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Forum Discussion
RBR50 Satellite Not Detected - At All
I have had an RBR50 Router with one Satellite for several years. They have worked flawlessly - but WIFI was spotty out on our patio. So...a month ago, I purchased another RBR50 on ebay to use as a second Satellite. When I plug in the unit, it does the quick white flash, followed by the slower white flash for 2 or 3 minutes, then it goes solid white. I tried synching with my primary router several ways. First, pushing the synch buttons on both the router and the new satellite. Then using my iphone to try and synch the two. Then using the Orbilogin on my desktop - all to no avail. I performed factory resets using a paper clip on both the router and the ebay satellite. Held the paperclip in until the light flashed orange. Once that was complete, I tried all 3 synch methods again. I repeated this several times. It always say 0 satellites detected. A key clue - that I do not know what to do with - is when the ebay satellite is plugged in, I see a WIFI network "ORBI47" with a lock on it. It disappears when the ebay satellite is unplugged. I would have thought that the factory reset would have eliminated - I have held the paperclip in watching the light go from solid orange to blinking orange for at least a minute - but no deal
Does anyone have suggestions as to anything else I could attempt?
5 Replies
Some companies designed their mesh WiFi systems with all devices identical, meaning that any unit could be either the 'router' or a 'satellite'. Netgear's Orbi products are designed where a 'router' can only be a 'router'. It can never be a 'satellite'. Likewise, a 'satellite' can only be a 'satellite'.
Powering up the eBay RBR50 has activated a new WiFi 'router' with the SSID ORBI47. If this unit is connected to the existing RBR50 with an Ethernet cable, it can be used as another WiFi system, or it can be placed into 'Access Point' mode and used to extend the existing network. It will not function as a 'satellite'. i.e. devices will not roam seamlessly between the existing Orbi mesh and the eBay system mesh.
In short: you bought the wrong thing.
RBR50's sell on eBay for less than RBS50's because nobody wants another 'router'. They are all looking for another 'satellite'.
There was a technique 5-6 years ago where someone figured out how to change the internal settings on an RBR50 to change it into an RBS50. That procedure was never sanctioned by Netgear. Internet search might lead to those instructions and you could attempt to do it. I do not know of anyone on the Community Forum who has actually done this.
Sorry.
Well...that explains it. I usually research more before buying. It was $29 with free shipping - so not too expensive a lesson. Thanks for the reply.
Not a total loss. If the existing router breaks*, you have a spare "on hand", ready to plug in and use with the existing satellite.
* In 2025, most people would upgrade to a newer WiFi system, which of course takes time to research and purchase. Meanwhile, not having internet access can quickly become a crisis. Having a spare router ready to plug in can relieve some of the anxiety. My spare RBR50 (from eBay) has been here for several years.
Interesting thought. I am technically savvy enough to be dangerous. The ebay Router WIFI is "ORBI47". It is password protected and I don't know the password. Is there any way around that?
The WiFi credentials are printed on the label (bottom of the router)
