Regardless of what anybody says, there is something really WRONG with Orbi AX. I just got my entire RBK853 system RMA'd and I'm in the same boat with the system being entirely unstable. What I see, It is nearly impossible to get satellites detected after the router is setup. It just does not work no matter if you follow the sequence with the SYNC button. It will simply not detect the satellites unless you get lucky. This is broken from what I can tell.I got the satellites to detect by wiring them into the router and the iOS app or Web GUI app don't say that a satellite(s) is detected. Basically, you plug the satellite(s) into the router and it will eventually detect without doing anything.The system is so unstable that the Web GUI and iOS app are in constant state of flux with respect to whether or not the iOS app will connect to Orbi and/or lose the satellites. It happens so often that the iOS app is basically unusable. There is so much instability happening with the iOS app and the Web GUI app as well.I still have the issue with my outdoor cameras basically not connecting (might see the odd one here or ther connect) before it loses connection for good.I still have the issue with Arlo Baby indoor camera that connects but is basically unusable due to the sever pixelation.I tried AP mode and the satellites get lost in AP mode. You have to go through the futile task of adding them back in if you switch to AP mode. In AP mode, the same unstable issues occur and no cameras.It's Orbi AX for sure as Orbi AC, Nest WiFi and Aimesh don't have any such issue on my network - just Orbi AX.I'm at the latest firmware level and factory reset all units. I event dropped to an earlier level(s) with factory resets and it's all the same.Sorry, but this system does not work. Netgear responding to RMA'ing my units was great but it did nothing. I don't even know how they don't see these issue in their testing of firmware releases. It's a MESS.

What about leaving the CTS/RTS at 64, then trying the 2347. But turning off the 2.4 & 5GHz Co-Existence, leaving the AX setting on also. Below is where I landed after a lot of trial and drops. Have been crusin' nicely for 15 days since the last reboot to change a setting that wipes the Uptime Counter. So a good 20-30 days. Now I'm running:Advanced Wireless Settings (2.4GHz b/g/n/ax)Enable 20/40 MHz Coexistence: OFFEnable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (2.4GHz b/g/n/ax): ON (but this is a setting that can be tried)CTS/RTS Threshold (1-2347): 2347 (although I'm in a noisy area of technotards)Preamble Mode: ShortTransmit Power Control: 100% Advanced Wireless Settings (5GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax)Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (5GHz a/n/ac/ax): ONCTS/RTS Threshold (1-2347): 2347 (although I'm in a noisy area of technotards)Preamble Mode: ShortTransmit Power Control: 100% On the WiFi Setup page earlier on:Enable AX - This WiFi mode will enable AX features: ON (this is another setting that can be played with) Food for thought. I hope this helps.

What version of FW is the RBR and RBS using? What is the mfr and model# of the main host router your using when you have the Orbi in AP mode? Must be something going on as I and others have not had problems getting RBS connected. I can do a remote or same room sync with RBS to the RBR and they get connected. Router and AP mode. Mines in AP mode currently. After the RBS is configred and you hit the sync button on the RBR first then the RBS 2nd, give a couple of minutes before the RBS should get a BLUE front LED then eventually go OFF. I use a web browser to monitor the status on the RBRs web page. It eventually appears for me there and then go turn on the 2nd RBS and do the same process. I don't use the Orbi app to setup the RBR or RBS.

Latest firmware. But I have only always hit the sync button on satellite and not router. So, maybe I am doing that part wrong. Either way, they are online now but super unstable with respect to how the iOS app is in a constant state between connecting to Orbi and seeing or not seeing the satellites online. And why would putting Orbi in AP mode suddenly cause it to lose the satellites, they don’t come online. I managed to get them online in AP mode but Orbi behaves the same with the app being accessible or not and the app network diagram regularly going between 2 and 0 satellites.

Ok, ya, you have to hit the sync button ON the RBR first then the button on the RBS. Both will sync wirelessly. If you want them connecteded via ethernet, then connect the LAN cable after they are synced wirelessly. However there is a bug in AP mode with RBS ethernet connected to a RBR using a switch. They don't appear in the RBRs web page. They do appear in you don't use a switch. This is only in AP mode. What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)?

Router is in basement, no choice. One satellite on main floor and other one on top floor. I tried just the router and the router with one and both satellites spread out in different configs. The worst part is the cameras which do not connect outdoors and the indoor one is not viewable from extreme pixelation, only with Orbi AX. I also messed with channels, short preamble and 2347 RTS/CTS but same issue with all cameras.

migsta

Apprentice

Apr 02, 2020

The PAIN with Orib AX (RBK853)

Regardless of what anybody says, there is something really WRONG with Orbi AX.

I just got my entire RBK853 system RMA'd and I'm in the same boat with the system being entirely unstable. What I see,

It is nearly impossible to get satellites detected after the router is setup. It just does not work no matter if you follow the sequence with the SYNC button. It will simply not detect the satellites unless you get lucky. This is broken from what I can tell.
I got the satellites to detect by wiring them into the router and the iOS app or Web GUI app don't say that a satellite(s) is detected. Basically, you plug the satellite(s) into the router and it will eventually detect without doing anything.
The system is so unstable that the Web GUI and iOS app are in constant state of flux with respect to whether or not the iOS app will connect to Orbi and/or lose the satellites. It happens so often that the iOS app is basically unusable. There is so much instability happening with the iOS app and the Web GUI app as well.
I still have the issue with my outdoor cameras basically not connecting (might see the odd one here or ther connect) before it loses connection for good.
I still have the issue with Arlo Baby indoor camera that connects but is basically unusable due to the sever pixelation.
I tried AP mode and the satellites get lost in AP mode. You have to go through the futile task of adding them back in if you switch to AP mode. In AP mode, the same unstable issues occur and no cameras.
It's Orbi AX for sure as Orbi AC, Nest WiFi and Aimesh don't have any such issue on my network - just Orbi AX.
I'm at the latest firmware level and factory reset all units. I event dropped to an earlier level(s) with factory resets and it's all the same.

Sorry, but this system does not work. Netgear responding to RMA'ing my units was great but it did nothing. I don't even know how they don't see these issue in their testing of firmware releases. It's a MESS.

21 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru
Apr 02, 2020
What version of FW is the RBR and RBS using?

What is the mfr and model# of the main host router your using when you have the Orbi in AP mode?

Must be something going on as I and others have not had problems getting RBS connected.
I can do a remote or same room sync with RBS to the RBR and they get connected. Router and AP mode. Mines in AP mode currently.

After the RBS is configred and you hit the sync button on the RBR first then the RBS 2nd, give a couple of minutes before the RBS should get a BLUE front LED then eventually go OFF. I use a web browser to monitor the status on the RBRs web page. It eventually appears for me there and then go turn on the 2nd RBS and do the same process.

I don't use the Orbi app to setup the RBR or RBS.
- migsta
  Apprentice
  Apr 02, 2020
  Latest firmware. But I have only always hit the sync button on satellite and not router. So, maybe I am doing that part wrong. Either way, they are online now but super unstable with respect to how the iOS app is in a constant state between connecting to Orbi and seeing or not seeing the satellites online. And why would putting Orbi in AP mode suddenly cause it to lose the satellites, they don’t come online. I managed to get them online in AP mode but Orbi behaves the same with the app being accessible or not and the app network diagram regularly going between 2 and 0 satellites.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    Apr 02, 2020
    Ok, ya, you have to hit the sync button ON the RBR first then the button on the RBS. Both will sync wirelessly.
    
    If you want them connecteded via ethernet, then connect the LAN cable after they are synced wirelessly. However there is a bug in AP mode with RBS ethernet connected to a RBR using a switch. They don't appear in the RBRs web page. They do appear in you don't use a switch. This is only in AP mode.
    
    What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)?
FURRYe38
Guru
Apr 02, 2020

What is the distance between the RBR and RBSs.
Have you configured the CTS and RTS values for 2307 or 2347?
- migsta
  Apprentice
  Apr 02, 2020
  I tried, 2347 and default 64 including sort preamble. I already mentioned trying numerous distances and just router and router with one and two satellites. Same no matter what I try?
  - FarmerBob1
    Luminary
    Apr 03, 2020
    What about leaving the CTS/RTS at 64, then trying the 2347. But turning off the 2.4 & 5GHz Co-Existence, leaving the AX setting on also. Below is where I landed after a lot of trial and drops. Have been crusin' nicely for 15 days since the last reboot to change a setting that wipes the Uptime Counter. So a good 20-30 days.
    
    Now I'm running:
    Advanced Wireless Settings (2.4GHz b/g/n/ax)
    Enable 20/40 MHz Coexistence: OFF
    Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (2.4GHz b/g/n/ax): ON (but this is a setting that can be tried)
    CTS/RTS Threshold (1-2347): 2347 (although I'm in a noisy area of technotards)
    Preamble Mode: Short
    Transmit Power Control: 100%
    
    Advanced Wireless Settings (5GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax)
    Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (5GHz a/n/ac/ax): ON
    CTS/RTS Threshold (1-2347): 2347 (although I'm in a noisy area of technotards)
    Preamble Mode: Short
    Transmit Power Control: 100%
    
    On the WiFi Setup page earlier on:
    Enable AX - This WiFi mode will enable AX features: ON (this is another setting that can be played with)
    
    Food for thought. I hope this helps.
jmdll0518
Aspirant
May 19, 2020
I have the exact same issue RBR850 and RBS850. Suppoort was useless.
- Kiki387
  Aspirant
  May 19, 2020
  welcome to the club, I have the same problems.
- FURRYe38
  Guru
  May 19, 2020
  Please post in your opening thread:
  https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-AX/Fustration-Galore/m-p/1916251/highlight/false#M3814
  
  Thank you
  jmdll0518 wrote:
  I have the exact same issue RBR850 and RBS850. Suppoort was useless.

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The PAIN with Orib AX (RBK853)