Feedback for R7000 New firmware 1.0.9.18

After a lot of trouble with several late  firmware versions for my R7000 (not stable, dropping WAN access frequently, 2.4GHz connecting issues, etc) I decided to flash an alternative firmware. I'm now using XWRT-Vortex based on AsusWRT-Merlin. I love it, absolutly stable and all issues are gone. First I was sceptical, tought it was a hardware issue with my router and was looking for a new one. For those who are desperate you can give it a try, you won't regret it. I'm on FW version R7000_380.69. 

Same instability issues that other users have reported. Wifi connections just drop off for no reason (sometimes as frequently as 10 min after reset) and it is getting to be very annoying. Having to reboot the router everytime this happens. Seems to go offline even when no activity on the router. Have not been able to identify a pattern yet. Have devices connected to both bands, QoS is not enabled. 

   I made the mistake of updating router to 1.0.9.18 from 1.7.x.

   After the update none of the devices could connect to 2.4 GHz. And, one of my mobile devices only supports 2.4 GHz.

   As a result, I tried R7000-V1.0.9.20_1.2.28 [BETA], but with same results.

   Am currently back on 1.7.x, which is not a ideal situation but have no other choice.

   Is there a stable firmware from 1.9.x series ?

   What are other alternatives if any?

Regards,

Hi all,

using the 7000 as router and an EX6100 as repeater ... the same problem ... on 2.4 WIFI no stabel connection posiible (distance to big to check for a 5 GHZ connection)

Tests on a smartphone analyzer shows an permanent up and down on the signal stenght (after restarting the router it works well for some time, 20 min up to one hour or so...)

I watch this tread becouse it looks that many people have the same problem

BR Michael

At this point i think my R7000 is leaving my house ending up in i bigger plastic container...

Are there any people here who have seen the same problems with other products from netgear?

Can't decide if i dare to buy another netgear or if i should go for something else.

This is a sad day but we need to candid. NG has seemingly abandoned the R7000 family. It should be an EOL router. Their focus right now is R8000+, Orbi, and Arlo. 

The truth is NG will gain more customers from the previously mentioned devices than they will lose off this thread and mirrored ones across net-verse. I found the the R8000 for $179 on Amazon. 

My concern is two fold: 1) that they are still selling a device that is known to be broken/defective. Linksys acknowledged their issue and at least tried to address it. 2) that serious investment in intellectual resources and support to remedy issues are nil once better models are available from NG. So be warned if you choose Arlo or Orbi once that ship has sailed. 

NG seems to ignore the majority of us. Maybe I am wrong but it is still the impression I get based on my experience and what appears to be the majority on this thread. 

In frustration I bought a Linksys and immediately had issues. I contacted Linksys and within moments they said it was a recognized problem and were willing to send me a loaner E8300 (don't know much about it) until they figure and rectify the issue, I said no thanx and returned the item. 

After much more research, I begrudgingly opted for the R8000 and every issue I had, disappeared. I was receiving outstanding speeds (what the R7000 should have obtained but never did). I had no drops, no jitter, no lag. I was getting the same performance from my iMac on 5G from 30 feet away as my PC on ethernet. Virtually no discernable loss. Xbox was open for first time in years. Smart home and all devices work without issue or delay. 

Unfortunately, it is not perfect. Outside of performance I do have some UI and management issues and my request for assistance have been so far ignored. I will call tomorrow with my list and go from there. 

Bottomline, do your homework; check your budget; assess how you value your time, need, and frustration; finally, choose to jump to another capable vendor or 'upgrade' to another NG product (that may be ignored once it closes in on irrelevance to them down the road).

Lastly, I believe that regardless of FW, there are still issues. This appears to be a HW design flaw that has caused fruitless FW revisions trying to plug it up. It seems the internal aspects is somehow cancelling its own network (reflected out of phase 'ringing'?). They may have sold this product to meet schedule with either intent to plug hole later or discovered it shortly after release. My point-it will never be fixed to the point of its intended design.

Just to provide an update I received a debug firmware from Netgear and running it now to assist with debuging.  Strange, I have been running this for almost 2 hours and have not had a dropped device since it started logging.

After the update started having problems with 2.4Ghz, showing as connected on phones and tablets but unable to access the internet. Then 5Ghz joined in. Ended with no connection other than ethernet to PC.

Rolled back to earlier firmware and it's mostly ok but the PC just dropped the connection. I hope it was just a one off.

So Netgear, what gives?

This is getting frustrating.  It would be nice if Netgear would give us daily updates.  I dont expect a date for the next firmwae but it would be nice to see if any progress is being made.  After this debacle I am another person who won't be buying Netgear again!