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Forum Discussion
New Orbi firmware 2.1.2.18 update issues?
I noticed that there was a new firmware version 2.1.2.18 for Orbi RBK50. Has anyone installed this version, and has there been any issues after the installation. Please provide any details that you may have.
Thanks,
Dave
334 Replies
I wanted to post an update for anyone who may be joining this list late who may have missed my earlier posts.
It appears that the issues with my router were solved by the Google Play Services beta fix. I installed the fix on all our Android phones. I have not experienced any issues at all in the week since the fix was installed.
Google's bug with their "cast" protocol had affected me since I have multiple Google Homes/Minis and Chromecast devices. Whenever an Android phone would be unlocked, the chances were good that our Orbi router would reboot. This problem started around mid-December.
My Android phones are running Google Play Services 11.9.75 beta.
My Orbi router is setup as an Access Point and it is running the 2.1.2.18 firmware. The only changes to the default configuration is that:
- I unchecked (turned off) "Enable Daisy-Chain Topology"
- I checked (turned on) "Enable Implicit BEAMFORMING"
- I checked "Enable MU-MIMO"
- I checked "Enable Fast Roaming"
I hope this information can help someone else. I'm finally loving my wifi again.
- 1 Android phone on my network now running Google play services beta. 1 Chromecast now turned back on. Total of about 28 devices and now at 10 full days without a reboot on either router or satellite. Say what you will about some other people's situations, but for me, Orbi is now solid, fast, and has amazing range. No dead spots anywhere in house in fact good coverage from sidewalk to backyard.
I'm still holding out on firmware V2.0.0.74 on my Orbi system. Awoke a couple days ago with the units auto updated to the newer firmware and left it running to test it. My problems with high packet loss returned. Downgraded back to V2.0.0.74 and disabled auto updated via NVRAM. I'll just wait for NETGEAR to release an actual update that works.
MORE JUNK FIRMWARE AGAIN!
I was on 2.0.0.74 and disabled auto-update after the 2.1.1.16 farce and went back to 2.0.0.74. But, last night it autoupdated anyway to 2.1.2.18. (I must have missed something in nvram. Never mind, that's not the point I'm making here...) Now every time the xbox is switched on, the Orbi reboots! Go on, Netgear, you've spent the past month blaming Google for your own programmers' incompetence. I think it's about time you started blaming Microsoft? (Or, you could just, you know, get some decent programmers and maybe even splash out on a TEST TEAM? Here's a URL to help you https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_testing )
- Microsoft admitted several months ago to a XBox firmware issue causing identical issues to what you’re experiencing, but hasn’t yet fixed it in XBox firmware updates. Nor has Microsoft given a timeline as to whe they will fix it. All I can get out of Microsoft is that issue is the same as with Google’s Android and Chromecast; when waking or turning on XBox throws more than 100,000 packets at the router, forcing the router (every router not just Orbi) to reboot.
After updare wired connections failed for about 30 minutes then started working. Biggest problem is with S6 THAT STILL DROPS CONNECTION constantly, if not plugged in all night end up with dead battery many mornings. Keep wifi turned off except when using WIFI for some time. Obtained Arris WiFi as secondary and now connect S6 to it and it never drops signal, only problem is very low signaly strength at far end of home which is what I purchased the ORBI for in the first place. Ipads have only lost connection once or twice they seem to stay connected to ORBI. Hoped this version would correct the dropped connections on the S6 no luck. Maybe an S6 probem though my wifes S5 also drops off ORBI just much less frequently than mine. The the S5 did drop the connection once with the new version but the S6 is unusable.
- Try resetting the dhcp range by creating a new dhcp range. For example, instead of using 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.254, use 192.168.0.1 - 192.168.0.254. This will force dhcp to assign a whole new ip address to every device.
I believe the modem (or router) and/or connected devices are remembering the old settings (from the older firmware) and conflicting with the upgraded orbi.
The issue with the wifi drops is not exclusively an issue with Android devices. When the Orbi started flaking out in the last firmware fiasco I ended up picking up a Google Home for the main home network and it has been solid. I moved the Orbi system into the office where it handles Apple products and a few security cameras. There are NO Android devices on that network and it is a secured network. Even so, the Orbi has wifi drops which require it to be rebooted every week or so. There is something wrong with the firmware. At one point it was entirely stable, now its never stable for more than 5-7 days at a time.
The Google issue is not the problem. That's why everyone else has released a fix and it's still breaking for Netgear.
- Is it possible to load the orbi pro firmware on the orbi home ? As the orbi pros seem more stable ? I would try it but havnt bought one until these issues resolved.
Also any stats as to whether stability issues are region based or is this a global issue ?
This morning the system updated to 2.1.2.18 despite having configured my router not to do so through NVRAM. The result is that my satellite again does not connect to the router. This is really frustrating and unacceptable! Automatically being forced to update from a working system (firmware 2.0.0.74) to the messy 2.1.2.18. Why is there no solution available? The forum is full of customer complaints. Where are the people from Netgear? Why don't they provide advise to their customers? This is really unbelievable!
I will now downgrade again to 2.0.0.74 and really hope the Netgear provides some information to their customers on when we may expect a proper replacement firmware for 2.0.0.74
This situation is getting out of hand. 50% of the time my windows 10 64bit desktop (not early cycle), does not have a network connection in the morning. I have to turn off and back on wifi several times before it connects. The same for my wife's windows 10 64bit laptop. The connection state for our iphones (iphone 8, 8+, and ipad pro 10.5) is closer to 75-80% of the time.
Wireless connections from Brother MFC-L8850CDW printer, Ecobee 3, Sony Bluray player) and 1 wired connection for hunter douglas window shades.
No google thingys, no android, etc. Just a lot of frustrations.
Well, my persistence seems to have paid off. I've had ftp blocked in the dd-wrt firmware on my main router (R7800) for a couple of days now. And I haven't seen hide nor hair of the "there's newer firmware available" banner in the Advanced Status page of the Orbi (in AP mode), even though I'm on firmware version 2.1.1.16. So I think that this configuration is blocking auto-update for the time being. At least until Netgear changes their auto-update strategy in the Orbi firmware.
I could most likely determine what the IP address of the ftp site that's used by the Orbi for auto-update and just block that one ftp site via an iptables command added to the R7800 firewall. However, I don't access my home network remotely via ftp, and don't use ftp locally, either, so having ftp turned off is no problem for me. If I ever need it, I can unblock it temporarily. It's pretty easy to disable and enable access restrictions on dd-wrt.
Glad that I kept trying. Netgear could make this easier by providing the functionality in order to work-around a firmware version that doesn't play with the combination of clients that one has, but they choose not to for reasons that they've never bothered to explain. Most people want the latest firmware to get the latest security fixes and enhancements, but if a particular firmware version doesn't work for me, then I, the customer, should have the option to go back to one that does until the next firmware version appears.
It would be helpful if Netgear's Orbi web UI would provide a control to enable/disable auto update and also show the current setting. I can sympathize with a Netgear desire to "simplify" things for the user to provide a more friendly experience, but the firmware must be really good for this to work. This firmware is not there yet.
wrote:It would be helpful if Netgear's Orbi web UI would provide a control to enable/disable auto update...
Totally agree, and if enough users vote up the following post, we might get this issue resolved.
I believe that I've found a way to block auto-update, but it most likely isn't worth most people's time. And will create problems if you need ftp to access your home network remotely. Using dd-wrt on my "main" router (Orbi is in AP mode), when I block ftp, that prevents the Orbi from doing auto-update flashing. Not even seeing the "newer firmware available" banner on the Advanced Status page after almost 4 days.
I'd much rather see Netgear provide a method for blocking firmware auto-update when a particular firmware version doesn't play well with one's collection of home network clients. Rather than repeatedly forcing their users onto a firmware version that isn't working for them. And wasting the time of people like me that compulsively solve problems like these *smile*.
The Orbi has been very stable for me most of the last year that I've had it. V2.1.2.18 release is the first firmware version I've had a functional problem with in over a year of use. I'm currently evaluating whether it's worth it to me to spend the time to battle Netgear's firmware developers fervent desire that I stay on a firmware version that isn't working for my home network, versus giving me the tools to do make my home network functional. It would be much easier for Netgear to simply add a web admin interface switch to temporarily disable auto-update, versus all the time that I've spent in getting to the same place. Ending up having to disable part of my home network to accomplish the same goal.
maybe Netgear will fix Orbi correctly if enough people also upvote this:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Idea-Exchange-For-Home/I-would-like-the-Orbi-wifi-system-to-work-correctly-again/idi-p/1491327
FTP block doesn’t work. I have checkpoint firewall and Orbi is in AP mode. FTP, telnet, ssh all ports are blocked.
I downgraded orbi to .74 fw last night and this morning it came back to 2.18.
wrote:FTP block doesn’t work. I have checkpoint firewall and Orbi is in AP mode. FTP, telnet, ssh all ports are blocked.
I downgraded orbi to .74 fw last night and this morning it came back to 2.18.
I don't know what the checkpoint firewall is, but dd-wrt access restrictions in my main router are working for me. Are you using this firewall on your computer, or your router? It doesn't do any good to block ftp on your computer, since the Orbi is either a peer with your computer (if your computer is connected to your main router) or it's more towards the WAN than your computer (if your computer is connected to the Orbi), and ftp for the Orbi is not affected by firewalls run on your computer. If you're running the firewall on your main router (the one that the Orbi in AP mode is connected to), that might work.
I'm also blocking the web site "updates1.netgear.com", as well as ftp. Going on 5 days here, and don't even see the "newer firmware is available" banner at this point. Still on 2.1.1.16. So it's working for me, no sign of anything auto-update related going on.
Tired of fighting with the Orbi, giving the eero a try. So far, I'm very impressed. Have it in bridged mode (as an AP), and it is giving me solid, full speed wireless coverage across my house. Got the Pro gen 2 system, 3 "Pro" nodes. Have two nodes downstairs, one upstairs. Due to the low profile, you can put them just about anywhere. Setup took about 10 minutes, from "unboxing" to having a functioning mesh network, the app guides you through setup. The eero app is great, nice user interface, lots of information available. Think that I'm going to like it, I'm feeling more relaxed already *smile*. It just works, don't feel the need to monitor it all the time. No disconnects or problems since setup. Very happy at this point. It is early yet, though. Still have the Orbi, I can go back to it if I need or want to.
Have they addressed the issue of if you lose external internet that your internal network will go down?
I thought that was specifically if your Internet connection goes down, AND your gateway Eero device gets reset. But still lousy. The one thing I didn't like - dependency on cloud for configuration...
I thought I was all clear with any Google/Android related issues since all my devices have updated and I was approaching 7 days of uptime, which is unheard of in my home - I have been lucky to get past 1-2 days of uptime previously. But, last night my WiFi dropped and indeed my router was rebooting.
All, I have suffered the same fate as all of you. Drops, reboots, pure hell.
Well I can confirm that I have fixed the problem that impacted the Orbi system. I have a TP-Link router because I do have a lot of wired connections, which the Orbi system is hooked in to. The TP-link router had the wrong time set, 1 hour behind. This setting caused my TiVO Mini to lose connection about every 3 days.
After I changed the router to the proper time, nothing has lost connection, dropped, etc., for 2 weeks now, including the Orbi. So please, if you have a router please check the time on it. If it's wrong, set it correctly and your problems will be over, just like mine!
wrote:All, I have suffered the same fate as all of you. Drops, reboots, pure hell.
Well I can confirm that I have fixed the problem that impacted the Orbi system. I have a TP-Link router because I do have a lot of wired connections, which the Orbi system is hooked in to. The TP-link router had the wrong time set, 1 hour behind. This setting caused my TiVO Mini to lose connection about every 3 days.
After I changed the router to the proper time, nothing has lost connection, dropped, etc., for 2 weeks now, including the Orbi. So please, if you have a router please check the time on it. If it's wrong, set it correctly and your problems will be over, just like mine!
Just checked my Orbi Router and the Time Zone was set incorrectly. Not sure when that got switched or if I just forgot to set it. Will see if changing it to the correct zone improves anything.
If you are going straight off your internet provider modem, 10-4. If you are not and there is a router prior to getting to your Orbi, please check it as well. However, i would imagine if your Orbi isn't matching your ISP's date and time it would cause what I was experiencing as well. Let me know how it turns out!
