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Forum Discussion
Robertgold123
Apr 19, 2020Tutor
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...
TC_in_Montana
Aug 26, 2020Virtuoso
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.
Mstrbig
Aug 26, 2020Master
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
- CrimpOnAug 26, 2020Guru - Experienced User
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
- CrimpOnAug 26, 2020Guru - Experienced User
(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.
- TheRandyAug 26, 2020Aspirant
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.
- MstrbigAug 26, 2020Master
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
- CrimpOnAug 26, 2020Guru - Experienced User
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.
- MstrbigAug 26, 2020Master
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.
- TC_in_MontanaAug 26, 2020Virtuoso
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.