TL;DR: Can I use the Orbi CBK40 as a router only? If so, are there some simple instructions to follow to do so?
I switched from cable to fiber recently. The fiber company installed a new modem and router, replacing my Orbi. I believe the model number is CBK40; the mesh plus cable modem. I at least know it's a combine router + modem, not one of the router-only models. Anyway, I've been unhappy with the Wi-Fi coverage in the house since the upgrade (in technician promised it would be fine, but I suspect that with the new locatino of the modem, it has to travel through a number of walls, including a wardrobe full of clothes and some kitchen cabinets, to get to the TV, which is where we notice the worst performance). I was thinking I should replace the router with a mesh or get an extender; then I remembered I still have the Orbi, but also remembered that it was a modem as well...
I don't have that device to test with but some of the older modem/router combo devices you could turn into a sort of access point. Not a router because you have to disable dhcp.
you can try that and see if it works. if no, you can usually find used rbr50/40's on ebay because people will buy the kits for the satellites and resell the router.
You can use the CBR40 in a faux AP mode configuration. This works. As @plemans mentioned, it won't work in a router mode only configuration. You can change it to modem only mode and then connect up a external router of your choice.
