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Forum Discussion
OrbiOutdoorHelp
May 28, 2020Aspirant
Need Help Setting Up Orbi Outdoor RBS50
Hi folks, I'm brand new too the Orbi club, and I'm hoping some kind soul who is smarter than myself can help me figure out why I'm unable to set up my new Orbi Outdoor range extender properly. I ...
- May 28, 2020
Yes, they could have explained that better. Technically, you ARE "using the Orbi router", only the router is in Access Point "mode". It is still the Orbi router (says so on the box). Customers should not have to parse terminology to install a product.
CrimpOn
May 28, 2020Guru - Experienced User
OrbiOutdoorHelp wrote:Hi folks,
I'm brand new too the Orbi club, and I'm hoping some kind soul who is smarter than myself can help me figure out why I'm unable to set up my new Orbi Outdoor range extender properly. I am a mildly tech-savvy mom, but not super confident I'm doing everything right.
Yesterday I was able to set up the Orbi AC2200 Mesh system with 2 satellites all by myself and it seems too be working great! Because I'm a Verizon FIOS customer with TV service enabled, I learned online that I had to set it up in Access Point (AP) mode and keep my existing FIOS router, so I did that. So far so good. Internet speeds are blazing fast.
Now today I'm attempting to add the Orbi Outdoor AC3000 extender into the mix so that we can get coverage in our backyard, but it's not going well. I've attempted to connect the Outdoor unit three different times so far, but keep getting the dreaded magenta light which means it's not connecting properly.
Here are the exact steps I'm following, per the user manual:
First, I made the determination that my Orbi Outdoor needs to be set up in "Extender Mode" since I do not have an "Orbi Router" (why? because my Orbi AC2000 unit is being used in AP mode, not router mode. I am still using my existing FIOS router). Not sure if this was the correct choice.
I think that was the wrong choice. RBS50Y has two "modes" (a) to be part an Orbi network and (b) to be connected to any WiFi router of any brand (including Netgear "non-Orbi" WiFi networks - and sacrifice all of the "Orbi integration features".
- OrbiOutdoorHelpMay 28, 2020Aspirant
Hmm OK, so you are saying I need to try this again in "Orbi Mode" which is the default, huh? I will give that a try!
I guess I got confused because the very 1st step in the user guide says this:
"Extender mode: Set up your satellite in extender mode if you have a router or gateway that is NOT an Orbi router." I was thinking that since I'm still technically using my FIOS router, that this mode applied to me.
I will try Orbi Mode instead and see what happens and report back. Thanks!
- CrimpOnMay 28, 2020Guru - Experienced User
Yes, they could have explained that better. Technically, you ARE "using the Orbi router", only the router is in Access Point "mode". It is still the Orbi router (says so on the box). Customers should not have to parse terminology to install a product.
- OrbiOutdoorHelpMay 29, 2020Aspirant
Just wanted to circle back and say thank you SO MUCH for helping me out! I got my Orbi Outdoor satellite all set up and running and the wifi strength in my backyard has never been better. I feel like a dummy for not realizing the main Orbi unit is also still a "router" even though I'm using it in AP mode. I guess I was over-thinking those setup instructions!