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Forum Discussion
Unable to setup RBR50 and a satellite
Last year I moved to a new house that had essentially no Ethernet wiring, so I decided to purchase the RBK53 as it was a 3 story structure, a router or satellite on each floor. I got that set up, although I have continual problems with some of my devices such as my Samsung Galaxy S9+. While the phone thinks it has a WiFi connection to the router, the connection is inoperable until I disconnect and reconnect. Not a big deal, but still a PITA.
So with that experience in mind, which was generally positive, I decided to purchase an RBK52 for another location. That install has been nothing short of a total nightmare. I got the router and satellite initially connected and upgraded the firmware using the online update option. Since then things have gone totally south. I haven't subsequently been able to get the satellite to connect to the router. I've upgraded both via tftp to the latest releases, and still can't get the satellite to connect to the router. In fact, at times the router goes into a reboot loop. Not sure what if anything I've done to stop it, but I was able to get back to "factory" settings, although I use that term loosely. Not being able to get the satellite to connect, I reset the router and now it's back in a reboot loop.
Certainly there must be some sequence of steps I can take to correct this, although everything I've tried based upon the forums fails. So can someone please tell me how to get the router and satellite set up? I am anything but a newbie. I have been flashing customer firmware such as DD-WRT to routers for over 10 years. I've installed custom ROMs on previous Samsung phones. So if you're going to tell me to just power off everything and reboot, don't bother!
All in all my experience with Orbi has been far less than I hoped. I wanted to move to Orbi so I wouldn't have to try and figure out whether I wanted to install the next Brainslayer DD-WRT distribution in one of many routers I own, but instead get a reasonably usable mesh router. At the moment all I can say is that my Orbi experience has sucked!
12 Replies
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?When doing FW updates, do not use TFTP, use the RBR and RBS web page for all FW updates. TFTP is for recovery only. Let the main web page do the FW processing.
I would re-load v32 FW using a wired PC and web browser, IE11, FF or Opera is what I have tested that work well.
Press the back reset button for 15 seconds then release. This will ensure the system is clear.
You can update the RBS if they don't connect directly using there web page as well. Do this first.
Wire connect 1 PC to the back of the RBS. Factory reset the RBS, wait about 5 minutes. The PC will get a IP address from the satellite. The RBS will be 192.168.1.250. Use this IP address in a web browser to log in to the satellites web page. Log in as admin and password. Use the satellites web page FW update feature to select the FW update file that was unpacked from the .zip file. Then factory reset and then re-sync the satellites to the RBR.
After you get the RBS and RBR reloaded, I recommend setting up the RBR first while not connected to the modem. You can if you wish. Get the RBR configred first. Skip the RBS sync during the wizard.
Once you have the RBR all setup, Connect it to the ISP modem and make sure it works and you can get internet access here.
Disable Diasy Chain on the RBR.
Then bring the RBS to the same room or near the RBR. 10-15feet is good. Press the sync button the RBS then RBR. The RBS should sync in time. Give a few minutes. You can monitor this by watching the connected devices page. It should appear here as a satellite.
You can at this time set a "Reserved IP address" on the RBR for the RBS if you like. I do this. Save and apply the change.
If you have a 2nd or 3rd RBS, Turn of the 1st RBS and turn on the next RBS. Repeat adding the RBS then giving a reserved IP address.
Once RBS are synced. Power OFF the RBS and place in there remote locations.
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
OK, well I have already used TFTP to update both the router and the satellite to V2.5.1.32.
I've tried various resets of both the router and the satellite and nothing has seemed to work so far.
I tried again setting up the RBR without being connected to the modem. I then connected to the modem and after a few shenanigans I was able to get it and the Internet. However I am still unable to add the satellite. When I press the sync buttons on both, and they are 3 feet away from each other, they both go to flashing white top LEDs. The satellite goes to solid blue, then goes to solid magenta, while the router remains blinking white. After that nothing changes that I can tell. :-(
Any help to get these set up together would be greatly appreciated!
-tl
Try 10-15 feet away. 3 feet maybe too close.
Can you access the RBS web page if you reset the RBS and connect a Wired PC to the back?
Might try a factory reset on the RBS then connect the RBS with a ethernet cable to the RBR and see if it might sync.
If that fails, possible the RBS could be faulty if it won't connect at all.
