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Forum Discussion
Wifi dropping out - Do I need to update the software - How?
Dear All, I bought an Orbi AC3000 Tri-band WiFi Add-on Satellite(RBS50) in July '17, so it must by now be an old model. It has a network extender and one satellite. The extender is connected via wi...
If this is a RBS50, then the RBS50 is not compatible with your ISP modem/router. RBS50 only connect to Orbi AC wifi systems.
There is a RBS50Y thats a outdoor satellite that if the extender mode FW is loaded can connect to non Orbi wifi systesm.
Jeannet wrote:
Dear All,
I bought an Orbi AC3000 Tri-band WiFi Add-on Satellite(RBS50) in July '17, so it must by now be an old model. It has a network extender and one satellite. The extender is connected via wifi to a Virgin Media router.
The wifi randomly drops out and re-establishes itself after a while. When I restart the router and synch the extender and satellite the wifi comes back, but it's tiresome to have to keep doing this several times a week or more.
There are also wifi black spots in my house.
I have requested a new router from Virgin, which has just been installed, but it doesn't make any difference.
Would it help with the wifi dropping out if I updated software in the extender? I don't know if that is something I should do and if so how.
Would it help with the black spots if I bought a second satellite?
I would be grateful for any suggestions, but be gentle in your replies - expect zero techie knowledge!
Many thanks and best,
Jeannet :-)
Sorry, Furrye38, I was unclear in my posting.
I have a Virgin router, an ORBI extender RBR50, which is connected to the Virgin router with an ethernet cable, and to which the Orbi sattelite is connected via Wifi, synched using a WPS button.
I have spoken with Virgin who are sending out an engineer to see what's going on. I'll let you all know the diagnosis and hopefully the solution!
Thanks again for your support!
Jeannet :-)
Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktopI would try option #2, if not then Option #3.
Jeannet wrote:
Sorry, Furrye38, I was unclear in my posting.
I have a Virgin router, an ORBI extender RBR50, which is connected to the Virgin router with an ethernet cable, and to which the Orbi sattelite is connected via Wifi, synched using a WPS button.
I have spoken with Virgin who are sending out an engineer to see what's going on. I'll let you all know the diagnosis and hopefully the solution!
Thanks again for your support!
Jeannet :-)
Hi Furry38,
Thanks very much for your suggestions. I will print them out and show them to the Virgin engineer coming on Monday. I hessitate to do anything myself (not being very techie!) in case I mess things up.
To update you on my situation - This is part of what I wrote in reply to CrimpOn, who also kindly offered support.
"I have now paid for a service contract with Netgear, and someone remote-accessed my system this morning. They went into the Orbi web interface for me and established everything had been fully updated, and said the Firmware problem from the security upgrade earlier this year has been corrected (I have Router Firmware Version V2.7.3.22).
The agent did something to the Router (I didn't understand the explanation - maybe that is what you suggested about setting it to modem? I wouldn't know how to check that. She specifically said the Virgin box was a modem, though, when I mistakenly called it a router.). She said that if I still have problems, I should ring back and they will do a factory restore on both the router and the satellite and get the whole system up to date again.
She suggested getting a second satellite RBS50 to get rid of the black spot in one of the lodgers' rooms.
I was very impressed with the service they gave, and am hopeful things will get sorted. The Virgin engineer is due on Monday late afternoon, so by then I should know if the problem is resolved and can cancel them if it is. If not, they can eliminate any problem on the Virgin side. I have printed out your answer so I can show the Virgin guy, in case it helps them."
So that tells you where I'm at with it all. Thanks very much for your support. CrimpOn also mentioned the 'double NAT' issue!
I've been trying to find for sale an additional Orbi satellite RBS50, but they seem to be unavailable. Amazon says they're out of stock, the Netgear website won't allow me to put one in my shopping cart, and googling I don't seem to be coming up with any! I am too worried about buying second hand on Ebay, in case something dicey might have been installed (or crept in) that could infect my system. :-)
Many thanks again for your support. It's great to know you guys are out there!
With all my best, Jeannet :-)
Jeannet wrote:
I am too worried about buying second hand on Ebay, in case something dicey might have been installed (or crept in) that could infect my system. :-)
In addition to the RBS50, any of the original Orbi satellites will work with the RBR50 router, including:
- RBS50
- RBS40
- RBS20
- RBW30
- RBS40V
Satellites from the other Orbi product lines are not compatible ('Pro', 'AX', the "10" series Orbi).
When purchasing from eBay, a Factory Reset on the satellite will clear out all configurations. There will be nothing "dicey" on the product. The chief worries with buying used from eBay are (a) will it actually be in working condition, and (b) if not, how to get your money back. When my RBR50 went out of warranty, I bought a used RBR50 from eBay as a spare and use it frequently for experiments. Wish I had bought a spare RBS50 at the same time.
