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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 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.
I understand that updates includes security fixes, but if it breaks one of the main features of said device, I will rather go back to an older firmware. Imagine being secure but having to apologize to my coworkers for being booted off every hour or two just for the sake of security.
I had little hope of getting this issue fixed and I was ready to shell out the extra cost of buying a new router (which at this point, might not be Netgear anymore), until the solution came out. I was almost led into thinking that something went wrong with my hardware, when the culprit all along is the firmware. If it indeed was a hardware issue, it will be the youngest router I have ever owned to be trashed out.
Maybe if I have time, I'll try to move up to each firmware to see what works well for me, but for now, I'm not gonna try to fix what's still working for me.
It does make sense that version 42 is the answer - afterall, that is the answer to life, the universe and everything.
lkuhn Rollback to v.42 certainly appears to be the default stock answer for all issues connected with 5ghz WiFi dropouts.
No one however really wants to talk about or try to explain why some of us aren't having any problems with the new firmware because well, there's nothing to talk about I guess. 25 days in and still no problems on firmware 1.0.11.100.