Purchased this Router with 2 satellites because of the area it needs to cover. However, the router and 1 satellite shows "green" where the 2nd satellite is "orange" - I can't get it to register "green". The 2nd satellite is the farthest and is iffy as far as being to connect the computer to the internet. Very frustrating. I've also noticed that it's using a 5 ghz band rather than the 2.4 ghz. Is there a way to change it to the 2.4 ghz for distance? I've tried to reset this a couple of times but don't know what I'm doing wrong.

What mode is the Arris modem/router working in? Bridged or Router mode. If in router mode, This would be a double NAT condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAThttps://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NATCouple of options,1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop I too have SparkLight, though not the same modem. What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many? Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless SettingsTry disabling the following and see:Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s). 88keez wrote:The modem is an Arris TG852 (Sparklight). The router and satellites are being used on the main level of a 4600 sq. ft. house. Router and one satellite are about 42' straight down a hall from each other and the second satellite is approx. 40 ft. from first satellite in an outside room. The 1st statellite to 2nd one goes through basically 2-3 walls (just wood & siding) to outside room. These are rated up to 7000 sq. ft. for shouldn't be having a problem.

88keez, verify that you have Daisy Chaining enabled. Login to the web interface of the router and click on the "Advanced" tab and navigate to "Advanced Setup" -> "Wireless Settings". Toward the bottom of the screen, verify that "Enable Daisy-Chain Topology" is selected (check mark in the box). If it is not enabled, then your second satellite is trying to get its backhaul WiFi signal from the router rather than the first satellite, thus your signal would be weak going that much distance. If you do have Daisy Chaining enabled, then try to move Satellite 2 closer to Satellite 1, possibly by moving each of them a few feet closer to each other. Do not move Satellite 1 too far from the router though for its signal to be become weak.

Beamforming mostly helps, however as a troubleshooting test, you can disable it if needed. MIMO and FAST Roaming can be disabled as well. Usually MIMO is enabled if you have MIMO supporting devices, newer phones and pads.

Would beamforming, fast roaming and MU-MIMO options have any affect on the backhaul 5GHz signal? I would think that they would affect WiFi clients. If you have the Orbi app installed on your smart phone, check the Network Map display on it to verify that it shows Satellite 2 connected to Satellite 1 rather than to the router. From the main screen, touch the Router image at the top and it will show the Network Map. The web interface unfortunately lacks the Network Map feature. If the Network Map shows a "star configuration" (both satellites bound to the router), then you may need to reset the second satellite to try to get it to bind to Satellite 1 to be a "daisy chain" configuration as desired.

The "amber" color indicates that the signal is fair. If possible, more that satellite closer to the router, or closer to the first satellite if you have daisy chaining enabled. The backhaul will prefer to use the dedicated 5GHz frequency, but could fall to using the 2.4GHz frequency if the signal is weak. Building materials (i.e. concrete walls, chimneys, plaster, etc) can block WiFi signals. See https://kb.netgear.com/31030/What-do-the-LEDs-on-my-Orbi-router-and-satellite-mean for what the colors on the Orbis mean.

Orbi RBR50 | NETGEAR Communities

13 Replies

tomschmidt
Virtuoso
Mar 07, 2020
The "amber" color indicates that the signal is fair. If possible, more that satellite closer to the router, or closer to the first satellite if you have daisy chaining enabled. The backhaul will prefer to use the dedicated 5GHz frequency, but could fall to using the 2.4GHz frequency if the signal is weak. Building materials (i.e. concrete walls, chimneys, plaster, etc) can block WiFi signals.

See https://kb.netgear.com/31030/What-do-the-LEDs-on-my-Orbi-router-and-satellite-mean for what the colors on the Orbis mean.
FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Mar 07, 2020
What Firmware is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router
- 88keez
  Aspirant
  Mar 08, 2020
  The modem is an Arris TG852 (Sparklight). The router and satellites are being used on the main level of a 4600 sq. ft. house. Router and one satellite are about 42' straight down a hall from each other and the second satellite is approx. 40 ft. from first satellite in an outside room. The 1st statellite to 2nd one goes through basically 2-3 walls (just wood & siding) to outside room. These are rated up to 7000 sq. ft. for shouldn't be having a problem.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Mar 09, 2020
    What mode is the Arris modem/router working in? Bridged or Router mode. If in router mode, This would be a double NAT condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
    https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
    Couple of options,
    1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
    2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
    3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
    
    I too have SparkLight, though not the same modem.
    
    What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
    Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
    
    Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
    Try disabling the following and see:
    Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).
    
    88keez wrote:
    The modem is an Arris TG852 (Sparklight). The router and satellites are being used on the main level of a 4600 sq. ft. house. Router and one satellite are about 42' straight down a hall from each other and the second satellite is approx. 40 ft. from first satellite in an outside room. The 1st statellite to 2nd one goes through basically 2-3 walls (just wood & siding) to outside room. These are rated up to 7000 sq. ft. for shouldn't be having a problem.

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