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RAX45 issues
I recently acquired an RAX45 — Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router and am generally happy with it. I've noticed 2 issues.
(1) The Block Sites function doesn't seem to work at all. The User Manual instructions are somewhat confusing but this function seems to be an issue for many Netgear routers, not just the RAX45. This is a MAJOR issue for me as I have several devices and prefer to block problem sites at the router rather than on 6 different machines. Considering the number of routers affected and users complaining I think Netgear needs to prioritize a fix soon.
(2) My router was configured for Auto Firmware Update but did not automatically install the latest (1.05.106_2.0.70). I had to manually check and install. I presume when a new version is posted the system somehow responds to periodic checks from all the routers and sequentially updates routers in batches. It's unlikely they're all updated at the exact same time. Still, annoying that MY router wasn't the first :-)
Apparently the Block Site function is basically vaporware. According to the manual it won't work for any https address. Since pretty much everything is now that makes it a worthless function.
6 Replies
It has been 5 months (12/28/21) since I posted a query about the Block Site function not working on my newly purchased RAX45 router. I got 0 responses. Am I the only one experiencing this problem? Am I the only RAX45 user trying to use the Block Site function? If so, I'd ask anyone with an RAX45 to experiment with the Block Site function and report whether it works or not for you. I'm betting it doesn't. As a user with multiple devices, the Block Site function would be the best way to globally block certain sites on my home network. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I can't speak aboout Block Sites (never used it) but I strongly disencourage doing automatic firmware updates. It's a disaster waiting to happen for a bricked router.. Always download the firmware from NG's site and manually do a firmware update
Thanks for reaching out. Have you actually had the firmware autoupdate brick a router for you? Have others reported an issue with autoupdate?
Hi Whipsnade ,
Can you share more detail about which sites you can't block ?
https side ? or some domain name fail to block...?
Thanks for responding. I have been unable to block ANY site I configure. Examples: https://paid.outbrain.com http://paid.outbrain.com paid.outbrain.com All entered per instructions page 44 of the manual (below). None are blocked. Web browsers can connect, ping responds. I should mention that I'm a retired IT tech, have configured many routers for many remote users over the years. I'm hoping someone has successfully used this function and can let me know what I'm missing in configuring. I'm not above making a stupid mistake with a new model router... 🙄 Maybe users here could set it up to test and see if they can make it work. I suspect no one can. Any feedback welcome. Thanks!
4. Select ADVANCED > Security > Block Sites.
The Block Sites page displays.
5. Select a keyword blocking option:
• Per Schedule. Turn on keyword blocking according to a schedule that you set.
For more information, see Schedule when to block Internet sites and services on
page 49.
• Always. Turn on keyword blocking all the time, independent of the Schedule
page.
6. In the Type keyword or domain name here field, enter a keyword or domain that
you want to block.
Control Access to the Internet 44 User Manual
Nighthawk AX6 6-Stream AX4300 WiFi Router
For example:
• Specify XXX to block http://www.badstuff.com/xxx.html.
• Specify the domain suffix (for example, .com) if you want to block only sites with
a domain suffix such as .com. In such a situation, sites with domain suffixes such
as .edu and .gov are still allowed.
• Enter a period (.) to block all Internet browsing access.
7. Click the Add Keyword button.
The keyword is added to the keyword list. The keyword list supports up to 32 entries.
8. Click the Apply button.
Keyword blocking takes effect.
