Orbi WiFi 7 RBE973
Reply

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

MSS37448
Aspirant

ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Hi Guys,

I am in the UK.

System configuration

Virgin Media Hub 3 set in Modem Mode.

Download Speed 1Gig Fibre, Upload 100Mbps

ORBI 853 [850 Router and  2 Satellites

Firmware Version 4.6.14.3-2.3.12 [Latest according to netgear

Recently a Ghost Satellite has appeared on my network and is visible both my ipHone Orbi App and also on the Web Interface.  

Occasionally the Home Page and APP indicate 3 Satellites are connected, however, the third Satellite details are not always displayed on the Web Interface.  [I will upload Screenshots when I can see the Ghost Satellite on the Web Interface and the APP].

The MAC Addresses for the 2 Satellites [B and L part of the RB853 Kit] plus the Ghost Satellite are listed below:

 

Satellite-B - 10.0C.6B.57.88.5A

Satellite-L - 80.cc.9c.24.99.19

Satellite-1 - 82.66.4e.12.99.19 [Ghost Satellite]

Symptoms

Each time the Ghost Satellite has joined the system, Satellite L in my configuration, starts to reboot/restarts and often loses Sync with the Router.  There is also a loss of WiFi signal during the reboot period. 

I have also noted that the reboot is not always successful, so Satellite L, [LED solid Magenta].

Power cycling the Satellite temporarily resolves the issue, but shorty afterwards the Ghost Satellite appears on the system again.

At times when the Web Interface shows 3 Satellites are connected Satellite L is shown as wired, [which is incorrect as the device is in a different room from the Router]

Every so often the Ghost Satellite appears, both on the App and the Web Interface indicate that it is Disconnected, [But always listed as Satellite-1] with the option to remove it from the configuration.  Once removed the system refreshes to the 2 Satellite Configuration until the next time the Ghost Satellite joins the Network

Trouble Shooting

Reboot Order

1. Modem

2. Router

3. Satellites

Relocate Satellite-L  into the same room as the Router and Hub and Reboot Satellite and Power cycle the device [Successfully reboots and joins the network

Press Sync on both the Router and Satellite, not always successfully.  Following successful reboot relocate Satellite-L in the original room.

Reset Satellite-L, Power Cycle successfully.  After a while Ghost Satellite joins the Network again using the same identifier Satellite-1]. 

 

Before i perform a Factory Reset on the Router and 2 Satellites, does anyone have any t experience of resolving this issue.

Not there are no Network Switches in my configuration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Message 1 of 14

Accepted Solutions
MSS37448
Aspirant

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Good morning FURRYe38,

Apologies for long missive…..

Firstly the bad news, the Ghost Satellite [Satellite-1] is  back again.  

However, the good news is that assigning reserved IP address appears to have stopped Satellite-L from losing sync and even though the network map shows 3 connected Satellites, however, the Ghost Satellite-1 is not connected and therefore apparently not interfering with Satellite-L, at least not so far today!

After the factory Reset, the Satellites reverted to Satellite numbers 1 and 2.

Once I had reserved the IP addresses and power cycled the Orbi devices, I reverted both Satellites names back to B and L, ensuring that I was assigning the names based on the MAC addresses previously used.

The web Interface shows Satellite-1 is disconnected and the option to remove this device is available. Satellite 1 removed.

So partial success, I may have to contact the dreaded Network Support Team, unless you have some further suggestions, which would be greatly appreciated.

To summarise the steps undertaken so far:

1.  Factory Reset the RBK853 Kit, [Router and 2 Satellites]

2.  Power Cycle the Modem and wait for LEDs to go solid

3.  Power Cycle the Router and wait for LEDs to go solid

4.  Using web Interface added one Satellite at a time [Starting with L]

5.  Assign Reserved IP addresses to both Satellites

6.  Power Cycle the RBK 853 Kit

7.  Verify reserved IP addresses are now assigned to the Satellites by the system

8.  Revert Satellite Names to B and L, as per previous Configuration

9.  Remove Disconnected Ghost Satellite [Satellite-1] from list of connected Satellites via web interface. [even though the Ghost Satellite has been the disconnected the web Interface is still showing 3 Connected Satellites]

10.  Verified that the Backhaul Status for Satellites B and L is reported as Good.

View solution in original post

Message 9 of 14

All Replies
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

A factory reset and setup from scratch resolved others seeing ghost RBS appearances. 

I'd start with adding the RBS-L to the system after you reset and setup from scratch. 

I might set up a IP address reservation as well for each RBS. 
Use MS Edge or Firefox browser to setup the system. 

 

Message 2 of 14
MSS37448
Aspirant

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Hi Furrye38
Thank you for the prompt reply and the guidance.
2 questions please, if I may
Why MS Edge or Firefox, instead of the Orbi App?
How do I setup a IP address reservation for each RBS?
Message 3 of 14
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Browsers have more granular user options and view of the features of the orbi system. And you'll need to use one if your going to reserve an IP address for the RBS: https://kb.netgear.com/25722/How-do-I-reserve-an-IP-address-on-my-NETGEAR-router

Message 4 of 14
MSS37448
Aspirant

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Hi Furrye38,
Thank you for the advice and the note on IP reservation.
Reset session planned for later this evening. (May be a long night)!
Will post the “Result” here.
Message 5 of 14
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Recommend setting the default DHCP IP address pool range to the following after applying and a factory reset: 192.168.#.100 to 192.168.#.200.
https://kb.netgear.com/24089/How-do-I-specify-the-pool-of-IP-addresses-assigned-by-my-Nighthawk-router
I would power OFF the ISP modem for 1 minute. Factory reset the Orbi router and power it off. Power ON the ISP modem and let it sync. Then power ON the Orbi router and walk thru the setup wizard again using a wired PC and a web browser.
Press the back reset button for 15 seconds then release. 
https://kb.netgear.com/31486/How-do-I-reset-my-Orbi-system-to-factory-default-settings
https://kb.netgear.com/000062081/How-do-I-erase-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System < I prefer this method.

Message 6 of 14
MSS37448
Aspirant

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Hi Furreye38.

 

Thank you for your help.

Partial Success.  After the Factory Reset, the Ghost Satellite Came back, resulting in Satellite L showing either as disconnected or Out of Sync.

 

I have now reserved IP address for both the Satellites, in line with the instructions you sent earlier today.

 

Initially, this made no difference.  Following a Power Recycle for the Router and Satellites everything seems to be back to normal i.e. no Ghost Satellite (So far).  

 

I will recheck in the morning, as it is getting late into the night [Nearly Midnight in London), and post a further update here.

 

Thank you again, you have been most helpful as always.

Message 7 of 14
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Let us know. Sounds like the default RBS SSID maybe gettng cached and held over when you change the RBS name and the cache may not be getting cleared properly. Hopefully it is now. 

Message 8 of 14
MSS37448
Aspirant

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Good morning FURRYe38,

Apologies for long missive…..

Firstly the bad news, the Ghost Satellite [Satellite-1] is  back again.  

However, the good news is that assigning reserved IP address appears to have stopped Satellite-L from losing sync and even though the network map shows 3 connected Satellites, however, the Ghost Satellite-1 is not connected and therefore apparently not interfering with Satellite-L, at least not so far today!

After the factory Reset, the Satellites reverted to Satellite numbers 1 and 2.

Once I had reserved the IP addresses and power cycled the Orbi devices, I reverted both Satellites names back to B and L, ensuring that I was assigning the names based on the MAC addresses previously used.

The web Interface shows Satellite-1 is disconnected and the option to remove this device is available. Satellite 1 removed.

So partial success, I may have to contact the dreaded Network Support Team, unless you have some further suggestions, which would be greatly appreciated.

To summarise the steps undertaken so far:

1.  Factory Reset the RBK853 Kit, [Router and 2 Satellites]

2.  Power Cycle the Modem and wait for LEDs to go solid

3.  Power Cycle the Router and wait for LEDs to go solid

4.  Using web Interface added one Satellite at a time [Starting with L]

5.  Assign Reserved IP addresses to both Satellites

6.  Power Cycle the RBK 853 Kit

7.  Verify reserved IP addresses are now assigned to the Satellites by the system

8.  Revert Satellite Names to B and L, as per previous Configuration

9.  Remove Disconnected Ghost Satellite [Satellite-1] from list of connected Satellites via web interface. [even though the Ghost Satellite has been the disconnected the web Interface is still showing 3 Connected Satellites]

10.  Verified that the Backhaul Status for Satellites B and L is reported as Good.

Message 9 of 14
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Sounds like just removing and setting up some reservations works to solve this. 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. 📡

Message 10 of 14
MSS37448
Aspirant

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Update to my last post.
Thank you for your post. I have marked the Post as solved.
The reserved IP address for Satellite-L has changed to .250, instead of .13, I assigned as a reserved address. Despite the IP address change, Backhaul Status is still good. Unable to determine if performance is impacted at this stage.
Thanks again.
Message 11 of 14
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

So you set the reservation for .13 and that change by itself to .250? 

Are you able to log into the RBS web page at there reserved IP addresses? 

Message 12 of 14
MSS37448
Aspirant

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Hi FURRYe38,

That is correct.  

Yes the reserved IP Addresses were still in the RBS Web Page.

This evening, although the Web Interface and the Orbi App were all indicating Internet Connection was Good and both the Satellite Backhaul Connections were Good, there was a significant adverse impact to performance/speed and also loss of internet connectivity to a number of devices.

Having reread through the entire set of Posts, I noted that you had suggested erasing Current Settings, which I had missed.  I then went through the following steps, based on the article you had sent.

A.  Erased Current Settings to Revert to Factory Default Settings,

B.  Automatic Router Reboot once the Current Settings had been deleted.

B.  Reset the Router, making sure that the Reset Button was held for 15 Seconds

C. Waited for the Router to Reboot again

D.  Power Cycled the Modem and Router

E.  Set up the Orbi System from Scratch [Via Web Interface].

Once everything was up and running
1.  Assigned reserved IP Addresses to both Satellites

2.  Renamed both Satellites [B and L as in previous configuration]

3. Applied the changes, causing the Router to Reboot automatically.

4.  System is now back online, with full connectivity.  The performance/speed is back to normal levels also.

Since the rebuild the 2 Connected Satellites are visible on the Web Interface Basic Screen.

Additionally I decided to create a new SSID and a new Password, so there was no chance of any legacy devices joining the new network.

Fingers crossed so far everything is working as expected.

Hopefully, this will be the “Final” solution. 

Message 13 of 14
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: ORBI 853 Ghost Satellite

Enjoy and have a good weekend. 🍻

Message 14 of 14
Top Contributors
Discussion stats
  • 13 replies
  • 5564 views
  • 4 kudos
  • 2 in conversation
Announcements

Orbi 770 Series