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R7000 dropping 5Ghz randomly
I was transitioned to work from home so I was able to finally notice this, but my 5Ghz connection on my router occasionally drops. During the course of my 9-10 hour shift, the connection drops around...
the general agreed upon decent firmware for the R7000 is 1.0.9.42.
the recently released version is still waiting feedback but the initial results aren't any better from what I've seen.
What modem is it from xfinity?
Try installing that firmware, factory reset again, and make sure to manually install.
I was looking at upgrading to the latest version (I upgraded to 1.0.9.88 and started seeing router issues - dropping connection). After reading many posts and replies I decided to revent back to 1.0.9.42 version. I am only about 20 hours in, but after a full day of video converencing, no hiccups (which was not the case with the 88 firmware).
So, I agree, go back to 1.0.9.42.
I also did it the lazy way - I did not factory reset my router, I simply "upgraded" to an older version. The system asked whether I wanted to install older version - once I confirmed the process as as smooth as with any other firmware version change.
So, thanks to all who suggested the 42 version.
I downgraded to 1.0.9.42 version and during the 4 hours left that I was at work (I tried to squeeze the downgrade during my lunch), I haven't experienced any drops in the 5GHz connection. I'm going to try and see if my PC is still connected overnight with this firmware, but so far so good. I already had a router and access point in my cart if the issue still persists, hopefully it will continue working.
rpzky8 stelthlion68 Clearly I'm pleased for you both that rolling back to v.42 appears to have fixed your 5ghz WiFi stability issues.
Rolling back though could be seen as a trade off between functionality versus possible security issues. I've had a look at the release notes for the firmware upgrades that Netgear pushed out after v.42. Versions .60 and .64 both appear to have had a higher number of 'fixes' than some other firmware releases. In these firmware updates, Netgear supposedly incorporate various security 'fixes'. Personally, I have absolutely no idea what these fixes are and whether or not any security 'fixes' that might be lumped in with the overall update, genuinely protect the end user from outside interference, hacking, attack or whatever other methods that could be used to compromise the equipment.
So whilst other users appear more than happy to 'advise' others to rollback to a particular firmware just because 'it works' or is accepted as 'the most stable version', does that 'advice' open up the end user to security issues? After all, v.42 firmware was released over two years ago, so is it 'secure'? I have no idea personally. I'm supposed to trust Netgear that they are keeping my router security safe for want of better words. It may be that rolling back to an old firmware version will have negligible effect when it comes to security. It could also mean you're potentially leaving your router exposed to security problems. So because seemingly so many R7000 AC1900 users are experiencing functionality issues after updating to the latest firmware, the only resolution it appears, is to downgrade again or do what others have claimed, buy a different brand of router.
Clearly Netgear need to resolve this issue with yet another firmware fix. Quite how long it will take them to do so though, is an entirely different question. I guess it will depend on just how many users complain directly to them and how long they deem it operationally necessary to provide support. Many won't have any complimentary support remaining or won't pay for a continuing support package, therefore unless they're willing to pay, probably won't make their voices heard. We could quite literally be waiting months or longer or indeed never for another firmware update. Time will undoubtedly tell.
Yes, security is a consideration. Then again, if the router doesn't work, you are secure. Yes, there is a risk, but I bet there a plenty of higher value targets than watching what games my kids play and what I stream.
In my past experience, Linksys killed my router with a firmware upgrade (and there were no open source options). So, I am sticking with something that works.
Hi all and our friends at Netgear - Has there been any progress made on fixing the firmware. I bought mine in Dec 2019 and have been having this issue since 2 weeks ago. The ROI is proving to be moving in the direction of a sunk cost for a device that is not cheap.
I took the same steps as stelthlion68 but continue to consistently have the problem
Netgear folks are you able to share any progress on providing a fix for this very important issue that is impacting work and people's livelihood or should I just resign to that this product is not worth the time and go buy something else?
- I would definitely try using the latest firmware first, then if it fails, use the old firmware if possible. What firmware do you have right now?
RxPD wrote:Hi all and our friends at Netgear - Has there been any progress made on fixing the firmware. I bought mine in Dec 2019 and have been having this issue since 2 weeks ago. The ROI is proving to be moving in the direction of a sunk cost for a device that is not cheap.
I took the same steps as stelthlion68 but continue to consistently have the problem
Netgear folks are you able to share any progress on providing a fix for this very important issue that is impacting work and people's livelihood or should I just resign to that this product is not worth the time and go buy something else?
The problem here is, that even if anyone from Netgear bothered to sit down and read through this Community forum and discovered that there are seemingly lots of R7000 AC1900 router owners who are consistently reporting issues with 5ghz WiFi dropouts, then there's owners like me, on the newest latest firmware that have not had any issues whatsoever. So how is this the case? Why are some R7000 owners having so many problems with the latest firmware and yet some of us are not? No one can answer that question. Is it a geographical issue? A hardware issue with an unspecified number of routers? Environmental issues? or user error issues relating to firmware updates? No one has yet come up with an answer. I don't doubt there is a problem somewhere, but it clearly isn't affecting every single R7000 AC1900 owner, so how Netgear are going to resolve an issue that doesn't affect everyone, is going to be interesting.
Frankly I'm a bit surprised that this router is still getting firmware updates. It was released in 2013.
People complain because the firmware's not functioning properly but for some reason its a small set of the released devices. Not sure why but it tends to be more prevelent than other devices.
But to still be getting firmware on a 7 year old router? to me it shows an impressive level of backing by netgear.
I have a 3 year old tp-link C3200 that only got an initial firmware release and that was it. Nothing since. OR my linksys RE9000 from 3 years ago that only got the initial release.
its why I moved away from other companies. Not all of them even work on firmware unless its a major firmware bug found.
I still try out other companies because I like trying new things but I've found netgear to consistently update devices for longer than most.
yep. I have the same problem. Bought one of these second hand and it's a ripper. Updated the firmware to the latest and now the 5GHz keeps disccounting. 2gHz is fine.
I'l try rolling back and see how it goes.- UPDATE:
The issues are not going to go away. They may for a while, but they’ll return. I just bought another router. The money is worth the peace of mind!