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Forum Discussion
RBE 971 Auto Firmware Updates - I have questions!
Haven't been on here lately but on a whim thought I would check to see if Netgear has updated any firmware. I left shaking my head wondering what the heck is going on these days with Netgear.
I see that Netgear has pulled a version 12 offline, but in doing so, did they kill the auto-update service?
My Orbi reports "Update Failed" and "Service Unreachable" in the ADVANCED | FIRMWARE UPDATE menu.
(I would post a screenshot here, but these forums get stuck on uploading media. SMH.)
I then thought I would check the Netgear support download center where current firmware would be located in case a manual update was necessary... turns out that is harder to find than Waldo. I ended up giving up the search as I realized Netgear has made their support system intentionally convoluted.
Did they take the central download repository off line?
Looks like the current RBE971 firmware remains at 9.13.2.1, the one released in October of 2025?
Clicking on SUPPORT and FIRMWARE on this page results in a "404 Page not Found"
So WTF is going on these days with RBE971 firmware?
Why would they be jumping from a version 9 to a version 12?
What a mess for customers.
12 Replies
v12 was accidently posted when it shouldn't have been.
NG is working on new FW and will release it when it's ready. It's in testing currently.
AU services are just disabled for now as to help ensure nothings gets pushed accidently.
v12 will be a major update when it arrives.
All FW updates can be seen here for the 970 series:
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rbe972s
Please be patient. Thank you.
In my 20 years using Netgear equipment I have never seen the automatic firmware update work correctly. It seems to be even worse with the Orbi 970 system. If interested I can send you a bunch of screenshots showing the problems. I have always reverted to manual firmware checks and subsequent update incorporation if requird. Today to check for the Orbi 970 system I go to https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rbe971 Manual procedures might even be a requirement for my system with its two Orbi 970 satellites. Netgear has suggested to me updating the satellites firmware first and then the router. Regardless I don't look forward to the day I will have to update from latest Firmware Version 9.13.2.1 I will make sure I light a few candles when I undertake the operation.
To be honest I've never seen it work either I was shock to see the update sign saying update available when they release the revers software a few days ago, then just mins after it was gone and the update section went down totally.
I believe the URL previously listed in this thread is the correct firmware source for the Orbi 970 series.
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rbe972s
I find it hard to understand that the system is sold as the Orbi 970 Series with its RBE971 router and the RBE970 Satellites all listed under the caption as RBE972S. The firmware for both the RBE970 and RBE 971 is listed as Firmware Version 9.13.2.1 yet the Version 9.13.2.1 for the router is 56.4 MB and Version 9.13.2.1 for the satellite is 34.7 MB.
I dont understand the relevance of the Royal Casino link>?
Thanks Kevin... I was seriously questioning my setup wondering if it was just me!
Not you or your system. Your fine.
