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Forum Discussion

dguilloryjr's avatar
dguilloryjr
Aspirant
Feb 16, 2022

Orbi reset

So me and the wife were out of town this week and my kids call and say the internet is out. I talked my daughter through getting things back online, but here's my question:   What makes the Orbi RB...
dguilloryjr's avatar
dguilloryjr
Aspirant
Feb 16, 2022

Is there a way to turn off the auto updates on a RBR50? I don't see a way to do that but if this was the cause of the issue, I would rather just turn off the auto updates.

plemans's avatar
plemans
Guru - Experienced User
Feb 16, 2022

there used to be away and then they took that away and made them all auto-update. I know there was talk of re-enabling the disable auto update but I'm not sure if its rolledout yet

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Feb 16, 2022

    There is a way to prevent Netgear routers from updating firmware:

    • Sign up for a free account at OpenDNS.com
      (yes, free.  There is also an option for paid accounts which have more features.)
    • On the paid account, block this URL: http.fw.updates1.netgear.com
      This is described in a forum post:
      https://www.dropbox.com/s/se94mxcfzhpmi1o/Prevent Orbi from Updating.pdf?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/s/se94mxcfzhpmi1o/Prevent Orbi from Updating.pdf?dl=0
    • On the router, change the DNS selection for "Domain Name Servers" to "Use These DNS Servers" and put in the IP addresses of OpenDNS.com, which are 208.67. 222.222 and 208.67. 220.220
      (there are also IPv6 addresses for OpenDNS)

      Every time the router attempts to connect to Netgear to update firmware, the connection will fail.

       

      There are other methods which involve more time and expense.  For example, a router could be placed upstream of the Orbi which blocks access to Netgear's servers. 

       

      It is probably relevant to point out that the "Terms and Conditions" that we all agreed to when configuring Netgear routers require us to let Netgear update firmware at will:

       

      1. SOFTWARE UPDATES AND UPDATES TO THE PRODUCTS
        Software Updates. By using the Product, You agree to receive all Software Updates and upgrades that NETGEAR sends to the software included in the Product. You specifically agree Your Product may: (i) communicate with NETGEAR servers from time to time to automatically check for available updates, such as bug fixes, critical system updates, patches, enhanced functions, upgrades, missing plug-ins and new versions (collectively, “Software Updates”) and (ii) install the Software Updates. Such Software Updates may be in various forms and are generally provided for the purposes of improving the performance, security and reliability of the Product.

        I am not a lawyer (and do not even play one on TV), but it seems to me that one could make a case that Netgear implicitly agrees not to force firmware on a customer that makes their product stop working correctly.