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Forum Discussion
Cannot Set Up RBS50Y in Extender Mode
I have been using the RBS50Y for the past year without a problem until I upgraded my router and satellites to the RBK852 AX 6000 system. I know the RBS50Y will not work with the AX system in Orbi mo...
Mstrbig wrote:
TheRandy wrote:I'm having the same issue, only my SYNC button does work. I've even held the sync button for up to two and a half minutes after applying power (per the instructions page) and the satelite started blinking magenta; to no avail. I can not for the life of me get this dang thing into extended mode to work with my new RBK853.
netgear Please advise!
Did you press the sync button on the router as well?
To sync your Orbi router and satellite:
- Make sure that the router and satellite are receiving power.
- Press the Sync button on the router.
- Within two minutes, press the Sync button on the satellite.
I find it easier to just use the app, because as stupid as it sounds, I always forget to press both sync buttons.
Thanks for the reply. However, my problem is the sames as the OP. I'm not trying to sync this outdoor satelite to my old original RBK50. I'm tryng to put it into Extended mode so that I can connect it to my new RBK853 Orbi network. I followed the process outlined in the Netgear Article ID: 000060131| Last Updated:09/16/2019 at the following link: How do I set up my Orbi Outdoor Satellite in Extender Mode? This is where I'm currently at with my previous post. Any help in getting the RBS50Y into Extended mode would be appreciated. Thanks again, Mstrbig
TheRandy wrote:
Thanks for the reply. However, my problem is the sames as the OP. I'm not trying to sync this outdoor satelite to my old original RBK50. I'm tryng to put it into Extended mode so that I can connect it to my new RBK853 Orbi network. I followed the process outlined in the Netgear Article ID: 000060131| Last Updated:09/16/2019 at the following link: How do I set up my Orbi Outdoor Satellite in Extender Mode? This is where I'm currently at with my previous post. Any help in getting the RBS50Y into Extended mode would be appreciated. Thanks again, Mstrbig
If you have not done so already, factory reset the Orbi satellite. Then hold in the reset button and power on the satellite, still holding the reset button. Wait for red, then green power light and let go of the reset. If it stays on red, let go of the reset button. Once power light is green and yo see white light on top, you should be able to change to Extender mode.
For those that are having problems with setting your RBS50Y into regular extender mode (not Orbi Satellite mode), it may boil down to having an early release RBS50Y (different than the RBS50YV2). I have an early release RBS50Y (received via beta test) that would not and will not go into extender mode - no matter how many factory resets, length of time holding down the SYNC button, different versions of the firmware, etc.
I raised the issue during one of the weekly Netgear Technical Support chats held via YouTube and Netgear themselves opened a Customer Support ticket.
After weeks of back and forth between Netgear Technical Support, complete with multiple (more than two dozen) E-Mail exchanges, debug logs, several technicians, etc., Netgear determined that I had an RBS50Y (V1) that was released before they activated the regular extender mode (this was done through a set of firmware updates), and those update files are no longer available. I have even checked the Netgear Open Source file repository to try and find the updates to no avail.
Unless your RBS50Y is still covered under the hardware warranty period where you may be able to obtain an RMA replacement, you are most likely stuck with an Orbi Mode Only RBS50Y.
Very strange. We have installed many RBS50 version 1 satellites in extender mode.
This is the latest Netgear link to the latest RBS50Y
Latest Orbi Mode Firmware:
http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBS50Y/RBS50Y-V2.5.2.104.zip
Latest Extender Mode Firmware:
http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBS50Y/RBS50Y-EXT-V1.0.0.46.zip
This may be the relevant information:
Netgear determined that I had an RBS50Y (V1) that was released before they activated the regular extender mode (this was done through a set of firmware updates), and those update files are no longer available.
Yuck
(Snark) Kind of typical of Netgear to omit the relevant information, such as "Devices manufactured prior to xx/xx/xx cannot be put into Extender Mode" or "Devices with serial numbers lower than xxxxx cannot be put into Extender Mode."
In other words: How do I know if MY RBS50Y can be put into Extender Mode? Good Luck.
That's exactly what I'm thinking right now!
I'm going to call them and see if they will replace it with the "V2" version. Doubtful, but worth a shot.
CrimpOn wrote:(Snark) Kind of typical of Netgear to omit the relevant information, such as "Devices manufactured prior to xx/xx/xx cannot be put into Extender Mode" or "Devices with serial numbers lower than xxxxx cannot be put into Extender Mode."
In other words: How do I know if MY RBS50Y can be put into Extender Mode? Good Luck.
https://kb.netgear.com/000060131/How-do-I-set-up-my-Orbi-Outdoor-Satellite-in-Extender-Mode
Mstrbig wrote:
https://kb.netgear.com/000060131/How-do-I-set-up-my-Orbi-Outdoor-Satellite-in-Extender-ModI guess this is what TC_in_Montana was saying. The way to know if a specific RBS50Y is able to go into extender mode is to follow the directions, over and over, and finally give up because they never work.
CrimpOn wrote:
Mstrbig wrote:
https://kb.netgear.com/000060131/How-do-I-set-up-my-Orbi-Outdoor-Satellite-in-Extender-ModI guess this is what TC_in_Montana was saying. The way to know if a specific RBS50Y is able to go into extender mode is to follow the directions, over and over, and finally give up because they never work.
Agreed, but he also said he could not find the Extender firmware. In order to be able to put the RBS50Y into Extender mode, the firmware has to be present.
Mstrbig wrote:
CrimpOn wrote:
Mstrbig wrote:
https://kb.netgear.com/000060131/How-do-I-set-up-my-Orbi-Outdoor-Satellite-in-Extender-ModI guess this is what TC_in_Montana was saying. The way to know if a specific RBS50Y is able to go into extender mode is to follow the directions, over and over, and finally give up because they never work.
Agreed, but he also said he could not find the Extender firmware. In order to be able to put the RBS50Y into Extender mode, the firmware has to be present.
Actually, what I said was I looked for the special updates that were needed to convert the V1 to V2 that were used during the beta test.
I know where the firmware updates are for the RBS50Y. Believe me, I have loaded EVERY SINGLE firmware update for the RBS50Y since receiving it. Even some that no longer exist on the "Prior Versions" page.
Unfortunately, you can not load the Extender Mode firmware unless you are in Extender Mode. If you are in Orbi Satellite Mode, it will not allow you to load it. And loading the Orbi Satellite firmware, does not enable the Extender Mode. That is the quandry.
