NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
RBR50: Can't change DNS settings (error msg that existing log-in can't contain non english words)
Hey Folks - first post here. I'm running an Orbi RBR50 with two sattelites. It's been running fine for a year but now I'm wanting to bypass my ISPs DNS because they keep having issues. My ISP requires a login name ("name@isp.net") and password which is in the Orbi admin page and, obviously working fine (as I have functioning internet).
To change the DNS, I naviagate to my Internet Setup in the orbi admin web page, cruise down to DNS, click the button to enter my own settings, enter those, then click "Apply," and I get the message:
"192.168.1.1 says:
Invalid Login name, can't accept non-english words"
My first thought was that I accidentally entered a character in the wrong field, so I logged out of the router and back in. Yep, login/password is obviously correct because Interent still works. So I go to the Internet Setup again, don't change anything, and just hit the "Test" button -- same error pops up.
Rebooted, same issue/err. "Test" button pops the error message whether I try to change a setting or not. In fact, not changing anything and just clicking save still pops the error.
I'm not sure what's going on because I had to enter these credentials when I set up the Orbi. I know they're right and they work or else I wouldn't have internet (they are the credentials necessary to connect the Orbi to my fiber modem).
Other things I've tried:
- I rebooted the Orbi.
- I tried changing the router language from "Auto" to "English"
- Tried a different browser
no changes with any of those.
Things I haven't tried:
- Firmware update: It says there's one available, however I'm a little afraid to try it because I don't want to get locked out of my working internet if the firmware decides it doesn't like my login credentials.
Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to get this working? Thank you!
11 Replies
Interesting that a log in is causing a DNS UI change problem.
Is Armor or Circle enabled?
For the Admin log in the main log in should be admin and a password. Not a email address. Possible that Orbi doesn't support this and is causing problems.
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What region are you located?
Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update? Might do this and this time leave the "admin" log in as default and set a password. Then try the DNS.
Be sure Armor or Cicle is not enabled as well.
Thanks for the reply: To clarify a couple things:
- DNS is not an issue right now. I only ran across this issue because I wanted to not use my ISP provided DNS. However, the Internet Setup page wouldn't allow me to change the DNS (or do anything else) at the Internet Setup tab. So the issue is purely the error and inability to change any settings on this page.
- The Orbi router Admin login is just that Admin/MyPassword.
- the log-in (I believe) that is causing the Error is the (ISP) log-in that I enter into Orbi and then Orbi passes to my fiber ONT (see screenshot). At the "Internet/Internet Setup, the first changeable item is: "does your internet connection require a login". In my case, the "yes" option is chosen. The next section below that is: Internet Service Provider. In that section, the next thing is "Login" (in my case it's myusername@myispdomain.net). The next thing below that is "Password". The default setting shows all asteriks, but I've tried it with the current password, too). Next item is Service Name (if required). Mine isn't required and its blank. Next item is Connection Mode. Mine is "Always On". Final item is Idle timeout (in minutes). Mine is 0 (and grayed out).
- I'm not running Circle or Armor
Prior to the last firmware update, I did a factory reset. The router is currently running 2.5.2.4. I'm hesitant to do another full reset or add the updated firmware because if I can't enter my ISP credentials, I can't get internet.
I don't think you need to use the ISP log in. Rather just change the DNS address to what the ISP uses or recommends using. You can do this under Advanced tab/Setup/Internet setup. Select Use These DNS Servers und Domain Name Server. Input the DNS IP address from your ISP here.
Hi - I think we're missing each other on this --
In addition to "routing" I'm using the orbi to do Vlan taggng and handle the credentials necesarry to log into my fiber connection. That is the login information I populated when I set up the Orbi and it's been working fine. Something changed at some point (firmware update?) because, like I said, I put that info in to the Orbi in the first place so I could connect to my fiber. It didn't generate the error then. Those credentials are required for my Internet won't work. But with those credentials there, I'm unable to "save" (or even "test") that page.
So while I realize what I should do to change the DNS settings IF the Orbi was working properly and not generating the "invalid log-in/non-english words" error, my point is that I can't do that (or anything) on that page because that page also contains (and must contain) my ISP login information, and that log-in info is apparently what's now generating the error. What changed? I don't know.
I'm pretty that removing my ISP credentials would allow me to adjust the DNS settings (or whatever else I wanted to do on this page) and save the changes, but that would be pointless because the Orbi would no longer be able to communicate with my Fiber ONT and I'd lose my Internet.
Is there any way ot report a bug to Netgear without paying for extended support?
Something to contact NG support about and see if there is additinal help and information regarding this. This maybe a local issue regarding your ISP and there services.
