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FirstCup's avatar
FirstCup
Guide
Nov 28, 2024

RBR850 + 2 satellites want to add another satellite, another RBS850 unavailable, did Netgear dump

I have had an Orbie mesh RBR850 with 2 RBS850s for several years all wireless, working great, almost. I have many WEMO switches and plugs, arlo cameras etc. A couple areas have a week signal, so I want to add another RBS850 satellite. Problem 1, netgear seems to have abandoned the 850 product line and I could not find a new RBS850 anywhere. So I looked at netgear.com and found they still had a RBK852 for about the price I could find a used RBS850 online for. I had assumed I could take the satellite from that package and hook it to my existing system.

 

That seems not to be so, I go through all the steps to sync it but cannot seem to connect. the satellite seems to have a preprogramed network to the RBR850 that it shipped with. Is that where the problem is? Kind of dead in the water until I find a solution.

 

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

2 Replies

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru
    Nov 28, 2024

    True.  "Kits" (The "K" in the product number RBK852) are shipped from the factory pre-configured so that they be taken out of the box, plugged in, and used without any setup at all.

     

    I would do a Factory Reset on the satellite (that little hole in the back labeled "Reset") and then use the Orbi management system to "Add Orbi Satellite".

     

    One "Gotcha" with Orbi AX systems is that many users report issues when the router and satellite are not on the same firmware release.  It may be necessary to manually update the firmware on this new satellite to match what is currently on the router.  (or, conversely, upgrade the router if the satellite is on a more recent version than the router.)

    • FirstCup's avatar
      FirstCup
      Guide
      Nov 29, 2024

      thanks for your response,

      I have done the factory reset on the new satellite a couple of time and have tried to sync using the add satellite with the iphone app and it has always ended up saying try again. I have the satellite in the same room about 10 feet apart. If I press the sync button on the satellite the router will respond by flashing white so it seems to know the satellite is there trying. I guess I need to figure out how to view the firmware version on the satellite even though I can not see it in the system?

      RBR850 firmware   v7.2.6.31 , my two existing satellites on the system show the same firmware as the router

      app version    2.42.0.56