Orbi WiFi 7 RBE973
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RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

CargoCult
Aspirant

RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

I have an RBR750 in Router mode that is successfully running with three RBS750 satellites. I'm looking to upgrade to the latest Firmware and have updated two of the satellites (manually) but the third is having problems.

 

I've tried removing, resetting, adding back to the mesh and all of this works as expected (reset -> amber -> solid white -> sync on satellite & router -> solid blue on Satellite, router admin interface and app show the problematic satellite to be in good backhaul standing.

 

But when I go to the router advanced/admin/firmware update page the problematic satellite status is marked "Service Unreachable", and when I attempt a manual update the fwUpdate.htm page that pops (with the expected ipaddress) gets a "ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED"

 

Is there a way to perform a harder factory reset than the safety pin method, or a way connect directly to the satellite and upload the latest firmware?

 

Note that apart from the lack of firmware information/ability to upgrade it does allow me to connect a wired laptop and access the internet. I do notice that no devices are using the wireless connection from the satellite but that could be because I've placed it close to the router while troubleshooting.

 

Any ideas? TIA.

Message 1 of 17
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

Have you turned OFF the other RBS after they updated? 

You haven't updated the RBR already have you? 

Ethernet connect the 3rd RBS to the back of the RBR? 

Be sure to clear out all browser caches...

Try a different browser? 

Message 2 of 17
CargoCult
Aspirant

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

Thanks so much for the rapid response, awesome!

Q: Have you turned OFF the other RBS after they updated?

Yes, they've been powered off/on and are turned off while I try to futz with the problematic satellite

Q: You haven't updated the RBR already have you?

I tried updating it once I started having issues updating the problematic satellite, but I've since reverted the firmware back as the update seemed to make it worse for the problematic satellite.

Q: Ethernet connect the 3rd RBS to the back of the RBR?

I can try this but I do get the blue light on the problematic satellite and good sync status in the admin UI?

Rec: Be sure to clear out all browser caches...

Done

Rec: Try a different browser?

Done.

Is there a stronger reset than the pin/amber flash reset? Is it possible to flush the DHCP registration for the problematic satellite from the router?

I relocated the satellite back to it's original location in the house and several devices are now connected through it - so it's synced and working as far as the mesh goes, I just can't see the FW version/update it due to the "Service unavailable" state in the update UI, and the connection refusal when I try a manual update.

Thanks again for the help.
Message 3 of 17
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

Does the 3rd RBS get a IP address from the RBR? If it does, use this IP address in a web browser to see if it comes up with a log in then use RBR log in info to get into the RBS web page. 

Message 4 of 17
CargoCult
Aspirant

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

It gets an IP address, and it seems to be working fine as part of the mesh (devices are getting onto the house network and to the Internet) - but if I try to connect, directly or via an orbilogin.net session with the router, I get the ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED error in my browser.

The problematic satellite has a WiFi network name on its serial number label - is there anyway to trigger it into broadcasting that network so I can attempt to connect?
Message 5 of 17
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

What is the IP address the RBR is giving to the RBS? 
Use this IP address to see you can gain access to the RBSs web page...

Message 6 of 17
CargoCult
Aspirant

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

Exactly my symptoms. The strange thing is that the Orbi login.com site now shows the problematic satellite as having an updated bios but I still can't connect to it.

So fine for now but I'm exposed if I need an urgent security patch. ☹️
Message 7 of 17
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

What happens if you select the GENERATE button seen on the RBRs web page Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Then try to resync the RBS to the RBR using the Add Satellite feature on the RBRs web page? 

 

Can check this as well:

What you need to do is factory reset the RBS. Wire connect a PC to the 1st satellite‌‌. Already have the most current FW version files downloaded on to this PC. 

Wire connect 1 PC to the back of the RBS. Factory reset the RBS, wait about 5 minutes. The PC will get a IP address from the satellite‌‌. The RBS will be 192.168.1.250 for Orbi AC/192.168.10.250 for Orbi AX. Use this IP address in a web browser to log in to the satellites web page. Log in as admin and password. Use the satellites ‌‌ web page FW update feature to select the FW update file that was unpacked from the .zip file. Then factory reset and then re-sync the satellites ‌‌ to the RBR. 

Message 8 of 17
CargoCult
Aspirant

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

Thanks for these clearly written instructions. I will try them both (going to start with the second one first)

Appreciate the help!
Message 9 of 17
CargoCult
Aspirant

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

Just reporting back.

 

1/ Tried the generate option - no luck, my other two satellites came back fine, but the problematic one wouldn't resync

 

2/ Tried the second standalone ethernet connect to satellite option, notes below:

 

- I evicted the satellite from the mesh and powered off the RBR750

 

- I powered off, rebooted, and reset the problematic RBS750 (amber led blinking)

 

- I waited until I saw a solid white status light on the problematic RBS750 and then cable-attached a laptop 

 

- I disabled wifi and rebooted the laptop, and IPCONFIG checked the address the ethernet adaptor had been given: 169.254.165.210

 

- I tried to browse to http://192.168.1.250/ but got "not found/unreachable", so I set the address of the adapter to 192.168.1.10

 

- I tried to browse to 192.168.1.250 again, and this time got the "Err_Connection_refused" error that I've been seeing since the problems started.

 

So, it looks like I'm out of luck. What do you think my chances are of having the satellite device replaced?

 

Thanks...

 

 

Message 10 of 17
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

Last resort on the one bad RBS, perform a 30-30-30 reset on it.

 

Message 11 of 17
CargoCult
Aspirant

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

Thanks so much for all the help, but no luck after the 30-30-30 I'm afraid.

 

Looks like the problematic RBS750 is determined not to be reset to a point where it'll serve its admin page (or even provide a useful DHCP address to a directly attached device).

 

I'll try opening a ticket with Netgear to see if they can do anything, it's a couple of years old now so probably not.

 

Thanks again for the suggestions!

Message 12 of 17
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

Ya, seems it needs replacing. 

Good Luck.

Message 13 of 17
CrimpOn
Guru

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware


@CargoCult wrote:

- I disabled wifi and rebooted the laptop, and IPCONFIG checked the address the ethernet adaptor had been given: 169.254.165.210

...

So, it looks like I'm out of luck. What do you think my chances are of having the satellite device replaced?


169.254.165.210 was not assigned to the laptop via the DHCP process.  It is what  is called a Link Local Address that was created by the laptop itself when the DHCP request did not get a response:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link-local_address 

It is possible to run a LAN with no device "in charge" of IP addresses.  Every device creates an IP unique to itself.  If the user can figure out the IP address of each device, it is possible to communicate between them.  This, of course, is horribly impractical and we are all used to having a router manage the network IP space.

 

Netgear provides a one year hardware warranty.  Chances of getting this RBS750 replaced by Netgear are ..... (very slim).

Message 14 of 17
Jediwsl
Aspirant

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

Dear CargoCult,

I am experiencing the same technical issue; I am unable to access the web interface of my RBS750 satellite via the Admin page of my RBR750 router or the direct IP address of that satellite to update its firmware. I have no issue with the other three satellites except this one. I received the identical error message "ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED" when I tried to connect to that satellite. May I know did you find a solution to your question? Thank you in advance.

Message 15 of 17
CargoCult
Aspirant

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

I gave up - I had lots of good advice from this forum and took the time to work through the suggestions but none fixed the basic issue that the satellite was rejecting signing requests (and not even prompting for alternate credentials).

The unit was out of warranty and I didn't want the cost of a support call, likely ending in "replace the unit", and so it's sitting in a cupboard, powered off.

I'll likely switch vendor when it's time to upgrade.
Message 16 of 17
Jediwsl
Aspirant

Re: RBS750 Unable to check/update firmware

Thank you for your prompt response. I saw you had been through a lot of troubleshooting. I did the same. Problem remains. I heard you. I wish Netgear Support will be more helpful.

Message 17 of 17
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