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New - RAXE500 Firmware Version 1.0.10.86 Released
New Features: 7/12/22
- Supports SpeedTest sever manual select list
- Supports HK, UAE Wi-Fi country options
Security Fixes:
- Fixes security vulnerabilities.
For more information about security vulnerabilities, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/security
Bug Fixes:
- Fixes IEEE 802.3ad can not establish connections issue.
- Fixes new USB folder created with admin not working issue.
Firmware Update Instructions:
Download Link:
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/raxe500.aspx#download
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/RAXE500.aspx#docs
NOTE: Nighthawk 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.
Manually update FW on the router if this isn't seen on the routers web page:
https://kb.netgear.com/23960/How-do-I-manually-update-the-firmware-on-my-NETGEAR-router
NOTE: Use a wired PC and web browser to update router FW. 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.
https://kb.netgear.com/9665/How-do-I-perform-a-factory-reset-on-my-NETGEAR-router
This article applies to:
Let us know how it works for you...
50 Replies
I saw some odd behavior with this build after startup:
- On startup the Guest networks briefly appeared and then went away. I don't have these enabled, perhaps this was happening previously and I just haven't caught it in the past.
- The 2.4GHz band showed as Hidden even after the 5GHz network appeared, Smart connect is enabled and neither should be hidden. I was going to bounce the router, but I used the front panel to disable the hardware radios and reenable them, and this issue went away. Possibly a startup race condition of some kind.
I took some screen captures of the WiFi patterns this time. The attached shot shows the 2.4GHz Surveillance Guest network at the top of the status list, and the main 2.4 GHz network hidden, Netgear:39:F1:A3, while showing the main 5GHz network Ascension up and running.
I have additional screenshots that show more details, but it appears I can only attach one at a time.
No, I haven't done a factory reset yet, if the issue reoccurs I'll do that, and I'll likely explore further on the weekend. I wish factory resets were't so time consuming.
OS: macOS Monterey, with Safari browser
A pro for factory reset is that if you can reset and setup from scratch, soon after, make a backup configuration to file. I recommend this backup not include additional router features like Access Controls, Armor, SPC and Traffic Meter. Just make a base backup config to file. This will save you time IF and when factory resets are needed. You'll be back up in a few minutes rather than hours. LOL. Afterwards, if you enable any additional features, make another back up of this as well. So you have a base and a featured backup in case something happens.
I don’t use those features, so I’m more or less doing that already. I have a number of other features that default to on turned off as well, such as PnP, IP6, media sharing, etc
How come Netgear’s last couple of firmware updates for the RAXE500 (including this one) are NOT being pushed via the automatic fw update feature either on the Nighthawk app or through the gui login page?
Instead it now needs to be updated manually by the user. Did I miss something that NG has changed regarding fw updates?
Some FW updates may not come down via AU. Also if you have AU disabled, you may not see it.
NG maybe scaling back some AU processes as we've seen historically that AU has causes problems. So it's recommended that users, IF you wanna update, manually update FW. Again, this is keeping with letting users have some control over there router systems and dealing with FW updates.
Is the consensus to update to this latest firmware or is it buggy and advisable to stay on the last fw release?
Also is it recommended to have AU enabled or best to update firmware MANUALLY?
Followed the instructions here are my results:
Internet port auto detect I've never seen work on either the router built in web page wizard or Nighthawk app on any firmware version since purchasing the router.
Built in web page setup wizard doesn't accept password for your account greater than 20 characters. Just FYI the Netgear.com web page accepts password of 255 characters.
Router will not activate my armor service. Currently using trial.
New support for WPA2-Personal[AES] + WPA3-Personal was a welcome sight, but not added to guest network.
Guest network still doesn't support Smart Connect.
Enabling LACP always seems to really slow down my internet connection.
In the new days of non-wired laptops the internal web pages need to account for network switching especially the setup wizards.
In the new era of changing MAC addresses, the systems need to account for this and start looking at something else like hardware ID.
PM3 wrote:
Followed the instructions here are my results:
Internet port auto detect I've never seen work on either the router built in web page wizard or Nighthawk app on any firmware version since purchasing the router.
What Brand and model ISP modem/ONT do you have?
Are you using the main 1Gb WAN port or the 2.5Gb port when your first setting up the router?
What CAT# lan cable are you using?
Built in web page setup wizard doesn't accept password for your account greater than 20 characters. Just FYI the Netgear.com web page accepts password of 255 characters.
Router will probably never accept more then 20 chartaters for the admin long in page. Not really needed. The NG.com is a separate account service and has different requirements. Would be no need for 255 characters on the admin log in page.
Router will not activate my armor service. Currently using trial.
Are you using the NH app to access the Armor feature? Did you factory reset the router after applying the FW update, setup with a web browser, then use the NH app to access the Armor feature? I recommend you post here for any and all Armor issues you may have:
New support for WPA2-Personal[AES] + WPA3-Personal was a welcome sight, but not added to guest network.
I kinda doubt we'll see WPA3 on GN in the near future.
Guest network still doesn't support Smart Connect.
Never will as it's a signal netowrk already and handled by the router and devcies.
Enabling LACP always seems to really slow down my internet connection.
In the new days of non-wired laptops the internal web pages need to account for network switching especially the setup wizards.
Wireless laptops can connect to router web pages or should be able to using a wireless connection vs wired. Initial setup can be done using the initial setup SSID name and password seen on the routers sticker. Its just easier with ethernet. Also they make USB to ethernet adapters that are inexpensive to install and use too for those laptops that don't have a ethernet port.
In the new era of changing MAC addresses, the systems need to account for this and start looking at something else like hardware ID. Users can disable the MAC addresses changing on there devices. Thats up to users and settings on devices. Especially Apple. The WiFi Private IP address is one. Thats a feature thats not needed while at home. Travelling or being remote away from the home of course. I disable this feature while at home. No real need for it while at home.
Internet port auto detect I've never seen work on either the router built in web page wizard or Nighthawk app on any firmware version since purchasing the router.
What Brand and model ISP modem/ONT do you have? Verizon FIOS. ONT is a Verizon branded Alcatel-Lucent BVMBS10DRA
Are you using the main 1Gb WAN port or the 2.5Gb port when you first setting up the router? Yes, but wanting to be prepared for Verizon 2GB upgrade I was using the 2.5 port. Both web wizard and NH app say auto detect port but never do. I have to use 1GB port.
What CAT# lan cable are you using? Cat 6 may be Cat 6e
Router will not activate my armor service. Currently using trial.
Are you using the NH app to access the Armor feature? Did you factory reset the router after applying the FW update, setup with a web browser, then use the NH app to access the Armor feature? I recommend you post here for any and all Armor issues you may have:
Pic on right (see attached) is NH app error activating armor. Background pic is from armor.netgear.com showing trial is activated for some reason. I checked my subscription, and it says 229 days left.
Also, devices on NH app = 9, on armor = 3
Finally, I do have an ancient case open which has been sent to Bitdefender to address according to the tech assigned.
I reset my router to factory defaults again trying just the NH app. I did the reset through routerlogin.net. While that was doing its thing I cleared all devices from armor.netgear.com. After about an hour of troubleshooting because I couldn't configure my router, I ended up resetting the router again via reset button and deleting and reinstalling NH app. Finally I was able to put a basic config on my router. Then went in to the web page for tweaks, installed the router cert to get rid of the 68 messages from bitdefender, saved my cert and config to onedrive. Phew! This is too much work for a Sunday.
