Unable to configure RBR50v2

I'm reading the instructions and they say to wait upload until the Power LED flashes orange.  That doesn't happen on the Orbi, fwhen do you actually upload the firmware?

I am trying to upload the firmware and I constantly get connection request failed and TFTP client they recommend (not windows) is a 404 error repository not found.

I ran wireshark while trying to upload the file and I am Destination unreachable (port unreachable).  I am plugged directly into the router via ethernet cable and I have tried every port on the back of the router (besides the internet port) and I get the same results.  I have also tried connecting to the default wifi on the router and get the same results that way.  I'm really starting to think this thing is bricked and that really annoys me.

(my experience is only on Windows...... so.....)

It appears (to me) that the Orbi boot process includes a brief period of time when it will accept a TFTP connection.  Too soon, and the connection fails.  Too late, and the router has "moved on" to loading firmware and starting up.  Hitting the "sweet spot" is not easy.  On one occasion, I had failed five times in a row, and was getting ready to toss the Orbi.  Then thought, "what else do I have to do right now?"  On the sixth try, it worked!

So, my suggestion is:

• Power off the Orbi.
• Get the FTP process set up to the point of pressing "Send".
• Power on the Orbi.
• Count "1 potato".
• Press Send.
• If it fails, start over and this time count "1 potato, 2 potato" and press Send.

The idea of watching the file transfer process with Wireshark is interesting. (Wish I had thought of that.)

I believe that the benefit of the Windows nmrpflash utility is that it does not give up when the initial connection fails, but keeps trying until it works (or finally times out).

Hello cakelyfe,

Welcome to the NETGEAR Community!

I understand that you are having difficulties with using TFTP to install firmware on your RBR50v2. Please ensure that you assign the device that you are using to TFTP the firmware to your Orbi router the IPv4 address of 192.168.1.10.  

Best,

Kevin

Community Team

I have my ip set to 192.168.1.10

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cakelyfe wrote:

I am trying to upload the firmware and I constantly get connection request failed and TFTP client they recommend (not windows) is a 404 error repository not found.

---

Sorry  (My Bad).  I read this post to mean "not using Windows", when the context appears to be Windows.

• This web site did not work: https://pjo2.github.io/tftpd64/ ??
• Nor did https://github.com/jclehner/nmrpflash ?

Was a bit surprised to see the firmware image file with no file extension.  For this Orbi, it is typically an *.img file.

That was a mistake in my screenshot, the actual firmware file had a .img extension.  I was able to flash the firmware using nmrpflash but I am getting the same results with the 2.7.3.22 firmware.  I then downloaded an older version 2.6.1.40 and am trying that now.

I thought I had success with 2.6.1.40, I was able to access the Netgear home page through a browser after flashing the firmware but when I clicked on the "I Don't have a phone" option it just sat and spun.  I then restarted and flashed it again to try to configure it through the app and no luck.  

If its accepting all these firmwares and its broadcasting wifi, I'm really suspicious of something else with your setup. 

Like antivirus/browser/etc. 

I have tried on 3 different computers, two Macs and One Windows and on 3 different mobile devices and the experience is the same across all.  I have tried wired and wireless, I even tried 2 different ethernet cables to rule out a bad cable.  The Windows computer was freshly reset because it is older and I wans't sure what was on it (no AV running or anything but a basic Windows 10 install).  I've tried on 4 browsers (Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari) and within the app again all the same experience.  The only commonality is the RBR50v2. 

This most recent reset I was able to get into the configuration Wizard and I got to the page where it summarizes the admin password and the wifi with the password but it wouldn't go any further.  It really seems to be some type of time problem.  I'm guessing some type of memory leak or overloading the CPU.  Etiher way I have given up on this, there is something wrong in the hardware and it isn't under warranty anylonger.  I guess I am stuck with the Eero for now.

Hello cakelyfe,

Thank you for that information!

Please try our most recent FW for your RBR50v2 which is FW 2.7.5.4.

Navigate to the link below for the current FW file for your RBR50v2:

Orbi RBR50v2 | WiFi System | NETGEAR Support

Best,

Kevin

Community Team

I have tried 4 different firmwares, 2.7.3.22, 2.6.1.40, 2.5.1.16 and 2.3.5.30.  2.3.5.30 and 2.6.1.40 were the only ones that even got me to the configuration page, 2.7.3.22 and 2.5.1.16 I couldn't do anything.  I just tried 2.7.5.4 and had the same results as 2.7.3.22 and 2.5.1.16.

Hello cakelyfe,

Thanks for the update!

Please do a factory reset after updating to FW 2.7.5.4 then try to establish the connection to your RBR50v2.

Best,

Kevin

Community Team

I just tried and same behavior.  Orbi not found in the app trying to set up and in the browser it just sits and spins.  I do not even get the certificate error message as I did in a couple of other firmware versions.

Hello cakelyfe,

Thank you for your persistence in going through the recommended troubleshooting steps. Since we have not been able to solve your issue I would like to endorse you to our support team. 

Please PM the following information so I can endorse you to our support team:

Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
Device Model:
Firmware:
Serial Number:
Preferred time to be contacted:
App version:

Please provide this information as soon as possible!
I look forward to hearing from you!

Best,
Kevin
Community Team