBR50 router (simultaneous tri-band wifi incl 2.4GHz & 5GHz) with the B2 sitting right next to a satellite unit that's showing up as full strength on the network. I read through a few other threads on this forum, and the connection issues page on the Brennan site, but I'm not able to resolve on my own.

Thanks much,

ML Harris

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi mlh,

If you can see an IP on the front of your B2, then it IS connected to a router and I assume that if it accepted your router's WiFi password, this is YOUR router.

Open a browser on the device you used to enter your question to this forum and in the bar along the top enter the IP number that the B2 is displaying, this will open the B2 web user interface.

Fred

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Also if now you cant get the B2 to see the Router then from the front menu select "Reset WiFi" from with the maintenance menu section ..

Main menu ...Settings...Maintenance...Reset WiFi.

Then reboot the B2 and reconnect it to your WiFi again.

Fred

[ML H]

Hi Fred,

Thanks for the suggestions, but, as I said in my OP, when the B2 was previously connected to my WiFi, I wasn't able to connect to the web user interface with the displayed IP, even when using the http:// prefix and confirming that there were no other devices with the same IP address on the network. It also was not showing up as a connected device in my router app.

After selecting "Use HDD" in the Maintenance menu (as recommended by Amazon 'support'), it will no longer connect to WiFi. I just power cycled the B2 and executed Settings...Maintenance... Reset WiFi, rebooted and tried to Setup WiFi, but it's not connecting at all - just displaying "No Network".

ML

[JFBUK]

Hi

Have you tried a power recycle of your router and the satellites ?

You said that you previously  could not see the B2 in your router info .

It might be worth making a note  of the MAC address of your B2 wifi adapter 

Press info twice on the B2 remote to get it on the B2 display.

You can then check for that on your router info as well as an IP address

Also you have you tried moving the B2 next to the router rather than next to a satellite.

John

[ML H]

Thanks John, now we're making some progress! I powered down the B2, router and satellite, then powered back up in sequence. This time, I was able to reconnect the B2 with Setup WiFi. But I still wasn't seeing it on my list of connected devices. There is, however, a mysterious "Google Chromebook" listed, and when I checked the details, it has the same IP address as the B2 and the same MAC address as the WiFi adapter. So I think the B2 must be appearing under this mysterious alias.

I'm still not able to connect to it, either directly from a browser with the IP address or through the Brennan app, even when entering the IP address with the Manual Setup option. I wonder if renaming the device in my router connected devices list would make a difference, at least in the app? If so, I don't know what name it should have. Anyone?

ML

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Just a thought but there is a possibility that the 5 and 2.4 GHZ WiFi networks are somehow seperated in/by your router. If so then your PC/tablet/phone would not be able to "see" the B2 which would be on the 2.4 system. We had this problem with BT routers a while ago.

Make sure that your laptop is connected to the 2.4 band and try again.

The 'Chromebook' tag is a annoying but irrelivant, it was a best guess of a device type made by the router. However, the router does not act on the tag. Traffic is controlled by the IP number. 

If your B2 is connected to your WiFi router and is displaying an IP number on the front screen after boot up, then it WILL be serving/providing the UI web page. If you are not able to see it either

1) the WiFi signal the B2 is getting from the router is too weak/noisy

Or

2) there is some inconsistancy/problem with your house WiFi router configuration.

Fred

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

How many  Netgear Orbi RBR50 routers do you have?

Fred

[JFBUK]

Hi,

I’m not very familiar with mesh routers but found this discussion on a Naim forum on a similar issue which may be relevant.

https://community.naimaudio.com/t/connecting-to-orbi-mesh-system/14626

If the Orbi is being clever with the 2.4 and 5Ghz bands then this might be confusing the B2 as it only speaks 2.4Ghz

John

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Again

Been thinking

You say " with the B2 sitting right next to a satellite unit that's showing up as full strength on the network. "

Would I be correct in assuming that the " satellite unit" is a satellite Orbi (and not a satellite TV box).?

If so, please consider REMOVING your B2's WiFi dongle, opening the rear of the B2 and connecting your B2 to the Orbi it is next to via an Ethernet cable. Do NOT re-install the WiFi dongle after doing this.

This will eliminate any WiFi issues.

Fred

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Oh and please not after connecting by Ethernet cable it is likely that the B2 will be given a NEW IP number (seen on the front display) - use this to get the B2's UI, (not the old one).

Fred

[ML H]

Thanks John and Fred for your help. To clarify a few items raised by Fred:

I have ONE RBR50 router with two Orbi satellite units in a triangular setup, i.e., each satellite connecting directly to the router, not daisy-chained. (I wasn't referring to satellite TV.)

I can see in the Orbi app that the B2 is connecting via Satellite 1 at 2.4GHz, and the B2 reports signal strength -11. All other connected devices are on the 5GHz band.

I haven't been able to connect my Macbook Air to the 2.4GHz band. I couldn't find an option for that either in the laptop's network settings or in the router app.

I'll get an ethernet cable and try connecting directly, but I'm unclear how that will help. Staying connected to the network isn't an issue now; I just can't access the B2 either through the app or the web UI.

I also read through the thread on the Naim forum, but it's all Greek to me. If connecting via Ethernet doesn't work, I may need to get a network tech support person to set this up properly.

ML

[PMB]

Hi ML,

It sounds like the B2 is connected to your WiFi network as it is displaying an IP Address and the only problem seems to be with not being able to use the web UI or the app.

What IP Address is the B2 displaying - should be something like 192.168.1.127?

On the MAC try - close Safari (or whatever browser you are using) >> go to settings for Safari and clear 'browser data/history' >> open a new Safari page >> type the IP shown on the B2 in manually (don't use a bookmark). Does the web UI open?

Paul

Brennan Support.

[JFBUK]

Hi ML,

Can you try the highlighted instructions on your MacBook and post the results.

Ping sends test data packets across a network and if successful gets response from the target device.

This may help diagnose why your MacBook is not seeing your B2 for the Web UI

Thanks

To ping a network device using a system that is running OSX, complete the following:

1. Click Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
2. Type ping -c <number of times to ping> <IP address>. The IP address is xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, where xxx is a number between 0 and 255. For example, to ping 192.168.1.1 five times, you would type ping -c 5 192.168.1.1.

The IP address will that of your B2

[ML H]

The B2 is displaying the IP address 192.168.1.10. I cleared the cache and all browser history in Chrome, then reattempted to connect to the B2, but no success. Chrome suggested this might have to do with proxy server settings, but there are no proxies selected in my system Settings. It also suggested that it might be due to firewall/security settings.

Pinging 5x with Terminal resulted in "5 packets transmitted, 0 packets received, 100% packet loss".

I live in a rural area, so won't receive the Ethernet cable until Saturday. I'll send an update once the B2 is hardwired to the network. In the meantime, shall we start a challenge for the one who successfully solves this problem? I'm from Whidbey Island in Washington State; I could offer an award of some of our great coffee, chocolate or smoked salmon. (I don't recommend having all three at once.)

:) ML

[JFBUK]

Hi,

No solution yet but could you try another command in Terminal and post the results

Ipconfig /all

Thanks

[ML H]

usage: Ipconfig <command> <args>

where <command> is one of waitall, getifaddr, ifcount, getoption, getpacket, getv6packet, set, setverbose

[Mark Fishman]

You have a Mac? Then the command is ifconfig -- ipconfig is a Windows command.

You either want just ifconfig with no arguments, or possibly ifconfig -a

[Daniel Taylor]

In an earlier post, Fred suggested considering the separation of the 2.4 and 5 bands on the router.  Then later, you said the MacBook is connected to the 5 band while the B2 is connected to the 2.4 band.  I think this is worth investigating further.

Some (most?) routers can be set up to separate the two bands into separate SSIDs.  See if your router can do that, and then as a test, connect your

MacBook to the 2.4 band.  If you can talk to the B2 then, you know it's a router problem.

I'm a little vague on all that.  So if it needs correction or clarification, somebody feel free to jump in.

[JFBUK]

Try as Mark suggests. I picked a bad post as a guide when I googled the Windows equivalent for Mac OS

[ML H]

Yes, I'm on Macs: Mac Pro, Macbook Air, & iPhone. Here are the results from running ifconfig in Terminal: 

lo0: flags=8049<UP,LOOPBACK,RUNNING,MULTICAST> mtu 16384

options=1203<RXCSUM,TXCSUM,TXSTATUS,SW_TIMESTAMP>

inet 127.0.0.1 netmask 0xff000000 

inet6 ::1 prefixlen 128 

inet6 fe80::1%lo0 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x1 

nd6 options=201<PERFORMNUD,DAD>

gif0: flags=8010<POINTOPOINT,MULTICAST> mtu 1280

stf0: flags=0<> mtu 1280

en0: flags=8863<UP,BROADCAST,SMART,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 1500

options=b<RXCSUM,TXCSUM,VLAN_HWTAGGING>

ether e8:06:88:cf:39:9a 

nd6 options=201<PERFORMNUD,DAD>

media: autoselect (<unknown type>)

status: inactive

en1: flags=8863<UP,BROADCAST,SMART,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 1500

options=b<RXCSUM,TXCSUM,VLAN_HWTAGGING>

ether e8:06:88:cf:97:4f 

inet6 fe80::10c4:b6fb:e679:3aa4%en1 prefixlen 64 secured scopeid 0x5 

inet 192.168.1.6 netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast 192.168.1.255

nd6 options=201<PERFORMNUD,DAD>

media: autoselect (1000baseT <full-duplex,flow-control>)

status: active

en2: flags=8863<UP,BROADCAST,SMART,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 1500

ether c8:bc:c8:f3:b2:fe 

inet6 fe80::1843:a50a:90e8:4d0e%en2 prefixlen 64 secured scopeid 0x6 

inet 192.168.1.8 netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast 192.168.1.255

nd6 options=201<PERFORMNUD,DAD>

media: autoselect

status: active

fw0: flags=8863<UP,BROADCAST,SMART,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 4078

lladdr 70:cd:60:ff:fe:38:be:50 

nd6 options=201<PERFORMNUD,DAD>

media: autoselect <full-duplex>

status: inactive

p2p0: flags=8843<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> mtu 2304

ether 0a:bc:c8:f3:b2:fe 

media: autoselect

status: inactive

utun0: flags=8051<UP,POINTOPOINT,RUNNING,MULTICAST> mtu 2000

inet6 fe80::d2d9:985:ffc6:9a65%utun0 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x9 

nd6 options=201<PERFORMNUD,DAD>

[JFBUK]

Hi ML,

What is most puzzling is that at some point your B2 does communicate with your router in order to get an IP address but then when you try to contact the B2 over the network it is failing ( Web UI & pings don't work).

Have you tried moving your B2 adjacent to the router rather than adjacent to one of your satellite nodes, if that's possible ?

When you do, I would power off the satellites so that your only Wi-Fi network access point is the router. I would power recycle the router as well.

If you can then see the B2 in the Web UI it may point to the configuration of your full Orbi system needing a tweak (to be determined)

John

[ML H]

Hello John & all,

It's been a busy week, but I've made some progress since my last post. I hardwired the B2 to the Orbi satellite that's next to my audio gear, and can now connect to the Web UI, hooray! Seeing that page load and queuing up music from my Mac made me want to get up and dance!

Unfortunately, I STILL can't connect to the B2 with the app; it's not found as a device on my network. The Manual Setup option in the app doesn't work, either. It does show up as a connected device in my Orbi app. Ping tests are successful. This makes me think it's probably a network/WiFi security setting that's preventing the Brennan app from seeing it, but I can't find anything about those details in the Orbi app. I'll dig deeper when I get back from my trip next month, but please chime in if you have any insights.

Thanks much!

ML

[JFBUK]

Hi ML,

Progress is always good :)

I would recommend you also post on the Netgear Orbi support forum with details of your experience.

I am pretty certain its something to do with how your Orbi is configured and there will be more Orbi expertise there even if there are no B2 users.

When you solve it would be great if you could post the solution on here so that users of this forum can view it for future reference.

Thanks & Good Luck

John

[Rik]

I returned last week from a long time abroad. All was well with the B2 on return. I kept it switched on. Two days ago I decided to switch off  instead. I sometimes do. On switching on, the display showed the IP address but there was no proper connection, just the Ui page with no music showing but the coloured icons there..

I tried the usual to no avail

Next time switching on there was no IP address displayed and no connection  I've scanned the wifi network, re-set, rebooted. 

I’m using a wifi dongle with antenna. I tried an ordinary dongle, both of them in the usual powered hub and  in USB C (tried  A too.)

I’m on the latest B2b software and my signal is not more than -50 and usually less.

What have I overlooked, please? . 

[PMB]

Hi Rik,

Have you tried rebooting (powering off and on) the router?

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Rik]

Thanks for replying, Paul. I’ve rebooted the router but no change. I have noticed that there is a privacy warning in the Settings window on my iPad which I can’t say I’ve seen before.

Privacy Warning

This network is blocking encrypted DNS traffic.

The names of websites and other servers your device accesses on this network may be monitored and recorded by other devices on this network.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Rick.

All these messages are NOT being generated by the Brennan, but by your Router/computer.  The Brennan Units do serve a "standard" Web Page - All Brennan owners are using it - The problems you are having are related to the configuration setup in your house.

I too run a Netgear  router , a RAX200 (which is a single box rather than a mesh) with no problems and have been following your issues. However it is hard to help if one is not running similar kit. 

The other thing to bear in mind is that recently web browsers to "protect" users have been "enhanced" to block web sites which do not provide certified "https" protocol links. You can tun this off for specific websites (like the B2's) - I believe, but looking 

into this area may be worthwhile for you.

Fred

[Rik]

Hi, Fred. If this message was for me I think you’re mixing me up with the earlier poster but thanks for the reply.

Having seen the Privacy notice on Settings this morning I suspected that the Sky Network might have changed protocols but if so it did it overnight last Friday which seems strange . If neither Paul nor anyone else can offer me a solution I guess I’ll have to ring Sky.

[Rik]

I’ve got rid of the Privacy notice on Settings on my iPad by following this link

 https://discover.centurylink.com/how-to-fix-a-privacy-warning-on-wifi.html

 but the B2 still won’t connect. I’ve rebooted, scanned for network and reset wifi.

[Rik]

PS I’ve just rebooted again, several times actually, and put antenna dongle in USB C and I’ve now got a connection. 

I had tried this dongle atthe weekend there instead of the hub and I don’t really think it’s faulty - it’s not old - but I’ll try it elsewhere to check for my peace of mind. The signal is at the moment between -50 and -60 unfortunately but it is fine. 

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Rik,

Is there any way you could set up you B2 with a wired Ethernet connection to your router (you will have to take the back off the B2 to get at the Ethernet socket but this is easy) as a direct connection is much better then WiFi.

Fred

[PMB]

Hi Rik,

So can you use the web UI now? The WiFi signal is on the low side but some find it works OK, so I wouldn't mess with the setup and just see how it goes for a few days.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Rik]

Yes, thank you, Paul, I’m fine now. I’ll probably try thé powered hub again as i can place it higher and nearer the router. I’ve never had a problem with what I know is relatively low signal.  Very very occasionally over the years I’ve had on the UI just a framework and coloured icons but I’ve ripped and transferred  one or two albums on a PC via NAS and moved some purchased Amazon MP3 albums without problem. 

I’m between mid 40s and mid 50s  this morning. 

[Rik]

I’m having difficulty replying to Fred’s post and soi hope he’ll see it here. 

FRED.

 Thanks but the router is upstairs with the PC and the B2 downstairs but you have set me thinking that if we ever dispense with the desktop (we’re mainly using tablets and laptop in truth) the router could probably come downstairs.

[Mark Fishman]

If you live in a wood-frame house, one floor or ceiling is not usually a big problem for wifi. If you have metallic carpets (ha), or brick chimneys with steel liners getting in the way, though, it could be an issue.

Oh, and desktops can use wifi, too: I have a dual-band (2.4/5GHz) wifi adapter plugged into a USB jack on my Windows 10 desktop and it works just fine for general internet and printing purposes. (The desktop computer is on the ground floor, the router is upstairs. Wood-frame house.)

[Rik]

Hi, Mark, this is a very old stone cottage with thick walls. So the router,  in the spare bedroom,,  has a booster which lives at the top of the stairs on the landing under which nearby the B2 lives! 

And you’re  right that, the other way round from you, the desktop could link with wifi to a downstairs router. Worth thinking about, , though whether the  phone/modem can be easily in the right place is another matter.  Early 18thC cottages are not the easiest places to sort out. 😃

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi Rik

While others on this forum may disparage this solution, it has worked reliably for me!

I have used  a set of these

TP-Link TL-PA4010PKIT Passthrough Powerline Adapter Starter Kit, No Configuration Required, UK Plug, Pack of 2

quite successfully to bring ethernet to parts where WiFi is difficult. (The "passthrough" is important as the "socket" is still available for the device you are wanting to connect.) - If you do this get a whiptail ethernet extender to go into the back of the B2

in case you want to move the B2 anytime - saves taking the back of again!

Fred

[RandyT]

I'm not sure why I've never thought of this before but..... has anyone ever used a NETWORK POWERLINE ADAPTER for a 'wired' network connection? I've used them off and on for years and find them incredibly convenient. Search Amazon for NETWORK POWERLINE ADAPTER. (I'd add a link but US vs. UK). Basically these units are using your existing power lines for a network connection. I believe most all of them are gigabit units now days. No high voltage involved!!

They're typically under $50US for a pair and you can add more endpoints as needed. They sound like a God-send for a difficult Brennan connection. I believe the only limitation would be if the 2 units were on opposite sides of a mains transformer. The transformer hanging on the power pole outside your house.

[RandyT]

Looks like Fred and I are on the same page!

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

We are indeed :))

[Jeff. M.]

Fred, I've been using the same powerline adapters as you, and a pair of BT ones I got sent after a problem I had, they work very well, until we have a power cut, when I have to go round resetting them all! Just come back from a few days away, and they're all ticking away nicely!. Happy days! 

[JFBUK]

Hi ,

I have had mixed results with powerline adaptors as they can be very dependent on the topology of your electrical wiring and how clean your power is.

My own solution was to put in place a Wi-Fi extender which also has ethernet ports.

John

[Rik]

Thanks, Fred. 

[FJ]

I was having similar WiFi connection issues with my B2.  Almost, but not quite connected. I tried as much traditional ( and non-traditional) troubleshooting as I could.....to no avail.  The B2 was trying to connect to my router (TP Archer AX3000) via my guest "channel" that is resticted to the 2.4 GHz band.  When I configured the B2 connection to use my private channel (2.4 and 5 Ghz) everything started working and no problems since.  Go figure?

[PMB]

Hi fgor...,

I suspect the 'Guest' channel restricts what can connect and what can be accessed.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Yes, you would not want a guest on your WiFi accessing your houses' LAN. So Routers providing "guest" WiFi services normally do so on a separate LAN that does not give access to anything on your normal LAN. Thus the B2 would not be accessible from the "guest" WiFi.

Fred

[mr...@ymail.com]

mlh

Did you ever resolve your Orbi mesh issues? I recently purchased B2 and am having identical problems connection to wifi on my Orbi system

[ML H]

Yes! It was a security issue. I couldn't access the B2 on devices using WiFi, only from my Mac Pro which is hardwired via Ethernet. It turns out that my phone and laptop were logged into my Guest WiFi. As soon as I logged into our private LAN I could access the B2 using either a web browser or the app. I hope this helps.

ML

[Dick Ellis]

Orbi folk,

>I don't have an Orbi set up so I cannot be of any real assistance beyond this unfortunately,

I have an Orbi setup. It works well with my B2, just a matter of WiFi Setup picking the network and giving it the password.  I've used it for WebUi and Internet Radio. The B2 is near the main Orbi unit not the satellite. Unfortunately, I'm sending the B2 in for replacement today for another problem so can only report that WiFi with Orbi can be done, if not providing any help getting there. Sorry. Maybe when I get the replacement.

Dick