Orbi RBRE960 Router - RBSE960 Satellite connection

[dsolson]

Can’t get a purchased used RBSE960 Satellite to connect to my Existing RBRE960 router. I did a 15 sec factory reset on satellite. Boots up fine but when I go through the sequence to add the satellite in both Orbi app or the web router login (192.168.1.1) the satellite is unrecognized. I have down full shutdowns and power cycles on both the router and satellite. The router FW is the latest version 7.2.6.31.

I have an old RBR40 router Ethernet connected downstream as an AP in and outbuilding. It works perfect with full service speed which is around 380 mbps.

How can a connect this new (used) satellite from another rbke96x system to my router? Do I need to factory reset my router also? Need help please.

[dsolson · Accepted solution]

I setup my old rbr40 as an AP and have it Ethernet connected to the RBRE960 network.  Works perfect.  I think you mean I have to get another RBSE960.   I’m not going to sink more money into it at this point.  Thank you again. 

[FURRYe38]

What happens if you ethernet connect the new RBS to the RBR? If it connects here and gets a IP address, see if you can log into the new RBS web page and update it's FW to same version as whats on the RBR using a web browser. 

[dsolson]

Thank you for your expertise input. I had just done that and after several IP address logins I was able to connect to the satellite RBSE960 and update the firmware to match the RBRE960 router. But I still can’t get the satellite to connect wireless. Power cycled all. The router web interface shows it as a device, not a satellite, when Ethernet connected. Doesn’t show it at all when wireless. I have done the app and web “add satellite routine” numerous times - lost count. No satellites found message every time. I have the satellite plugged in close to router and thinking maybe they will eventually connect and resolve. Wishful thinking?

[FURRYe38]

Ok, try this, Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings there is a Generate button here. This is for the backhaul password. Lets press this and apply the change, then soon after, with the RBS in same room as RBR, press the reset button in back for 15 seconds then release. Don't use ethernet on the RBS for this. When the front LED seems to begin to pulsate WHITE or blink WHITE, say about a minute after you release the reset button, use the RBRs web page to ADD Satellite method, see if this can get the RBS to connect and sync. The web page will let you know if it failed or was successful. 

[dsolson]

Thanks FURRYe38.  Tried it exactly as you stated and "Satellite Setup Failed" message.  Any other ideas?

[dsolson]

Here are some web router network setting pics if that helps.

I turned AX off for 2.4 and 5 ghz when I got the router.  I asume that doesnt matter?

I use the IoT set hard at 2.4 ghz for amny devices in house with only one router as 5ghz doesnt hold well when farther away form router

[FURRYe38]

No those don't matter. 

Might try a 30-30-30 reset on the RBS and see if this helps to get it to connect. 

Can try a full on factory reset on the RBR and see: 

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

If any of this fails, possible the RBS is faulty. 

[dsolson]

Thanks - I had doen the 30-30-30 but that was before I got the Satellite FW updated.

The web interface says the setup was successful! First I have seen that!   But the satlelite just keeps blinking white.  No blue, amber or magenta yet.  Been about 4-5 minutes so far adn still blinkign white.  Should I press sync buttons on both satellite and router?

[dsolson]

FYI - The RBSE960 satellite is only about 3 feet away from router. 

[FURRYe38]

Ya try the sync buttons. 

I tend to use about 10-12 feet between the RBR and RBS. 

[dsolson]

Thank you for your help.  It still doesnt show as satellite even though web interface "add a satellite" showed it as setup.

I am going to do a full power cycle, modem, router and satellite and let it do its thing until tomorrow and see.

[dsolson]

Is there a risk of doing a factory reset on my router?  It is working so well.......

[CrimpOn]

A Factory Reset erases the entire configuration. Anything that the user has configured no longer exists.

• administrative credentials
• WiFi credentials (if changed from the default printed on the product label)
• Any settings for DNS servers
• Reservations of IPs for specific devices
• the list goes on and on.

If you have done nothing to configure the system, then a Factory Reset has little effect (99.9% of the time).

[dsolson]

Ok thanks for all your help today. Kudos

[FURRYe38]

No. I was hoping that would not be needed, however, might be last resort to try.

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@dsolson wrote:

Is there a risk of doing a factory reset on my router?  It is working so well.......

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[dsolson]

So the satellite was magenta this morning when left in wireless overnight. I wired the rbse960 to a switch in the lower floor. It shows as a wired device (not satellite). My son’s iPhone shows as a wired connection DSO it must be wirelessly connected to the satellite. So kind of like it’s acting like an AP, Strange?

[dsolson]

Unmanaged switch it is connected to btw

[FURRYe38]

Brand and model of this switch?

CAT# lan cable being used? 

Which ports on the RBS are you using to ethernet connect it to the switch? 

Wondering if this RBS is just plain faulty...

[dsolson]

Switch is TP-Link TL- SG105 (gbit unmanaged 5 port switch)
Cat 6 Ethernet - I think some of my ethernet cables are Cat 5E from router to switch. Satellite Ethernet is one of the regular LAN (not the 2.5G). Router is regular LAN to switch. Of course yellow internet connection router to cable modem.

It looks like when connected by Ethernet, it shows as device and it broadcasts because devices connect wireless to it apparently. But wireless receiving doesn’t appear to work??? I think it has faulty wireless electronics. Wish I knew how to verify because I may have to make a case for refund on FB marketplace.

[dsolson]

1G is fine as my service is only like 390 mbps at my house

[FURRYe38]

Any chance to test the RBS directly connected to the back of the RBR? Want to rule out any problems coming from the switch. Or cabling. 

If you got this used from FB market place, could be in any unknown condition. 

[dsolson]

Ok. Hooked up with new Ethernet cable.  6’ away. Std LAN ports both router and satellite.  Shows as “wired” connected device (not satellite) with IP address assigned.  I verified it is the satellite by MAC address.  

FYI - prior to moving it up to hook directly to router, my son’s devices (iPhone and Xbox) had wirelessly connected to it when it was on the lower floor as it was close to his room.  It was ethernet connected to that Tplink switch (that switch is actually a second one downstream from router).  Those devices showed as “wired” as well. Must be because the satellite was wired?

So looks like the wireless connection to router doesn’t work but it will allow devices to connect to network when it is wired by Ethernet…..

thanks for your help once again!

[FURRYe38]

Beginning to wonder if the Wireless BH is just broke on the RBS. 

You'd need to find another RBS to test and see if the behavior changes. 

[dsolson · Accepted solution]

I setup my old rbr40 as an AP and have it Ethernet connected to the RBRE960 network.  Works perfect.  I think you mean I have to get another RBSE960.   I’m not going to sink more money into it at this point.  Thank you again. 

[CrimpOn]

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@dsolson wrote:

I setup my old rbr40 as an AP and have it Ethernet connected to the RBRE960 network.  Works perfect.  I think you mean I have to get another RBSE960.   I’m not going to sink more money into it at this point.  Thank you again. 

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Just one minor technical note:  Devices that are 'wired' to this RBR40 will indeed work perfectly. WiFi is a more nuanced situation.

• WiFi devices that connect to this RBR40 and are not mobile will be fine.
• WiFi devices that are mobile will not roam seamlessly between the primary 960 WiFi network and the RBR40 WiFi network.  Even if both are set to identical WiFi credentials (SSID/password), they remain separate networks.
  If the RBR40 has been placed in a location which had poor WiFi from the primary 960 system, you may observe that mobile devices struggle when moving around the house.  They may cling stubbornly to whichever WiFi unit they first connect with, even as performance drops.  They may switch from 5G to 2.4G connections.  If the device turns WiFi off and back on again, it will switch to the stronger WiFi signal.
  This issue is what caused 'mesh' WiFi systems to be created 8-10 years ago.  Prior to that, users expanded WiFi coverage by deploying separate WiFi access points and were frustrated by this roaming issue.
  
  Just something to be aware of.