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Forum Discussion
Orbi RBK40 broken by latest firmware V1.12.0.18
I have had the RBK40 (RBR40 and RBS40) since April. Had constant problems with it from the first week, all documented in one place or another on this Forum. I was just about to return it for a refun...
I feel you EB and expensive paperweight is a great description. I used to be a lifelong Netgear customer. Not anymore after this mess. I wonder if their Management knows just how bad this is going to go for them. In any event, I can help you through this forum. I am no guru but know enough to get by. I connected my computer straight to my modem and went to this link to download the Firmware 1.11.0.20 files for both the Router (RBR) and the Satellite (RBS). https://kb.netgear.com/000038848/RBR40-RBS40-Firmware-Version-1-11-0-20
Once the files are on your computer, you can then hook back into the Orbi Admin GUI, go to Advanced and navigate to Firmware Update. Click the Manual Tab, select the radio button for the Satellite first and follow the prompts to upload the RBS file from your computer. It will give you a warning that it is an older version but you can say ok, and yes you want to upload it. Once it does that, then click on the Browse button for Uploading the RBR Firmware file. It will ask the same questions about older version, just say ok and yes. This will install V 1.11.0.20 which was the stable version for the RB40 system. Warning though, you are probably going to want to do a Factory Reset (stick a paperclip in the little hole in back of each paperweight that says reset) before loading the older Firmware. I am about to have to do that because while rolling back to the stable firmware has helped my issues some, it is still acting highly unstable with random disconnects of the Wifi and Internet. At least it works for 10 minutes or so. With the new 1.12.0.18, nothing worked. My internet speed in the rare times it stayed connected went from 120Mbs to 10!!! So now I get to spend another hour plus reconfiguring everything, including resetting the SSID, password and finally, reconnecting all devices. Something Netgear apparantly thinks is not a big deal for its customers to have to do once a month or more.
Hit me up if you need more instructions. I hope to report back on here that a full factory reset and then installation of 1.11.0.20 fixed everything back to the way it was. Not sure it will matter since Netgear won't allow us to turn off Auto Update. You should bother Tech Support too until you get an extension on your support. There is ample evidence this is a known and longstanding issue that clearly hasn't been resolved.
Hello EB2017
Yes roll back the firmware on the RBK40 unit there was a issue found in the latest firmware and we are working to fix it. If you are still having issues contact support again as they are aware of the issues and will be able to help.
http://www.netgear.com/support/contact.aspx
DarrenM
I did the factory reset and loaded up 1.11.0.20. While things have improved, I am having recurring speed variations and an occassional drop. I am not contacting support because they will have me change settings I already know how to change and cost me more time.
Darren if you want to connect me directly with someone who will remote in to my system, I would be happy to deal with them. No reason to deal with lower tier support.
EB, hope this doesn't insult you...but if you do a factory reset and downgrade the firmware, make sure you name the SSID the same as you had before and make it the same password. That way you won't have to reconnect all of your devices manually, they should have that info stored and recognize it again when you bring it back up. I only mention this because you said you weren't much on technical stuff. Only positive intent.
Well, I just lost an hour and a half of my life that could have been spent playing with my new puppy, but following YabbadabbaDoooo's most excellent instructions, I made it through. It seems to be working for now. Until the next update, probably.
DarrenM, any idea when the fix will be available?
EB, let me know if you get true stability over the next week. I did everything the right way and am still having problems with wifi disconnects, internet dropping and major speed fluctuations. They are much less frequent but usually happen at inopportune times. It is strange because for 3 weeks on 1.11.0.20 it was rock solid. Should be the same given the factory reset and run back to older FW. I am thinking the new FW broke things enough to where I may have to try completely erasing the Orbi and then loading back 1.11.0.20. What a mess. Hope you get complete stability back. Of course it won't last because unless Netgear changed something to allow us control over whether we want a FW update, it is eventually going to auto update back to the newest junkware. They will tell us a fix is on the way. SOS.