Replace old RBR50 with RBR850/RBS850 (RBK852) - initial setup issues

I have an old existing RBR50 with an outlet-plugin satellite. Replacing with a brand new RBK852. Already been using the Orbi app on iOS but I uninstalled and reinstalled the app prior to attempting to config the RBR850. Probably shouldn't have done that but I don't think that's impacting anything at this point. Here are the steps I've followed:

I disconnected the old RBR50 and its satellites.

Plugged in the RBR850 and the RBS850 and let them come to 'solid white'. Cable attached to router in the yellow slot from my ARRIS cable modem and also connected ethernet cables to the router from my 2 PCs. No idea what the firmware levels are for the RBR850/RBS850 as I could not connect to the router with orbilogin.com.

Could get my iPhone Wi-Fi connected to the router (using default SSID and PW) as well as the Win11 PCs connected to the router via Wi-Fi. Orbi app worked fine to camera-scan the default settings (SSID/PW) on the band that comes with the new RBR850 router. Orbi app has Local Network enabled. Could not complete the setup in the Orbi app on iOS. Message was "can't find Orbi". iPhone is 2 feet from the router. Walked through setup multiple times. Same errormsg. Rebooting the RBR850, ARRIS cable modem as well as the PCs numerous times did not help.

Would it be advisable to just use the 'setup a new Orbi system' option in the app or is there another preferred way to move from an existing Orbi to a newer model besides what I've noted above? Once in set up properly I will change the SSID/PW on the 850 to what I used on the old router so I don't have to reconfigure the Wi-Fi settings on all the connecting devices ... but I can't get that far yet. Seems this should have been super simple but struggling so far.

Any advise would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Cliff

FURRYe38
Oct 26, 2024
I don't have any issues saving config files using MS Edge, just the nag popup after selecting the backup button, that in the MS Edge download section I get the warning about downloading the file. The is 3 dots on the warning about the file. I select this then select KEEP and the file gets downloaded to the download folder is all.

Yes.

12 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru
Oct 25, 2024
What brand and model ISP modem is the RBR connected too?

You might review this and reset and setup from scratch using the PDF process. I use it always when bringing on a new system:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WIFI-6-AX-AND-Wi-Fi-6E-AXE/Procedure-for-Factory-reset-of-RBS850/m-p/2356834/highlight/true#M52575
- lagunatic
  Aspirant
  Oct 26, 2024
  The RBR850 is connected to an 'ARRIS SURFboard SB8200' cable modem (it's been very solid, never had an issue with it).
  SB8200 - Arris Modem
  
  ISP is Spectrum. Speedtest app on my main PC (Win11 24H2, i9-9900KS CPU, 64GB RAM) gives me roughly 675Mbps down, 23Mbps up, PING 7ms.
  
  I purchased the RBK852 direct from Netgear three days ago so I have 1yr of tech support and will likely give them a call in addition to reaching out here.
  
  I've downloaded the PDF and will walk through it soon.
  
  Thanks for such a quick reply!
CrimpOn
Guru
Oct 26, 2024
lagunatic wrote:

Would it be advisable to just use the 'setup a new Orbi system' option in the app or is there another preferred way to move from an existing Orbi to a newer model besides what I've noted above?

It is not possible to copy a configuration from one Orbi model and install it on a different model. Bummer.

Like FURRYe38 , I much prefer the web interface for setting up new systems. Factory Reset the router. Connect a PC to the router with an Ethernet cable. Open a web browser to http://orbilogin.net , and "away we go".

Do not change the WiFi credentials until the last step, at which point all the WiFi devices will recognize the new system and connect using whatever settings you have defined in the LAN setup table. (One symptom of OCD is a desire to have every device connected to the network have a defined IP address. all the speakers together. all the cameras together. etc. etc.)
- lagunatic
  Aspirant
  Oct 26, 2024
  It was odd to me that I couldn't connect to the router using http://orbilogin.net in an Edge browser yet the PC and Orbi app on iPhone could connect via Wi-Fi with default SSID/PW but they still said 'no internet'. Must be something simple I'm missing.
  
  Thanks as well to you too for assisting. Much appreciated!
  - lagunatic
    Aspirant
    Oct 26, 2024
    Well ... I have no idea what changed from last night to this morning, but I was able to configure my RBR850/RBS850 just fine doing the exact same steps and then updated the firmware on both from v3.2.16.22 to v4.6.9.11 and changed the SSID/PW to what the older system was ... so strange it worked today. I'm on the internet and connecting. The Orbi app on iPhone also working as expected.
    
    However, one minor item ... in Win11 24H2 if I hover over the internet connection icon in the Systray it still says the default SSID name versus what I changed it to. Is that a Win11 bug?, or is it changable? ... should I reboot cable modem/router/PC and see if it updates? It's not really affecting anything but would prefer to see the updated SSID.
    
    If I go into the advanced admin console app, to see if there's more current firmware than v4.6.9.11 for the RBR850/RBS850, it says nothing is available. I will review the forum but does anybody have feedback on that?
    
    Thanks again to all that replied to my post. Very much appreciated.

Forum Discussion

Replace old RBR50 with RBR850/RBS850 (RBK852) - initial setup issues