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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
I can't get the update using the app. it still says firmware is up to date. Instructions look like it says to update manually with an ethernet cable. I'm using a macbook pro and they haven't had ethernet ports in years. How can I get this update?
Mdnrooks1031 wrote:
I can't get the update using the app. it still says firmware is up to date. Instructions look like it says to update manually with an ethernet cable. I'm using a macbook pro and they haven't had ethernet ports in years. How can I get this update?
No need for Ethernet. Download the firwmare files to your Mac. Log into the router's GUI using a web broswer on your Mac. Do a manual update via the browser. Update the satellite(s) first. Then update the router. There is a unique firmware file for each.
Wired is best, because there is less risk of corruption when loading te firmware onto the router, but wireless should work fine.
Has anyone noticed that in those download links the RBR50 and RBS50 are listed? They're unique links and when you look at the download icon on their respective pages they say RBR and RBS but when you download the file from each page they both say RBS50-V2.1.4.16.img and are the exact same size.
??
I have RBK40, which link should I use? The RBS40?
- If you have RBK40 kit use RBR40 for router, after you use RBS40 for your satellite.
When logging in to the web portal, and going to the "firmware update" page, I am not able to bypass updating my wall plug satellite. There is no updated firmware for the satellite, only the router. How can I update the router's firmware only?
This router is terrible. I have had nothing but problems with my HomeKit set up. It works fine for me, but my girlfriends phone keeps losing connection whenever she is off the home network. Anyone know of a fix? If I revert back to the previous, will it auto update? I wish I could just return it as I would in a second.
Review this:
Might try disabling MIMO, Daisy Chain and Fast Roaming and test.
What is the distance beween the router and satellite(s)?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the Orbi is connected too?
DNichter wrote:
This router is terrible. I have had nothing but problems with my HomeKit set up. It works fine for me, but my girlfriends phone keeps losing connection whenever she is off the home network. Anyone know of a fix? If I revert back to the previous, will it auto update? I wish I could just return it as I would in a second.
I appreciate the guidance and will definitely take a look, but this shouldn't be this difficult. I have a 2000 saure foot house, router is upstairs in my office and satellite is downstairs in the kitchen. Maybe 35 feet in a straight line. I am using a surfboard arris modem.
Review this:
Might try disabling MIMO, Daisy Chain and Fast Roaming and test.
Set manual channels 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4ghz.
Set WPA2 and AES only.
If this still fails, do the factory reset on the router and satellite and setup from scatch as the one user just posted about...
Reason for asking for Mfr and Model# of swtiches is to help identify if switches being use are managed or non manged. There have been others reporting problems with Managed switches with Orbi systems. Also have users reporting no problems with non managed switches. Some users don't know how to identify what they have so I ask so I can help them figure that out. One user reported that disabling IGMP protocols on the Managed switch helped him so I've been passing this along as well. Were not data collecting, just trying to help troubleshoot issues seen with managed switches. So asking for switch information isn't a security issue. Valid troubleshooting step is all.
Users using manages switches should take them out of the mixed while trouble shooting wired back haul issues. Compaire with non managed swiches if one is available. Try disabling IGMP protcols. If this still fails to fix wired back haul problems, you'll need to contact NG support and let them know.
I 've had ZERO issues with wired back haul while using two non managed switches on my network with the Orbi system I have.
- I have a non managed Cisco SG100-16 16-Port Gigabit Switch (SG100-16-NA). My Ethernet backhaul was working fine on 2.1.2.18 but since then every auto upgrade kills the entire network. I have 1 RBR50 router and 2 RBS50 satellites. All are beyond wifi backhaul range and require Ethernet to talk. When I run 2.1.2.18 with Ethernet backhaul my entire home has a clean mesh running. Every week now I need to reflash back to this old firmware to make sure my security system and all other internet based items can work. Ugh, painful.
Some have mentioned doing a factory reset and set up from scratch:
Whats your process after the FW has updated to most recent?
Usully a full reboot should work. I believe one user said to disconnect everything from the Orbi system accecpt for the satellite(s). Get the satellites working on wifi first, then connect the ethernet and let the one satellite re-configure, give 5 minutes. Top led should turn BLUE. Do same for 2nd satellite if you have one.
Some say to disable daisy chain on the router. You'll need to try this out enable or disabled to see what works. Disabled should work best.
If you can get ethernet backhaul working then re-connect all other LAN devices.
e1superman wrote:
I have a non managed Cisco SG100-16 16-Port Gigabit Switch (SG100-16-NA). My Ethernet backhaul was working fine on 2.1.2.18 but since then every auto upgrade kills the entire network. I have 1 RBR50 router and 2 RBS50 satellites. All are beyond wifi backhaul range and require Ethernet to talk. When I run 2.1.2.18 with Ethernet backhaul my entire home has a clean mesh running. Every week now I need to reflash back to this old firmware to make sure my security system and all other internet based items can work. Ugh, painful.
Well, I'm in AP mode running through a managed switch without issues - no IGMP snoop enabled, but quite honestly I've always felt the 'managed switch' business was a red herring.
- I run routing mode which I suspect is where the issue is (IP assignments get all messed up).
I just purchased purchased the RBK50, Using the Satelitte to connect via WIFI back to the main unit. While it has improved my WIFI in my house dramatically. I did kinda home to have the Satelittle unit as ethernet backhaul.
Where I have my Satelitte I do have ethernet coming (out of the ethernet port of the main Orbi) up to my home office to a Network Switch where I am running my Printer, 2x NAS and main PC. with another cable going to the next room where there is another switch for AppleTV and InternetTV box. but when I plug in the Satelitte Orbi into that box, It crashes my entire network.
Any Suggestions? I had this, so then upgraded to 2.1.4.16 and same trouble.
Is it best to have my Ethernet Connection coming from the Main Orbi directly to my Satelittle and then the 2 switches into the back of the Satelittle? Or does it not matter?
AKLGUY wrote:
I just purchased purchased the RBK50, Using the Satelitte to connect via WIFI back to the main unit. While it has improved my WIFI in my house dramatically. I did kinda home to have the Satelittle unit as ethernet backhaul.
Where I have my Satelitte I do have ethernet coming (out of the ethernet port of the main Orbi) up to my home office to a Network Switch where I am running my Printer, 2x NAS and main PC. with another cable going to the next room where there is another switch for AppleTV and InternetTV box. but when I plug in the Satelitte Orbi into that box, It crashes my entire network.
Any Suggestions? I had this, so then upgraded to 2.1.4.16 and same trouble.
Is it best to have my Ethernet Connection coming from the Main Orbi directly to my Satelittle and then the 2 switches into the back of the Satelittle? Or does it not matter?
Unfortunately, until Netgear listens to the networking professionals here who have explained (and demonstrated) several times that the issue lies with Netgear disabling STP, there's no real solution short of plugging the satellite into Ethernet, letting it grind for 3-5 minutes, and the network storm eventually subsiding on its own.
Thank you rhester72.
Are you saying if I plug it in, then let it grind away for (upto) 5 minutes. It should come right? or will it randomly drop out again?
Just loaded this update to the router and satellites and I'm happy to report that all HomeKit accessories are once again online and responding. Things were working for a brief time with 2.1.4.10 but after about 10-20 minutes some devices would stop responding again while others would never become available.
Thanks - smooth manual update , no need for me to do factory reset or even to reboot the satellite (which i always had to do beforre to get a good connection). So far so good on all attached devices... showing a touch more latency than before though that could be for any number of unconnected reasons. Homekit working perfectly.
I've updated to 2.1.4.16 but both of my satellites are still showing as being connected by 5G rather than ethernet backhaul.
I am using a SG200-26 26-Port Gigabit Smart Switch.
stuartmunro I have same issue I have Netgear Nighthawk S8000 switch between main unit and satellite, one would wonder Netgear would have their own devices talk to each other.
I should also point out that the Beta version 2.1.3.4 recognised the ethernet wired backhaul perfectly but the auto update to 2.1.4.10 broke it again and the latest beta 2.1.4.16 has failed to fix it.
I though Netgear had gone back to a base firmware to get to 2.1.3.4 because of the mulitple issues that had arisen as the firmware had been updated. Can't they just start from this as a base or use the relevant code from 2.1.3.4 for the ethernet backhaul ?
This is getting really silly. My 90 days support ran out a few days before the auto update broke the ethernet backhaul so I can't get assistance from Netgear, there are multiple postings on here that things still aren't right and there seems to be no solution in sight and no communication from Netgear. I have stuck with Netgear for many years because they have been really reliable and a cut above some of the other manufacturers but this is really trying my patience. The kit is also not cheap.
Come on Netgear. Please help us.
Man I can't help it but continue to get more frustrated as I read more and more on these forums. I've been on hold with Netgear support for over 3 hours now. I continue to have wifi issues and of course the complimentary support is over.
I refuse to pay them for support for a product that works just long enough for the complimentary stuff to wear out and then just doesn't work after that. Unfortunately against my better judgement I didn't purchase the extended warranty from Best Buy and am now in a situation where I cannot return these or I would.
I've tried all the things on this forum to no avail. I really wish Netgear would help us all out here.
The last thing to do on my list is to reset and clear using nvram tactics but I don't know how to do that just yet. Anyone have any success on how to fix the slow speeds (both wired and on wifi)? I'm running this machine hard wired but it suffers also! RBR50 and RBS50 units in my home.
