Re: Nighthawk MR5200 (M5) - We need your feedback!

Southern_Cajun · ‎2022-08-28

Sure, I’ve used 3 now… all of which work fine on the 1100, 5100, and 6500.

Standard magnetic antenna pair from Amazon

Bolton crossbow 2x2 mimo
Panoramic 2x2 mimo

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-08-28

This is the Antenna I plugged in - Poynting 4G-XPOL-A0001 Cross Polarised 4G Omni LTE Antenna

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-08-28

Hi John, Are you able to send me instructions on how to downgrade the firmware? I'd like to try downgrading to the latest prior firmware to when these issues started.

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-08-28

Update... now My M5 is not staying connected to the mobile network after unplugging the External Antenna!... It is not capable of Finding / connecting to the network. I am about to loose the rag since It only seems to connect now to H or 5G and doesn't seem to be capable of picking up 4G or 4G+ without the aid of this antenna! where My phone gets at least 2 bars of 4G+ and 4 or 5 bars of 4G on the same network (3 / Three)

Southern_Cajun · ‎2022-08-28

Yeah… it’s like the m5 internal antennas are completely turned off. Mine is doing precisely the same thing.

Really bizarre.

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-08-29

Further Update!! I swapped out my ID mobile sim and left it in My Huawie B535 for home internet so My Mum had wifi,
I then put the 3 Sim card which was in the B535 in my Netgear M5 and took it with me and the same happened as what happened on Saturday on ID mobile!! I had 4G+ from inverness to pretty Much Garve / Inchbae, then had H+ from Aultguish to Ullapool. 4G+ in ullapool, t to Strathcanaird (north of Ullapool) H+ Strathcanaird to Drumrunie turn off to Achiltibui etc on My phone...

On the hotspot... I got 5G in inverness to north Kessock. then lost signal between the Munlochly Turn off and tore! then had nothing all the way to after the Altguish Inn... even then it only lasted a few minutes then lost it until I got to 5G in Ullapool... So this device at this point is not backwards compatible with 3G H/H+ and 4G without an external Antenna.

Further! when it's on H/4G it tries to connect to every other network it is set to attach too (Sim: 3 APN: 3internet) it was trying to connect onto EE/Vodafone and O2, There was a time when it was on 3 and it had the no entry sign!

Needs to be fixed

dpcheng · ‎2022-08-29

When it tries to connect to every other network on 4G/4G+, try editing the APN settings and toggle Authentication Type from None to pap or chap and save the settings, this will force the device to reconnect to the 4G network without rebooting.
This is the firmware bug of the M5 I reported earlier on.

Southern_Cajun · ‎2022-08-29

You’re conflating separate issues.

This does work until it doesn’t— and then only an external antenna will allow connecting to the network tied to the sim.

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-08-29

Just tried doing this and unfortunately it didn't work. Also tried changing to a different APN. Also tried switching it to 3G only, then All bands, then 4G and 5G to no avail. Not even rebooting it works. The only way for me to get it to connect where I am currently is to connect an external Antenna 😞 Issue seems to be worse that it was at first.

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-08-29

Ok this is Boggling my mind!!

So the Webpage is indicating that the Signal Strength is Excellent yet the device continues to search for the network!!! Is the device purely seeking out 5G? despite being set to all bands?

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-09-01

The Devices External Antenna Ports are Extreamly Weak! I have noticed that one doesn't work at all! Plugged in 1 connector at a time from external antenna into the right hand port and nothing! Plugged in 1 each to the left port it works but it's intermittent now and I have to keep holding it in place! Need to test this further but I'm thinking I made a massive mistake ordering this particular one from Amazon marked as Used and like new...

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-09-01

and now after unplugging it, it's magically working without the external antenna

Southern_Cajun · ‎2022-09-01

The mr5200 is clearly a dumpster fire.

I’ve had a rma for 2 weeks and support can’t even get a simple cc charge correct to exchange it… and haven’t resolved it.

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-09-01

Seems to be working good for now on the internal antennae. Going to attempt to get as much of my Epic Games content downloaded in the next 10 hours before I have to leave for my delivery run later.

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-09-04

Ok I just rebooted my router a few times without the external antenna...
1st time it rebooted and searched then connected to 4G fine!
2nd time it rebooted and came back on searched said connected then went back to Searching. Weird thing is though, Laptop was still connected, and one drive was uploading files!

Connected my phone to its Wi-Fi and although the device is saying searching.... the data is working. There is also no yellow and black Exclamation sign on the screen saver screen saying data is turned off!

This suggests that the issues with the latest firmware are:
Random Dropouts on the mobile network
Not Searching and / or connecting to the network, without the aid of an external antenna
Searching and finding the network but then falsely showing Searching while the data connection is fine:

so, is the device doing speed tests of its own and refusing to connect to networks below a certain speed?

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-09-04

Ok it lasted several hours... then the connection dropped. I rebooted and again... the device failed find/connect to the network.
I ended up having to plug in the external antenna to get it working again.

TmacTradingLtd · ‎2022-09-04

Further update. It is now at 93 / 94% charge, and it seems to behave better when it's above 90/94%
Will do further tests

Rvision · ‎2022-09-05

Posted my experience here, not being able to connect to 5G:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Mobile-Routers-Hotspots-Modems/MR5200-M5-Not-connecting-to-5G-iPhon...

The other issue I'm having is occasional problems with disconnections with the mobile on LTE, even with the device saying its connected to 5G but LTE in the band info.

idck_de · ‎2022-09-14

Hello team.

Workaround

Connect random TS-9 port to MR5200 even the TS-9 connectors has no actual antenna attached to it. After a TS-9 connectors connected one of the TS-9 port at back of MR5200. Broadband seems functioning again.

What happens

It happens w/w o A battery, A Ethernet connection nor any inform of change factors in physically.

It happens w/w o A wan connection been established nor any inform of change factors in software.

It happens w/w o A firmware downgraded or upgraded thereafter.

Continuing in searching states that non-changeable no matter which SIM card issued by or with. IoT card included.

What expected

After a swapped SIM card, A connection should've established in orderly.

What unexpected

It will never establish any connection with cellular if user don't introduce any TS-9 external connector to it.

How many carrier you switched and tested so far?

9

How many reset had performed so far?

uncounted

Have you tried to reach any help at all?

Yea. like for 9 months now, I think I've done pretty good job on searching unsolved and related like consumer support. Since this unit has special in facts I'd never want to replacement or tread in any kind.

Firmware that occurred issues with.

NTGX55_12.03.08.00

NTGX55_12.03.09.00

ThierryC22 · ‎2022-09-29

Hello,

Thank you for this post. I have suggestions after security issues.

MR5200 SMS functionalities :
1) Add the possibility of blocking certain numbers from which you do not wish to receive text messages.

2) Add ability to disable sms functionality on router

Access control : Add MAC access control directly from the router interface

In my opinion it's could be very usefull.

Regards

Thierry

flegall · ‎2022-09-30

Hi
I come back to you for the MR5200 in N78 5G SA.
We have tested it and now it's ok : registration OK, PDU session OK. An equipment connected in wifi has traffic OK.

But we notice after few seconds that MR5200 equipment send a PDU session release request to the core. I have a wireshark capture if you are interesed. We could sent you by mail.
Could you explain me why the MR5200 send a PDU session release request ?

Are there any news about the roadmap of native support of 5G SA on MR5200 and corresponding supported bands ?

Best regards,

François Le Gall

JohnPeng · ‎2022-10-11

@flegall wrote:

Hi
I come back to you for the MR5200 in N78 5G SA.
We have tested it and now it's ok : registration OK, PDU session OK. An equipment connected in wifi has traffic OK.

But we notice after few seconds that MR5200 equipment send a PDU session release request to the core. I have a wireshark capture if you are interesed. We could sent you by mail.
Could you explain me why the MR5200 send a PDU session release request ?

Are there any news about the roadmap of native support of 5G SA on MR5200 and corresponding supported bands ?

Best regards,

François Le Gall

Do you have a way to capture QXDM logs for the disconnection issue?

John

Grundge · ‎2022-10-12

I think the latest firmware upgrade is garbage. My device has always worked fine but now it is super slow. When I try to use the hotspot my download speed is around 1 MB. Been troubleshooting but nothing I do has any affect. This device was stupid expensive and now it's completely useless.

JohnPeng · ‎2022-10-13

@Grundge wrote:
I think the latest firmware upgrade is garbage. My device has always worked fine but now it is super slow. When I try to use the hotspot my download speed is around 1 MB. Been troubleshooting but nothing I do has any affect. This device was stupid expensive and now it's completely useless.

Please help to capture a model.json file and send private message to me.

- Logon to the webui (http://192.168.1.1 ) as an administrator
- Navigate to URL http://192.168.1.1/model.json via the same browser window
- Capture the results (by selecting all + copy) and send it back

Thanks

John

Southern_Cajun · ‎2022-10-13

Mine is still in rma status and doesn’t work at all without an antenna.

August was promised a replacement.

Filed a formal complaint with my states attorney generals office.

Also have the att branded 6500 and it freezes continually without hesitation and will let people log in via the default ip without credentials