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Forum Discussion
Orbi and EX8000
I recently replaced my R6400 and EX8000 extender with an Orbi RBK40 and one satellite. However, I need an ethernet port in the room where the etender was previously located so I tried to get the EX8...
Jazzper2 wrote:I recently replaced my R6400 and EX8000 extender with an Orbi RBK40 and one satellite. However, I need an ethernet port in the room where the etender was previously located so I tried to get the EX8000 to connect to the Orbi. I go thru its configuration and it sees the SSID and accepts the passkey but then it say it's not connected. I even tried setting it up right next to the Orbi and got the same results. I don't understand why the EX8000 cannot connect to the Orbi via WiFi -- are they not compatible? Running an ethernet cable out to the other room is not an option. If for some reason the EX8000 and Orbi are not compatible (why?), are there other options or should I just return the Orbi?
I think your EX8000 should work with your new Orbi, or any other wifi router, so it is confusing that you're unable to connect it. Unfortunately the troubleshooting recommendations haven't worked for you so far.
As a workaround, since you just need an ethernet port access, how about using your old R6400 just as a wireless bridge to your Orbi network? It can provide ethernet port access as you were trying to setup your EX8000. Example bridge setup instructions are here (this is for a different Netgear model but the instructions should be similar): https://kb.netgear.com/24105/What-is-bridge-mode-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Nighthawk-router
Thx. This does look like the best alternative - pending an answer from NG tech support. I was hoping to be able to give my router to a friend but I'm going to give this a shot.
Hopefully there's nothing in these Orbi's that would prohibit bridging to them-:)
Again, thanks all for your suggestions.
I'm still very confused. Using the WPS buttons to connect a device to WiFi involves NO "entering passkeys". That's the whole point of having a button. (which some people describe as a horrible security breach, but that's a different topic.)
There is no setup. Power it up. Press the WPS button. Press the other WPS button. Lights come on. New WiFi SSID's appear with the same password as the primary WiFi router. Once it is working, then the user can access the management interface and change settings.
- Sorry. Should have been more specific added that WPS did not connect the EX8000 to the Orbi. So I connected an Ethernet cable to it and went thru its setup that way. It gave me the New Setup screens and after entering the appropriate info, it still would not connect.
