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Orbi RBR20 Losing Configuration
About once a month, for the last three months, including this morning, I lose my internet connection on all devices. It's working one day, and during the night, it goes out (I'm woken by the lights on the satellite in my bedroom.
Each time I've gone through the same drill. First I check the ORBI app on my phone, and it asks me to login. It doesn't like my password, so I try the default password, and it logs me in. The router acts as if it's never been set up - losing the admin password I had set, the wifi network name, names of the three satellites, passwords, everything.
If I bypass the ORBI router and connect a laptop directly to the cable modem I determine that my Internet connection is fine.
I'm forced to go through the setup procedure again. Then it works.
I've tried just restarting the router, but that doesn't work - only going through the setup wizard, on a computer connected by ethernet, will let me get going again. Any idea why this is happening? Could I have a bad router? Firmware says it's on the latest version on all of the units.
OP here.
This weekend I took the advice of this thread and things I had learned, and have resolved the issue.
1) I didn't use the mobile app. I used an ethernet connected PC, and using Firefox, I connected to orbilogin.com. I had wasted lots of time at the beginning of this trying to use Chrome - which refuses to login correctly, and had to find in a forum that Chrome doesn't work. Would be nice if NG would fix that BUG.
2) I downloaded both of the new .48 firmware zip files (one for the Satellites, one for the router) and extracted the .img files).
3) I installed the satellite firmware updates first. Tedious doing three separate installs, but no problems.
4) I installed the router firmware update. No problems. I downloaded a backup config after all the updates for safekeeping.
After restarting everything, it all works. No issues at all. In fact I'm getting better connection on one of the daisy-chained satellites than before the update.
I'm ready to call this case closed. Thanks all.
83 Replies
What Firmware is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?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 when wirelessly connected.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?One RBR20, 3 RBS20's
Firmware 2.3.1.44 (all devices)
ISP modem is an Arris TS1602
Home size is 2088 sq ft, one satellite is in a separate shop. Closest satellite is about 25 feet, but it's got two walls between it and the router.
I have no control over the specific channels - it auto connects on either 2.4 or 5 Ghz, but I see no way to manually select a specific channel. No wifi neighbors - clean spectrum, I live in the country. The problem isn't just with wifi - even the ethernet connected laptop can't connect to the internet until I go through the configuration all over again.
v44 should not be on your 20 series system i think. Unless you updated via AutoUpdate?
v28 is most current on the NG download site.
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/RBR20.aspx#download
You sure this is a 20 series Orbi system? Lets confirm model # please.
What Firmware is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?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 when wirelessly connected.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?- My RBR20 repeatedly loses all my WiFi configuration settings. Worked perfectly for months, now, as of last few days, I can save the settings, but rebooting the router causes the router WiFi settings to default to the original settings.
My router is the RBR20 with 1 satellite.
Firmware version is 2.2.1.210Try a FW update to v44 if you see it in the auto update on the routers web page. If thats not available, update to v28 which the files are available for download on NG support page. Factor reset after updating and setup from scratch.
Phardy wrote:
My RBR20 repeatedly loses all my WiFi configuration settings. Worked perfectly for months, now, as of last few days, I can save the settings, but rebooting the router causes the router WiFi settings to default to the original settings.
My router is the RBR20 with 1 satellite.
Firmware version is 2.2.1.210I recently started having the same issue with an RBK20W kit (RBR20 Router + RBW30 Satellite).
The units had run great for several months, but then on 3/16, and again on 3/26, it tossed out the config and reset to defaults.
It also just happened again, tonight - 3/29.
I don't recall what firmware was on it, out of the box, but it had auto-updated to V2.2.1.210, a few months back.
The Orbi itself, while configured, will not see any new firmware available, so my next step is to manually update it, and get off V2.2.1.210 firmware.
As an earlier response commented, I'm not sure how/where the OP got the .44 firmware.
On the D/L pages, the available firmware is:
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/RBR20.aspx#download - RBR20 Firmware Version 2.3.0.28 Download File size: 28.4 MB
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/RBW30.aspx#download - RBW30 Firmware Version 2.3.0.4 Download File size: 18.5 MBThe devices are not in my home, but a friend's condo. I won't be able to report on any results until I'm there, tomorrow.
Other than a possible firmware issue, the only other long-shot idea I have at the moment, is to plug the base router into a better quality surge protector, rather than the cheap power-strip it's in, now. A good APC unit will provide power conditioning, as well as surge protection. It's not common, but I have seen small surges blow out saved device configs.
The router is plugged into a VZW FIOS small indoor ONT - Image @ https://bit.ly/2uzgtkv - whilch I'll also be plugging into the APC.
Unfortunately.. Orbi, like most home/SoHo routers, is utterly useless at keeping quality logs, has zero SNMP tools, and since this issue causes a full reset, any on-unit logs, are wiped out.
So, it's a bit of a crap-shoot.
Has v44 solved this for you?
sjayt wrote:
About once a month, for the last three months, including this morning, I lose my internet connection on all devices. It's working one day, and during the night, it goes out (I'm woken by the lights on the satellite in my bedroom.
Each time I've gone through the same drill. First I check the ORBI app on my phone, and it asks me to login. It doesn't like my password, so I try the default password, and it logs me in. The router acts as if it's never been set up - losing the admin password I had set, the wifi network name, names of the three satellites, passwords, everything.
If I bypass the ORBI router and connect a laptop directly to the cable modem I determine that my Internet connection is fine.
I'm forced to go through the setup procedure again. Then it works.
I've tried just restarting the router, but that doesn't work - only going through the setup wizard, on a computer connected by ethernet, will let me get going again. Any idea why this is happening? Could I have a bad router? Firmware says it's on the latest version on all of the units.
NO. If you look back to early in this thread, I was using v44 from the start. See my screen cap from the ORBI app. Everyone's recommendation to upgrade to .44 seems to have ignored this fact.
My RBR20 and RBS20 have been doing the same. I manually updated to V2.3.1.44 and having the same issues, Both devices reset to factory settings upon reboot. I did a config backup before upgrading. After FW update to.44 i tried to restore from config backup. File uploaded, settigns went to be applied, device restarted, when it booted up it had restarted back in factory settings.
Very frusterating. I'm about to pack these up and return to Costco.
If you still have a return policy, then return it to the place of purchase, if no, the you'll need to contact NG support and ask about an RMA.
Good Luck.
drummerbran wrote:
My RBR20 and RBS20 have been doing the same. I manually updated to V2.3.1.44 and having the same issues, Both devices reset to factory settings upon reboot. I did a config backup before upgrading. After FW update to.44 i tried to restore from config backup. File uploaded, settigns went to be applied, device restarted, when it booted up it had restarted back in factory settings.
Very frusterating. I'm about to pack these up and return to Costco.
Not that it will help resolve your issue, but after upgrading to the lastest firmware, I realized that I had upgraded the router first, then the satellite, which is not recommended.
I was in a similar boat as you, where my orbi would reboot sometimes on its own or lose it's config after a reboot. I felt like I wanted to throw this thing out the window and buy a linksys. The next day i searched online and found the .44 version after upgrading the night before to an earlier version of the firmware. After reviewing the instructions for install, I realized I might have upgraded the firmware incorrectly the first time. I did not restore the settings when i was done since I was afraid it might restore the problem I was having previously.
I would try to downgrade your firmware to the previous version if you can. I see this post talks about trying that out https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Can-we-downgrade-the-Orbi-2-1-1-12-firmware/td-p/1455179. Then I would make sure to following the instructions posted here to reinstall firmware .v44. https://kb.netgear.com/31573/How-do-I-manually-upgrade-firmware-on-my-Orbi-Satellite. At this point if you haven't already tried this already, I would suggest it.
p.s. I also think it's retarded that Netgear didn't program their orbi updates to check that the satelite(s) are updated first before updating the main router if it's that important!
My ORbi RBR20 did a factory reset on its own 2 times in the last week. I completely lost all the setting and had start over again.. Twice now. Has anyone found the solution to this.
Hardware Version RBR20 Firmware Version V2.3.1.44 GUI Language Version V1.0.0.354 Operation Mode Router I own an RBR20 + satellite from Costco. Everything worked until today!
Updates are pushed through automatically, I believe.
Current FW rev 2.3.1.44
Symptoms that began today include:
- SSID is not visible
- System config is reset
- There's no internet
- This site is not safe to explore
Called the ISP to review their router and internet works. Their routers AP broadcast is shutoff. I use my Orbi in AP mode only.
Testing
I've only unplugged/plugged the Orbi + Satellite.
Solution
I may return this device to Costco, third in the past six months and go back to a NightHawk if NG does not provide a solution for the community.
- Just got off the phone with netgear. They say it's a firmware issue. Most recent. They say they are working on it.
VZNDAVE wrote:
Has anyone found the solution to this.
Did your reading of this discussion find this?
Re: Orbi RBR20 Losing Configuration - Page 2 - NETGEAR Communities
It is easy to miss that sort of thing when you join in on a long running conversation with no Solved tag.
Here's another one that describes the process:
Re: Orbi RBR20 Losing Configuration - Page 2 - NETGEAR Communities
Maybe you tried it and it didn't work.
Thanks for giving me somehting to try out! I'll try the 30:30:30 reset and see what happens. Since my issues only stem from firmware update installs, it may be a while before I update the status of my router.
I second this complaint. I have been having the same issue as descrribed by the OP. Also restoring the previous config fails when trying to recover from the reset and results in yet another reset.
Hardware Version RBR20 Firmware Version V2.3.1.44 GUI Language Version V1.0.0.354 Operation Mode Router This has happened several times over the last few months. This is the first post I have been able to find that is like my issue though.
You should give this a try:
seems to help others...
RadRob wrote:
I second this complaint. I have been having the same issue as descrribed by the OP. Also restoring the previous config fails when trying to recover from the reset and results in yet another reset.
Hardware Version RBR20 Firmware Version V2.3.1.44 GUI Language Version V1.0.0.354 Operation Mode Router This has happened several times over the last few months. This is the first post I have been able to find that is like my issue though.
Thanks, I'll check it out.
All,
After some exchanges with Netgear via Facebook, they opened a support case yesterday morning, and I'll update them with references to this thread, and my personal results and testing. However, they state they could not replicate the problem on FW V2.3.1.44. Since the problem has been random and none of us seem able to spot any red-flag conditions to trigger it, that's not surprising.
However, please be advised, that when I checked the Orbi unit this morning, it presented the availability of V2.3.1.48 to upgrade the base router - RBR20 in my case. My RBW30 Satellite is stil on V2.3.0.4 - however, one thing I had done, for testing, since I upgraded to FW .44 a few weeks back, was to remove the Satellite for a duration of testing.
In my case, after I upgraded to the .44 FW, my Orbi stopped loosing configs after random reboots, but I've still caught evidence of it randomly rebooting anywhere from 5-10 days. By coincidence, it happened to reboot 1-week ago, while I was near the unit and I grabbed debug logs.
For your awareness, the Orbi has a /debug.htm page you can manually load, where you can enable on-demand debug log captures, or debug @ reboot, and download to your local system. You can also enable Telnet - no SSH - but remember to always disable Telnet when you're done. The Orbi CLI is a trimmed down Linux system, to if you know your way around Linux, the same conventions apply, and you have a functional subset of commands to use.
If there is any greater progress with Support and/or this new .48 FW version, I'll provide the updates.
It's also recommended to do a factory reset and setup from scratch after new FW is applied if you seem to see problems afterwards. Seen problems appear or continue after new FW is updated. Reset and setup from scratch is helping to solve these oddities.
Steve_Hil wrote:
All,
After some exchanges with Netgear via Facebook, they opened a support case yesterday morning, and I'll update them with references to this thread, and my personal results and testing. However, they state they could not replicate the problem on FW V2.3.1.44. Since the problem has been random and none of us seem able to spot any red-flag conditions to trigger it, that's not surprising.
However, please be advised, that when I checked the Orbi unit this morning, it presented the availability of V2.3.1.48 to upgrade the base router - RBR20 in my case. My RBW30 Satellite is stil on V2.3.0.4 - however, one thing I had done, for testing, since I upgraded to FW .44 a few weeks back, was to remove the Satellite for a duration of testing.
In my case, after I upgraded to the .44 FW, my Orbi stopped loosing configs after random reboots, but I've still caught evidence of it randomly rebooting anywhere from 5-10 days. By coincidence, it happened to reboot 1-week ago, while I was near the unit and I grabbed debug logs.
For your awareness, the Orbi has a /debug.htm page you can manually load, where you can enable on-demand debug log captures, or debug @ reboot, and download to your local system. You can also enable Telnet - no SSH - but remember to always disable Telnet when you're done. The Orbi CLI is a trimmed down Linux system, to if you know your way around Linux, the same conventions apply, and you have a functional subset of commands to use.
If there is any greater progress with Support and/or this new .48 FW version, I'll provide the updates.
I get what you're saying, but my challenge back to Netgear, is that, this is a band-aid approach. It means their FW and system is not properly clearing NVRAM and/or loading config files, upon either reboots or FW updates.
So the whole 30-30-30 and/or factory-reset approach, is a band-aid handed to, and putting the onus upon, the community, to overcome a Dev bug issue in the product.
I'll do it, after Netgear responds to my most recent response to them, but as of earlier today, I'm putting the issue firmly in their hands to provide a demonstrated reason for the reboots/config-loss, or demonstrate a proven fix, where the units don't randomly reboot at all.
And BTW, my unit had a random reboot overnight, 3 days after I updated to FW Version: V2.3.1.48
I've provided them with more than enough logs and support data, and offered to setup a WebEx with senior support and/or Dev.. but the issue is fully on Netgear. I've already done more than enough troubleshooting on their behalf.
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@FURRYe38 wrote:
It's also recommended to do a factory reset and setup from scratch after new FW is applied if you seem to see problems afterwards. Seen problems appear or continue after new FW is updated. Reset and setup from scratch is helping to solve these oddities.
