Firmware Orbi RBK50

You are asking a question that has no easy answer.

• For many of us, firmware 2.5.1.8 "works great".  No problems.
• A significant number of people experience a bizzare assortment of issues.  Dropped internet.  Devices missing.  System restarting. Sometimes these issues disappear if the Orbi is "Factory Reset" with 2.5.1.8.  Sometimes people are so frustrated that they manually download and install 2.3.5.30 from summer, 2019.
• Voxel's custom firmware also "works great" for many people.  I have tried it myself and had zero problems.

So, the number one question is, "Is your Orbi working OK?  Are you having any problems that you want to fix?"  If not, leave it alone and count yourself lucky.  It sounds like you are not happy with 2.5.1.8, so you have two options (1) "go back" to 2.3.5.30  or try Voxel.

This is not a happy situation in "Orbi Land."

Try a factory reset on the RBR and RBS if you haven't tried this after loading v2.5.1.8. If this fails to fix what your seeing, then you can down grade. You can also try Voxels 3rd party FW for Orbi as well:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Voxels-FW-available-for-50-series-Orbi-only-available/m-p/1839431?search-action-id=200181015545&search-result-uid=1839431

Suggestions to try as well:

What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router

What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?

Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings

Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).

Above suggestions working:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Throttling-Devices-RBK53/m-p/1858561/highlight/true#M81925
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-model-RBR50-keeps-dropping-connection-during-Zoom-calls/m-p/1874136/highlight/true#M84647

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HoangNa297 wrote:

Which firmware is best for Netgear Orbi Rbk50? In 2017, I started using Netgear Orbi rbk50. That is my favourite firmware, but I don't remember that. The latest version( 2.5.1.8 ) the coverage is not extensive; it seems that upgrading NETGEAR makes my router run slower, the throughput is very bad, it's about 200 to 300Mbps. Should I use the custom firmware or downgrade stock firmware?

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