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Forum Discussion
Rbs50y won't sync with rbr50
I have an RBR50 router with five RBS50/RBS50Y satellites. I am trying to add another RBS50Y to the system but cannot get it to sync. I'm a little scared that I might obliterate my system if I follow s...
There are two models of RBS50Y. The original RBS50Y included only firmware to act as a true "satellite" on the original Orbi WiFi5 (ac) routers. The RBS50Yv2 contains two sets of firmware (at the same time!) One is an Orbi satellite. The other firmware is a traditional "WiFi Extender" which can connect to any brand of WiFi router. If this most recent RBS50Y is actually a v2 model and is in "Extender Mode", then it cannot sync as a satellite. The method to change modes is explained in the installation instructions:
https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBS50Y/RBS50Y_QSG_EN.pdf
Another complication is that early versions of the Orbi router firmware could add only three satellites before they "hit a wall" because the web page was built incorrectly. A trick employed by one user was to temporarily unplug satellites until only two were connected. (Those powered off would show on Attached Devices as Disconnected and the router would suggest "Delete?") Ignoring that, the user would proceed to add the last satellite. After it was added, the user would then power up all the original satellites and there would now be one more than before. I have only three satellites, so have no idea if that limitation still exists (or if the work-around still "works").
Doing a Factory Reset on a satellite has basically no effect because the satellite itself contains no configuration information. Resetting the router to "Factory" totally wipes out everything the user has configured.