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New - RBE970 / RBE971 Firmware Version 9.12.4.16 Released (for NA Region Only)!
New Features: 11/12/2024
- Added Router Protection support.
- Added Satellite Notification support.
- For NA Region Only
Enhancements:
- Improved WiFi and backhaul stability.
- Improved system stability.
- Improved client steering.
- Improved speed test accuracy.
Bug Fixes:
- Fixed an iPhone 16 stability issue.
- Fixed an iPhone 15 issue that caused possible disconnections when roaming between nodes.
- Fixed an issue where the firmware version displayed incorrectly in the Orbi app.
- Fixed various IPv6 connectivity issues.
- Fixed various minor bugs.
Security Fixes:
- This firmware addresses security vulnerabilities. For more information about security vulnerabilities, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/security
Download Link:
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rbe972s#download
Firmware Update Instructions:
To update your router’s firmware, follow the instructions in your router’s user manual. To view your router’s user manual, visit https://www.netgear.com/support/product/RBE971.aspx#docs.
IF MANUALLY UPDATING THE SYSTEM:
Be sure to update the RBS FIRST, then the RBR lastly.
Please navigate to the link below for step-by-step instructions on how to update your RBR971/RBS970:
Proceedure to Manually Firmware Update Orbi and Nighthawk Mesh systems
I HIGHLY recommend after the FW is loaded on the system and it's back to ready, power OFF all Orbi units and the ISP modem/ONT for 1 minute. Then back ON with the ISP modem/ONT first, then RBR then RBS.
NOTE: Orbi app or the routers web page may not report seeing new FW updates. NG may not push this to there auto update services immediately and may activate the newer FW update being seen on there auto update services at a later time. User will have the choice to manually update if you want too.
FW UPDATE ALL Feature:
If there is a FW updated seen on the RBRs web page and all RBS are online and connected with GOOD STATUS, you can select the UPDATE ALL button option to have the RBR update the RBS and RBR. Update All button is seen on the RBRs Firmware Update WEB page on the Check for Updates FW section of the page. Once FW has been checked for an update and all devices show the FW update is available, select the UPDATE ALL button. Give 5 minutes for the process to take place.
NOTE: If continued problems are seen after a FW update, it's recommended to try a factory reset and setup from scratch with out loading any saved configurations from backup files. Use the ERASE button on the routers web page to factory reset the router:
https://kb.netgear.com/000062081/How-do-I-erase-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
This sends a Factory Reset command to any and all connected RBS as well.
Procedure for Factory Reset of RBE970 series systems
Quick Installation Guide, User Manual and Spec Sheet is here:
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rbe971#docs
This article applies to:
Let us know how it works for you...
83 Replies
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- Can this be used on EU models? I seem to recall there was a separate EU FW version previously.
Installed yesterday here in Germany, working perfectly and smooth.
......(for NA Region Only) wasn't indicated at the beginning.
I'll reinstall my unit later this week and install this.
- Thanks all for the clarification. Do we know when an EU version will be made available? Looks like a lot of these (potential) fixes are very much needed.
Not seeing this yet on the app or webgui. I am currently running V9.12.4.9_1.3.14,
It appears that "NA region" (which I assume means North America) is not the same as "US region". I tried to update my RBE971 from 9.12.3.3 to 9.12.4.16 this morning and I think it's bricked now. When it starts up, the light near the base just blinks on-and-off, and I'm not getting any WiFi.
I opened a ticket with NETGEAR support to see if there's anything I can do to revive it. I didn't have time to try a factory reset before I left home, and I probably should wait to see if support tells me to try something else first. Hopefully I can revive it without having to send it in for reprogramming. Ugh.
This exactly describes my situation. Please share NG’s response when you receive it. Thank you so m much.
Upgraded to the new firmware and have had no problems after updating. One issue I have had is the speed test in web interface works and has not worked in the App. The only thing that works is the ping and once it’s done the upload will be so slow then I get connection failed. App has only worked twice since I got it in July.
- I was hopeful on this one but I can confirm after about an hour I am still getting disconnect issues with my pixel 9
rushman I also have the Pixel 9 Pro XL and I have noticed sometimes it disconnects from the Wi-Fi network (Thankfully it doesn't do it too often by any means; I think it has done it twice in 3 weeks) What I did was make it forget the network, then reconnect it again. Once I did that, it hasn't done it for several days, so perhaps that fixes it for you.
- I've tried everything, this is a known problem that has been acknowledged by Netgear.
I just experienced a restart (crash?) of one of my 970 satellites overnight. FW version 9.12.4.16 on both 970s and 971 router.
The time was ~ 12:50 AM local time. Everyone was asleep, no user-initiated action on the network.
The 970 had been up for about 15 days as I recall. I just happened to check the stats of the 970s/971 at 7 PM last night, and this 970 was fine (as were the other Orbi devices) - cpu, memory, hop count were all normal, no issues connecting to it at WiFi 5,6, and 5+6.
I just ran about a 4 minute log of the 970 - not sure if that will help or not. Here:
Let me know if you need any other info.
And here is another restart/crash - this time it' the 971 router.
Ijust happened to check the debug page here, around 4:15 PM local time - the router had restarted 5 hours ago. Nothing unusual going on in the house/on the network. I had not checked memory/CPU since yesterday but it's been fine, and stable.
Here is a debug log, I hope it helps. Interesting I have had 2 restarts in 2 days now!
anyone knows more or less when the EU version will be released?
In eight years, I have never seen a schedule from Netgear regarding release of firmware. Some customers report getting notices via email about new firmware. I have never received one of those, either.
When it comes out, there will be comments on the forum within hours.
And considering it has not auto update released for everyone in the states, it could be a while for other places.
I have not noticed different Orbi firmware versions for different regions before. Is this common? If so, is it known what the differences between NA and EU versions typically are?
Ya. Kinda first seen with the 960 series. Seems to be a bit more common these days. Seems like a Wi-Fi issue in differences between NA and EU region since each region handles Wi-Fi policies differently. Probably a hassle for NG and other Wi-Fi router mfrs.
I updated my firmware a couple days ago via the iPhone app. Yesterday and today I'm seeing that my two Macs are no longer able to connect via WIFI. I can connect via ethernet no problem. I look in the logs on the router and I do not see any issues.
Is this a case where I should perform a factory reset?First try a power OFF of the system for 1 minute then back ON.
What channels are you using on the RBR?
What two Macs do you have? OSX versions?
What region are you located?
Thanks for the quick reply. I've powered down all systems and restarted. Still nothing.
2.4 is on auto, 5GHz set to 40.
Mac 1 is a MacMini 2014 running OS 12.7.6
Mac 2 is a MacBook intel 2020 running OS 15.1.1
Region is US, so NA.
