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Forum Discussion
Orbi firmware update v2.1.4.16 availability
We’ve been monitoring issues that some customers have experienced in OrbiOS 2.1.4. In response, we’re releasing firmware that provides a permanent fix for the homekit issue along with various other fixes. Please use the manual firmware upgrade process to apply to your Orbi.
Release note:
- Fixes issues with the Apple HomeKit connectivity
- Fixes the wireless crash and reboot issue when the router is under stress
- Fixes WiFi disconnection and IOT issues
- Fixes an issue where devices on the Guest Network are able to see (but not connect to) some devices on the main network
- Fixes an issue where device boot order caused devices connected over Ethernet Backhaul to connect wireless backhaul
- Updates the OpenVPN certificate from MD5 to SHA-256
Note:
CBR40 will be available later this month.
We look forward to hearing your feedback.
-NETGEAR Team
808 Replies
Can we wait until the RBS50sy firmware is out to update ? Or will it happen automatically?
- The post says it's a manual update for now.
Hi BretD,
The Guest Network is still NOT isolated with this new Firmware version 2.1.4.16 in the link below. I can’t believe this is still an unresolved topic and we are continued to be taunted with this unless check box in the Guest Network Settings “Allow guests to see each other and access my local network” …. WHY do you hate us.. the loyal customer that goes out of our way to spend time writing on the community board time and time again about the same unresolved topic?... but I hear Orbi Pro is doing fantastic.. thanks to the Obri Home community complaining about this over and over again and johngm reading the post. Good job testing before you got my hopes up with the exquisite release notes..
- Fixes an issue where devices on the Guest Network are able to see (but not connect to) some devices on the main network
NOPE!
Having a great experience with firmware 2.1.1.14 after I increased the Advertisement Time to Live(in hops) to 16 in UPnP section under advanced settings. File transfers are rock solid now.
Just updated to 2.1.4.16 and expect continued good results.
It took a long time to get the firmware right, but now I'm loving my Orbi system. No complains here. Good job!
Can you elaborate a bit on what changing the UPNP time hop settings does?
Stratguru wrote:
Hi BretD,
The Guest Network is still NOT isolated with this new Firmware version 2.1.4.16 in the link below. I can’t believe this is still an unresolved topic and we are continued to be taunted with this unless check box in the Guest Network Settings “Allow guests to see each other and access my local network” …. WHY do you hate us.. the loyal customer that goes out of our way to spend time writing on the community board time and time again about the same unresolved topic?... but I hear Orbi Pro is doing fantastic.. thanks to the Obri Home community complaining about this over and over again and johngm reading the post. Good job testing before you got my hopes up with the exquisite release notes..
- Fixes an issue where devices on the Guest Network are able to see (but not connect to) some devices on the main network
NOPE!
I was so surprised to read this that I had to check for myself - and I'll be damned, yep, via Fing it looks completely wide-open (it isn't, but it's only blocking basic ICMP echo requests and port-level TCP). Ugh.
Network Isolation was not on the list of things corrected with this version.
I do, however, agree it should be fixed and that it should be a priority. They fixed it for Pro but not standard Orbi.
The router firmware in your download link is actually <RBR50-V2.1.4.10.img> please explain why?
And what about the auto firmware update in Orbi app? That firmware is <RBR50-V2.1.4.16.img>.
It is so confusing.
Please kindly clarify. THANKS.
Suspect that the main issue is with the Satellite. After a full day of monitoring on various combination of firmwares and set-up.
Satellite - 5G is more unstable. Dropping below -80dBm at regular intervals.
Tried the following. And in the order of most stable with wired backhaul.
<RBR50-V2.1.4.10.img> + <RBS50-V2.1.4.16.img>
<RBR50-V2.1.4.10.img> + <RBS50-V2.1.4.10.img>
<RBR50-V2.1.4.16.img> + <RBS50-V2.1.4.16.img>
Does anyone know if the Orbi system will auto-update to a non-beta firmware after we install beta firmware? i.e., if I install the 2.1.4.16 update, when Netgear releases the final version, will Orbi auto-update as usual, or will I have to manually install the public release?
- So far so good. No disconnections on my pixel C.
- Lucky you! Who did it work? I’m still facing disconnections! Help plz
I have been getting occasional slow speeds even with this latest firmware. It typically works for quite a while 1-3 weeks at least but then at some point my speeds slow down from 120mbps to 10-20mbps. No indication is given that anything is wrong other than speedtests being slow. Then I have to go through disconnecting the satellite and rebooting the router (via power disconnect) then connecting the satellite.
Once I do this the internet speed is back to 120mbps. Hopefully Netgear can fix this issue in an upcoming release. Besides some difficulty getting the satellite appropriately connected to the router on this reset this is my only issue.
I have the RBK50 kit connected with wired backhaul.
<remove>
What should i do if my Orbi firmware is not automatically updating?
- The last sentence in the first paragraph states “Please use the manual firmware upgrade process to apply to your Orbi.”
Consider yourself lucky. The 2.1.4.16 firmware update has made my system COMPLETELY unstable. The stupid device looses its internet connection 5-6 times a day requiring a reboot.
I just did a factory reset today to see if there was an issue with teh firmware update and low and behold...90+ minutes into the newly configured system all the devices in my house loose connectivity. Wifi is still available but the app says the main router is offline with the internet. I've let it sit for 2-3 hours while I worked outside and it never regains internet connectivty until I reboot the main router.
I was going for months without any hiccups and not I reboot 5-6 times a day for the last weeks week.
I now just cannot take it anymore. A once fantastic product is now a piece of crap like the other routing options I've been through over the years. Quite a premium to pay for an unstable POS.
That is, unless this is just a faulty hardware at which point I expect an exchange since it's been less than a year since I purchased.
Please...fix this latest firmware to not loose connectivity.
What is the Mfr and model# of the IP modem the Orbi is connected too?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ethernet switch if one is in the configuration.
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials.
What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
Try disabling the following and see:
MIMO, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).Current FW is stable, there are many others having good experiences with it so is not a FW issue.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-firmware-update-v2-1-4-16-availability/m-p/1592753/highlight/true#M34020
Another initial setup process: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Backhaul-breaks-the-whole-network/m-p/1615770/highlight/true#M38393If you don't think your system is working as is should, please try some of the suggestions and give feedback regarding them. If not, I would ask NG support for an RMA. Others have expressed that there systems were not working well, asked NG for an RMA and got a good working system.
You can ask NG for the new beta FW thats available as well:
PhloyBoy wrote:
Consider yourself lucky. The 2.1.4.16 firmware update has made my system COMPLETELY unstable. The stupid device looses its internet connection 5-6 times a day requiring a reboot.
I just did a factory reset today to see if there was an issue with teh firmware update and low and behold...90+ minutes into the newly configured system all the devices in my house loose connectivity. Wifi is still available but the app says the main router is offline with the internet. I've let it sit for 2-3 hours while I worked outside and it never regains internet connectivty until I reboot the main router.
I was going for months without any hiccups and not I reboot 5-6 times a day for the last weeks week.
I now just cannot take it anymore. A once fantastic product is now a piece of crap like the other routing options I've been through over the years. Quite a premium to pay for an unstable POS.
That is, unless this is just a faulty hardware at which point I expect an exchange since it's been less than a year since I purchased.
Please...fix this latest firmware to not loose connectivity.
Still haven't fixed ethernet backhaul. I updated my RBR50 and satellite to this firmware, all was well for a minute or two, then the network crashed and had no internet. Multiple reboots and still no internet. I unplugged the ethernet backhaul link and rebooted the router and all is working again on the wireless backhaul...ugh.
Is there any network switches in between the router and satellite? If so, Mfr and model# please.
Is daisy chain disabled on the router before connecting the ethernet cable?
manofice wrote:
Still haven't fixed ethernet backhaul. I updated my RBR50 and satellite to this firmware, all was well for a minute or two, then the network crashed and had no internet. Multiple reboots and still no internet. I unplugged the ethernet backhaul link and rebooted the router and all is working again on the wireless backhaul...ugh.
No, no switches in between. Was working OK prior to the firmware upgrade. After the firmware upgrade, systems were all running ok for a few minutes, then it all came down.
Since 2.1.4.10 upgrade, ethernet backhaul seems stable to me, provided i follow these after each upgrade, else, i see crashes
1) shutdown other sat, disconnect other wired devices to ANY SAT and ROUTER
2) upgrade 1 sat, let it reboot, it will connect wireless first to router, just wait and eventually it will connect wired, wait @ 5 min till it get stable wired
3) Power up 2nd sat, let it get stable and connect wired, upgrade 2nd sat, let it reboot, let it get stable and let it connect wirelessly, then it will connect wired.
4) wait 10 min, let both sat get stable and connec to router wired
5) upgrade router, let it reboot, let it connect to the net but POWER IT OFF anyway,
6) go to GUI and watch the SATs get stable wired connection, it might flip back and forth, mine took about 5-10 min.
7) once stable connect your wired devices
hope it helps
Same, I have router plus three satelites - if I try to go ethernet backhaul to compensate for the satelites going good/bad often - everything goes offline. Had to disconnect the orbi satelites from the gigabit network and unplug the router to get networking back.
Had these mesh systems for a few months now, have not been able to get rid of my random wifi AP's because I can't depend on this expensive secondary system that doesn't work all the time.
How does the Satelittes talk to the router? direct LAN cable or going via a switch?
I found if I plugged the Satelitte into a Switch in my Office the connection drops. But if I plug the cable directly into the back of the Satelitte directly back to the Router Unit and then the switch into the next port of the Orbi it has been stable as.
I have also plugged in to the ethernet port on the far left (if looking at the back of the unit).
Been stable for over 24 hours now. Will thrash over the weekend and see how it goes
Do RBR50 and RBS50 use the same firmware? Both download links for RBR50 and RBS50 get the same RBS50-V2.1.4.16.img file on my MacBook.
Oh i see the issue now. The firmware download site does not really allow you to concurrently download multiple firmware updates at the same time. If you do that, it will get only one version of the firmware update.
Should be different model #'s.
FURRYe38 wrote:
Should be different model #'s.
This is what happened. I clicked on the link to the firmware update for RBR50 first, which opened a new tab in Safari. Then i clicked on the link for RBS50 and it opened another new tab. When i went to the tab for the RBR50 firmware update and click on "Download file", it proceeded to download RBS50-V2.1.4.16.img. I was incorrect when i mentioned concurrent download was an issue. Looks like the issue is with opening multiple tabs to different firmware updates in the browser (Safari). If you didn't click on the "Download file" link in the first tab to download the firmware update before you open a second or third tab for a different firmware update, the firmware update in the last opened tab will be the one you will be downloading even if you go back to the first tab to download that different firmware update.
Glad you figured it out. Ya, should be different model listed in the file name. Same FW version listed for all though.
I am so sick of this pile of crap, wired backhaul causing the entire unit to crash every 5 seconds. WiFi is unusable with this new SW version. 2.1.4.16 Yes I’ve started with a factory reset, and have tried re-booting router and RBS50, no luck here. Had to ditch the wired backhaul. What a pile. Would never recommend this to my worst enemy. Netgear what gives? Are you employing incompetent people?
if one of my companies products worked like this we would throw our best staff at the problem, and work 24/7 to get it right. You are destroying your reputation by allowing this to continue.
frustrated consumer that gave netgear over $600.00 only to be regretting it.
