The NETGEAR team has noticed an issue with upgrading some Orbi Tri-Band WiFi System Model RBK40, RBK43 and RBK30 units in the field to OrbiOS 1.12.0.18. If your Orbi are affected, the symptoms are: LED flashing white on the Router or Satellite Wireless network not available NETGEAR is working on a fix for this issue. To our knowledge, this issue doesn’t affect any Orbi RBK50 or RBK53 units. If your units have successfully upgraded to OrbiOS 1.12 as the vast majority of Orbi units already have, they should be unaffected. For more information on verifying the firmware version currently installed on your Orbi system please visit: How do I check the firmware version of my Orbi router? Please contact NETGEAR Support at 1-888 NETGEAR (638 4327) if you have any questions. In the interim, we have temporarily removed the OrbiOS 1.12.0.18 firmware from our external websites for the RBK40, RBK43 and RBK30 SKUs.

Can we please have some feedback on the myriad of issues people are experiencing with the V1.12.0.18 update in the thread here:https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Firmware-V1-12-0-18-Discussion/m-p/1326324 and in multiple other threads?Here are a few of the issues, there are others:Ethernet throughput to internet maxes out at 420Mbps.Internittent satellite disconnects. Internet connection dropouts. The ability to disable either 2.4GHz or 5GHz removed without notice.The ability to change radio power removed without notice.Orbi app no longer shows the satellite.Orbi app now lists all connected devices as wired, no matter the connection type.QOS settings page is broken, all that shows is a speed test. I'm experiencing all theses issues on a RBK50, other users have reported the same. For a premium priced router, this really isn't good enough.Also, can we please have the ability to disable auto-updates? Thanks

Hi DarrinM, I've previously elaborated on the issues I (and many other) users have had with v1.12.0.18 in a number of other topics. The below is a brief, but by no means exhaustive, list of the issues that I've found in v1.12.0.18. I will preface this by saying that I have already tried factory reset many times, as well as reverting the firmware and doing manual updates. The following apply to my Orbi RBR-50 and RBS-50.Satellites updated to the new firmware experience a reduction in backhaul speed of 50% or greater and atypically high pings.Connected satellites are no longer detected as satellites, and show up as network clients with a connection type of "Unknown" in the Attached Devices menu.Attempts to resync misbehaving satellites results in an persistantly pulsing white ring on the satellite and sync failure message from the router after several minutes, which can only be banished by cycling power to the satellite.On the first reboot after the firmware update or factory reset, all satellites connect only to backhaul and fail to activate their wireless access points. Neither reboots nor using the reset button on the back of the satellite correct the issue, nor does attempting to resync satellites.Ethernet ports on the satellite permit only access to the satellite's configuration page.Decreased connection speed and signal strength from the main RBR-50 router (charts at anywhere from a 22% to 50% decrease in connection speed, per Speedtest.net, modem tests out fine with the full normal speed. Speeds also test out fine on competitor routers swapped into the system and operating on the same frequencies with identical settings.)I've also had some issues with intermittent spates of packet-dropping, but I'm not certain if it's related to signal strength fluctiations or something else in the router. I have, for the record, been forced to revert my system to 1.11.0.20 nine times to date to regain some semblance of network functionality. I've factory reset my system more than twenty times on both versions either as a prelude to updating or a post-update step (sometimes both). I've used manual updates and automatic. The result is invariably the same symptoms outlined in the list above. I have tried every diagnostic step anyone has recommended to me on these forums, and the only thing that has worked to date has been reverting to 1.11.0.20 and then manually disabling automatic updates in the NVRAM so I don't have to deal with 1.12.0.18's many bugs.

I fixed my problem. Replaced Orbis with Eero Pro 3 pack, everything works great now. If anyone would like to buy my Orbis let me know. RBK50, 1 router and 3 satellites - of course selling as is.

Im having exactly this issue with an RBS50 and I’m going outta my mind.I didn’t have any of the “satellite drop” issue that people were reporting with the pre .18 firmware, but after installing the .18 FW I had some trouble getting my satellites to sync (white blinking for hours). So...after a few hours...I factory reset them. Then....after FIVE HOURS of screwing around (white blinking) I was finally able to get ONE of my three satellites to join my “new” RBR50 in factory reset state. Three hours later, yes folks eight hours total, I had ALL THREE satellites connected to my RBR50. Things basiclsly worked okay from then on. As in not as seemless as pre .18, but not awfull.Then, today, powefailure. My RBR50 is GTG as a single unit. If I power up a RBS50 It’ll go into white-blinky state for many tens of minutes BUT my RBR50 continues to provide me decent WiFi and Internet. Once the RBR50 gives up and goes to magenta (regardless of distance from the RBR50) the whole WiFi network “cannot Connect”. Thereafter, and this is the Hilarious part, if I power down the RBS50 the whole WiFi network disappear (name no longer broadcast). So....powercycle the RBR50 and use it as a single access point I suppose.

I get internet disconnects from all my IOS devices constantly, writing from 4g right now as it disconnected once again :( Please fix!

Orbi - Wireless Network not available or LED flashing white on Router or Satellite

46 Replies

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ggll4444
Initiate
Jul 27, 2017
I did a manual sync and the two units (base station and one satellite) are now working fine, and the blinkg light light on the satellite has gone away. still running the 1.12.0.18 firmware.

I wonder if the firmware is causing problems mostly for people with more than one satellite.
kaisjam
Aspirant
Aug 16, 2017
I have an RBK50 system affected by the 1.12 update. My base would work fine, but the satellite wouldn't be recognized by the base and it greatly diminished the range and overall performance of my system. Downgrading to 1.11 and disabling auto-update via the telnet method got my system back up and running. Anxiously awaiting a newer rev of the f/w to test.
JMM1962
Aspirant
Aug 26, 2017
After months of waiting the RBS 50 satellite got available in the Netherlands. Initially very excited but now I do not know anymore. Have latest firmware installed.
I tried to connect the satellite but the ring continues to blink white and than turns into magenta. Even if I place the satellite close to the router (2 meter!!) pairing fails. I am thinking of returning the satellite unless a solution is available.
I am very disappointed, waited so long but....
Is there somebody who can help me. Is this issue related to the topic discussed?
Thanks a lot for your support.
georgengan
Star
Sep 01, 2017
The RBK50 router and satellite are auto-updated to fw V1.12.0.18 with all parameters at default settings and connect to a BT smarthub box. Speed has improved but sadly video streaming on all iOS device (all six ipads and iphones in my family) constantly dropped every few minutes. Thought it was signal strength and purchased RBW30 as 2nd satellite. I spend 2 hours trying to install it and the thing just kept flashing white and pulsed to solid blue and never shown the solid white stage. Try numerous methods (app, web, hardware reset) according to instructions and forum's advise - could never connect this second satellite.
Never have so much trouble in installing a router/wifi device. With dropping wifi on iOS device and so much troubles in adding 2nd satellite I simply decided to return the whole thing yesterday. Voting on my feet is the best feedback I can offer to a technically advanced hardware but wrap under a totally unacceptable and poorly implemented software. Perhaps it will get better in 6 months after all us guinea-pig customers have finished the public beta tests for the company.
- pathfinderf7
  Aspirant
  Sep 01, 2017
  Unfortunately this last update to the V1.12.0.18 software has caused numerous issues. It was supposed to fix the previous issues, but it appears it has just caused more issues. The only fix I have found that works for a few days is to manually downgrade to the previous version of software. Unfortunately it will automatically update again in a few days. I have had my orbi since February so I am outside the 90 days to get any assistance over the phone. I am still within the 1 year manufacture return policy. I am afraid tjey will just try to exchange mine for a rebuilt one. I am glad to hear that you were able to return yours. They worked fine up until a few weeks ago when they updated the software. Hopefully in the near future they will fix this issue numerous personnel are having.
mazadi
Aspirant
Sep 09, 2017
I have this exact issue now as well with my RBK50. I thought I was one of the lucky few that got by unscathed with the 1.12.0.8 update but about 2 weeks ago I lose my wireless signal about once per day. Everything runs great, then all wireless signals drop and I have to manually restart the router to get a signal again. Every.Single.Day. And I'm at 5 months of ownership so can't actually get support any longer without paying.

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Orbi - Wireless Network not available or LED flashing white on Router or Satellite