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Forum Discussion
Musings of an Orbi Firmware Update
I own an Orbi RBR50v2 with three satellites. I’ve often checked for firmware updates via my iPhone’s Orbi app. Before the update, the firmware version was V2.7.3.22. Each time the iPhone app informed me there was no available firmware update. I decided to double-check whether an update was available, and sure enough, firmware version V2.7.4.24 was available for the hardware. From what I read on the Netgear Community page, a manual update using a connected cable to a laptop was the way to ensure no problems down the line.
I followed the directions per the documentation specific to my model of Orbi. I decided to factory reset, then resync then firmware update each consecutive satellite. I also unplugged each satellite for a couple of minutes to hard boot it. The instructions recommended I complete the satellite updates first and update the router last. I initially discovered I was incorrectly trying to update each satellite with the router firmware; RBR50-V2.7.4.24.img.
The correct firmware for my satellites is RBS50-V2.7.4.24.img. But I now see that the router is showing the firmware version is up to date as V2.7.4.24. I wonder if the router got updated by proxy when I attempted to update a satellite. I’m hesitant to factory reset the router, but perhaps I should? The WiFi is working fine now, but I want to cover all the bases. Any thoughts? 🤔
4 Replies
Hi jeberhawk,
I understand that you were able to update your RBR50 to the latest released firmware v2.7.4.24. There is no need to factory reset your device once it has successfully been updated.
Firmware updates are pushed out in increments over a period of time. The reason your Orbi app did not detect the updated firmware is because the firmware was not pushed out to your device. However, it is still available for use via manually update.
Best,
Kevin
Community Team
Hi jeberhawk
The Orbi app or the admin page on the router won't report a new version is available until Netgear formally mark as production release, even though you can manually find the new release on their support downloads page. They do an early release first. My Orbi was reporting no updates but I found the new one and proceeded manually like you.
I have recently updated my RBR50v2 and RBS50v2 from the same version as you to that same newer one as you, but my outdoor satellite is still on the older version as Netgear hasn't released the newer version for the outdoor satellite yet. I tried the RBS firmware but it rejected it so the indoor and outdoor use a different image file. I got a bit confused in the update menus with selecting the correct image file for the RBR versus the RBS but they reject the wrong one. The tick boxes are not immediately intuitive in the update process so I think I once updated the RBR first when you should do the RBS first.
I always update my router and indoor satellite from the admin page via a browser on my Mac and not the Orbi app as I prefer to be more directly in control. I use the Orbi apps lots for observations but not for updates. If find this easiest provided I do the satellite first. I have never needed to factory reset like others seem to require or prefer to completely do a fresh install. I always take a backup first. I usually power cycle them afterwards and restart the Orbi app to force it to refresh and flush stuff. Sometimes a satellite doesn't sync quickly after a reboot but leaving it 5 mins sorts it or I manually sync from the admin page and follow the instructions.
I lost internet completely after an update last year but this was fixed by rebooting my ISP's fibre NTU that Ethernet connects to my RBR50, so the uplink WAN auto negotiation must have got confused by the update. Mostly though everything comes back after power cuts (DIY jobs on the house) and the satellite's eventually sync on their own - it's not always immediately, may be 5 unless I force a sync. I sometimes need to kill the Orbi app on the iPhone and reopen to refresh it after a system reboot.
jeff
