Ubiquiti Failure rate
Ubiquiti Failure rate
Hi there! I was thinking about upgrading my home network with all Unifi gear. But when I looked online for information on Ubiquiti devices, I noticed many discussions about high failure rates and overheating issues. It seems these problems are often linked to POE components. I’m willing to pay more for reliable equipment, especially since I value their interface, but I don’t want something that breaks after just a couple of years. What do you think about Unifi products when it comes to unexpected failures?
Thanks for your quick reply. On Ubiquiti's own discussion boards, you often find complaints about power supply issues, mainly failures occurring within two years. From what I've seen, even though they released replacement parts, these power supplies still tend to fail, and they're not inexpensive.
Online users frequently express their frustration. It seems many ask about calls to drivers, like "How's my driving?" and wonder who makes those calls. The Ubiquiti equipment has worked well for me for more than five years without any problems.
When devices stop working, people often express dissatisfaction, but they tend to overlook how reliable they are over time. On a broader scale, quality issues aren’t widespread, though certain older models like Gen 1 switches, the US-8 and US-8-60W, seem prone to weaker power supply circuits. These units are frequently mentioned when users complain about overheating. The newer USW-Lite-8-PoE appears to offer significant upgrades. All PoE switches from various manufacturers will eventually face failures in individual ports or groups of ports, as the active PoE features are often bundled into chips that manage multiple ports—so a group can fail together. By design, PoE makes switches more vulnerable to noise and voltage spikes, which are usually handled by the isolation transformer at each port. They’re particularly affected by nearby indirect lightning strikes. At my previous job, we saw higher failure rates from POE switches made by Cisco, HP/Aruba, Extreme, and Ruckus—major enterprise brands. I don’t see any reason to think Unifi switches are different. The deciding factor might be the warranty: Unifi offers a one-year warranty, or two years if purchased directly from their store. Other equipment brands usually provide longer warranties, often tied to ongoing software support and clear end-of-life timelines.
I've experienced no issues thus far after two years of operation. Both PoE injectors and UniFi PoE switches have worked well. Power supply has been consistent, and I've avoided any obstructions that could increase heat buildup. Most components are mounted on walls in a ventilated space.
Hey everyone, sorry for the update. The heat problems in Ubiquity products are really concerning. I came across some internal images of a Unifi Dream machine (see the attached picture or the full FCC document link) and noticed the thermal management design seems quite lacking. One image really summarizes the issue. I might be mistaken, but it’s hard to understand how the airflow was planned to remove heat from the device, especially since under heavy load the CPU can hit 80-90 degrees. A few concerns stand out: 1. The outer casing only has vents at the bottom, while the top is fully sealed. 2. The fan directs air upward, but it’s unclear how effectively it reaches the CPU. 3. The CPU relies solely on passive cooling; even then, the airflow to it is minimal. 4. The power supply isn’t cooled, though that might not be as critical compared to the overheating CPU. It feels like this design was originally meant without a fan, but with mounting complaints and failures, they added one later. Many users are trying makeshift solutions—like external fans for UDM or USG Anyways—to keep their devices running. I’m thinking about upgrading to an Ubiquity system, but some parts are currently unavailable, so I’ll monitor the temperature situation closely. I hope my living space stays around 30°C or lower.
You must position your gear in a space with good airflow or use cooling methods. Any electronic device will deteriorate quickly when operating under high heat without proper cooling. If you encounter design problems with a company's products, reach out directly and propose your ideas. This isn't about support chat rooms; those are for peer-to-peer help. Ubiquiti offers a beta area where users can test their gear before it hits the market, so you can try it and share your thoughts. I've noticed several features requested by users that aren't really about heat management, but Ubiquiti hasn't adopted them after many years. The company has its own priorities too. Most people overlook that when buying Ubiquiti products, technical support isn't provided directly by the brand. It falls to the buyer to learn independently or rely on experienced third parties. This approach helps keep costs low so they can sell high-quality equipment without licensing charges. If you need dependable technical assistance, look into other companies that charge accordingly. Clearly, this model isn't practical for home users like it is for businesses. Some competitors are exploring similar strategies as well. I'm particularly keen on the EnGenius range.