Orb RB40 MAJOR DNS Issue

Guru - Experienced User

May 05, 2021

Lslocum wrote:
Traffic meter has been off, it is set to eastern time and I still have to reboot it frequently. I had this problem in the beginning (December 2020) and a very polite, professional rep had me change some settings. Now the problem is back and the only way to get help is to pay $90 for a 6 month service package. Doesn't seem right to have to pay for a service package when the equipment clearly has a problem. Cut out in the middle of a sales presentation today - going to have to buy something else if this can't be fixed. Any other suggestions?

This post was originally started back in March, when shortly after Daylight Saving Time began Orbi routers began not processing DNS requests. Clever users came up with several methods to deal with the issue and finally Netgear engineers discovered that the root of the problem was a combination of Traffic Meter and the automatic Daylight Saving Time adjustment.

It is now May. With Traffic Meter not enabled on this Orbi, this cannot be the same issue. It may (or may not) be a problem with DNS resolution. If it were my job on the line, I personally would shell out the $90, although I have no basis for knowing if Gearhead is any good at solving Orbi issues or not. (The web site makes Gearhead sound sort of like Netgear's version of Best Buy's Geek Squad.)

It would be helpful to know more about these service interruptions.

Does the device remain connected to the Orbi WiFi (or ethernet)?
Before rebooting, is it possible to test the DNS function: i.e.
Attempt to ping some internet resources, such as 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8
If those respond, try to ping one.one.one.one and dns.google.com
Is every device on the network affected?
What is the firmware release number, and has it been changed recently?

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