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Forum Discussion
Firmware updated EX8000 keeps dropping Internet
Hi all,
I have read about multiple issued relating to the R8000 but I seem to be experiencing a similar issue with your EX8000 mesh range extender.I regularly experience an issue (perhaps once an hour) where I lose interernet connection for about 10 - 30 seconds. My connection to the Wifi is always connected it seems to drop the connection between extended and router.
Other details
- I have an Arrius Surfboard router as my cable modem and bought the extender to improve the range upstairs in my house.
- I have manually setup the extender to connect to both 2.4 and 5Ghz bands in a mesh configuration.
- Security is WPA-PSK [AE].
- I have good signal from router to extender and a very strong signal to my devices i.e laptop, android phones/tablets and other such devices. (I have to admit the power of this device is fantastic.)
- I have made sure there are no IP conflicts (DHCP for devices and static and differet addressed for mesh and router).
- Firmward is 1.0.0.126.
- I do not experience any issues of dropping if I use just the router (without the extender)
I hope someone has a fix, otherwise I will have to return to Amazon as faulty.
Cheers,
Adrian
134 Replies
Hi,
i had similar issues with my EX8000. After I updated to lastest firmware 1.0.0.126 the internet connection of all my devices connected to the extender was a nightmare and it was unstable...
I tried to reset, reinstall, change extender WiFi configuration but nothing worked. So before sending it back to Amazon I downgraded it to the 1.0.0.118 version and now after 18 working days (24H/24H always on) it is working flawless.
My suggestion is to downgrade to 1.0.0.118 and let us know if you solve.
Hope this helps you.
P.S. In the last period I am very unhappy with Netgear products, everytime there is an update I start to pray ( see for example to the Arlo Q camera forum).
Thanksfor your advice. I will give it a try. Bying the best you would expect the best. Perhaps I should look at CIsco or Aruba if this does not work.
Thanks again for your advice. I tried out your suggestion and while I would say it did seem a tad better it didn't fully help to maintain a permanent connect. I am going to send it back.
idark77 You mention downgrading to .118 - is there a special technique to this? I've downloaded the EX8000-V1.0.0.118 firmware but when I attempt to downgrade via the web interface I get:
"This firmware file is incorrect! Please get the firmware file again and make sure it is the correct firmware for this product."
Any pointers very welcome
Another issue with this new firmware is that when the wifi drops on the EX8000, any Apple devices using Bonjour (the zero-configuration network tech -zeroconf) drops pretty seriously. The only way to get those services back up is to power cycle the EX8000.
I am having the same issue with this firmware version too. (1.0.0.126) I have also tried downgrading and got the same issue wrong firmware version.
I have tried setting the fixed 5GHz Channel in my main Router - Still not helping.
I have aslo tried setting the EX8000 up as an Access Point (so direct wired connection to main Router) and the issue is the same.
i have the feeling that it is switching between the Antennas and is dropping all connections to the router. Even when it is by LAN connection.
So for the moment i have just disabled one of the Antenna and wait and see if that helps...
and will wait for Netgear to hopfuly put out a fix.
Can some please post instructions on how to downgrade the firmware. Obvisuoily the web interface doesn't allow it!
DexterJB wrote:
Hi flyturbo,
Welcome to the community!
Once on the extender's UI and on the Firmware Update tab, there is an "Upload Update File" box where you can point the extracted firmware file of the EX8000 found on this link.
Regards,
Dexter
Community Team
Dexter, I was referring to downgrading the firmware and was not asking for "how to manually upload a firmware file".
In case you haven't caught on, I am having major issue with the extender, .do you have any solutions for me? Please do not ask me what issues am having because i have posted in this thread and 2 other ones.
Bruno
Unhappy netgear owner.
Hi all,
A bit new to all this but I also have an issue with the EX8000 dropping the internet to my wired devices.
I have three PCs wired to the EX8000 and this inturn is wirelessly connected to my Netgear R7000 Nighthawk. The R7000 has been really good but since connecting the EX8000 I have issues with my PCs dropping the internet, even though they are wired.
I saw a thread relating to setting a static IP address but not so sure how I would do this, on the R7000 or EX8000??
I have had the same issues since day one. I downloaded the latest firmware on Sunday and surprisingly it’s holding up. Only time will tell.
The latest firmware isn’t available yet from the extender, you will have to download it from Netgear’s download page. Don’t forget to unzip the file, you need to upload the *.Img file.
good luck to you
Hi Turbo,
Just updated to teh 180 firmware so lets see how it goes, thanks for letting me know that there was new firmware. I have also set teh EX8000 with a static IP (I figured out how to do it al on my ownsome!!).
I have to sadly report that the new firmware 1.0.0.180 still doesn’t hold the wifi connections.
They also removed some channels for 5GHz... not sure why. Maybe the forum monitor can shed some light on this.
- I have the same issue with the latest firmware. 2.4ghz connection is working ok, but 5ghz works for a few seconds and then disconnect from the router (extender —> router). I’ve tried everything (change channels, static ip, different router Wi-Fi configurations, etc.)
Any help? Thanks.
Flytirbo - thanks again for the reply. Why would they drop some 5GHz channels and not let people know. I have been a fan of Netgear for many years but their products are getting increasingly flakey.
So does anyone know what channels are good to use for the 5GHz network with the RX8000 firmware 180?? Paired with Nighthawk R7000 router
Thanks all in advance
- I think I found the issue, I’d appreciate it if someone gave it a try and confirmed that the solution can be replicated.
So, like everyone, I too am having issues with the connection on the box randomly dropping. I tried everything including exchanging the box. Nothing worked.
Frustrated, I gave up on one SSID smart connect and have both a 2.4 and 5 SSID. From there, I began to notice that only my 2.4 devices were having connection issues. Finally, I disabled the 2.4 connection on my extender and now everything just works.
How to replicate:
- separate 2.4 and 5ghz SSID names on your main router
- set up the extender, sharing the same SSID as the router
- disable 2.4 on the extender. Only 5ghz should remain active.
- main router should still be serving 2.4GHz WiFi
I’m not the networking expert, just have some decent debugging skills. I’m guessing the router and the extenders 2.4 channels are interfering with each other? Anyways, I’m hoping this works for someone else so we can get to the bottom of this. Hi Miloats,
Yes I get that fix but the whole point of having the extender is to do what is says on the tin to extend both networks! Which is obviously is strugling to do, no I am worng which it obviously does not do!
I have however seperated out the two networks to broadcsst their individual SSID and their individual passoword , this is now an exact copy of my router settings, in effect two networks with different names and different passowrds.
I still do not have any 5G wireless from the EX8000 but my wired deveces to the EX8000 do get 5G.
Had enough going to give it trying and admit defeat - NETGEAR sort it OUT!!!!!
I have to agree with MightyAtom 100%, we should not be doing any work around to have this unit working. I have spent the last 2 months with support and explaining to them the issue over and over again and trying different settings and they still haven't figured it.
Today am questioning this purchase, I should have just purchased I new router with a better range and reallocated it in a different location where all my devices would have decent coverage. The effort would have been far less then the countless hours spent on the phone with tech support and replying to their email questions and so on.
A total waste my time and to say the least my money!!!
- I’ve change to 5ghz channel 60, vth160 80mhz, and the 5ghz connections don’t drop...but can’t have maximum speed because of the channel.
Any of you have ddwrt on the main router?
Hi Miloats et al,
Yes I am in the same position it really is a piece of c**p and that a technical term! I deal with IT equipment every day and this thing is exceptionally poor and I cannot understand why NETGEAR have not addressed this issue. Normally I am a NETGEAR fan but I am afraid with the EX8000 they got it wrong and it’s unfair to expect the paying public to be your Guinea pig
SOLVED
Okay, everyone. With the previous posts, I can confidently say (as of right now... days or even minutes into the future... we'll see) that I have solved the issue of the Mesh Extender suddenly dropping the 5GHz backhaul, causing all sorts of doubt and hatred toward Netgear (which I still hope they fix and or explain so that others with this problem can also solve it).
These are the things I did
1. Set the Mesh Extender IP Address to static on the http://mywifiext.net under the Settings>Wireless>IP Address>Use Static IP Address
2. Set the IP Address of the Mesh Extender to static on my R7000 under Advanced>Setup>LAN
3. On the Router control site, I changed the 2.4 GHz channel to 11, because according the my Netgear App, 11 was free. Go to Basic>Wireless and change the channel from Auto, to a number so it stops switching channels, causing the random 14 minute or so drop out of the 5GHz backhaul
4. Just for kicks and giggles, I also turned on QoS and maxed out my PC and the Mesh Extender with priority... probably not necessary at this point, but what the hey
5. I am now currently enjoying my insane internet speed from the tucked away basement office which once suffered from 20 percent connection of my actual router (because of the way they wired the internet into this house, I had no other option than to get a Mesh Extender)
Again, as said before on this thread... the 2.4 GHz channel set to Auto is the thing that is messing this all up. CHANGE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the latest ddwrt kong build in my R9000 (DD-WRT v3.0-r37910M std (12/06/18)) and the latest firmware of ex8000, I have better uptimes 3 days more or less for 5GHZ and 20hours for 2.4GHZ channels...it's dropping less, but channel 2.4GHZ keep dropping more frequently than 5ghz...and the speed, mmmm you can see in the table.
MAC Address Interface Uptime TX Rate RX Rate Info Signal Noise SNR Signal Quality x:x:x:x:x:x ath0 20:12:19 780M 6M VHT80SGI -56 -98 42 88%x:x:x:x:x:x ath0 3 days, 19:39:20 780M 1170M VHT80SGI -62 -98 36 76%x:x:x:x:x:x ath1 20:25:19 0M 1M LEGACY -58 -91 33 Freebeard wrote:
SOLVED
Okay, everyone. With the previous posts, I can confidently say (as of right now... days or even minutes into the future... we'll see) that I have solved the issue of the Mesh Extender suddenly dropping the 5GHz backhaul, causing all sorts of doubt and hatred toward Netgear (which I still hope they fix and or explain so that others with this problem can also solve it).
These are the things I did
1. Set the Mesh Extender IP Address to static on the http://mywifiext.net under the Settings>Wireless>IP Address>Use Static IP Address
2. Set the IP Address of the Mesh Extender to static on my R7000 under Advanced>Setup>LAN
3. On the Router control site, I changed the 2.4 GHz channel to 11, because according the my Netgear App, 11 was free. Go to Basic>Wireless and change the channel from Auto, to a number so it stops switching channels, causing the random 14 minute or so drop out of the 5GHz backhaul
4. Just for kicks and giggles, I also turned on QoS and maxed out my PC and the Mesh Extender with priority... probably not necessary at this point, but what the hey
5. I am now currently enjoying my insane internet speed from the tucked away basement office which once suffered from 20 percent connection of my actual router (because of the way they wired the internet into this house, I had no other option than to get a Mesh Extender)
Again, as said before on this thread... the 2.4 GHz channel set to Auto is the thing that is messing this all up. CHANGE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOLVED ? Realy? I applied the same settings and tried many other approaches and whatever I threw at it won't hold past 2 days.
We shouldn't be doing these types of workarounds, the damn unit should be working the minute you configure it to your router, period!
Hopefully, you will post back here to report when your setup failed!
The REAL solution for is to return the unit back for refund. That's the only thing that worked for me.
Good luck!
Totally understand, man. I agree -- Netgear should at least acklowledge that their product may and probably will have issues with certain Router configurations, and give us some advice on what methods work other than, "Update Firmware", "Reset to Factory Default", "Pray to God that we actually do something and update OUR firmware for the sake of the performance of our product like a good company would and provide a fix for all". All I know is that my router was causing the issue (kind of), and the Mesh Extender couldn't handle the weird vibes my router was sending out, haha. It really IS something they need to address and fix ASAP, but for now, their product is kicking ass in my basement. I won't hold my breath, though. Tomorrow, or even minutes or seconds from now, it could take another **bleep** all over itself. Who knows. Good luck!
I did everything you did except I put the 2.4Ghz backhaul on Ch 6. None of it worked. I was still within my 90 days warranty and Netgear RMA'd my unit for cash refund after much haggling. I am awaiting my refund.
My conclusion: The technology is flawed. It doesn't matter what company built it (NetGear, D-Link, Linksys, TP-Link, etc). They all use the same technology and it doesn't work over time. If you look at the reviews for the flagship extenders from any of these companies, they ALL have the same problems. I have gone back to my old D-Link wireless media bridge setup to satisfy my specific needs. I have just the router (ASUS RT-AC68U) in my house with no extenders now and that is good enough coverage to support 5 people and 200mbs DL from the cable company. I may try a cheap (<$30) extender in the spring for coverage into my backyard. I'll revisit the 2.4Ghz router coverage out there and avoid any extender if possible.
Sorry to hear that. My plan is to leave everything alone on the router and extender, and if I make any adjustments, I'll know there will be about a 14 minute drop out of the 5Ghz. Weird, makes no sense, but it shouldn't happen now unless I adjust my router settings/channels. If I discover anything else, or think of anything I've missed, I'll definitely share it here.
