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It doesn't outright block sites
I have seen the exact same behavior for the past 3 weeks on my RBR50 mesh router (firmware v2.7.24). This is beyond frustrating - it doesn't outright block sites but it is failing to resolve the host...
Well since the Orbi 50 series is EoL, I presume Circle maybe as well. It had it's run and I guess time for something else. Hope the other system works out for you.
Good Luck.
FURRYe38 - thank you very much for weighing in on my issue with these very clear instructions. I really appreciate all of the help you provide to people on this board!
I did not do a complete Factory Reset following my FW upgrade, as that would destroy all Circle setting (back-up / restore of Circle settings has long been broken for Circle 1st gen on Orbi and they have never fixed it).
As it is abundantly clear that Netgear really, really wants to kill off Circle 1st Gen in their products in favor of their monthly parental controls subscription, I decided it was futile to try go down the path of trying to fix Circle 1st Gen in my Orbi.
I went ahead and purchased a Bark Home parental controls unit and I completely turned off Circle. Not the outcome I had hoped for since I had purchased my RBR50 (and replaced it with the same unit a couple of times) specifically for the built-in Circle features, but I was pretty sure I had no chance of getting functionality and stability out of Circle long term (I did reach out to Circle for help, and like for so many other people, they referred me to Netgear Support, so that was a dead end as well).
It is a pity, as I had recommended the RBR50 to many of my friends over the years because of built-in Circle which didn't require ongoing subscription fees. Going forward, if Bark Home works out for me I will be recommending that instead.