Orbi RBR850 - new setup - cannot change SSID

[pendulumS]

RBR850

V4.6.14.3_2.3.12

I am not able to change the SSID of this system without causing it to fail.  This is a new Orbi system to replace my older Orbi, so I was trying to set the SSID to the old one so my devices would connect easily.

I can go through the entire setup on the mobile app with the default SSID and password.  As soon as I change the SSID it will no longer allow most devices to connect, and there is no internet.   It took me many hours to get to that point before I realized it was setting the new SSID that was messing up the new setup process.

My current workaround is to use the default SSID, but I set the guest network to the old SSID.  that is allowing all my devices to connect normally.

[FURRYe38]

Log into the RBRs web page with a web browser and change the wifi settings and SSID name there.

[pendulumS]

It does the same thing.  It will broadcast, but 80% of the devices will not connect.  Those that can connect have no internet access.

[FURRYe38]

Has a power off for 1 minute then back ON with the ISP modem and router been performed since last update?
Be sure to restart your network in this sequence:
Turn off and unplug modem.
Turn off router and computers.
Plug in and turn on modem. Wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on the router and wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on computers and rest of network.

Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update? A complete pull of the power adapters for a period of time after the factory reset then walk thru the setup wizard and setup from scratch with a wired PC and web browser. 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-rout...
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?
https://kb.netgear.com/9665/How-do-I-perform-a-factory-reset-on-my-NETGEAR-router

[pendulumS]

Put the internet aspect of this aside.  It doesnt work locally before considering the internet aspect.

Yes. It has been reset after the FW update.

[FURRYe38]

I recommend you reach out to NG support then:

https://my.netgear.com/support/contact.aspx
https://www.netgear.com/about/contact-us/

[CrimpOn]

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@pendulumS wrote:

I am not able to change the SSID of this system without causing it to fail.  This is a new Orbi system to replace my older Orbi, so I was trying to set the SSID to the old one so my devices would connect easily.

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This is indeed the recommended approach. One I have followed for almost 20 years, replacing a half dozen WiFi routers with new models.

Is it correct to assume that changing any part of the primary WiFi configuration results in devices which cannot connect?

(i.e. is it only changing to the previous WiFi credentials that fails, or any credentials besides the ones printed on the product label?)

What is the status of the previous WiFi system while this is going on?

[iyang]

Hi @pendulumS ,

What's SSID and security mode ?

Thanks

[pendulumS]

Your workaround is exactly what I am doing. Nothing else worked.

[FURRYe38]

What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?

Next step should be updating FW If you haven't already:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WIFI-6-AX-AND-Wi-Fi-6E-AXE/Procedure-for-Factory-reset-of-RBS8...

Also I would factory reset the system soon after:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WIFI-6-AX-AND-Wi-Fi-6E-AXE/Procedure-for-Factory-reset-of-RBS8...

And walk thru the setup wizard with a wired PC and web browser:

https://kb.netgear.com/22697/How-do-I-install-my-NETGEAR-router-using-the-router-web-interface

All this with out the RBR being connected to the ISP modem. 

[pendulumS]

-firmware is current.

-router has been reset over a dozen times trying to get this to work.

-Wired is the only way to even configure because it stops working as soon as you change the SSID from the default.  

-WPA2-PSK [AES] ; however I have also tried this with no security as well.

setting the guest wifi to the old router's SSID works fine.  But changing the default Orbi SSID causes the issues.

[FURRYe38]

What FW version is actually loaded? 

What browser are you using for the setup wizard process? 

And this is with the RBS turned OFF as well? 

How many RBS do you have? 
Size of home in sq feet please.