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Although automatic firmware updates should probably be the default, there should be a method (easily accessible in the firmware settings) to disable firmware auto-updates.
The foregoing would allow those experiencing issues with the latest firmware to remain on an earlier version.
82 Comments
- While I was away on vacation, Netgear automatically updated my Orbi RBK50 router firmware from 2.1.2.18 to 2.1.4.10 and completely hosed my Apple Home environment. Once I finally figured out that the Orbi was to blame, I rolled the firmware back manually. However, I sure hope Netgear doesn't update the firmware again behind my back. Sometimes new versions of the firmware do a lot of damage, and customers should be protected from this kind of thing.
Yes please Netgear. This Should be option to disable/enable autoupdate
Yes. Of course we should be able to choose when to update. I'm amazed that this is not the default and that there no longer is an option.
And just to point how absurd this is. 2.4.1.0 has a KNOWN issue with 2+ satellites according to their own notes. And still they auto-update networks.
Yes, this is a definite must. Netgear needs to allow their customers to fix their home network that's been broken by a new firmware auto-update by allowing users to stay on a working firmware version until their specific breakages are fixed. It is really bad to force users onto firmware that doesn't work for them. I want the latest security fixes and features, but most of all, I need a working home network.
Netgear needs to keep in mind that how well the firmware on my router works for me depends (at least in part) on the mix of clients that I have on my network. So problems that I see may not show up in Netgear's lab or Beta tests. If a new firmware version breaks my previously working network, the Orbi is useless to me. I don't think that Netgear wants to put customers in that position, so they need to do the right thing with this to allow their customers to continue to use their Orbi.
@randomosity, thanks for that tip, and I did read about that elsewhere. I am observing how Netgear handles this issue, because I am still within the window to return this product (RBK50 kit: 1 router + 2 satellites), and find another. Using an unsupported back door way to turn off the autoupdate flag isn't what I expect for a product at this price. My Airport Extreme network never caused headaches like this, including forcing updates, but Apple is end of lifing the Airport products.
I'll take recommendations for a system that can give me strong coverage for a large area without these issues and questionable product update decisions. I like the Orbit feature set, but these issues negate all of that.
My Arlo system has been terrific, including the support. This must be a very diffferent group at Netgear.
danno18 wrote
Note that manual downgrade is only temporary, because the auto update will overwrite your downgrade. My manual downgrade lasted less than one hour before the auto update overwrote my manual downgrade, so I am stuck on 2.1.4.10.You can telnet into the router and turn off auto-updating if you like. I've not done it (disabling auto-update), but I have telnet into the router and poked around some, and I know I've seen other posts explaining how to disable it. If you search around in the forums on here, you can find instructions on how to telnet in, and how to change the setting to disable auto-update.
I'll start you off with enabling telnet: go to http://[your router's ip]/debug.htm and enable the telnet option. You then telnet into the router using the IP address, and the normal admin login credentials. As far as the commands to change the auto-updating, you'll have to find those on here on your own, because I don't know how to do it, off the top of my head, and don't care to do the research myself.
Agreed.
Note that manual downgrade is only temporary, because the auto update will overwrite your downgrade. My manual downgrade lasted less than one hour before the auto update overwrote my manual downgrade, so I am stuck on 2.1.4.10.
I agree. Forcing half-baked updates on unsuspecting users sounds like a legal liability issue. I don't remember signing up for such nonsense.
khudsn7 This last update 2.4.0.10 has been a nightmare. And no way to reverse back to last version which was working perfectly for me. Now with this new update, a number of my home automation products, stopped working. Am I going to have to trash this router and by one from another company that works?There's absolutely a way to downgrade your firmware. You just have to do it manually. Not ideal, and it would be much better if there were an automated way to downgrade, but it's certainly possible.
