RBR20 quit working today

FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Apr 03, 2019
I would download the v44 file for the RBR, manually re-load, factory reset and then setup from scratch. Once setup, do a backup of the router config to file. Once this is done, either do a reboot or pull the power cable from the RBR for 30 seconds then back in. Does the configuration persist thru the power cycle or reboot?

Newestskeens03 wrote:

I have the AC2200 system with the RBR20 router base and the RBK30 satellite running V2.3.1.44 firmware. I purchased this bundle from Best Buy Aug of '18. I have absolutely loved this system....up until last week that is. All of a sudden our internet abrubtly stopped working with absolutely no warning or apparent reason. I was not able to diagnose the problem from the app because I kept receiving an error message saying I was not connected to the "Orbi network". After many hours of incredibly frustrating troubleshooting (trying to find something on the Orbi/NG support website which is a complete joke. I'm not paying a monthly or annual fee for support) to the point I was about ready to throw the whole thing in the trash and switching to my second option of the Linksys Velop mesh system I finally determined that I just needed to factory reset it and set it up as a new again. Well that worked....for 4 days at which point I came home yesterday to discover the same exact scenario had happened again! ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME!!!!! So once again I did a factory reset and started the whole process over again. I am a project manager at a custom software development company and I had our senior SysOps guy look at it and he didn't have any clue as to the cause either. He did tell me that anything NG outside of their NightHawk series is nothing more than a glorified paper weight. I'll give it another chance and if it happens again then I'll go all "Office Space" on the Orbi with a baseball bat and switch to Linksys who offers far superior support and it's free! What a novel idea when spending $250 for a home mesh system. NG - the clock is ticking!
doesorbiwork
Tutor
Apr 04, 2019
It seems to be running and stable.

Since the phone app doesn't work when the Orbi doesn't work and online support is useless I suppose that you are just on your own.

It's really annoying that factory reset failed to work several times then suddenly worked. One more failure form this setup and I'll try to get my money back.

Thanks guys.
- FURRYe38
  Guru - Experienced User
  Apr 04, 2019
  Where were you doing the reset from? The web page or back button? I always use the web page to do the reset.
  
  Sometimes help from others in a forum can be more beneficial than phone support.
  
  Good Luck.
Testyblahblah
Aspirant
Apr 05, 2019
I would recommend a refund. I can do this, but given that it is 8 monnths after it will be more complicated. But I am determinedly angry and NG are of zero assistance:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Local-IP-connectivity-to-router-apparently-dead-while-WiFi-still/m-p/1732132#M58458
- FURRYe38
  Guru - Experienced User
  Apr 05, 2019
  Please make contact with NG forum Moderator please.
  
  Blanca_O
  
  Not everyone is having problems.
  - LoboTommy
    Luminary
    Apr 25, 2019
    I had some issues with RBR20, but i seems I finnaly found a solution:
    
    So, after bugging the guys in the RBR50 thread, i was solwly piecing together the solution for the RBR20’ies.
    
    I will here make a mix of our combined suggestions, in the order it took place, to fix it.
    
    Big THANX AND KUDOS to @FURRYe38 and @DorkiOrbiFW as they were very helpfull here. Meny of the setups comes from them, and a lot of this text. I have just edited this to a "guide", and freshened it up a little.
    
    As i have three satlites and one router, this fix took about three hours all together from start until everything was ok.
    
    Note – I chose to force all firmware back to the v44 file. You can find that here:
    
    http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBR20/RBR20-V2.3.1.44.zip
    
    http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBS20/RBS20-V2.3.1.44.zip
    
    If you prefere the new v48, router will automatically help you get that, or you can download the files here:
    
    http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBR20/RBR20-V2.3.1.48.zip
    
    http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBS20/RBS20-V2.3.1.48.zip
    
    **Note: Firmware do no longer auto-update since v44 cam along. Instead there is a diplaymessage telling you a new firmware are available, when you click that you are brought directly to the firmaware update section of the RBR. Update only takes place when you hit «Update Now» button, rendering update to be your choise, allthough runs automatic.**
    
    So, my main issue was that the router and the satelites stopped communicating. They went in to a war, and looking on the LED-rings it was constant change of colors. Amber, magenta, blue and flashing white. WiFi kept dropping out, and things was a mess. So heres what must be done.
    
    To start the process, you must factory reset everything. Find a sharp thin object to put in to the small hole next to the powerbuttun, hold it in for about 10 seconds until the little powerlight flashes. Turn off the satelite/router while holding it in. Turn It back on, still holding it in, and wait until it flashes again.
    
    Now turn it off. Repeat this process until all your units are factory-reset and turned off.
    
    Now, work only on your ROUTER – the RBR20.
    
    Turn it on. Follow instructions for first time setup. DO NOT connect any satelites. Once it is up and running, log in to your router via desktop, advanced settings, administer, firmware. (There you can push the update manually to your satelites as well. We'll get back to that.)
    
    Login into your Orbi router
    
    Navigate to the “Advanced” tab
    
    Go to “Advanced Settings”
    
    Go to Wireless Settings; under the “Backhaul Topology “ section of those settings, hit the “Generate” button. Sometimes the Orbi satellites will forget the backhaul password if the router (or vice versa) is off for a long period of time. This can also happen during a power blackout, as it did for me.
    
    If your router is at v48, and some of your satelites are v44, now is the time to roll back the router to v44. It is possible, if the satellites were behind on FW, then his maybe the reason they were not conneting. RBS have to be updated first before the RBR and be on the same version of FW or RBS can be on a more current version, while the RBR can be on a older version of FW. RBS can't be behind in FW versions from the RBR.
    
    The page will be under Advanced tab using the management console via web under Administration --> Firmware Update
    
    When you have the correct FW on the RBR I would disable Diasy chain on the RBR. You do that under Advanced tab using the management console via web under Advanced Setup --> Wirless settings. Changing this option causes your RBR to reboot. Wait paitonally.
    
    Return to same settingspage, then on the bottom of the wirless settings, enable BEAMFORMING and enable MU-MIMO.
    
    Now you are ready to go for the RBS… (continiues on POST 2/2)

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