XB8 settings conflicting with Apple devices

Thanks.  Will try this and report back.

Still an issue unfortunately.  Continue to have to Reset Network Settings like once a day.  Frustrating.

Thanks for letting us know, @kf08844. It sounds incredibly frustrating to have consistent connectivity issues with your Apple devices after upgrading to the XB8, especially when your previous XB7 setup worked flawlessly. Let's break down the potential causes and troubleshooting steps, focusing on the details you provided.

Potential Causes:

1. XB8 Firmware/Driver Issues:
- Newer hardware and firmware can sometimes introduce unforeseen compatibility problems with specific devices, like Apple products. The firmware version you provided, CGM4918COM_7.6p9s2_PROD_sey, might have bugs related to Apple device handling.
2. 6GHz Security Setting:
- While separating the 6GHz security might seem like a good idea for older devices, it can cause confusion and conflicts for newer devices that support all frequencies. Apple devices are known to be sensitive to network configurations.
- The inability to change the 6Ghz security settings to match the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies is a large red flag.
3. Band Steering/Roaming Issues:
- The XB8 and your pods use band steering to direct devices to the optimal frequency. This process can sometimes be problematic, especially if the device has difficulty switching bands or if there are inconsistencies in the network configuration.
4. Pod Interference/Conflicts:
- While pods are designed to extend coverage, they can also introduce interference or conflicts, especially if they are placed too close together or if there are other sources of interference in the area.
5. MOCA Interference:
- While MOCA is a wired connection, there can be some slight interference that bleeds into the Wi-Fi frequencies.
6. Apple Device Specific Issues:
- Although your Apple devices are relatively new, there's always a possibility of software glitches or conflicts within iOS/iPadOS that are exacerbated by the new network configuration.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Simplify Network Configuration:
- Unify Security Settings: The most critical step is to attempt to unify the security settings across all frequencies (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz). If you cannot change the 6GHz security setting, this is a problem that we need to resolve. Let us know, and we'll see what we can do to help. This likely points to a firmware issue.
- Temporarily Disable Pods: To isolate whether the pods are contributing to the problem, temporarily disconnect them and test the Apple devices' connectivity while only using the XB8. If the issues disappear, the pods are likely involved.
- Temporarily Disable 6Ghz: if possible disable the 6ghz band on the router to see if the issue is still occurring.
2. XB8 Settings Check:
- Channel Selection: Ensure that the Wi-Fi channels are set to "auto" or are on channels that are not heavily congested.
- Firmware Update: Double-check that you have the latest firmware version for your XB8. We may have to see if there are any known, specific issues with the current version, and might have a patch or workaround.
- Advanced Wi-Fi Settings: If you have access to advanced Wi-Fi settings, check for options like "Airtime Fairness" or "Beamforming" and experiment with toggling them on or off to see if it improves connectivity.
3. Apple Device Troubleshooting:
- iOS/iPadOS Updates: Verify that all your Apple devices are running the latest versions of iOS/iPadOS.
- "Forget Network" and Reconnect: Instead of just "Reset Network Settings," try "Forget Network" on each device, then restart the device, and reconnect to the Wi-Fi. This can sometimes clear out lingering configuration issues.
- Check for VPN/Proxy Settings: Ensure that there are no VPN or proxy settings enabled on your Apple devices that might be interfering with the connection.
4. MOCA Network:
- While less likely, if all other options fail, it may be worth it to temporarily disable the MOCA network to see if it is causing any interference.

Please let us know if any of this helps! Our Digital Care Team is awesome to work with because we'll remain here to support you and your household however we can, and I really appreciate your time and efforts :)

Thanks for the response.  A lot to work with here and I guess the best approach is to slowly try them all.  I can tell you for sure that the 6 GHZ frequency has lower security levels greyed out or not available to be selected when I enter the router settings on 10.0.0.1.  I've read in other posts on this forum that people have had that same problem on the XB8, where they must lock you out of downgrading that security protocol.  I can only select WPA3 on that frequency.  For now I've disabled 6 GHZ and will see if that helps as the first step.

Thank you for the troubleshooting steps you are trying, kf08844! We want to see this resolved as well! We look forward to your update with how things are going. 

@user_vm543o​  Thanks for jumping in. After multiple weeks of troubleshooting this I have come to the same conclusion. When I disable wifi 6 band then I don’t have the problem. The additional context I can add (I think), is that turning off 6 will last for as long as the router doesn’t reboot. When it reboots that frequency seems to turn back on and then I need to go back in and turn it off.  Problem is the router can reboot at random times, not just when I force it to.  So that’s how I’ve been managing the problem. Manually turn off WiFi 6 whenever it turns itself back on. 

Seems WiFi 6 is automatically turned on by Xfinity even without router reboot.... so I assume they have some kind of a background job checking it daily or more frequently. 

Anyway, they have to provide us options to make this work as currently my 4 PODs are unusable due to this forcing me to consider alternative technical options to build my internal network and turn my XB8 to a pure Ethener-to-Internet gateway by disabling WiFi completely. I was very happy customer before upgrade to XB8 and can't say the same anymore.

@user_vm543o​  100% agree

I assume you know you cannot change the WiFi Security mode in Xfinity XB8 nor can you permanently disable WiFi 6E? For 2.4 and 5 it is set for WPA2 with no option to change....

While I appreciate the response, you are mistaken. 

Here’s the official Xfinity support page explaining how to do just that. 

https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/change-wifi-security-mode  

and here are the steps, using the Xfinity app, in case the support page moves. 

Open the Xfinity app.

Tap WiFi (at the bottom of the screen).

Tap the WiFi details tile.

Tap Edit WiFi settings.

On the Edit WiFi settings page, there’s a drop-down box for Security Mode. Change this to WPA3-Personal-Transition. 

Then tap the Save button. 

Restart the XB8 to activate the changes. 

@user_323c89​  thank you. I will try this out.  I’ve been under the impression if I moved all frequencies to WPA3 that my older devices ( Printer) wouldn’t be able to connect.  I will try though and I appreciate your response and input as this has been very frustrating.

@kf08844​ sure thing. I hope that it helps. Remember, it needs to be WPA3-Personal-Transition, not simply WPA3 Personal. Although you may later notice that the 6GHz network will be on WPA3 Personal, as there’s nothing lower available for WiFi 6E. For the 2.4GHz and the 5GHz networks, once set to WPA3-Personal-Transition, any devices capable of WPA3, will connect using WPA3, and any devices only capable of WPA2, will connect using WPA2, so you should be okay. Keep us posted!