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Forum Discussion
RAX40 not working with extender EAX20
Well, to nobody's surprise, Netgear STILL has NOT done anything to resolve the firmware compatibility issue between the RAX40 and EAX20 (though I'm fairly confident that other EAX extenders are also ...
Here we are, two years later... and NETGEAR has STILL NOT resolved the compatibility issues between these two devices. Coming here, relieved me a little seeing that this was a much wider problem... I was a bit p!$$ed because I had a EAX80 that I returned because I thought it was defective and purchased the EAX20 instead. What ticked me off all the more was that support was CLUELESS about this KNOWN defect in the product.
I'm glad that others posted the solution about downgrading the firmware on the RAX40, but that also had some agitation with it because I lost the newer security features like WPA3. This is particularly of concern given the current environment of the Internet being filled with bad actors trying to steal your information or identity.
As good and reliable as NETGEAR equipment has been for me over the past decade plus... to say I'm very disappointed is a gross understatement. I might keel over dead if they actually FIX this @#$&%$*@& problem.
Hey bps527,
I remember seeing your post awhile back, I had the same issue with firmware compatibility for the past couple years. Super frustrating.
Just wanted to let you know that I tried updating my RAX40 router firmware version to 1.0.6.106 last weekend and my system is currently holding stable (knock on wood!) with no compatibility issues with either of my EAX20 and EAX18 extenders.
In case you have issues and need to downgrade again, I recommend having the previous firmware that was working (1.0.3.94) already downloaded (don't want to get stuck).
Link for firmwares here: https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rax40/#download
Hope it works for you too. Crossing fingers.