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Forum Discussion
R6700v3 New Firmware Slow Speeds
Hi.
I have a Netgear 6700v3 connected to a Netgear CM600 modem. I pay for 300Mbps download and 30Mbps upload. I usually get 300-340Mbps download during speed tests. I noticed recently that I was only getting download speeds of about 150Mbps. I tested several times over a few days and the speeds were staying the same. I plugged my computer directly into my modem and I started getting above 300 again, so it seemed the problem was with my router. I tried rebooting and factory resetting my router a couple times, but that didn't help (both on factory settings and after making changes). I found another forum thread (https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-WiFi-Routers/Netgear-R7000-Slow-Internet-Speed-Our-Fix-SOLVED/m-p/1483216) about an R7000 with similar problems. I skimmed through it and saw that he fixed his problem by rolling back a firmware version, so I gave that a shot.
I noticed my router had firmware auto updates turned on and version 1.0.4.78 installed. I downloaded version 1.0.3.66 and flashed the firmware through the web interface. I immediately started getting speeds over 300Mbps again (both on factory settings and after making changes). I upgraded the firmware back to the newest version, and the speeds dropped again. I downgraded it to 1.0.3.66 again, and it was fixed again.
So now I'm using 1.0.3.66 and turned off firmware auto updates. I couldn't find others with this same issue on the same model, but I thought it should be reported somewhere. Let me know if there is a better place to report (seems like I couldn't contact Netgear support without paying for premium support).
Thanks,
-Ben
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Is there and update to this information? I have the same problem. The firmware was updated and can not get the 300mbs that I have contracted with my ISP. I try down grading the FW to the version mentioned on the original post but did not work.
Any help is appreciate it.
Benthebot wrote:Hi.
I have a Netgear 6700v3 connected to a Netgear CM600 modem. I pay for 300Mbps download and 30Mbps upload. I usually get 300-340Mbps download during speed tests. I noticed recently that I was only getting download speeds of about 150Mbps. I tested several times over a few days and the speeds were staying the same. I plugged my computer directly into my modem and I started getting above 300 again, so it seemed the problem was with my router. I tried rebooting and factory resetting my router a couple times, but that didn't help (both on factory settings and after making changes). I found another forum thread (https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-WiFi-Routers/Netgear-R7000-Slow-Internet-Speed-Our-Fix-SOLVED/m-p/1483216) about an R7000 with similar problems. I skimmed through it and saw that he fixed his problem by rolling back a firmware version, so I gave that a shot.
I noticed my router had firmware auto updates turned on and version 1.0.4.78 installed. I downloaded version 1.0.3.66 and flashed the firmware through the web interface. I immediately started getting speeds over 300Mbps again (both on factory settings and after making changes). I upgraded the firmware back to the newest version, and the speeds dropped again. I downgraded it to 1.0.3.66 again, and it was fixed again.
So now I'm using 1.0.3.66 and turned off firmware auto updates. I couldn't find others with this same issue on the same model, but I thought it should be reported somewhere. Let me know if there is a better place to report (seems like I couldn't contact Netgear support without paying for premium support).
Thanks,
-BenMake sure you turn off auto update first, then downgrade the firmware.
I don't know whether or not Netgear thinks there's a problem or not. I'm staying on the old firmware.
I've had so many problems with this router since purchasing - although I will say the newer firmware versions have resolved my down speeds. A few things that have worked to get back to just under 1gb AT&T speeds (hardwired):
- Factory resetting router (don't restore backup settings from a file) then manually change your individual settings
- Cut power to the router completely for ~5 min
- I've noticed Windows will want to use wifi during times when you are restarting the router repeadily so disable wifi when running speed tests or restart your PC
- Disable/unplug other devices on your network for best accuracy
Finally be aware if you are speed testing using wifi the best you can hope for is 300-400 down (in my case I have 1gb internet) even under the best of circumstances. You mentioned you have 300 mbps plan - I'd be surprised if you hit those speeds anytime other than 2-3am (when the network is least congested). With my 1gb internet I generally hit 700-800 down hardwired.
Retired_Member wrote:I've had so many problems with this router since purchasing - although I will say the newer firmware versions have resolved my down speeds. A few things that have worked to get back to just under 1gb AT&T speeds (hardwired):
- Factory resetting router (don't restore backup settings from a file) then manually change your individual settings
- Cut power to the router completely for ~5 min
- I've noticed Windows will want to use wifi during times when you are restarting the router repeadily so disable wifi when running speed tests or restart your PC
- Disable/unplug other devices on your network for best accuracy
Finally be aware if you are speed testing using wifi the best you can hope for is 300-400 down (in my case I have 1gb internet) even under the best of circumstances. You mentioned you have 300 mbps plan - I'd be surprised if you hit those speeds anytime other than 2-3am (when the network is least congested). With my 1gb internet I generally hit 700-800 down hardwired.
Are you saying you encountered the issue with firmware updates after V1.0.3.66_10.0.50, but the latest update solved that problem or at least, solved it after the steps you listed below? I'd like to stay current but not when it breaks functionality.
- I dis turned off the auto updates
Here we are in August of 2021 and I have the exact same problem. 400 down, wired to my ISP's modem. 150 (on a good day) when wired to my new Nighthawk.
I guess I'll start rolling back the firmware. What a disappointment.
TL;DR: maybe I should just start over and factory reset?
I just installed the router and updated to the latest firmware when prompted during setup - got about half my speed (400Mbps - Spectrum) - 150-300 Mbps - when wired to my PC via the router. Xbox is the same (also wired). Speed's all good (460 Mbps) when connected right to the modem.
I screwed with port forwarding/triggering when I was setting-up (for Steam and Epic downloads) and messed with downgrading bios (based on this and other threads). I immediately killed Netgear Armor and turned off access control - and looked for anything that might be overly-sniffing my packets as they pass through the router.
Nothing seems to get past this router without a fight. Top speed, to date, is 310 Mbps - according to the Android app and a Steam game download.
Frustrated with this product ! First tried to install the router with the Netgear NightHawk app, but the QR Code scan option would not work, (kept saying that the QR code was invalid... so I had to fallback to the manual setup steps.
But after getting the setup ok, I kept testing the IP Speeds of the WiFi connectins (via the 2G line) and was underwhelmed....only 50mbps or so download speeds to my Roku device. I then checked the ethernet port speed to my PC (which should reach up to 400mbps) and found that I was only getting around 150mbps at best....
I thought perhaps that it might be a simple tweak in the router settings, so I started researching here on the web looking for tips on how to increase router speed settings....tried several things, all which didn't seem to help...several updates of the firmware to latest versions....many reboots of the router....reconnection of lines....tried different ports....etc. etc....
I finally found these posts about reloading of the firmware to the previous version, and thought "Why should I need to do that for a brand new product?". I'm not an expert on all this stuff by any means, and don't feel very comfortable with reloading the base software.
I eventually was successful at restoring the firmware back to v1.0.3.66_10.0.50.
The speed to my PC is now +-450mbps (which actually is greater than the advertised speed of my ISP service)!
So I'm only out about 5-6 hours of my time trying to debug/setup this router. I plan to return it for a full refund. I will be looking for a brand other than Netgear for my next purchase.
I have a Nighthawk R6700v3 with the latest firmware (v1.0.4.120) installed and recently noticed that I was having the same speed issue. It turns out that I had turned on Traffic Meter in the app a couple days ago. Turning it off immediately increased download speeds from 200Mbs to 700Mbs without rebooting.
Not to bump an old thread, ran into the same problem as everyone else... I forgot to turn of auto update and got lousy speeds after not noticing it for a while... rolled back to 1.0.3.66_10.0.50 and everything is good. I mean WTF... you have to roll back to a 2 year old version to get proper speeds?