So I just bought an Orbi after reading rave reviews about them and it arrived yesterday. I was excited to install it, until I read through some of these forum discussions. I hope I don't have any problems with installation, firm ware updates, drop wi-fi connection, etc. otherwise I guess I will be returning it at the first sign of any problems. Should I presume the vast majority of people love their Orbis, or that the negative discussions that dominate this forum is telling of most people's experiences? Thank you in advance.

Most of the issues you are reading about here are folks who have more complex network architectures or special circumstances. Although upgrading firmware right out of the box is a pain, once it is done, you will probably find -- like me -- that Orbi's are reliable and extremely fast with excellent coverage. Knowing if you need your Orbi in Router mode or AP mode is also another fork in the road many dont handle well. Before you install, why not describe who your ISP is and what type of cable modem (make/model/etc) you have... folks will be able to tell you exactly how to set it up so there are no surprises! Of course you have been reading about these issues and vignettes in a forum designed to help solve problems. The only people to visit here are those who have had challenges! The good news is that if you DO have issues, there are a bunch of experienced folks here with a diverse set of skills who can help you to get it running right. I would like to see you create a post here that talks to your installation and setup experience... I bet folks would appreciate reading something like that. Good luck and we are looking forward to hearing from you!

Well I love my RBK50. I’ve had it for a long time now and it provides fast coverage throughout my house. The environment is tricky and congested as it is a Victorian London townhouse narrow and over many floors. This is the only system that I have found that gives seamless roaming and I have no problem holding a FaceTime conversation as I move from top to bottom despite being transferred from satellite to satellite. I have only had one small snag 18 months ago which was on an early firmware and fixed immediately by support giving me a beta firmware. Since then, the stock firmware has all worked fine.... and I have never factory reset. You don’t see many on eBay so I am surprised by the tone of many of the comments here; maybe Asus employees earning overtime??????

Ok, just checking to see if the modem had a built in router already. Can cause problems. Your good here. Just power OFF the modem and connect the Orbi router up. Power ON the modem first and let it sync then power ON the orbi router and walk thru the setup wizard with a PC connected to the router.

If your Orbi has older FW on it. ie. v1.#.#.#. To get it and the satellite(s) updated, download the v2.0.0.74 FW and v2.2.1.210 FW files for both Router and satellite. Get the satellites connected first to the router. While they are connected, manually update the FW on the satellites first to v74, then upgrade the router. After v74 is applied and the system is back online. Send the v210 FW file to the satellites, then send the FW file to the router. The system will be up to date. This process is only needed of the FW on the system is old. WSR wrote: So I just bought an Orbi after reading rave reviews about them and it arrived yesterday. I was excited to install it, until I read through some of these forum discussions. I hope I don't have any problems with installation, firm ware updates, drop wi-fi connection, etc. otherwise I guess I will be returning it at the first sign of any problems. Should I presume the vast majority of people love their Orbis, or that the negative discussions that dominate this forum is telling of most people's experiences? Thank you in advance.

Thank you for the great responses. I will post my ISP and modem specs tonight to get more insight before I attempt the installation this Friday. I will post soon! Thanks again!

Just Purchased an Orbi RBK50 - But am concerned after seeing this form . . .

12 Replies

timch
Luminary
Jan 30, 2019
Well I love my RBK50. I’ve had it for a long time now and it provides fast coverage throughout my house. The environment is tricky and congested as it is a Victorian London townhouse narrow and over many floors. This is the only system that I have found that gives seamless roaming and I have no problem holding a FaceTime conversation as I move from top to bottom despite being transferred from satellite to satellite. I have only had one small snag 18 months ago which was on an early firmware and fixed immediately by support giving me a beta firmware. Since then, the stock firmware has all worked fine.... and I have never factory reset.
You don’t see many on eBay so I am surprised by the tone of many of the comments here; maybe Asus employees earning overtime??????
FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Jan 30, 2019
If your Orbi has older FW on it. ie. v1.#.#.#. To get it and the satellite(s) updated, download the v2.0.0.74 FW and v2.2.1.210 FW files for both Router and satellite. Get the satellites connected first to the router. While they are connected, manually update the FW on the satellites first to v74, then upgrade the router. After v74 is applied and the system is back online. Send the v210 FW file to the satellites, then send the FW file to the router. The system will be up to date. This process is only needed of the FW on the system is old.

WSR wrote:

So I just bought an Orbi after reading rave reviews about them and it arrived yesterday. I was excited to install it, until I read through some of these forum discussions. I hope I don't have any problems with installation, firm ware updates, drop wi-fi connection, etc. otherwise I guess I will be returning it at the first sign of any problems.

Should I presume the vast majority of people love their Orbis, or that the negative discussions that dominate this forum is telling of most people's experiences?

Thank you in advance.
- Chuck_M
  Mentor
  Jan 30, 2019
  Most of the issues you are reading about here are folks who have more complex network architectures or special circumstances.
  
  Although upgrading firmware right out of the box is a pain, once it is done, you will probably find -- like me -- that Orbi's are reliable and extremely fast with excellent coverage. Knowing if you need your Orbi in Router mode or AP mode is also another fork in the road many dont handle well.
  
  Before you install, why not describe who your ISP is and what type of cable modem (make/model/etc) you have... folks will be able to tell you exactly how to set it up so there are no surprises!
  
  Of course you have been reading about these issues and vignettes in a forum designed to help solve problems. The only people to visit here are those who have had challenges!
  
  The good news is that if you DO have issues, there are a bunch of experienced folks here with a diverse set of skills who can help you to get it running right.
  
  I would like to see you create a post here that talks to your installation and setup experience... I bet folks would appreciate reading something like that.
  
  Good luck and we are looking forward to hearing from you!
  - WSR
    Tutor
    Jan 30, 2019
    Thank you for the great responses.
    
    I will post my ISP and modem specs tonight to get more insight before I attempt the installation this Friday. I will post soon!
    
    Thanks again!

Forum Discussion

Just Purchased an Orbi RBK50 - But am concerned after seeing this form . . .