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Solved
New RBR850 setup problems
Was running an old Hitron modem/router in bridge mode with RBR50 router and satellite and it worked like a charm for 5 years. I was getting reliable 750Mbps, which was a big bump up from the ISP’s router alone. This week, ISP provided a new 6g router. After installation, my download dropped to 430. I figured an upgrade on the Orbi would be beneficial. After installing, no negligible difference in download or upload. Not sure why. Disappointing. Also, the satellite doesn’t show up on the app or the web interface, despite showing a solid blue light (for 3 min) indicating it connected. I’ve reset, unplugged, updated firmware, pulled out my hair. I never had a problem with the old Orbi. I need the additional coverage, but it’s providing limited added value at this point, just a lot of headaches. Thinking I’ll just return the whole mess. Anyone out there have any suggestions?
Glad you got it working. Please mark your thread as solved so others will know. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
Enjoy. 📡
14 Replies
Could you please identify the specific device that the ISP delivered to replace the old Hitron?
Is the new device also in bridge mode?
How many satellites are in the Orbi 850 system? The FCC places strict transmit power limits on residential WiFi systems. If the new router and satellite are placed in the same locations as the existing system, it is not likely to result in a huge expansion of the WiFi coverage area. WiFi6 is more efficient than WiFi5, so if there are devices capable of WiFi6 then they may experience better performance and the system may accommodate more of them. Existing WiFi devices capable only of 2.4G WiFi or WiFi5 will not benefit much from the change.
There are active discussions on the forum about the new firmware for the 850 product, with some users reporting "very happy" and some users claiming severe problems and going back to previous versions.
The new ISP gateway is a Cox technicolor CGM4981, in bridge mode. I have replaced the old Orbi RBR50’s with a new RBR850, router and one satellite. I figured there was no point adding the RBR50’s to new technology. We have a few 6g devices now, so I figured it would be worth the upgrade. Now, not so much.
The old RBS50 satellites are not compatible with the new Orbi 850 system, so they would not connect.
The Orbi 850 is a WiFi6 product (802.11ax) which is a definite upgrade from the WiFi5 system. However, it is not WiFi6E which includes the 6G WiFi frequencies.
I should add, the new ISP gateway is a Cox technicolor CGM4981, in bridge mode. I have replaced the old Orbi RBR50’s with a new RBR850, router and one satellite. I figured there was no point adding the RBR50’s to new technology. We have a few 6g devices now, so I figured it would be worth the upgrade. Now, not so much.
