What firmware for rax120 is stable please.

For the vast majority, its the latest firmware. there's always a few that have issues with specific firmwares but the majority do fine on the current versions. You can always make a backup and install the latest version. If it doesn't work well for you, downgrade the firmware, factory reset, and then install the backup.

I was just thinking about my setup again because I don't seem to have all the issues you're getting with smart home. I don't actually use the RAX120 for DHCP any more. Over all the months of this router driving me insane, one of the things I tried was setting up an alternative DHCP server. I used a Mikrotik cloud hosted router running on a virtual machine. It didn't cost anything because you can run it for free on Oracle virtual box and they offer a free license for up to 1mbps throughput (seems to be fine for DHCP and DNS). I've kept it because I can divert DNS for certain apps/devices to my smart dns provider.If you've got an option to try an alternative DHCP server maybe that can help with the issues?

Finding .16 issues with connection dropping and dchp connections. .136 seems better but traffic monitor won't work which recent fixes also can't connect my smart life wifi bulbs and smart plugs devices with this router.

I’ve gone back to the last version before they added Armor 1.0.1.118.I actually stupidly tried enabling armor and the router constantly crashes. Any firmware version with armor causes the router to crash for me, even if I factory reset and don’t enable armor.On 1.0.118 the router hasn’t crashed so far. It doesn’t entirely clear up all the issues but at least I’m not rebooting the router one or more times per day now.This router has really put me off Netgear completely and after years of buying some of their most expensive routers I am just waiting for the first WiFi 6e routers to start coming out and then it will be goodbye Netgear. I usually give my routers to friends when I upgrade but I wouldn’t wish this router on my enemies.

I'd avoid 6e for now. Its fairly pointless as not many devices support it and its range is terrible. Its currently only approved for LPI (low power/indoor) mode so its range isn't much. Supposedly its going to be changed this fall but thats all about the FCC

Rax120 | NETGEAR Communities

12 Replies

plemans
Guru
Mar 10, 2021
For the vast majority, its the latest firmware. there's always a few that have issues with specific firmwares but the majority do fine on the current versions.
You can always make a backup and install the latest version. If it doesn't work well for you, downgrade the firmware, factory reset, and then install the backup.
- thehypnootoad
  Luminary
  Mar 10, 2021
  Finding .16 issues with connection dropping and dchp connections. .136 seems better but traffic monitor won't work which recent fixes also can't connect my smart life wifi bulbs and smart plugs devices with this router.
inspectorgadjet
Apprentice
Apr 10, 2021
I’ve gone back to the last version before they added Armor 1.0.1.118.
I actually stupidly tried enabling armor and the router constantly crashes. Any firmware version with armor causes the router to crash for me, even if I factory reset and don’t enable armor.
On 1.0.118 the router hasn’t crashed so far. It doesn’t entirely clear up all the issues but at least I’m not rebooting the router one or more times per day now.
This router has really put me off Netgear completely and after years of buying some of their most expensive routers I am just waiting for the first WiFi 6e routers to start coming out and then it will be goodbye Netgear. I usually give my routers to friends when I upgrade but I wouldn’t wish this router on my enemies.
- plemans
  Guru
  Apr 10, 2021
  I'd avoid 6e for now. Its fairly pointless as not many devices support it and its range is terrible. Its currently only approved for LPI (low power/indoor) mode so its range isn't much. Supposedly its going to be changed this fall but thats all about the FCC
  - Topology
    Virtuoso
    Apr 10, 2021
    plemans, I am curious about the possibility of the FCC approving higher power levels for indoor WiFi 6e in 2021, but have been unsuccessful in finding articles that discuss that topic. Can you please provide links? Thank you.
- thehypnootoad
  Luminary
  Apr 10, 2021
  Im on 1.0.2.136 haven't bother enabling Netgear armor due to causing alot of issues .1.0.2.16 is also very unstable on connectivity. I have had to reserve all my smart plugs ip and blink security cams as they won't properly connect. Tried allsorts to fix issues and let netgear team know but seems to get ignored.
  - inspectorgadjet
    Apprentice
    Apr 11, 2021
    I was just thinking about my setup again because I don't seem to have all the issues you're getting with smart home. I don't actually use the RAX120 for DHCP any more. Over all the months of this router driving me insane, one of the things I tried was setting up an alternative DHCP server. I used a Mikrotik cloud hosted router running on a virtual machine. It didn't cost anything because you can run it for free on Oracle virtual box and they offer a free license for up to 1mbps throughput (seems to be fine for DHCP and DNS). I've kept it because I can divert DNS for certain apps/devices to my smart dns provider.
    If you've got an option to try an alternative DHCP server maybe that can help with the issues?

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