1. Why is there no support page for the XAV5601 (or the 2-kit, XAVB5601)??2. Just installed this kit. Speeds are good, connection is made around 350 Mbps according to the Powerline utility. BUT, the connection drops every now and then. When I'm surfing the web, Google Chrome sometimes says 'Sending request..' and after a while I get to see a DNS error. My modem/router (192.168.0,1) isn't reachable as well. This takes a minute and then the connection seems to work again. This is unworkable .. any hints?Tried reproducing this, thought it especially happened when they just 'woke up' but it also happens when they've been operating for a while.I didn't have this problem with a network cable / wireless.

Unfortunately I have the same problems, the connection dropps all the time, so the backups I'm trying to run are never completed. Really bad.

Unfortunately I have exactly the same issue. Although the connection seems to be in good status, green light switched on on both adapters, the connection drops every now and then.Without something changing on the status lights of the adapters. The drops lasts for some seconds and then the connection is up again. Something should be done about this!

These are the vagaries of Powerline homeplugs. You will not know how well they will perform, including in sustained function, until you try them. Also, do not believe what the utility says. It has been reported that no Powerline company's utility is factual, ie they all overstate the true extent of function.Go to Smallnetbuilder.com and search on Powerline or Homeplug for very informational review articles and forum posts including troubleshooting tips.

Looking at the CPL adapters when the connection is lost, it seems that the adapter is doing a soft reset every now and then. It reboots it self with no reason, the connection is quite good and i can get more than 120mbps in both directions. it's pity because when they work fine the connection is real fast.

I am having the same issue. I hooked up the XAVB 5601's, and for about a week I got pretty much the connection speed at the router replicated at my laptop. However, as of this morning, the connection began to drop periodically, to the point where I could not use the web at all. Running Speedtest.net showed a brief surge, then a drop to very low speeds.I checked and rebooted the BT Infinity modem, the router, and each adapter in turn. Did a factory reset on each adapter too. For a little while it looked as if it was sorted, but then the problem came right back again.What I don't understand is this - if it works beautifully for a week, and nothing has changed in my domestic electrical setup, why the sudden appearance of this issue? I'd welcome some guidance on what - if anything - can be done to resolve the problem.As a supplementary question, I came across this:"Does the XAVB5601 support firmware upgrade?The XAVB5601 has a firmware upgrade tool for upgrading the firmware which you can download in the Netgear web side."I found this information at:http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/20937/~/xav5601-faq'sI've searched the Netgear site, and can find no trace of such a tool. Clearly a case of the right hand not knowing what the left is up to.

XAVB5601 problems | NETGEAR Communities

71 Replies

Bemorph
Aspirant
Aug 10, 2013
Hi,

Still seeing issues, I have now reported this issue to Netgear.

My reference number is 21685411.

I recommend all of you to also report your issues it's easy! Also refer them here and also to my reference number. There is power in numbers!

http://support.netgear.com/general/contact/default.aspx Just choose email and be prepared to enter the serial number on the backside of the unit.

Best regards,
Bemorph
Bemorph
Aspirant
Aug 12, 2013
begad wrote:
After 3 nights of drop out free usage the drop outs are back with a vengeance...

Just quoting you so you'll find your way back here :)

I just received my first response and they want the following information:

1. How does the middle LED on the power line shine when the connection drops?

2. Have you always had this issue with it, or is it something that's started recently?

3. Could you please specify exactly when the drops happens, and in correlation to what? For instance, does it happen when you stream a HD movie, or when you download something from the web?

4. What internet service provider do you have?

5. What is the speed of your internet connection?

6. What is the name and model of your router?

7. What firmware version do you have (check with powerline utility)?

Just thought I'd supply the questions here so that anyone else who opens a ticket can supply the answers right away.

//Bemorph
Bemorph
Aspirant
Aug 14, 2013
Short update.

My issue has been escalated to technicians, lets see what happens :)

//Bemorph
benmmellor
Novice
Aug 19, 2013
Bit of a thread revival here as I've got the same issue.

Looks like they seem to lose their 'handshake'.

when I suffer a connection drop (I have a ping -t www.google.co.uk running in the background), I see packets get dropped, my desktop switch shows the port the homeplug in my office goes off and also the homeplug goes into some sort of loop where it reboots. All the LED's on the homeplugs go off at this point.

After a short moment, network traffic resumes.

This is getting very frustrating!
benmmellor
Novice
Aug 19, 2013
Just borrowed a set of TP-Link homeplugs from my brother in law. Tested in the same sockets over the same 'infrastructure' and not one dropped packet!

It's definitely the plugs that are the issue! My house is only 10yrs old and the wiring was checked by my 'sparky' when having additional sockets fitted to some rooms. No issues found.

Maybe they just need to change the code to remove the 'sleep' mode!
begad
Novice
Aug 22, 2013
I have been offered a pair of XAVB5501's in exchange for my "faulty XAVB5601" because apparently there are no 601's in stock.

Not sure what to do as I found this thread http://forum1.netgear.com/showthread.php?t=69792&highlight=xavb5501 and the problems sounds awful familiar...

One thing I did do was swap my plugs around and so far no drop outs...
begad
Novice
Aug 28, 2013
Right so swapping the plugs didnt work but it did help indentify which plug was faulty so I have returned the faulty plug for a XAVB5501...hopefully it will work :)
begad
Novice
Sep 02, 2013
I sent of my faulty XAVB5601 and recieved a 5501 two days later (quick turn around) and so far so good :)
benmmellor
Novice
Sep 04, 2013
Well looks like you got better support than me.

I'm still waiting for a replacement - it was received on the 22nd August by the UK RMA centre. They told me that had no replacement stock and no idea when they would have them. I sent the one homeplug which seemed to be erratic in it's behaviour - maybe I should have sent both and demanded they both be swapped out.

As it stands I have one XAV5601 stuck on my desk.

Quite frankly I've found the NetGear Support and RMA team shockingly bad in handling this PMR and RMA.

You get bounced around the call centres, and being blunt, each time I end up in an 'Asian' call centre even if I do manage to speak to one who I can a) understand and b) have enough volume to hear them, the call gets cut-off (at their end conveniently) when they start to run out of on-screen excuses!

I guess I better block out another hour of my day tomorrow to be given yet more excuses about my RMA then point them at this thread and demand a replacement product for BOTH my powerline adapters!
benmmellor
Novice
Sep 05, 2013
begad wrote:
I sent of my faulty XAVB5601 and recieved a 5501 two days later (quick turn around) and so far so good :)

Lucky you - I sent mine in on the 22nd August and still not had a replacement. Just excuses and dropped calls from the Asian helpdesk techs.

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XAVB5601 problems