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Forum Discussion
Cannot connect Orbi satellite
I recently purchased a refurbished Netgear Orbi RBR50 System with on RBS50 satellite off Ebay. (I actually purchased two systems, one of which is working perfectly, and which I've gifted to someone).
I'm having a problem with the second system (which I want to install for my own use). According to the records from the Netgear website, it's a year old (purchased by the original buyer in November 2017).
Basically, the satellite does not connect with the main unit at all -- the two units are just not communicating, even if they're right next to each other. The ring LED on the main unit pulses for a while on initial switch on, and then shuts off (I've set up, and am able to connect to the internet perfectly with the main unit as a single router).
The ring LED on the satellite however, just keeps flashing continuously (not pulsing, but flashing). I've tried to make it connect through the Orbilogin website; with the Orbi app on my Android; and with the sync buttons on both devices -- no luck whatsoever.
Some relevant points which may help diagnosis by any helpful soul:
1. On opening the Orbilog webpage, the first message I got was:
"NETGEAR Important Update
To avoid a conflict with your Internet service provider, your Orbi router's IP address was updated to 10.0.0.1"
- Which is fine, as my modem is set to 192.168.1.1, and it's not something I can fiddle with.
2. On first switching the router on, the firmware was massively out of date (V1 point something), I updated it through the Orbilogin webpage.
It would seem to me that (possibly) the satellite iisn't connecting because it needs to update; AND/OR the IP address issue is preventing it from connecting (the satellite may be looking for something with a 192.x.x.x IP. However, this is just my view, and what do I know (!)
Possibly, I could start with getting the satellite updated. How do I do this manually? I've seem some instructions on the Netgear support website (and have downloaded the update firmware zip package), but, there's another download which Netgear calls for -- possibly the updater software itself -- the problem is, the link provided by Netgear leads to a non-functional page, so I'm unable to proceed.
Would appreciate any help in getting the satellite updated, AND getting it to connect with the main router.
Thanks
PS. I realize I may not have been able to provide all the necessary information in this post, but can clarify further as required
26 Replies
- It looks like both Orbi and your ISP modem are in Router Mode. Please make sure that the ISP modem is bridged if you want the Orbi to provide router functionality. If you can't bridge the ISP modem then you need to set Orbi in AP Mode.
- It also looks like the Satellite has a pre-set IP address. I would start by resetting the Satellite to factory settings by inserting a paperclip in the reset hole and keep it presse for around 10 seconds, then (when the Satellite's ring starts pulsating) press the Sync button in the Router to make them sync.
rkr3orbi wrote:
To avoid a conflict with your Internet service provider, your Orbi router's IP address was updated to 10.0.0.1"- Which is fine, as my modem is set to 192.168.1.1, and it's not something I can fiddle with.
This suggests that you are trying to add an Orbi in router mode to an existing router. If that is the case then you might do better to put the Orbi into access point mode before you add it to your network.
Modem Combo Units:
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router.
rkr3orbi wrote:
I recently purchased a refurbished Netgear Orbi RBR50 System with on RBS50 satellite off Ebay. (I actually purchased two systems, one of which is working perfectly, and which I've gifted to someone).
I'm having a problem with the second system (which I want to install for my own use). According to the records from the Netgear website, it's a year old (purchased by the original buyer in November 2017).
Basically, the satellite does not connect with the main unit at all -- the two units are just not communicating, even if they're right next to each other. The ring LED on the main unit pulses for a while on initial switch on, and then shuts off (I've set up, and am able to connect to the internet perfectly with the main unit as a single router).
The ring LED on the satellite however, just keeps flashing continuously (not pulsing, but flashing). I've tried to make it connect through the Orbilogin website; with the Orbi app on my Android; and with the sync buttons on both devices -- no luck whatsoever.
Some relevant points which may help diagnosis by any helpful soul:
1. On opening the Orbilog webpage, the first message I got was:
"NETGEAR Important Update
To avoid a conflict with your Internet service provider, your Orbi router's IP address was updated to 10.0.0.1"- Which is fine, as my modem is set to 192.168.1.1, and it's not something I can fiddle with.
2. On first switching the router on, the firmware was massively out of date (V1 point something), I updated it through the Orbilogin webpage.
It would seem to me that (possibly) the satellite iisn't connecting because it needs to update; AND/OR the IP address issue is preventing it from connecting (the satellite may be looking for something with a 192.x.x.x IP. However, this is just my view, and what do I know (!)
Possibly, I could start with getting the satellite updated. How do I do this manually? I've seem some instructions on the Netgear support website (and have downloaded the update firmware zip package), but, there's another download which Netgear calls for -- possibly the updater software itself -- the problem is, the link provided by Netgear leads to a non-functional page, so I'm unable to proceed.
Would appreciate any help in getting the satellite updated, AND getting it to connect with the main router.
Thanks
PS. I realize I may not have been able to provide all the necessary information in this post, but can clarify further as required
Hello, and thanks for the quick responses. Much obliged!
So, I've figured out the IP issue and resolved it -- I set my modem to 10.0.0.1, turned off the wifi radios in the modem, then reset the Orbi Router, and did a fresh install. I also set the Orbi to AP mode. This time it didn't give me the message that it was changing the IP, and it looks like everything on the main router is set up fine (it's at 192.168.1.1).
However, I still cannot get the satellite to communicate with the main router; Immediately on switching the satellite on, the ring LED starts blinking (not pulsing) white, and no amount of syncing (either through the hardware sync switches, or through any of the apps) will get the main router or the orbilogin interface to see the satellite. (This of course would mean that the satelllite is still on the older firmware.)
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
rkr3orbi wrote:
......
However, I still cannot get the satellite to communicate with the main router; Immediately on switching the satellite on, the ring LED starts blinking (not pulsing) white, and no amount of syncing (either through the hardware sync switches, or through any of the apps) will get the main router or the orbilogin interface to see the satellite. (This of course would mean that the satelllite is still on the older firmware.)
Any suggestions?
Only for testing, can you please test to connect a cable between the LAN ports of the Router and Satellite and see if the will find each other this way.
If they will find each other then you can also update the Satellite's FW, before trying again wirelessly.
Swap around satellites to see if there is a problem with a particular satellite.
Well, I connected the main router and satellite with an Ethernet cable, then switched the satellite on. No change whatsoever. The ring LED on the satellite just keeps flashing as soon as power is switched on. Any effort to sync the two manually also has no effect at all.
I also tried resetting the satellite with a clip while turning the power on -- all that happens is that its power LED glows a steady red (doesn't change).
Is there some specific procedure to be followed while making the connection?
Or else the next step, I suppose, is to try to physically upload the latest firmware to the satellite through my computer. If that doesn't work, then I'm resigned to using the satellite unit as a paperweight. Which is a pity, since the other unit which I purchased and gave away (also second-hand) worked perfectly.
On a somewhat related unit, after switching the modem to bridge mode, I find I'm unable to connect to it with the IP I'd set it to earlier, 10.0.0.1 (I can't seem to access it through the Orbi). Any idea of how to fix this?
Thanks for all the responses. Still open to any thoughts!
BTW, I just have the main router and one satellite (so the option of any switching of satellites
isn't available).
Are you looking at the top of the satellite after you set it and seeing the top led flash WHITE, then pulsate WHITE Slowly? If not, then it's possible the satellite is bad and needs to be replaced.
FURRYe38 wrote:
Are you looking at the top of the satellite after you set it and seeing the top led flash WHITE, then pulsate WHITE Slowly? If not, then it's possible the satellite is bad and needs to be replaced.
No, that's the thing, it flashes white continuously, ON-OFF -- never goes into pulsating mode. (I know the difference; the main router did the flash-then-pulsate).
Possible that the satellite is bad and needs to be replaced if it's not getting to the pulsating WHITE mode. I would contact NG support and ask for help on this.
rkr3orbi wrote:
FURRYe38 wrote:
Are you looking at the top of the satellite after you set it and seeing the top led flash WHITE, then pulsate WHITE Slowly? If not, then it's possible the satellite is bad and needs to be replaced.
No, that's the thing, it flashes white continuously, ON-OFF -- never goes into pulsating mode. (I know the difference; the main router did the flash-then-pulsate).
