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Notice-New-Firmware Orbi 971/970 V12.1.10.12_5.3.16 NA Only
New firmware for Orbi 971/970 V12.1.10.12_5.3.16 currently available only through the Orbi app. Router and satellites upgraded to the new firmware via the Orbi app with no issues. No release notes available at this time. NA region only until cleared for other regions via official Netgear sources. Be sure after doing a dirty install to do a clean install on your router/satellite(s) to avoid unnecessary network complications. Please update this post when the new firmware is available via the website with release notes.
42 Replies
Will check with NG on this to see if this if going to be officially released and if so, get release notes. Theres more information needed here as well.
FW is being pushed to a few select customers. So not everyone will see this and is Not full public release yet. I think there just toe tip testing the waters. I've ask for release notes.
Not sure if this will be final build or just something to check with some users.
Please post here if you notice issues with FW update, update process and any issues seen after your system has been updated.
This is being checked with the EU region as well.
I wonder why this is not considered a beta release. Limited release, presumably just testing the waters before a formal full release..seems to match the definition of beta.
This release process may be a first for Netgear.
Also this is the first time my Orbi app actually indicated a firmware upgrade available after having used it for years!Yes since this is a Major release and update, NG seems to want to test the waters and be sure that normal uppdate processes are working. Since v12 is on the plan going forward, there is now downgrading back to official v9 FW. Lots of new stuff in v12 and should be good.
Also you'll see protection engine feature as well in v12 FW. This will help resolve testing issues seen at Gibson Research testing site for ShieldsUp!
Firmware update via the Orbi app went off without a hitch. Wifi 7 SNR throughout the 2600 sq. ft. house improved 3-5 SNR utilizing IOS 27 developer beta on an iPhone 16 Pro Max. After the firmware upgrade I reset the RBR and both RBS's and setup from scratch never moving the satellites which connected automatically to the RBR. Tested the WAN with a static IP (Nextlink) and then DHCP (Starlink) and both were able to connect with no disconnects observed during a 2-3 hour period. All items on the home network reconnected on the IOT network. At this point all seems very stable with this release but of course these results are preliminary. Currently operating in AP mode.
I also received it via Orbi App. I use it in EU France in AP mode. After upgrade, I didn’t do a full reset using my 972 without any issue for the moment in a 90 m2 apartment. It looks like the overall speed is increased 10-20%. Ie my iPhone 15 Pro Max in WiFi 6E has now 1.2 Gbits in the room vs 1.0 Gbit in the same location with previous 12.1.8.7 firmware.
So the NA version works in the Eu? Manually?
I've been running 12.1.8.7 and it was working fine and finally upgraded to the new 12.1.10.12 firmware today (10 min ago) via the Orbi app BUT it only updated the router and completely left the satellites out of the upgrade. Been checking for firmware upgrade tab in the app and it keeps saying firmware is up to date, with 12.1.10.12 installed on the router only. The web gui also shows the same thing, no updates for the satellites available. HELP.. need the updates for the satellites..
Same here, but closing and ipening Orbi App finally shows satellites with uograde. Maybe it just took a bit more time for the sats to upgrade.
Upgraded to 12.1.10.12 this morning, from 12.1.8.7, but the only device that updated was the router (971), while both satellites are showing as "No Update Available" and are still on 12.1.8.7. The update was performed via the Orbi app but was also available to me via the web portal, with same results, only the 971 firmware update was available for update. Any ideas how I can update my satellites? I hope I'm not double posting but my first post is not showing up.
Update. After restarting both satellites, the firmware update finally showed up but took forever to download and update. Doing the update manually via firmware files on my computer is 100% better and quicker than doing it via the app. I started the initial update at 10am and it's still updating one satellite at 11:05am, which is ridiculous.
Updated my RBE971 router and my RBE970 satellite today, no issues so far. Hopefully, this will fix an issue I was having with my Pixel phone, where it would randomly just disconnect from the network. Fingers crossed. It's been quite a while since my Orbi received any update. Monitoring carefully.
Did you manually update your system or let the system auto update?
Is IPv6 enabled on your RBR? just curious.
Updated my RBE971 router and my RBE970 satellite today, no issues so far. Hopefully, this will fix an issue I was having with my Pixel phone, where it would randomly just disconnect from the network. Fingers crossed. It's been quite a while since my Orbi received any update. Monitoring carefully.
It seems to have fix the pixel disconnecting issue so far. I have one issue when I do a speed test with the pixel it gives me way below the speed it should I'm trying to figure this one out. Using speed test.net
While my upgrade was successful, I think UPnP got turned back on after the update, so check your security, folks.
I've been using uPnP on Orbi systems for years. Seen zero issues with it enabled. It's safe. I know there was a time many years ago it had issues. Those have been corrected.
Up to you to use it or not.
Be sure to save off a back up config to file for safe keeping.
I've been using uPnP on Orbi systems for years. Seen zero issues with it enabled. It's safe.
The security risk is that some malware someone inadvertantly installs will use uPnP to open the ports in the firewall to facilitate more attacks. That is inherent to the feature itself, so enabling it will expose you to that threat.
While I think the threat is relatively low (since such malware can connect outbound to bad actors w/o UPnP), I still leave the feature off.
Either way, Netgear shouldn't be enabling it as part of the update.
NG implemented protection engine on the BE series as an added layer. Helps in some security instances. Shows stealthed ports while enabled thus nefarious scans don't return anything.
uPnP has been enabled by default for years for connections and such and ease of general use out of the box. Users would have to configure some port forrwardings for any items that may required ports to be opened. Can lead to more of a hassle for some. Why uPnP is enabled by default.
But again, up to users to use it or not. Why it's user selectable either way. Up to the user.
For anyone upgrading to this version of FW, FW files are available for this version, and it's recommended to manually install the FW files. RBS needs to be updated first, then RBR lastly. Helps ensure the system is updated correctly and working well afterwards.
Procedure to Manually Firmware Update Orbi and Nighthawk Mesh systems. | NETGEAR Communities
Sad to report after using the new firmware over the pass weeks my Google is still loosing random connection, I also now seeing my mobile device showing full signal but no connection is there. On my main orbi router I notice I can't get a proper speed reading from speed test as it seems to be connecting my phone 📱 from our of space, as the ping is above 300. But the satellites seem to give accurate readings. I'm using a Google pixel 10 pro max.
Google Pixel phones and Orbi 970/973 mesh systems are a common complaint. Recommended settings for your Pixel phone(s):
Change MAC Address Type: Navigate to Settings>Network & internet>Internet, tap the gear icon next to your Orbi network, tap Privacy, and change it to “Use device MAC”
Disable Adaptive Connectivity: Go to Settings>Network & internet>Adaptive Connectivity and toggle it OFF.
Disable “Wi-Fi Automatically”: In Wi-Fi preferences, turn off the setting that automatically re-enables Wi-Fi near saved networks, as this can trigger unstable reconnections.
I have done this and see how it goes, because, yes I thought the issue with my Pixel was fixed after several days with no issues, but today the issue came up after a power outrage because of a storm. I wonder this issue persists. Really annoying.
Thanks for your suggestions.
That don't make a difference I'm having a new issue where in the signal showing full and the service is throttled. On the Google pixel
On the Google home 🏠 they are still randomly loosing connection stating no internet.
