Re: Orbi RBR50 Non responsive, won't factory reset

bakerfaceman · ‎2021-08-26

Holy crap this JUST happened to me too last night. Has anyone heard anything from NG?

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-08-26

So a 15 second press on the reset button and release with out the RBR connected to the ISP modem/ONT doesn't result accessing the RBRs web page at 192.168.1.1 with a wired PC and web browser?

Please make contact with NG support and let them know what happpend.

@bakerfaceman wrote:
Holy crap this JUST happened to me too last night. Has anyone heard anything from NG?

234arcdd123 · ‎2021-08-26

Not sure if this applies to everyone, but my issue is RBS not RBR. With that said, holding reset button for 15s does nothing. The ring light never even comes on.

I have it hard wired to my RBR and desktop.

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-08-26

https://kb.netgear.com/000059634/How-to-upload-firmware-to-a-NETGEAR-router-using-Windows-TFTP
Need to press the reset button for 30 seconds then release, then it send to PUT the command and upload the FW.
I had a problem on a Windows 10 PC where this didn't work to use TFTP, so I switched to a WIndows 7 PC and the TFTP worked.
Try this when tftp didn't work:
https://github.com/jclehner/nmrpflash

If any of this fails, I would presume the RBS is bad.

RonRolfsen · ‎2021-10-15

Add me to the list of customers with teh same problem - happened to me last night. System had been working without problem - 4am started receiving text messages from various devices of no internet. RBR50 - not addressable via IP address, nor Orbi mobile app. No WiFi ssid being broadcast. Modem and ISP internet confirmed not an issue. Power light stay green and does not change with attempt to factory reset via all methods described in the community posts. Of course out of 90 day warranty (is that really a warranty - 90 days?). Tried calling Netgear support - they wanted to try and troubleshoot via connecting to the router - they did not quite understand that there was no connection for them to connect to but they did try and sell an extend warranty - anyway did not have the time to continue on the call but might try again later. In the meantime seems that it is time to look for another router based on what I see posted. My back up Cisco is working fine so at least could continue to work today (and post this).

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-10-15

Try the recovery mentioned in previous post.

I would contact a forum moderator to see what your options are. Let them know what happened:

@Blanca_O @DarrenM

@RonRolfsen wrote:

Add me to the list of customers with teh same problem - happened to me last night. System had been working without problem - 4am started receiving text messages from various devices of no internet. RBR50 - not addressable via IP address, nor Orbi mobile app. No WiFi ssid being broadcast. Modem and ISP internet confirmed not an issue. Power light stay green and does not change with attempt to factory reset via all methods described in the community posts. Of course out of 90 day warranty (is that really a warranty - 90 days?). Tried calling Netgear support - they wanted to try and troubleshoot via connecting to the router - they did not quite understand that there was no connection for them to connect to but they did try and sell an extend warranty - anyway did not have the time to continue on the call but might try again later. In the meantime seems that it is time to look for another router based on what I see posted. My back up Cisco is working fine so at least could continue to work today (and post this).

RonRolfsen · ‎2021-10-15

Thank you for the suggestions of trying the previous post. I tried both and unfortunately neither works. For the loading of the firmware via TFTP the error is "Connect Request Failed" - the power LED never starts/turns amber and never flashes. Using the nmrpflash the result is Error: Ethernet cable is unplugged. Seems this device does not want to connect and be recognized. Thanks again for the help.

wwlen1 · ‎2021-10-15

Try and see if you can get the power light to flash while holding the reset button during a power on.

I had to power down my router, push and hold the reset button and then turn on the power. While still holding the reset button, my light started flashing about 10-20 seconds after power on. I could then ping my router at 192.168.1.1 and send the put command while still holding the reset button.

RonRolfsen · ‎2021-10-15

Thanks for the reply

This reset method was also posted in previous posts - I have tried holding the reset while powering on multiple times - more than a minute in one trial without any power LED light flashing. Appreciate the help.

wwlen1 · ‎2021-10-15

Sorry it doesn't work.

Hope you get it figured out.

lrkell01 · ‎2021-10-16

Same problem on my Orbi that's a little over 2 years old. Technical support says its a hardware failure and that I need to buy a new one. With such a lousy quality product, I surely won't buy a Netgear product again.

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-10-16

Good luck then.

wwlen1 · ‎2021-10-16

Some people on Reddit are having some luck recovering their router by disassembling their RBR50 (only a few screws) and hooking up to their router using a USB to TTL (I think) cable.

This takes a little bit more effort than I'm willing to put in.

My suggestion is to by a used RBR40 for about $35 or used RBR50 for about $60.

Then if you get around to restoring the RBR50, you can convert it to a satellite.

wwlen1 · ‎2021-10-16

Here is a link I found on unbricking the orbi.

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-RBR50-seems-stuck-in-boot-loop/m-p/1948614/highlight/true...

About 2/3 of the way down they tell how they fixed it and gave a link to another person who fixed theirs.

RonRolfsen · ‎2021-10-16

Thanks - I'll give it a try when I have some time.

WayneLaagewaard · ‎2021-12-06

Actually it worked for me like this, after 45 minutes of stress.

1. Take of the power for 10 seconds

2. Paperclip the resetbutton

3. power on

4. it starts blinking with Green - Orange and then red.

5. once red release and its resetting.

dont hold it for 30 seconds. it will not boot the os

noktulo · ‎2021-12-18

Just wated to chime in and say my parents' RBR50 has been bricked as well. It mysteriously stopped working, and they could not factory reset it. No matter how long they kept the reset button pressed, the power light stayed steady green. I thought they must be doing it wrong, but now I'm here and it's true, can't get it to factory reset no matter what I do. I convinced them to spend almost $400 on this system because it was supposed to be rock-solid, so it's really disappointing to have it bricked by an update pushed by Netgear.

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-12-20

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-RBR50-Non-responsive-won-t-factory-reset/m-p/2170489/high...
1. Take of the power for 10 seconds
2. Paperclip the resetbutton
3. power on
4. it starts blinking with Green - Orange and then red.
5. once red release and its resetting.

Or try this:

https://kb.netgear.com/000059634/How-to-upload-firmware-to-a-NETGEAR-router-using-Windows-TFTP
Need to press the reset button for 30 seconds then release, then it send to PUT the command and upload the FW.
I had a problem on a Windows 10 PC where this didn't work to use TFTP, so I switched to a WIndows 7 PC and the TFTP worked.

Try nmrpflash:
https://github.com/jclehner/nmrpflash
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-RBR50-seems-stuck-in-boot-loop/m-p/2010016/highlight/true...
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Is-my-13-month-old-RBR50-bricked/m-p/2011090/highlight/true#M1...

@noktulo wrote:

Just wated to chime in and say my parents' RBR50 has been bricked as well. It mysteriously stopped working, and they could not factory reset it. No matter how long they kept the reset button pressed, the power light stayed steady green. I thought they must be doing it wrong, but now I'm here and it's true, can't get it to factory reset no matter what I do. I convinced them to spend almost $400 on this system because it was supposed to be rock-solid, so it's really disappointing to have it bricked by an update pushed by Netgear.

noktulo · ‎2021-12-20

We already tried all that. They now have a Google Nest Wifi and I’m done recommending Netgear products.

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-12-20

Good Luck.

FootX61 · ‎2022-01-31

After a little more than 2 years, same problem. For the price, what a shame Netgear...

FURRYe38 · ‎2022-01-31

https://kb.netgear.com/000059634/How-to-upload-firmware-to-a-NETGEAR-router-using-Windows-TFTP
Need to press the reset button for 30 seconds then release, then it send to PUT the command and upload the FW.
Make sure you enable tftp: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/enable-tftp-windows-10
Video walk through using a tftp client. Use the built in one for windows 10 though. the video is more of an example of how its done:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9DLrLQrpaw
I had a problem on a Windows 10 PC where this didn't work to use TFTP, so I switched to a WIndows 7 PC and the TFTP worked.
Mac TFTP: https://www.petenetlive.com/KB/Article/0001247

Try nmrpflash:
https://github.com/jclehner/nmrpflash
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-RBR50-seems-stuck-in-boot-loop/m-p/2010016/highlight/true...
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Is-my-13-month-old-RBR50-bricked/m-p/2011090/highlight/true#M1...

Bricked Orbi Recovery:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/custom-firmware-build-for-orbi-rbk50-rbk53-rbr50-rbs50-v-9-2-5-1-1...
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Is-my-13-month-old-RBR50-bricked/td-p/2009904/jump-to/first-un...

If any of this fails, then the RBR needs to be replaced.

@FootX61 wrote:

After a little more than 2 years, same problem. For the price, what a shame Netgear...