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Forum Discussion
Netgear-Guest Open and Disabling Firmware Updates
As many have reported I often see a Netgear-Guest Open WiFi Network even when Guest Networks are disabled.
I trraced the issue to one of my 3 satelittes - an RBS50Y.
Netgear lists two firmware versions (for Orbi Mode on the RBS50Y on their website).
- Version 2.6.2.104
- Version 2.3.5.32
When the RBS50Y runs 2.6.2.104 the Netgear-Guest Open WiFi Network is there when the RBS50Y runs 2.3.5.32 its gone. So I keep loading the 2.3.5.32 firmware to the RBS50Y (fixing the issue) and the RBS50Y keeps automatically updating its firmware to 2.6.2.104 and the issue comes back....
From other posts here it seems that Netgear stopped doing automatic firmare updates on the Orbis but I no longer see that option in the browser interface.
So really 2 issues
- Can Netgear please stop the appearance on the Netgear-Guest Open WiFi Network I have seen this reported for at least a couple of years.
- How to stop the RBS50Y from updating its firmware (2.3.5.32 is still listed on the website so supposedly still current?)
Thanks
32 Replies
Did you factory reset the RBSY unit after the FW is updated and then set it up from scratch to see if the GN still appears?
FURRYe38 wrote:Did you factory reset the RBSY unit after the FW is updated and then set it up from scratch to see if the GN still appears?
Yes
Vandergraff wrote:As many have reported I often see a Netgear-Guest Open WiFi Network even when Guest Networks are disabled.
Is "Netgear-Guest" the actual name of the Orbi guest network that is disabled? (I created a diffferent guest SSID on my Orbi.)
I remember Vandergraff "open" guest network posts very well.
Suspect much more a sync or update problem from the primary router where the config happens to the various satellite models supported somehow.
This still happens on "modern" WiFi 6 Orbis, sometimes in wireless backhaul, sometimes in wired backhaul configuration.
schumaku wrote:I remember Vandergraff "open" guest network posts very well.
Suspect much more a sync or update problem from the primary router where the config happens to the various satellite models supported somehow.
This still happens on "modern" WiFi 6 Orbis, sometimes in wireless backhaul, sometimes in wired backhaul configuration.
The thing is it is quite repeatable.
When the RBS50Y runs 2.6.2.104 the Netgear-Guest Open WiFi Network is there when the RBS50Y runs 2.3.5.32 its gone.
Thanks
CrimpOn wrote:
Vandergraff wrote:As many have reported I often see a Netgear-Guest Open WiFi Network even when Guest Networks are disabled.
Is "Netgear-Guest" the actual name of the Orbi guest network that is disabled? (I created a diffferent guest SSID on my Orbi.)
No its not the name of the disabled Guest Network (I also used a different guest SSID). I never set up a Guest Network with the name "Netgear-Guest"
Thanks
One thing to add on all of this - I had the same problem on the RBS50Y re the netgear_guest, and it was on regardless of having the guest network enabled or not on the other satellites with a different SSID when version 2.6.2.104 was installed
Taking the satellite back to 2.3.5.32 solved the issue. However, one thing I discovered after I went back to the prior firmware is that the latest version seemed to be stored in the satellite - so on reset to factory settings the firmware seems to be upgraded back to the latest version that causes the issue (this may explain some of the comments re the firmware is automatically updated). It looks like on reset to factory settings you then also need to do a re application of the older firmware version.
- To be clear - not complaining about auto updates - I was prompted to take the latest firmware and agreed.
The complaint would be that the most recent firmware has a bug in it that seems to create an open guest network on the rbs50y outdoor satellite.
This is fixed by going back to the previous version of the firmware - which would imply it is a bug somewhere (or there are a lot of users out there who don’t know how to use the system as it seems to be a common problem with these outdoor devices)
However, if you do a factory reset the satellite seems to auto install the latest version of the firmware and so the issue comes back. Easily solved by reinstalling the earlier firmware, but irritating.
It is only an issue with the outdoor 50y - I have three other indoor satellites and these do not suffer from the issue
Sundried wrote:Taking the satellite back to 2.3.5.32 solved the issue. However, one thing I discovered after I went back to the prior firmware is that the latest version seemed to be stored in the satellite - so on reset to factory settings the firmware seems to be upgraded back to the latest version that causes the issue (this may explain some of the comments re the firmware is automatically updated). It looks like on reset to factory settings you then also need to do a re application of the older firmware version.
Yes that is probably what I was seeing. Per FURRYe38 recommendations I (repeatedly) tried doing a factory reset. That was probably what kept loading the latest firmware.
Going back to 2.3.5.32 always solved the issue - no recent factory resets and still on 2.3.5.32 and everything good on the outdoor RBS50Y - and yes it's just the RBS50Y. My other RBS50 satellites run fine on their latest firmware.
Hi, All,
This has been brought up already and the product team are investigating on the issue.
Vandergraff Retired_Member Sundried
Please check your inbox. I have sent you a message requesting for more information.Regards,
Blanca
Community Team
I just added a new RBS50Y and updated to firmware 2.6.2.104, and I'm seeing the same issue with both the Netgear-Guest SSID and the SSID I created for my guest network both being broadcast without the guest network being enabled. I realize a fix is in the works, but I just wanted to chime in.
I did try connecting to both of the guest SSIDs, and I noticed that they do not have a internet connection, so they appear to be more of an annoyance than a security issue. I also tried manually configuring my network settings to see if I could get internet access on either SSID, and no dice.
Please contact a forum moderator for help and information regarding this:
pdeethardt wrote:I just added a new RBS50Y and updated to firmware 2.6.2.104, and I'm seeing the same issue with both the Netgear-Guest SSID and the SSID I created for my guest network both being broadcast without the guest network being enabled. I realize a fix is in the works, but I just wanted to chime in.
I did try connecting to both of the guest SSIDs, and I noticed that they do not have a internet connection, so they appear to be more of an annoyance than a security issue. I also tried manually configuring my network settings to see if I could get internet access on either SSID, and no dice.
- This is happening to me also.. Any Fix??? ON the latest version of the RBS50Y Firmware. Thanks
I see that firmware version 2.7.3.22 was released for the RBS50Y on July 30th. Has anyone tried updating yet, and does it resolve the phanton guest SSIDs? I plan on updating my system tomorrow.
Yes pdeethardt - at least mine appears to have auto-updated to that version on my RBR50 and RBS50Y and the phantom Netgear-Guest network that was previously being announced from the RBS50Y has disappeared.
