RAX50 AX5400 AX-6 Stream Router - Access Control Screen on Web Interface Goes Blank!

Hello Community!
1st Pls pardon the length of this post.

Here's the deal.

June 12th Purchased RAX50 AX as replacement for Older NetGear AC router.
-Setup Router by loading latest firmware .chk files manually.
-Current Version is V1.0.2.94_2.0.58
-After update performed Router Hardware reset.

Access Control screen on web interface goes blank.

Tried several reboots. Factory Reset appears to be the only thing that restores
the Access Control screen and then it is only temporary!

It appears this problem has existed since 2018!
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-WiFi-Routers/Access-Control-page-blank-on-Nighthawk-X10-R9000/td-p/1586188https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-WiFi-Routers/Access-Control-page-blank-on-Nighthawk-X10-R9000/td-p/1586188

After factory re-set Access Control page can be seen.
ADVANCED|Security|Access Control
After router scans network and attaches some devices, Access Control screen goes blank
With a very brief load.
Copying it's page location (see router link below) in another browser tab shows the whole screen briefly.
http://192.168.1.1/DEV_control.htm

Before I used the access control for MAC filtering on my previous NetGear Router. I won't use
it on the RAX50 as I suspect it will accept a few entries and go away, then the only way to get
it back is to Factory reset the router.

I could even work around this by not using MAC filter, labeling all attached devices which
would allow me to see if an intruder or unknow device attaches to the network which I could then block.
However blocking is done on Access Control page which does not show up! Making this is impossible.

This router now has the feel of a unsafe router in this area.
Even though it has NetGear Armor and all.
NetGear Armor says it will protect all devices on a network. However this does not appear to be the case

1. If you have older devices that can't run newer version of BitDefender.
2. If you have IoT / Smart home devices.
Both of which are true in my case.

Blocking on the Nighthawk App is sometime hit and miss.

At least MAC filtering via browser access added some security.
Although that train of thought appears to be going out of favor with devices that generate a new MAC
addresses when turn off and then on again to prevent MAC address spoofing and such. Case in point
Apple's new introduction of "Private Wifi Address"

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211227

I will be calling tech support on tomorrow. If this can't be resolve then I will have to give up on
NetGear NightHawk WiFi 6 routers on the assumption that all have the same problem as this $300 Router.

If anyone knows different pls chime in.
Anyone having solved this problem pls post.

Thanks

13 Replies

RangerX
Apprentice
Jun 30, 2021
Hi. Read your post and followed the links you posted as well as other related posts on the forum. I have a RAX35/RAX40 and it was useless for over a year due to bad Netgear firmware. Basically Netgear's recommendation was to use a version of firmware that turned off the AX functionality so it can run stable as an AC router. They finally released an update that seemed to fix the problems about a year later. See RAX40 Firmware 1.0.3.80 Crash/Bug Log - NETGEAR Communities .

I am not a troll or out to bash Netgear. But based on my experience I suggest you determine what the return policy is of the store you bought your router from and figure out the date you must return the router by to get your money back. Then work with Netgear to see if they can fix your problem permanently. Beware if they offer to send you a replacement router as it is likely a firmware not hardware failure (and this will make you miss your store return date). If you are not 100% satisified with the router by the store return date then return the router. to the store and look for another router. Otherwise you may be stuck with a router that doesn't perform as advertised and it may take months or even years (if ever) for it to get fixed. It will save you months of frustration.
- slackrl
  Luminary
  Jul 01, 2021
  Thanks RangerX
  Much appreciated :smileyhappy:
  - slackrl
    Luminary
    Jul 02, 2021
    Just to be clear I really wanted to keep this router
    I do like NetGear products.
    
    I have owned the WNDR4500 N900 series v2 and v3
    I bought the v3 as a backup for the v2.
    v2 give up the ghost as it got too hot in my home's network closet.
    Fixed the heat problem
    
    7/1/2021 Called NetGear Tech support
    Came down to factory reset.
    Access Control Screen appears.
    Tech said to leave up for couple of hours keeping RAX50 in factroy resest credentials without changing SSID or password
    After two hours RAX50's wifi stopped working to certain devices mainly AppleTV's on wireless acces.
    Access Control Screen Disappears.
    
    Called NetGear Tech Support
    Support Recommends upgrade to new software Hot Fix.
    Which had be done previously when I purchased the RAX50.
    Per Tech Support Re-Down loaded from: support.netgear.com new firware update.
    Updated Firmware manually.
    Setup up Router.
    Support I think, though 1st Hot Fix update was corrupt.
    Per Tech Support "if problem returns will escalated to level 2".
    Factory Reset.
    Now AppleTv's Connects Wirelessly.
    Access Control Screen Appears.
    Waited about and hour.
    Access Control Screen Disappears.
    
    Called NetGear Tech Support
    Referred to Level 2 Support.
    Level 2 Supports wants to replace RAX50 as defective.
    It this point I declined..
    As this prolem seems to be ongoing since 2018.
    
    Will return RAX50 router to seller.
    Putting the WNDR4500 N900 series v3 back in service.
    
    Will be looking at another brand along the same price point.
    
    RSlack

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RAX50 AX5400 AX-6 Stream Router - Access Control Screen on Web Interface Goes Blank!