A friend gave me her Orbi RBR50 Router and RBS50 satellite. They are set up and I get internet. However, I have problems updating the firmware. The current version is V2.1.4.16_1.0.0.11.f I try to check for updates in the Orbi app, I get "There was a problem checking firmware updates".If I go to orbilogin.com, go to the Online Update tab, and select the Check button, it will show the status of "Update Failed" for both the router and satellite.I tried Manual Update and had no luck. If I check the box next to the satellite and click on Update it sends me to a login box, but when I put in the username and password it doesn't do anything except want me to put in the username and password again (and again etc). I downloaded the file for the next version, RBR50-V2.2.1.210 to see if it would work but when I tried to upload the .img file, I get "The Fireware file is incorrect. Please get the firewire file again and make sure it is the correct firmware for this product". I also tried manually uploading and updating using the latest version, RBR50-V2.7.5.4 but got the same message. I am not sure what to do.

You have been caught by a "gotcha" from 2019. The original Orbi firmware was predicted to never exceed a certain size and the update function would check new firmware to ensure that it did not exceed that size. Alas, when Netgear added Armor and Parental Controls the resulting firmware was too large. A special version of firmware, v2.2.1.212 was released in 2019 to allow for larger firmware images: https://kb.netgear.com/000060612/RBR50-RBS50-Firmware-Version-2-2-1-212 That firmware needs to be downloaded (for router and satellite) and manually installed on the router and satellite. (I prefer to connect directly to the satellite web page to update the satellite - use the IP address of the satellite and the same credentials as the router - "admin" + password). After v2.2.1.212 has been installed, then you can manually update to any version after that.

Hello jcmacdesigns2 , Welcome to the NETGEAR Community! I understand that you are having issues updating the firmware on your RBR/RBS50. Your Orbi Mesh system is on an older firmware which is causing issues when updating to our most recent firmware release version 2.7.5.4. To successfully update your Orbi Mesh system you will have to update the firmware one version at a time. Navigate to the link below for the firmware download file for your RBR50 (select view previous versions then start one above your current firmware): https://www.netgear.com/support/product/RBK50#download For step-by-step instructions on how to manually update your RBK50 please navigate to the link below:https://kb.netgear.com/31573/How-do-I-manually-upgrade-firmware-on-my-Orbi-router-using-orbilogin-com Best, Kevin Community Team

Thanks. Chalk one up for Netgear. On the Manual Update page, the section above the line applies to the router. The section below the line applies to satellites. The router is rejecting trying to upload a satellite image to the router. Notice that there is another "Update" button below the line. When that "Update" is checked, the web session switches to the satellite web interface and the "Browse" prompt appears. When doing satellites, selecting the firmware file happens after changing to the satellite. Not exactly intuitive.

This would be the reason. Your Orbi is a Verizon Orbi. They have there own FW for it. NG made the HW however Verizon did there own FW development for Orbi and handed them out to there Verizon customers. If this system does not belong to Verizon, you could TFTP NG Stock FW on to the system I believe... jcmacdesigns2 wrote: I am updating the satellite and not the router. When I check the box next to the satellite name and click on Update it takes me to a new log in window. I log in and it takes me to this window where I can browse for the file and Upload (see where it says Orbi Satellite at the top)

Ya, Why I don't recommend equipment from ISPs. Short term use and development. If the user can get NG stock FW loaded, it should work from there: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Upgrading-ISP-branded-Verizon-Orbi-RBR50-and-Orbi-RBS50-to-new/m-p/1978380/highlight/true#M103180https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-RBK50-upgrade-ISP-branded-old-firmware-to-latest-firmware/m-p/1920034/highlight/false#M93253https://www.reddit.com/r/orbi/comments/vsr548/finally_i_can_use_latest_stock_firmware_on_rbk50/

RBR50 Problems updating firmware | NETGEAR Communities

22 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru
Apr 28, 2023
You have been caught by a "gotcha" from 2019. The original Orbi firmware was predicted to never exceed a certain size and the update function would check new firmware to ensure that it did not exceed that size. Alas, when Netgear added Armor and Parental Controls the resulting firmware was too large.

A special version of firmware, v2.2.1.212 was released in 2019 to allow for larger firmware images:

https://kb.netgear.com/000060612/RBR50-RBS50-Firmware-Version-2-2-1-212

That firmware needs to be downloaded (for router and satellite) and manually installed on the router and satellite. (I prefer to connect directly to the satellite web page to update the satellite - use the IP address of the satellite and the same credentials as the router - "admin" + password).

After v2.2.1.212 has been installed, then you can manually update to any version after that.
- jcmacdesigns2
  Aspirant
  Apr 28, 2023
  Thanks for the quick response. When I tried to manually upload the v2.2.1.212 img file I got the same error message "The firmware file is incorrect. Please get the firmware file again and make sure it is the correct firmware for this product". Also, when I try and update the satellite from the IP address, I get the same message. I am not sure what to do. Any suggestions?
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    Apr 28, 2023
    Try v2.2.1.210
    
    Be sure your updating any RBS first, then the RBR lastly...

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RBR50 Problems updating firmware