I’m sorry if this is in the wrong board. I can’t seem to find a location for the Orbi RBR50. I need to update the FW on my Orbi to resolve a Guest Network password problem. The Orbi app does not recognize there is a new FW. It is currently using v2.7.4.24 and I am trying to update to v2.7.5.4. I read the article on manually updating the router and satellite but I do not have a computer with an Ethernet port which is required. Any ideas on how to update to the latest FW without an Ethernet connection? Will the app eventually update the Firmware? Is my only option to turn off my Guest Network since it cannot be protected?Thanks in advance

An Ethernet connection is the most convenient, but not an absolute requirement. Use a laptop or tablet that connects to the router by WiFi. (smartphone screens are to small that the Orbi web interface is very hard to use on one.)

So they do. (sigh) That advice from 2019 sort of flies in the face of the reality of 2023, when people are purchasing laptops or tablets that have no Ethernet connection. One can always purchase a USB to Ethernet adapter (I have several from Amazon - under $20 each.) Work on my desktop, two laptops, a Chromebook, and Samsung tablet. One would think that firmware files ought to be encoded so that the router can determine if they are corrupted before beginning the update. Sorry.

One can use a wireless PC or laptop and connect wirelessly to send FW updates. Its recommenced to have the PC or laptop fairly close to the RBR, say 3-6 feet to ensure the connection is good. If it's good, then you can send the FW to the RBS first, then RBR lastly. Soon as the file gets sent to the units, the PC or laptop will loose connection temporarily with the RBR after the RBR FW is sent. Once the RBR is back online, the PC or laptop should reconnect. It's recommended to have a USB to ethernet adapter on hand for future use should your PC or laptop not have ethernet wire support. Good Luck.

Can you log into the RBRs web page and configure the Guest Network password there with a web browser? Try inputting the following for the password to see if it works, Password123 As meantioned before you could update the system using a wireless PC or laptop. Just have the Pc or laptop in close proximity to the RBR for best connection between them. Update the RBS first then RBR lastly.

The Orbi 'app' credentials are a user name, which is usually the email address used to access my.Netgear.com and a password. When using the web interface, the user name is always "admin" (and cannot be changed) and the password is what was defined during the original configuration. If the web credentials are rejected three times in a row, either for changing the user name from "admin" to something else or entering an incorrect web password, the Orbi pops up the Password Recovery option. This requires the router serial number (which I read from the product label. guess a picture would do as well, but I enjoy upending the router.) and answers to some security questions that were supposed to be defined during that original set up. My guess is that Password Recovery is not complaining about the router serial number, but something else. When the user cannot successfully enter the web password or complete the Password Recovery process, the only method to gain access to the web interface is through a Factory Reset. https://kb.netgear.com/31486/How-do-I-reset-my-Orbi-system-to-factory-default-settings

Unable to manually update RBR50 for new FW

19 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Nov 02, 2023
An Ethernet connection is the most convenient, but not an absolute requirement. Use a laptop or tablet that connects to the router by WiFi. (smartphone screens are to small that the Orbi web interface is very hard to use on one.)
- kgrass
  Tutor
  Nov 03, 2023
  Unfortunately Netgear specifically advises AGAINST connecting wirelessly in their Knowledge Artricle - see link attached below.
  
  https://kb.netgear.com/31573/How-do-I-manually-upgrade-firmware-on-my-Orbi-router-using-orbilogin-com?article=31573
  - CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Nov 03, 2023
    So they do. (sigh) That advice from 2019 sort of flies in the face of the reality of 2023, when people are purchasing laptops or tablets that have no Ethernet connection.
    
    One can always purchase a USB to Ethernet adapter (I have several from Amazon - under $20 each.) Work on my desktop, two laptops, a Chromebook, and Samsung tablet.
    
    One would think that firmware files ought to be encoded so that the router can determine if they are corrupted before beginning the update.
    
    Sorry.
CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Nov 03, 2023
kgrass wrote:

I need to update the FW on my Orbi to resolve a Guest Network password problem.

We got side tracked over the Ethernet issue and neglected to ask about this Guest Network password problem.

Could you please describe the issue?

Thanks
- kgrass
  Tutor
  Nov 03, 2023
  
  I used to have a guest network password set up. Yesterday I noticed that the guest network no longer had a lock symbol by it. Every time I went to add a password to the guest network nothing would happen. In other words, I could hit return And the field would clear, but no password created. I tried with the various security settings but same result.
  
  There is a reply on the boards to someone describing the same issue which suggested the firmware update was required to fix the issue.
  - kgrass
    Tutor
    Nov 05, 2023
    I previously had a password set up for the guest network on my Orbi RBR50. Recently when adding a new device to the network I notice the guest network was now unprotected. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear I am able to add a password via the Orbi app to that network.
    
    I’ve tried doing this with each Security Method - no luck. In the case of WPA/WPA2-Personal it takes me to a screen that suggests I should either update WiFi Credentials or Try Again. Neither option adds the password. Using WPA2-Personal it acts as if it is applying a new configuration but nothing changes at the end of the process.
    
    Note: I’m currently running FW v2.7.4.24. I’ve gotten conflicting advice regarding a manual update for the optional update. The Knowledge Article from Netgear explicitly advises against trying to do this wirelessly. As I don’t have an Ethernet port on my laptop I am not going to try updating.
    
    Does anyone have a proposed solution to getting the Orbi to accept a Guest Network Password?
    
    Thanks all

Forum Discussion

Unable to manually update RBR50 for new FW