So after having issues with homegrown mesh systems built on DD-WRT and various routers, I decided to go with a commercial mesh system. I bought an RBK53 and got it set up without major issues, although it is sad how locked down they've made the device. In any case I then decide to buy a refurbished RBK52 to install in another location. However due to COVID-19 I was unable to get to installing it until a month or two ago, even though it was purchased at the end of March. The satellite will not connect to the router as a satellite. It shows up, if at all, as an unknown device and no satellites show up under connected devices. I've tried upgrading/downgrading firmware via the GUI and via tftp. It doesn't matter what combination of firmware I try can I get the router and satellite properly connected. Netgear's response is at this time I can purchase premier support for my device and if that doesn't get it resolved, they refund the purchase of that support. ROTFLMAO They haven't been able to get it resolved after many calls, it's clearly a hardware problem, and they won't admit it. Although much of my networking gear is Netgear, this will probably be my last Netgear purchase. Never have I encourntered a company that made it so difficult to resolve a hardware issue.

What Firmware version is currently loaded on the RBR and RBS?What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too? Be sure both RBR and RBS have same version of FW. Factory reset the RBR and RBS and walk thru the setup wizard. Have the RBS in the same room as the RBR initially. toddinpal wrote:So after having issues with homegrown mesh systems built on DD-WRT and various routers, I decided to go with a commercial mesh system. I bought an RBK53 and got it set up without major issues, although it is sad how locked down they've made the device. In any case I then decide to buy a refurbished RBK52 to install in another location. However due to COVID-19 I was unable to get to installing it until a month or two ago, even though it was purchased at the end of March. The satellite will not connect to the router as a satellite. It shows up, if at all, as an unknown device and no satellites show up under connected devices. I've tried upgrading/downgrading firmware via the GUI and via tftp. It doesn't matter what combination of firmware I try can I get the router and satellite properly connected. Netgear's response is at this time I can purchase premier support for my device and if that doesn't get it resolved, they refund the purchase of that support. ROTFLMAO They haven't been able to get it resolved after many calls, it's clearly a hardware problem, and they won't admit it. Although much of my networking gear is Netgear, this will probably be my last Netgear purchase. Never have I encourntered a company that made it so difficult to resolve a hardware issue.

I have tried pretty much every firmware version from V2.0.1.4 to V2.7.0.70 and while the results vary a bit, the router never sees the satellite as a satellite. As for my ISP, I have tried it with my ISP (Charter) and my own modem (Arris SB8200), but I usually just test by placing the RBR behind my existing DD-WRT based router. At this point I feel I am out of options as Netgear has provided totally worthless support and is now telling me I'm not only out of phone support, I'm out of hardware warranty as I bought the pair from Newegg.com as a refurbished unit. Apparently not refurbished enough. I've had more routers than I can count from Netgear, Cisco, Asus, TP-Link, Linksys, and more I can't even remember. I've run stock firmware, DD-WRT, Tomato, OpenWRT, and more, and never had this much difficulty troubleshooting a device. Maybe at this point I'll turn to some alternative firmware for the pair and see if they'll at least provide me with enough diagnostic information to figure out what's going on. The pair can communicate with each other wirelessly, just not as router and satellite. The best I've gotten is for the router to see the satellite as just another connected device, with an "unknown" connection type (which is simply bizarre to have an unknown connection type in a fixed hardware configuration!). So I know they can communicate. However not being able to see the actual network interfaces and see what's not connecting correctly, it's impossible to troubleshoot. PS The recovery techniques and explanation of boot phases and what lights mean on these devices is so woefully documented as to be essentially worthless.

I would contact NG support to see what your options are.

NG support has basically been useless. After spending hours on the phone going through the most basic steps, they're telling me I'm past my support period and past my hardware warranty (bought the device refurbished from Newegg at the end of February, but because of COVID-19, I couldn't reach it until July at my other location). Given that I've tried pretty much every firmware version on both the router and the satellite, as far as I can tell, I bought a defectively refurbished unit and am now screwed.

If you reset the router and satellite, installed the latest firmware on both router and satellite, performed a new setup on the router and after the router was configured, continued to install and pair the satellite, and you are satille seeing the satellite as unknow, you probably originally purchased a defective system from the seller. This is why, when I buy used or refurbished, I immediately test to make sure they are working, so I don't lose the return window. I know you don't want to hear this. Maybe one last effort and start from scratch. There's always the possibility that the router and satellite did not fully reset. I've found very stubborn ones in the past. If you are a novice, maybe get local help.

RBR50 and RBS50 don't sync properly

14 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Sep 27, 2020
What Firmware version is currently loaded on the RBR and RBS?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?

Be sure both RBR and RBS have same version of FW.

Factory reset the RBR and RBS and walk thru the setup wizard. Have the RBS in the same room as the RBR initially.
toddinpal wrote:
So after having issues with homegrown mesh systems built on DD-WRT and various routers, I decided to go with a commercial mesh system. I bought an RBK53 and got it set up without major issues, although it is sad how locked down they've made the device. In any case I then decide to buy a refurbished RBK52 to install in another location. However due to COVID-19 I was unable to get to installing it until a month or two ago, even though it was purchased at the end of March. The satellite will not connect to the router as a satellite. It shows up, if at all, as an unknown device and no satellites show up under connected devices.

I've tried upgrading/downgrading firmware via the GUI and via tftp. It doesn't matter what combination of firmware I try can I get the router and satellite properly connected. Netgear's response is at this time I can purchase premier support for my device and if that doesn't get it resolved, they refund the purchase of that support. ROTFLMAO They haven't been able to get it resolved after many calls, it's clearly a hardware problem, and they won't admit it. Although much of my networking gear is Netgear, this will probably be my last Netgear purchase. Never have I encourntered a company that made it so difficult to resolve a hardware issue.
- toddinpal
  Aspirant
  Oct 04, 2020
  I have tried pretty much every firmware version from V2.0.1.4 to V2.7.0.70 and while the results vary a bit, the router never sees the satellite as a satellite. As for my ISP, I have tried it with my ISP (Charter) and my own modem (Arris SB8200), but I usually just test by placing the RBR behind my existing DD-WRT based router. At this point I feel I am out of options as Netgear has provided totally worthless support and is now telling me I'm not only out of phone support, I'm out of hardware warranty as I bought the pair from Newegg.com as a refurbished unit. Apparently not refurbished enough. I've had more routers than I can count from Netgear, Cisco, Asus, TP-Link, Linksys, and more I can't even remember. I've run stock firmware, DD-WRT, Tomato, OpenWRT, and more, and never had this much difficulty troubleshooting a device. Maybe at this point I'll turn to some alternative firmware for the pair and see if they'll at least provide me with enough diagnostic information to figure out what's going on. The pair can communicate with each other wirelessly, just not as router and satellite. The best I've gotten is for the router to see the satellite as just another connected device, with an "unknown" connection type (which is simply bizarre to have an unknown connection type in a fixed hardware configuration!). So I know they can communicate. However not being able to see the actual network interfaces and see what's not connecting correctly, it's impossible to troubleshoot.
  
  PS The recovery techniques and explanation of boot phases and what lights mean on these devices is so woefully documented as to be essentially worthless.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Oct 04, 2020
    I would contact NG support to see what your options are.

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RBR50 and RBS50 don't sync properly