Let me start by saying I am "network stupid." That's why I'm here asking what I hope are easy questions for you guys. I have the Orbi mesh router system in my home. I have the RBR50 connected to the RBS50. Worked great. I wanted to extend my network to my dock which is about 250' away from the house, obstructed by some trees and in a neighborhood, so probably other network interference too. I bought the RBS50Y and put it on my dock. Now, when I built the house I ran ethernet to the dock. I didn't realize the RBS50Y didn't have an ethernet port. At 250' from the house the RBs50Y didn't pick up the network at all. So, I moved the RBS50Y into the house and put the RBS50 on my dock, plugged into the ethernet cable (it is in a small storage room and not directly in the weather). This configuration worked great! However, this spring the RBS50 doesn't work anymore: no light, no connection. I expected this would happend since it isn't an outdoor model, but it worked for a summer. My question is, what should I do to extend my network to the dock? With the Orbit router in the house directly connected to the dock with ethernet, can I just get a Netgear extender or access point? Which product would work best? Thanks for your help.
Yes you can just get a regular extender or access point. If you get an extender, just make sure it supports access point mode. The cheap base models don't.
But you can also pick up a used/new/refurbed satellite to use. this would at least keep everything on the orbi network.
And I'd recommend bringing the satellite inside for the winter. The large temp changes are usually what cause the issues.
did you check the power supply on the broken device? The rbr50 and rbs50 should use the same power supply. Try plugging the rbs in with the rbr's power supply and see if its a power supply issue.
Thank you for your response. It is truly appreciated! I brought the broken device into the house and plugged it in about 6' from the Orbi router. Recycled, etc, but still no light from the broken device. The power light is on but I get nothing. I don't see any "outdoor" access points from Netgear other than the RBS50Y, which doesn't work for me. Rather than spend money on another Orbi satellite, even a less expensive refurbished one, I think I'll try the wired access point now that you have confirmed that should work for me. Thank you very much for your help.
Or once you've tried that, even opening up the broken orbi to see if there's any visible issues. maybe corrosion on the power plug/board from the outdoors?
I simply brought it indoors from the dock and plugged it into a wall outlet. I don't know how to open up an Orbi device and if I did, I wouldn't be confident to plug it in again. I am also "electricity stupid." With my lack of knowledge I think I'm better off just buying an access point that is rated for the outdoors. Thank you!
but try the power supply trick. Thats the cord that powers on the orbi. the rbr50 uses the same cord as the rbs50. and if the power brick went bad from the weather, they're cheap to replace. its an easy test and would cost nothing. simply connect the broken rbs50 to the rbr50's power plug.
Then try the power button a couple times. push hold, etc. if there's corrosion in the on/off button, clicking it several times or pushing and holding, and pushing holding the reset isn't going to hurt anything and isn't challenging for someone "electrically stupid". 🙂
Another thing you can try is check to see if its still within warranty. they might not cover it but its worth a chance.
click mynetgear at the top, register an account, and then your device. From there you can access rma/warranty info for that device.
10 minutes of time to see if it can possible be replaced. Again, probably still cheaper than buying an AP/extender and the time to check doesn't cost anything.
