NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
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 f...
I have had nothing but trouble with the Orbi models I have and this firmware update but have also had issues with previous firmware updates as well. I've factory reset, toggled more settings than I'd like to mention and have wasted more time than any paying customer should ever have to spend on a product, let alone one that costs this much. This system is totally unstable and does not work as advertised. I'm an engnieer who works on WiFi products. Removing satellites and rebooting these routers always fixes the problem. If I worked on this prodct I would resign immediately. This by far the worst router I have ever delt with. My one star reviews will be all over amazon shortly. I have absolutely had it with Orbi and am done. The anger and frustration from customers is well earned and asking for "cooler heads" to prevail is asking far too much from customers. I expect and demand quality in the products I buy. This stuff should never leave the shop in this condition. It is 100% unnaceptable.
Baseman70, I have been communicating on this forum since purchasing my Orbi RBK50 kit in March 2018, and in the first fortnight or so I had problems with Apple HomeKit and Lifx, but since installing FW v2.1.4.16, my Orbis have behaved flawlessly. Mine are in AP mode on a stable Billion router, with reserved DHCP addresses passed to the Orbis.
So it never ceases to amaze me that there’s a very vocal minority out there who seem to have unimaginable difficulties with their Orbis. And so many of these people claim to have a strong background in IT, as though this explains all, and is a justification for Netgear to start again.
Baseman70, you say “This system is totally unstable and does not work as advertised”. I disagree, and say the system is stable and works entirely as advertised.
I also have an IT background. IT staff used the term “PEBCAK” (Problem Exists Between the Chair And Keyboard) to describe users who had problems where no-one else does. In most cases, we were right.
If you think the goods don’t work as advertised, then return them for a refund.
Please don’t speak for me an others who have no issues.
You must work for netgear. Blame the customer. Classy! I speak for no one but myself. We’ve been testing Orbi for quite some time. If it works for you, great. That doesn’t mean that it works for me or that I don’t know what I’m doing as you ungraciously suggest. The length of this thread in addition to your snarky and defensive reply speak volumes. Good day IT guy.
Baseman70, I don’t work for Netgear. But if I had experienced the problems you claim, I would have returned my Orbis for a refund long ago then looked for a simpler solution
This is an asinine comment. If you 'actually' have an IT background in anything related to networking (not just pulling and replacing a few parts on a box -- congrats you can install ram) then you'd know that there are can be almost limitless variations in network topologies. Just because it works fine on one person's basic home network doesn't mean it's working fine elsewhere, where it should also be working without issue.
I had zero issues until the latest firmware update. Now the satellite brings the network down. This is verifiable through packet capture. Now what? Am I imagining the packets?
I fully agree
the router + satellite is really unstable, it's unacceptable !
no response and support from Netgear.
Vinz59, I concur with FURRYe38. Your post is too brief, and also you don’t tell us what model Orbis you have, and you assume we understand when you say “I fully agree” - With what do you fully agree?
Then you say “the router + Satellite is really unstable”. They are not unstable, which is probably the reason Netgear hasn’t responded. You either have faulty units that should be returned, or your problem is due to the way you have set them up and/or your underlying network infrastructure.
Give the community more details of your setup and what has gone wrong for you.
Thanks FURRYe38 and cheshbr for your post
You are right I can detail more my issue.
I have 1 router RBR40 (router mode) and 3 satellites in mesh mode RBS40. running firmware 2.1.4.16.
the 3 satellites randomly reboot during the day (around 10 times each).
Same issue with a reset factory of all the devices.. the config is really simple, I didn’t change anything more in the Orbi configuration.
I didn’t have the issue before with 2.1.3.x firmware.
Any idea or help will be really appreciated. I don’t know what can I do to solve this nightmare
thanks
Gave this release a whirl yesterday, upgrading my RBR50 from 2.1.2.18 (1 sat, wireless 5G backhaul which reports Good). It was OK during the day, but the minute the HD streaming started in the evening it rebooted 3-4 times. Load still seems to be a problem for Orbi and I'd say this release is terrible. I also don't really consider two HD streams "heavy load" for a 400 dollar box.
I honestly wish I had never bought the thing. Every release in 2.x train has had massive problems, which kind of settled down in 2.1.2.x to "tolerable" levels. But since then it has gotten worse. Also, seems like it really went into a tailspin right after my warranty expired. So perhaps this system really is only designed to last a year. Who knows. When I first got it had issues with Ring doorbell I should've just returned it then rather than work through it.
