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Forum Discussion
Very Sad Orbi RB50 experience
First, i am an IT professional and software/hardware engineer. I have a large ranch with a FIOS cable modem and a low end wifi router connected to it. I bought orbi because i wanted to get better c...
We currently have a beta firmware that has fixes for issues in 2.1.1.16 you can find it here
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/OrbiOS-2-1-1/m-p/1476960#M19962
DarrenM
DarrenM,
I downloaded the firmware as you stated for the RBR50/RBS50 -
The Beta firmware 2.1.2 files can be obtained from here:
RBR50: http://files.netgear-support.com/go/?a=d&i=n2X2ARvI7o
RBS50: http://files.netgear-support.com/go/?a=d&i=yBsnhHaBiw
Upgraded the satellite first and then router. Everything seemed to work fine but when I turned off the satellite to move it to another location (because I upgraded firmware via hardwired to the router) it never made the connection back to the router via wifi.
So, I thought maybe I should move it closer - Tried that no dice (mind you never had issues where it was located before) - Tried the satellite 10ft-30ft away but still in view of the router...no dice.
Just pulses white then solid magenta. Tried multiple syncs - Not no connection. I am able to connect it hardwired to the router and can login to admin panel but it will not connect via wifi.
*Continue*
After upgrading the router - I logged back into the router and found the device was not broadcasting the SSID
This also happened when I tried to downgrade from the beta to 2.1.1.16/2.1.1.12/2.0.0.74 all showed the same error -
Refer to this link - https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Wifi-goes-OFF-everytime-I-reboot-the-router/m-p/1467460#M18837
I had to reset both router/satellite and revert back to 2.0.0.74 just to have the router broadcast wifi and satellite to connect. After that I went ahead and upgraded to 2.0.0.76 for KRACK fix.
I will not be using the beta file and I will not be upgrading pass 2.0.0.74
Also - I went ahead and disabled Auto Firmware update for the router and satellite.
Warning - IF you don't know how to Telnet don't. I don't suggest people do this if they are not sure what they are doing and I don't know if this breaks warranty or anything if anything happens in nvram or what.
Which I followed the steps below for both the router and satellite. All credit goes to the poster of this solution.
Butch1326 - https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Firmware-V1-12-0-18-Discussion/td-p/1320421/page/5
To stop the Orbi from installing the updated firmware automatically follow the steps below.
Perform these step after you downgraded the firmware to a prior release.
1) Launch your favorite web browser and go to <Router IP Address>/debug.htm
2) Login <username> <password> when prompted
3) Check Enable Telnet
4) Start a Telnet session. I use Putty. Enter the <Router IP Address> Telnet is using port 23
5) You can skip this step if you like. I am calling it out for illustration purposes only...
Type nvram show | grep auto_* <ENTER>
You will see a list similar to this:
root@RBR50:/# nvram show | grep auto_
vpn_access_mode=auto
wl_auto_antenna=1
set_auto_agreement=0
orbi_auto_upgrade=1
ipv6_autoConfig_dns_assign=0
ipv6_autoConfig_dns1=
ipv6_autoConfig_dns2=
upnp_enable_autoScan=0
ipv6_auto_dns_assign=0
bas_auto_conn_flag=0
orbi_auto_upg=0
autofw_port0=
ipv6_auto_dns1=
ipv6_auto_dns2=
qos_auto_bandwidth=0
green_enable_autorefresh_status=0
enable_dev_auto_refresh=1
wl_rate=auto
auto_check_for_upgrade=1
auto_update=1
root@RBR50:/# root@RBR50:/#The 3 configurations highlighted above you will want to update the value from =1 to =0
orbi_auto_upgrade=1
auto_check_for_upgrade=1
auto_update=16) To update run the following commands:
nvram set orbi_auto_upgrade=0 <ENTER> (no spaces after set)
nvram set auto_check_for_upgrade=0 <ENTER> (no spaces after set)
nvram set auto_update=0 <ENTER> (no spaces after set)
7) Type the following commands to confirm the 3 configurations are set to =0
nvram show | grep orbi_auto_upgrade <ENTER>
nvram show | grep auto_check_for_upgrade <ENTER>
nvram show | grep auto_update <ENTER>
8) After you confirmed the 3 configuration values are set to =0 then type nvram commit<ENTER> (this step will save the changes)
9) Type exit to terminate the telnet session
10) Go back to the <Router IP Address>/debug.htm web page and uncheck Enable Telnet
Please note within a day or so the Orbi will know there is an updated firmware release available but it will not automatically install it. If you do go back into a Telnet session after the Orbi knows there is an updated firmware release the configuration orbi_auto_upgrade will have a value greater than 1. That is okay. Do not change the value back to =0
As the OP...just wanted to update this. After messing with this for hours...eliminating all google home, chromecast and pixel divices (just in case ) and setting up a new network with JUST one Orbi Router, connected to my verizon cable router and a laptop connected to wifi ...the Orbi still was rebooting it lead me to conclude that either there is a major issue with orbi and verizon OR the orbi i have is defective. If the Orbi cannot do something so simple as that there has to be something wrong with it. Waiting for "Engineering" to ask all the same question ...again...that were already asked in the other support calls and waiting for them to authorize a replacement is NOT something i am prepared to do after spending so much money and getting nothing but headaches. My retailer was gratious enought to refund my purchase so i will not be able to test this new firmware.
Just as an FYI...i put my old router back in service...my 15 devices connected and we have been working flawlessly for a week. I could not in a million years have predicted how badly this went. I still beleive that the Orbi archiecture and direction is the best and hope that in a years time when i move to our new home it will be ready. I could not justify the time or beta test services given that I had to spend 300 dollars for the privelege.
I updated to the beta firmware and it's not any better for me either. I have 2 Orbi+Satelite systems that I'm going to figure out how to return at this point.
