Intermittent DNS Errors and WiFi Issues

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DNS_PROBE_FAIL wrote:

Is anyone else getting the six dot 'hour glass' waiting icon that never completes when you try to submit updates to tickets?  3 days in a row I've tried updating notes to my support case but it never completes.   Maybe netgear support is using Orbi RBK850's to run their infrastructure as well. 

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Yes, I got the infinite animated dots also when I replied with feedback to my support ticket.

I figured out how to login using their feedback URL and see my support tickets, discovered that your reply actually works and updates the ticket even though the spinning dots doesn't indicate success.

To login and see your Netgear support tickets:

1. Go to: https://www.netgear.com/mynetgear/portal/home.aspx
2. Click on My Support on the left
3. In Open Cases click on your support case number
4. Now you see the communication history, including the Online Comments made in the portal but where you saw the spinning dots.

Thanks, the same happened to me, so there are several of the same replies to my support ticket ;) 

Netgear Support, please help with this issue! 

I'm having similar issues DNS with my varioius devices in the home.  It really sucks to have these delays when bringing up various sites and definitely causing problems adding IoT like devices which are struggling to resolve.

I'm still in the return window.  I think I'm going to opt to just return the product instead of wasting more time trying to get it fixed with support which does not appear to be helping folkson these forums.

Netgear support isn't even updating my ticket - just ignoring it.

I also tried updating my Xfinity internet modem/router from an older CM1000 to a brand new CM1200 and there has been no improvement. 

Even with IPv6 enabled, my iphone constantly times out on wifi - sites, apps, push notifications, etc.

It is shameful that Netgear has so many customers with this issue, but is doing nothing to remedy it. 

Still affecting me as well, even with Netgear Armor activated.

I now believe it's just part of the webpage failing, perhaps not actually all of it?

For even this website: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-AX/bd-p/en-home-orbi-ax

Sometimes gives a "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN" message.

Yet I've narrowed it down to a possible URL:

https://cloud.github.com/downloads/lafeber/world-flags-sprite/flags32.css

That is always failing with the same message, even with the webpage loaded in fine.

Check with your web-browser console open (commonly using F12) and on the network tab to monitor while surfing around till you get the problem to popup for a second, then check what that website is loading.

Other websites which random show this "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN" issue have similar breaks with (failed)net::ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED or 499 Error Status on one of the links it tries to call while loading in the entire webpage.

The error might actually be valid if that's the case, but ends up confusing the user by showing up on the entire site for a few seconds before loading the rest fine? The question is (even if that's valid) why that shows on this router, yet not others?

Validus, I think what you are seeing is a symptom of the DNS errors, not the cause.

When you have failures to resolve names, it can result in all kinds of other errors and failures.

The root of this seems to be in DNS resolution and very likely a correlation to DNS caching because when you setup a new system or upgrade firmeware, it's ok for a few hours or up to 1.5 days, then the problem gets worse.

DNS_PROBE_FAIL Perhaps? While this problem seems random, it's not.

If I'm using on Google, Gmail, Youtube, or Netflix, etc, certain websites or services work 100% without any issues.

Yet I come back to a few certain other websites, where this "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN" message pops up random. That can occur on a daily basis, if clearing out your Internet Temporary Files and DNS, then going back to the same website/webpage. Yet what I question is what part? I believe it's either a certain server hosting or call from those websites in question. So currently attempting to narrow that down.

In my last post, I suggested it's calling https://cloud.github.com which has been deprecated.

If you instead called: https://www.github.com/downloads/lafeber/world-flags-sprite/flags32.css

It redirects to a new URL on Amazon: https://github.s3.amazonaws.com/downloads/lafeber/world-flags-sprite/flags32.css?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIA5BA2674WEWV2CIOD%2F20210223%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20210223T185305Z&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=d6f3e2f8c518dab91063e4245c7377f69f257237bc9e7fd4b646719e7f498ed3

I also get a call to URL: https://s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js

Commonly giving a 499 - Client Closed Request. I believe that means the Client shut off getting it before the server was ready to send it. I don't know if that's my security blocking it or the router itself timing out and just not waiting? If I go to it directly, that sometimes works.

As for the Wifi. I believe I had drop outs at the start, till I tried the trial version of NetGear Armor. After that activation, even if later disabled, it appeared to resolve the Wifi devices. Even figured out a previously unknown one. The Wifi is fine and stable for me now. So either that works out something with the Wifi devices while connected or there's another DNS layer in between your own DNS and NetGear Armor?

I'll try the Netgear Armor as one last shot before returning the system. 

When you enable it, you're in a 30 day trial. Did you let the trial expire and it still resolved the issues? 

I could actually see how the Armor could cause DNS issues, if it's processing all DNS lookups through it.  Even if inactive, it could be a factor. 

I'm experiencing what appears to be the same issue, but when it happens, it lasts for 2-3 minutes before everything returns to normal.

Like others have stated, I'm unable to ping the router while the connection is in this state. Additionally, though this is just anecdotal, it appears to primarily happen when I'm connected to a satellite; I've yet to experience the problem while connected to the main router.

I tried Netgear Armor and it did not resolve the DNS issues.

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driph wrote:

 

it appears to primarily happen when I'm connected to a satellite; I've yet to experience the problem while connected to the main router.

 

 

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I've regularly experienced the issue on a PC that's connected to the main router via ethernet, so the issue is not specific to satellites or even wi-fi connections.

It affects all devices that use IPv4. Most devices in the world still use IPv4 and there is no technical requirement to use IPv6.

• Most browsers on PCs will retry on DNS failure so you briefly see an error page, then it refreshes and you get to the site.
• Many devices and apps don't automatically retry on DNS failures, so they stay hung in an error state.  This is a huge problem for mobile apps and IoT devices. 

None of the following permanently resolve the issue:

• Rebooting Orbi router or satellites  
• Updated firmware, including manually installing the latest available
• Changing frequency settings (2.4 / 5Ghz related) 
• Using Guest vs Internal network, both affected 
• Disabling AX functionality
• Upgrading/replacing or rebooting the internet modem
• Enabling IP6to4 tunnel 
• Contacting Netgear support for help 

These Temporarily reduce errors, but it only lasts up to 1-2 days at most, then issues return.  I believe this is because these clear out DNS cache or some other internal cache on the Orbi system, which I think is related to the problem.

• Firmware upgrade or downgrade
• Factory Reset

If you are familiar with linux and telneting to the orbi-router you could see what I discovered back in september 2020 and my workaround (no problem with DNS since then in my case) 

 https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-AX/RBR850-frequently-issuing-DNS-REFUSED-responses/m-p/1979751/highlight/true#M7651 

I also submitted this to the developers for further investigation, but no feedback what so ever.

Thanks arildj!

Were you able to update firmware after this change without any issues? 

Does firmware update change the setting back to factory defaults? 

The firmware-updates (done 2 or 3 times) goes as normal without problem, but you need to redo the workaround each time. 

Has anyone had success working with Netgear Support to a resolution?   I've been going back and forth with them for 19 DAYS and they keep asking me for more information but nothing progresses.  5 times they've asked for additional info so they can escalate it to level 2 but it still hasn't happened.  They've mentioned beta firmware, do this and we will do that, etc. but nothing happens.  And every update takes a long time to hear back from them. 

I only have a few days left to return the system.  Total disappointment.

I have the RBK753 Orbit sat from Costco.    I also have the extended warranty with phone support.

I've yet to have the DNS issues resolved, but I suspect it'll eventually be fixed by firmware, just don't know how long.    For the most part, I've implemented a workaround that appears to have resolved the issue temporarily for me.

I am on firmware version V3.2.17.12_1.4.14.

I do use Netgear Armor (1 year with purchase, somewhat annoyed that it's not contiguous with the subscription I had with my former RBR50).

OpenDNS VIP subscription (allows for greater customization and performance over free version).

CenturyLink Fiber.

First off, I'd tried IPv6, but CenturyLink uses 6r (6 rapid deployment) tunneling that frequently has issues with some services, so this wasn't workable.   So looking forward to CenturyLink moving to a true dual stack IPv6, but since CenturyLinks supposed tests in certain market locations, I have seen no references of dual stack IPv6 expanding.    If the speed and cost wasn't so awesome, I'd be tempted to switch carriers.

I have Orbi configured to use the two OpenDNS servers.    And for the most part it's very fast (tested with Gibson Research DNS Benchmark.    Look at GRC dot Com / Freeware / Utilities / DNS Benchmark, it can help you determine what is the fastest DNS for your specific connection).

My workaround, as several others have suggested, was to go into each devices setting (where supported, several IoT devices are too limited to set) and change from DHCP assigned DNS to static DNS settings and point to OpenDNS.

I don't know if it's helping because it reduces the number of queries directly on the RBR750 router, but for the most part I don't have DNS issues.   Also OpenDNS still controlls my customization with my Public IP address and each device appears as that IP.

Netflix and some services still have occasional pauses, which will resume without interaction, but I suspect that's not DNS related but perhaps streaming support through Netgear Armor or perhaps that specific device?   (Roku TV downstairs doesn't have this issue but Samsung Series 8 4K does, so could be shoddy programming on the Samsung?).

At least gaming consoles no longer have issues with multiplayer gaming.

What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?

Have you tried the IPv6 6to4 DNS configuration? 

Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last update?

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SeaRefractor wrote:

I have the RBK753 Orbit sat from Costco.    I also have the extended warranty with phone support.

 

I've yet to have the DNS issues resolved, but I suspect it'll eventually be fixed by firmware, just don't know how long.    For the most part, I've implemented a workaround that appears to have resolved the issue temporarily for me.

 

I am on firmware version V3.2.17.12_1.4.14.

I do use Netgear Armor (1 year with purchase, somewhat annoyed that it's not contiguous with the subscription I had with my former RBR50).

OpenDNS VIP subscription (allows for greater customization and performance over free version).

CenturyLink Fiber.

 

First off, I'd tried IPv6, but CenturyLink uses 6r (6 rapid deployment) tunneling that frequently has issues with some services, so this wasn't workable.   So looking forward to CenturyLink moving to a true dual stack IPv6, but since CenturyLinks supposed tests in certain market locations, I have seen no references of dual stack IPv6 expanding.    If the speed and cost wasn't so awesome, I'd be tempted to switch carriers.

 

I have Orbi configured to use the two OpenDNS servers.    And for the most part it's very fast (tested with Gibson Research DNS Benchmark.    Look at GRC dot Com / Freeware / Utilities / DNS Benchmark, it can help you determine what is the fastest DNS for your specific connection).

 

My workaround, as several others have suggested, was to go into each devices setting (where supported, several IoT devices are too limited to set) and change from DHCP assigned DNS to static DNS settings and point to OpenDNS.

I don't know if it's helping because it reduces the number of queries directly on the RBR750 router, but for the most part I don't have DNS issues.   Also OpenDNS still controlls my customization with my Public IP address and each device appears as that IP.

 

Netflix and some services still have occasional pauses, which will resume without interaction, but I suspect that's not DNS related but perhaps streaming support through Netgear Armor or perhaps that specific device?   (Roku TV downstairs doesn't have this issue but Samsung Series 8 4K does, so could be shoddy programming on the Samsung?).

 

At least gaming consoles no longer have issues with multiplayer gaming.

 

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My CenturyLink ONT is the Adtran 424 https://adtran.com/web/page/portal/Adtran/product/1287835F1/4488

As for IPv6, CenturyLink currently only supports 6r (6 rapid deployment) tunneling.  I see that you suggest configuring a 6to4 setup.

I'll try that and let you know.   However, it's not currently a requirement when I set my devices to use my external DNS providers instead of using the Orbi.    However, I suspect the protections from Bitdefender are likely circumvented with this approach, other than the anti-virus installed on the workstations.

It's a workable workaround, but looking forward to NetGear resolving the issue in firmware.    That way I can go back to the DHCP settings and also possibly receive whatever protections are provided.    As for the others that don't find this as an acceptable solution, I understand and support your decision to return the product if still in your window to do so.

I'd also looked at the Amplifi Alien WiFi 6 setup.   I didn't go for that originally due to 1 router/ 1 satellite arrangement at this time.   But for those that don't need three devices (nor want to pay for an extra router, I understand multiple Aplifi Alien kits can be used together), perhaps that's something to review and consider.    Apolgies to NetGear and this community for mentioning that competing device.