Re: Orbi RBS750 Firmware Update When Satellite Won't Sync
I purchased the RBR750 and one RBS750 satellite earlier this year; it was fairly easy to set up. Everything worked fine, but 4 months later the satellite dropped its connection with the router and would not pair back up with the router. I replaced the satellite and it worked for about 4 months and then that satellite dropped its connection 2 days ago.
I spent a total of 10 hours over 2 days trying the numerous suggestions here in the Netgear Community and got some great advice. Glad I didn't give up. This morning the satellite paired back up with my router and everything is working fine. Here's what I learned that may be helpful to the average user, which is an aggregate of the advice I received here in the Community:
- The Orbi App is a useful guide to get you through the pairing process to a point. I also had the browser version of of my Orbi web browser interface open while pairing to monitor the progress, which was very helpful. The App and the browser interface were not always reflecting the same status of the pairing process or the status of my network. The browser interface was more accurate; I had to keep closing the App and re-opening it before its status aligned with what I saw on the web browser interface.
- To start the pairing process I unplugged the satellite for about 5 minutes. Then I started the pairing process on the App by selecting "Add Satellite" and following the steps on the App. NOTE: About 30 seconds before I got the solid blue LED light on the satellite, the web browser interface showed the status of the satellite was "Good" (in green letters).
- Once the solid blue LED came on the App told me "Satellite Not Found." As long as the web browser interface is showing your satellite is "Good" in green letters, ignore what the App is telling you and trust the solid blue LED on the satellite -- let it do it's thing, which could take 2+ minutes.
- When the solid blue LED went out, the satellite was paired according to the web browser interface. However, the App said it wasn't paired. I closed the App and re-opened it - then it showed the satellite was paired with the router.
Here's an anomaly I can't explain, but I followed the advice of one contributer here in the Community. He recommended bringing the satellite into the same room with the router to do the pairing. When it wasn't pairing, he suggested leaving the satellite plugged in overnight in the same room with the router. I did this, and the satellite paired successfully this morning.
-- But get this: yesterday the firmware on my router was version 4.6.5.14, and the web browser interface indicated no firmware update was available. This morning, after sitting overnight the firmware version on the router and the satellite had updated to 4.6.9.11, which is the current version. So thanks to those contributers who advised the satellite and the router won't synch unless the firmware is the same on router and satellite. I may be wrong, but I think this was part of the problem.
In sum:
1. When using the App to pair, ignore the App when it tells you the satellite cannot be found. Trust the solid blue LED.
2. Have the Orbi web browser interface open when pairing to monitor your progress.
3. If all else fails in the pairing process plug in the satellite and leave it in the same room with the router all day or all night. Then come back and try pairing again.
4. Check the status of your firmware on the Orbi web browser interface on a regular basis to make sure everything is up to date on your router and satellite(s).
So why do the satellites drop their connections and become so hard to pair back up with the router? I don't know....but after spending $800 on this system I expect more from Negear. Many many users are having the same problem. My neighbor has a Eero system that costs half as much, and he has had no problems at all for over a year. Just sayin'....
