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Forum Discussion
LorneAv
Oct 23, 2015Tutor
cannot sign in to openDNS account to set-up parental controls using NETGEAR Genie
Hi, I am trying to use NETGEAR Genie Parental controls and when I attempt to login to my OpenDNS account, I get the following error message: "There was an error signing, in please make sure you're ...
MrPink
Jan 04, 2017Aspirant
Hi @TonyWilath, thanks for letting me know about your experience.
I have gone through the same process, up until they want to replace the device (which will most likely be the next step. I am just about resigned to the fact that the parental controls feature will not work and when its time, I will definitely be looking at other manufatcurers first.
Fortunately, I have another modem/router laying around, so what I have done is to add that to the net work (but not as an access point). Changed the DNS settings to the OpenDNS Family Shield servers and connected all my childrens devices through that (and changed the password on my D7800 so they couldn't connect to the unfiltered internet). This seems to have worked quite well, with no issues with wifi frequencies crossing. Just a band aid solution to keep the house flowing.
TonyWilath
Jan 06, 2017Guide
Hi MrPink
Thats quite a clever suggestion. I also have a few modem/routers lying around so am going to try what you have done. My sole reason for buying the top of the range Negear router was for the kids. Otherwise I would not have spent this kind of money and there are cheaper brands that offer the same performance specs. Its been quite frustrating as my internet is unprotected and I am worried about my little ones seing something they shouldnt.
I appreciate you sharing you workaround.
- GitzmanFeb 05, 2017Aspirant
I'm experiencing the same problem as everybody else: I cannot log into my existing OpenDNS account to set up family controls. I've tried to log in using the Windows app and the iOS (iphone and ipad) app, to no avail. I've repeatedly confirmed that my password is correct by logging in manually to the OpenDNS website, but I never succeed using Netgear Genie. In the iOS apps, it just spins and spins for 5+ minutes until the device goes into standby mode. In Windows, the app simply rejects the password and does nothing visible.
I just bought the router yesterday, and part of the assumption on which I based my decision was that at least rudimentary family controls would be functional, as advertised repeatedly in the ad copy. Now after seeing all these complaints, I'm starting to regret my purchase.
It's frankly baffling how such a major problem could last so long without being corrected. It's also baffling why - if Genie is indeed the root of the problem - the web interface hasn't simply been updated by engineering to allow us to manually change the appropriate settings. It's not just the web filtering that missing, it's also the ability to set usage schedules for individual devices (i.e., to shut down my kids' wifi around bedtime, while leaving mine open) which truly is just basic stuff which doesn't need to be locked up inside the LPC black box.
My X4S is using firmware 1.0.2.20. Windows and iOS fully updated.
- TonyWilathFeb 05, 2017Guide
Completely agree with your sentiments and after months of the issue and much messing about with troubleshooting I still don't have a resolution.
I am now a good portion through the realistic service life of this device and Netgear still dont have a resoluiton. Frankly I think its false adertising that they advertise this function on affected devices given this is a known issue for them.
The experience and poor support (ability fo actually provide me with a fix to the function I primarily bought their top of the line router for) is very unprofessional. I work for a fortune 500 company in the IT area and I can honestly say that our employment would have been terminated if we had performed in this way and communicated and dealt with customers so poorly.
I would recommend everyone giving Netgear networking infrastructure a wide birth.
- GitzmanFeb 05, 2017Aspirant
FWIW three more updates. First, I power cycled the router, same results. Then I installed and tried using the Mac OSX version of the Genie app, same results. Finally, I tried creating a new OpenDNS account, same results.
The only thing "different" this time was that the Mac version of Genie crashed to the spinning beach ball of death when I tried to exit it normally, so I had to force close the app.