My devices (laptop, phone, etc) can all see my RBR750 base, but my RBS750 satellite cannot

SUMMARY

My various WiFi-connecting devices (laptops, phones, etc) are able to connect to my RBR750 Base, but my RBS750 Satellite (with one exception), is not.

And that is even if the Satellite is in the same physical space as my WiFi-connecting devices.

DETAILS

I'm using an RBR750 Base with one RBS750 Satellite in a small, roughly 20' x 30' apartment. My various devices -- laptops, phones, TV, etc -- can all connect to the Base unit easily, regardless of where they are in the apartment, and regardless of where I site the Base. In fact, from the testing I've done, the Base is able to cover, on its own, the entire apartment and then some. The only reason I'm using a mesh at all is to have the Satelite cover the common lawn/pool area just outside my apartment. And in fact it does that very well, giving coverage of well over 100', but only if the Satellite manages to establish its connection to the Base. And thar -- to quote Adam in MythBusters -- thar's yer prablem.

The problem is that the RBS750 Satellite is simply unable to establish its connection to the Base from most places, even from where my devices *are* able to connect. The problem doesn't appear to be primarily distance but rather -- I think -- what physically sits between the Base and Satellite. So if I place the Satellite where it is separated from the Base by at most only one wall, then they connect fine, even at distances up to about 40' or so (that's the most I've tested). And in that case, as I say, the Satellite works really well. But if there's anything more than a single wall between Satellite and Base, then the Satellite goes in the huff and gives me a purple light. And I've seen that happen at Base-to-Satellite distances of as short as 15'.

I'll note that the apartment is fairly modern with, I think, regular internal walls constructed from drywall on wooden frames. And I can't see anything else around that would block the signal.

Finally, to re-iterate: the Satellite fails to connect to the Base from the same physical locations and distances that all of my actual devices -- laptops, phones, etc -- always manage to connect (to the Base).

Firmware: V3.2.16.6

7 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Nov 14, 2020
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
Is FW loaded on the RBS the same as the RBR?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.

Its up to the wifi devices to pick and choose where they connect too.
- tpk
  Aspirant
  Nov 14, 2020
  Thanks for your rapid reply FURRYe38 !
  
  > What Firmware version is currently loaded?
  
  From my original post: "Firmware: V3.2.16.6"
  
  > Is FW loaded on the RBS the same as the RBR?
  
  Yes.
  
  > What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the
  > NG router is connected too?
  
  Hitron E31N2V1
  
  > What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
  
  From my original post: "20' x 30'" So, 600 Sq Ft.
  
  > What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet or
  > more is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with
  
  Again, from my original post: from "as short as 15'" and "... up to about 40' or so"
  
  So I can see the Satellite successfully connect to the Base when they are separated by as little as 15' (and possibly less) or by as much 40' (and possibly more). But I can also see the Satellite fail to connect to the Base at exactly the same distances. Distance -- within the range I am working -- does not appear to be the deciding factor.
  
  Once more, from my original: "The problem doesn't appear to be primarily distance..."
  
  > ...depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
  
  My original: my apartment has, "regular internal walls constructed from drywall on wooden
  frames".
  
  > Its up to the wifi devices to pick and choose where they connect too.
  
  Indeed. And when the Satellite manages to connect to the Base, the WiFi
  devices choose Satellite or Base in the manner one might expect. But
  it's kinda beside the point. The reason I mentioned the WiFi devices at
  all was to show that communication per se with the Base is fine. I'm finding
  that the Satellite can fail to connect to the Base even when I locate the
  former at precisely the same physical location as my WiFi devices when
  they *do* manage to connect to the Base.
  
  Needless to say, I went to some lengths to make that clear in my original post:
  "And that is even if the Satellite is in the same physical space as my
  WiFi-connecting devices."
  and
  "...the RBS750 Satellite is simply unable to establish its connection to
  the Base...even from where my devices *are* able to connect."
  and
  "Finally, to re-iterate: the Satellite fails to connect to the Base from the
  same physical locations and distances that all of my actual devices --
  laptops, phones, etc -- always manage to connect (to the Base)."
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Nov 14, 2020
    600 sq ft is probably too small to have both RBR and RBS in the same house. The Orbi RBR alone can cover more than 600 sq ft by itselt.
    
    Does the RBR work ok with out the RBS online?

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My devices (laptop, phone, etc) can all see my RBR750 base, but my RBS750 satellite cannot