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I recently purchase an Orbi mesh wifi system with an RBR750 router and 2 RBS350 satellites. I set up the system and and I’ve noticed that all my devices are connecting directly to the primary router, but none to the satellites. I’ve power cycling all the router and satellites after downloading the latest firmware 4.6.9.11 and it’s not working. It’s frustrating me so much, that I’m thinking of returning the system and getting a different brand mesh system. Help. TIA
So I was to resolve the issue by log in directly to the satellites by entering in their generated IP address. Through their I could see the devices currently attached to each satellite. I was not able to do this through the app, as I had with my TP-Link Deco app previously. It’s pretty disappointing that such a well known networking company like Netgear has such a bad app. But it is what it is. Thanks to everyone who made suggestions.
Are the RBS350s using same version of FW as the RBR?
Was the RBS working before you updated FW?
What version of FW had been loaded previously?
Have you factory reset the RBR and RBS by pressing the reset button for 15 seconds then release and walk thru the setup wizard with a wired PC and web browser. I would have the RBS in the same room as the RBR when you setup the system from scratch.
If you ethernet connect the RBS to the back of the RBR, do they appear on the RBRs web page under connected devices at all?
It’s the devices that should choose which AP to connect to not Orbi. I have a similar setup as yours, but RBR850 with 3 RBS350 satellites, and I see all “smart devices” always selecting the best AP. But there are some “sticky” devices that will always connect to the node that comes up first (usually the RBR) and will keep sticking to that node. The only thing you can do to those devices is to restart them so when they come back they will instead select the closest satellite.
So I did a hard reset on both the routers and satellites today, and went through the installation process again. I followed all the steps perfectly, and got the same results as yesterday. The router recognizes both satellites. Both satellites are connected via a wired backhaul. My issue remains the same, all my devices will only connect to the main router. My satellites don’t pick up any devices. I thought I purchased a mesh wifi system, not a router with two extenders.
I have a 2 story 3000 squared foot home, so it’s important all my devices get sufficient wifi coverage. I installed the primary router and a satellite on one floor, and the second satellite on another with less connectable items.
I previously had a Basic TP-Link mesh system and it worked well. My devices would connect to the closest node or satellite. This system does not seem to do it, and it has been very frustrating. If I can’t get this fixed I will have to return the product.
Questions please: 1) f you switch off a device that is currently connected to the Orbi router and switch it on again, will it then connect to the nearest satellite? 2) what type of devices do you see this issue with? Phones? Security cameras? ……
EKhalil, to answer your question I have not seen any devices connect directly to the satellites. I could. W right next to the satellite and turn off the wifi on my cell phone, and then turn on the wifi. The phone will automatically reconnect to the primary router. This is frustrating me to no end.
@Jcabrera108 wrote: EKhalil, to answer your question I have not seen any devices connect directly to the satellites. I could. W right next to the satellite and turn off the wifi on my cell phone, and then turn on the wifi. The phone will automatically reconnect to the primary router. This is frustrating me to no end.
You're using RBR750 together with RBS350 satellites. In this case the RBR750 can transmit at a specific 5 GHz channel and the RBS350 on other channels. Can you please use a wifi scanner and check which frequencies those are in the current setup (both the 5 and 2.4 GHz channels please).
You can find many apps that can make wifi scanners. If you use a MacBook there is a built in wifi scanner.
So I was to resolve the issue by log in directly to the satellites by entering in their generated IP address. Through their I could see the devices currently attached to each satellite. I was not able to do this through the app, as I had with my TP-Link Deco app previously. It’s pretty disappointing that such a well known networking company like Netgear has such a bad app. But it is what it is. Thanks to everyone who made suggestions.
The app shows you the devices connected to each satellite. In the app, choose network map and click on each satellite to see all devices attached to that satellite. The same information is also available under “Attached Devices”
What is the firmware on the satellites? If you have the latest then you should see a picture of the RBS350. What you attached shows a picture of RBS50. I think I had it this way few releases back. Please make sure to upgrade the satellites to 4.6.9.11
@ekhalil, my main router is running V4.6.9.11, I don’t see the firmware listed for the satellites. You can see the attached picture to see for yourself. When I get home I will sign in to each and find out.
@ekhalil I was able to update the firmware of the satellites to latest 4.6.9.11 version. I had to manually download the firmware and upload it through the website (the satellite’s IP address). That fixed the issue and I can now see the connected devices via the app. Thanks for all of your help. Much appreciated.
