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Forum Discussion
OlegP
Sep 14, 2018Apprentice
Latest 2.3.2.32 firmware cripples the XR500
I’ve only had the XR500 router for about a month. Unfortunately, so far I’m not at all impressed with the main selling feature that is DumaOS and I’m frustruated to the point of potentially exchangin...
- Oct 01, 2018
A quick status update on the issue. I few days ago I replaced the brand new Arris TM1602 modem that I got from Spectrum/Charter last month since I’ve just found out that the Arris modem has that garbage Intel Puma6 chip.
In its place I put an equivalent Netgear CM600 and now I’m running the .32 FW without any speed or MAC address issues; however, I still get WiFi devices disconnect on me for a few seconds when on the 2.4Ghz band.
So the .32 FW issue might have been related to the Arris modem, even though it seems to run fine with the XR500 on the .22 FW version.
FURRYe38
Sep 17, 2018Guru - Experienced User
I would keep prior working version loaded then for now.
OlegP
Sep 17, 2018Apprentice
I guess you’re right, but doens’t the new version supposedly patch security vulnerabilities. There some nasty stuff out there infecting routers with DDoS and VPFilter malware.
I’d hate to sit on an old software version waiting 3+ months before the next update is available for download.
- FURRYe38Sep 17, 2018Guru - Experienced User
Understandable. It's not always necessary to update fw as well. If the last version works, then keep that loaded. I know when I demo'd the 500 last year, I thought the initial version if FW was the best one. Something you can try as well. I now have a XR450 so even though a bit different, I'm not seeing any issues. However they haven't released the v.32 version for the 450 yet. I presume the may not since it's give the 500 issues.
What .32 has:
New features and enhancements:
- Improved the Smart Connect feature
- Supports USB printers.
- Supports WiFi HT160 for Korea and Japan.
Bug Fixes:
- Fixes security issues.
- Fixes the disconnection issue for wired devices.
We can only presume about the security issues. No details on it. Also yes it's recommended to udpate fw to keep the vulnerabilities out. Also depends if your actually be effected by them as well. Maybe hard to tell. Up to you though.
- OlegPSep 18, 2018Apprentice
Yeah I'm just using the downgraded .22 FW at the moment I guess. The speeds are what I'm supposed to get from the ISP and I can now select "Use Default MAC Address" without getting totally disconnected from the WAN and losing the internet access completely.
There's still a glitch with the .22 FW that I haven't noticed as much with the newer .32, and that is my WiFi devices get disconnected for a second or two on the 2.4Ghz network. Super annoying when you're on the Skype call.
I guess there real question is how long will it take for Netgear to publish a fixed firmware?
- FURRYe38Sep 18, 2018Guru - Experienced User
Unknown. They don't say when FW updates are forth coming. Just have to keep an eye on it.
Might try changing to a manual channel on 2.4ghz. Disable MIMO and HT160 as well.
- OlegPOct 01, 2018Apprentice
A quick status update on the issue. I few days ago I replaced the brand new Arris TM1602 modem that I got from Spectrum/Charter last month since I’ve just found out that the Arris modem has that garbage Intel Puma6 chip.
In its place I put an equivalent Netgear CM600 and now I’m running the .32 FW without any speed or MAC address issues; however, I still get WiFi devices disconnect on me for a few seconds when on the 2.4Ghz band.
So the .32 FW issue might have been related to the Arris modem, even though it seems to run fine with the XR500 on the .22 FW version.
- FURRYe38Oct 01, 2018Guru - Experienced User
Might try changing to a manual channel on 2.4ghz. Disable MIMO and HT160 as well. Set WPS2 and AES only...