Re: Major Firmware 7.2.6.31 issues

bas303 · ‎2024-05-24

A few weeks ago the Orbi system automatically updated to the latest 7.2.6.31 firmware and immediately I started seeing problems.

- Devices connected to a router or satellite were continuously dropping their connections intermittently reestablishing them over longer periods of time (minutes / hours).

- Download/Upload speeds being terrible when connected even though wifi signal strength looked fine.

- Often devices where not able to connect to the nearest Orbi, even if 3 feet away from the router itself, they might connect to a far away satellite.

- Connectivity of ethernet connected devices on satellites was unaffected, the wireless backhaul between the satellites and router seemed to perform fine.

After trying all kinds of settings changes and trying to move the devices in different spots I gave up as the system was totally unusable. I've reverted to 7.2.6.21 and all these problems went away. Something is seriously not right with the 7.2.6.31 firmware in my setup.

I would like to be able to upgrade to a newer firmware in the future as I still have one very annoying problem with the older 7.2.6.21 firmware, which is that if I have my phone hop from one Orbi device to the other, I lose connection to a service I need on an internal IP. It probably has to do with arp / mac to ip routing tables. When I move back to the original satellite, the connection can be reestablished. It can take minutes before I can reestablish connections to the internal service when staying in the area of the new satellite. When hopping, there is never an issue with connectivity towards the internet.

FURRYe38 · ‎2024-06-12

For users having problems with there Orbi units after updating to v.31, We recommend that if you have done most troubleshooting efforts to clear the issues seen after loading v.31 and still experience problems, you'll need to downgrade back to v.21 version. RBS first then RBR lastly. It's recommended after downgrading, to perform a Factory Reset and setup from scratch to ensure there no lingering FW from v.31 on the system. Also disable the Auto Update feature on the RBRs web page soon after to avoid the system re-updating back to v.31.

We have made NG aware of the issues with v.31 and have ask them to consider pulling back FW v.31 for all Orbi AX and AXE systems.

Thank you.

View solution in original post

FURRYe38 · ‎2024-05-24

Which Orbi model do you have? The 850 series?

Has a power off for 1 minute then back ON with the ISP modem and router been performed since last update?
Be sure to restart your network in this sequence:
Turn off and unplug modem.
Turn off router and computers.
Plug in and turn on modem. Wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on the router and wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on computers and rest of network.

Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update?

What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.

How many RBS are deployed?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?

What is the distance between the router 📡 and satellite(s)🛰️? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR 📡 and RBS 🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wired or wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite ‌‌🛰

Does this happen with the RBS turned OFF?
Does this happen with both wireless and wired devices?
What channel configurations are currently set on the router?
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?

Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/222...

Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Smart Parental Controls or Circle, IPv6 and Traffic Meter.

bas303 · ‎2024-05-27

Hi @FURRYe38,

I have the 850 series for a little over 2 years now. Your recommendations around powering down, factory reset, etc. have all been done.

Current firmware version is 7.2.6.21. I reverted to it as my system was unusable with 7.2.6.31.

There is no problem with internet for devices connected to the orbi's by ethernet cable, even when these devices are connected to the satellites using the Orbi's wireless backhaul. The problem is in the client side wifi domain and not between Orbi router and ISP uplink.

Current setup involves 2 Orbi satellites with 1 Orbi router. Satellites are more than 30 feet apart in a 5100sq ft. house.

WiFi in the neighborhood is not dense and low signal strength as detached houses are far enough apart.

Radio interference wise there is no major problem as previous firmwares have worked fine and by simply reverting to the previous one, the system is stable and performing again.

No problems exist for the wired devices on the router or satellites.

Turning on/off MAC address randomizers has no impact on performance which would be strange anyway as it is simply affecting device identification and routing tables (which mac's hold which ip's), except for mac allow/deny list behavior if present. Once relationship is established and published, it should not make a difference in ongoing throughput or device registration workflows itself.

To be honest I'm not looking for answers how to magically solve my issues with the 7.2.6.31 firmware as I don't believe it exists or me having the flexibility to change my placement setup as I don't. I simply want Netgear aware that there are subsets of their users having issues with changes provided in the latest firmware so their intended improvements and fixes are not working for all. I want the ability to update to a future firmware to keep up with latest security patches and not render these Orbi's useless. They were way too expensive for that.

FURRYe38 · ‎2024-05-27

Welp, hard to tell. I just had my 750 series online with v.31 loaded and ran well. Same code base.

I see you and one other that has had some issues. Had been alot of others posting about it:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WIFI-6-AX-AND-Wi-Fi-6E-AXE/New-RBR850-RBS850-Firmware-Version-...

Not sure if this is a FW issue or something related to your systems and devices. With out more sepcifics on what you have and what is going on, can't really help more.

I guess I can put mine online can see if I see anything similar.

I recommend that if you are seeing problems, might conctact NG support and let them know.

Good Luck.

mkohlman · ‎2024-05-27

Seeing similar issues after upgrading to my 750 series devices to 7.2.6.31

Devices will drop connections randomly, and I'm seeing intermittent streaming media issues where I had none before.

All devices will eventually migrate their connections to the RBR750 after losing their connections to the RBS750s (I have two) regardless of how close to the RBS's they are. Basically at this point I no longer have a mesh network as within a day or so everything ends up on the RBS.

Upgraded after staying on the 4x for the last year after Netgear's last firmware mess that left users unable to connect to the management interface. Should have known better.

Superdeduperguy · ‎2024-05-28

Just chiming in that I have been experiencing similar issues since upgrading the firmware to the 7.2.6.31 version. My setup includes an RBR850 and 3- RBS850s -- all updated to the 7.2.6.31 firmware. I have a Verizon router/modem - and using the RBR850 & satellites for the wireless functionality in my home.

I've only noticed the one issue that wifi devices randomly / intermittently are dropping the wifi connection (possibly several times a day I've noticed -- as has my wife and son). The wifi dropping issue began immediately after upgrading the the 7.2.6.31 firmware.

I have gone through the recommended steps of powering down and back up with the prescribed waiting periods -- but still having the problem. I will likely roll back to the ...21 firmware version as it sounds like that has helped others avoid the problem.

I'm not requesting any feedback. I'm just chiming in so that Netgear folks are aware there may be some issue with the .31 firmware version.

Hope this helps.

FURRYe38 · ‎2024-05-28

Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WIFI-6-AX-AND-Wi-Fi-6E-AXE/Procedure-for-Factory-reset-of-RBS8...
https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
Try option #2 first...

Will need to factory reset the system and setup from scratch to check this.

Superdeduperguy · ‎2024-05-29

Thanks for the additional information. I have been running without issue for several years - always under the Option 3 configuration you mention. It was only once I updated to the ...31 firmware that I began having any problems.

I'll probably just roll back to the ...21 firmware and wait for another future firmware to see if the issue has been addressed.

Again, I wasn't really looking for assistance, just sharing that I was also experiencing issues once updating to the ...31 firmware for Netgear's sake.

Thanks and have a great day!

Chrissmith75 · ‎2024-06-12

I have just upgraded this film update and our experiencing the same issues as the post. Internet connection seems to work from mobile devices but any windows laptop it connects to the orbee network but there's no internet at all very frustrating interestingly it seems to connect to the internet virus satellite but to the main router he doesn't connect at all very frustrated and very fortunate to find this post I'll be downgrading to our earlier firmware when I get home

mkohlman · ‎2024-06-12

Rolling back to the previous version resolved the issues for me.

One thing I would strongly advise for most anyone using an Orbi is to disable automatic updates and download/update manually. This will ensure that you have copies of the previous firmware versions in case you have to roll back as well as allow the "automatic update" folks be the Netgear Beta Testers instead of you.

Even so, as with this latest update, I still get burned every so often...

FURRYe38 · ‎2024-06-12

For users having problems with there Orbi units after updating to v.31, We recommend that if you have done most troubleshooting efforts to clear the issues seen after loading v.31 and still experience problems, you'll need to downgrade back to v.21 version. RBS first then RBR lastly. It's recommended after downgrading, to perform a Factory Reset and setup from scratch to ensure there no lingering FW from v.31 on the system. Also disable the Auto Update feature on the RBRs web page soon after to avoid the system re-updating back to v.31.

We have made NG aware of the issues with v.31 and have ask them to consider pulling back FW v.31 for all Orbi AX and AXE systems.

Thank you.