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VistaGrande's avatar
VistaGrande
Tutor
May 18, 2020

Orbi RBR50 Non responsive, won't factory reset

After two years of working flawlessly my Orbi RBR50 router stopped working. I have two satellites RBS mdels connected to it. 

The power light is on and it is green.

I tried to cycle the power - did not work.

I tried to factory reset by inserting a paperclip into the reset button - the light stays green, never turning to amber.

I tried the 30-second reset press + pull power with clip still inserted + 30 seconds reset press - did not work.

 

I thought maybe a firmware update failed / corrputed.

The RBR50 router was set up for automatic firmware installs. The latest firmware to download is marked March of 2020 (it is May 18 2020 as of this writing). So I'm thinking it updated more than a month ago. 

 

Any other ideas?

Thank you!

46 Replies

    • VistaGrande's avatar
      VistaGrande
      Tutor
      May 18, 2020

      Appreciate the quick reply. 

       

      Unfortunately my PC doesn't even see the Orbi RBR50 when directly attached via ethernet cable.

      Network Adapter settings show "Network Cable Unplugged" -- see attached image.

       

       I tried downloaded the binary for nrmpflash, but get an error when running it: "The code execution cannot proceed because wpcap.dll was not found".

       

      I need to do some sort of factory reset with the Orbi RBR50 so that it comes up and I can re-configure. 

       

      Any other ideas?

       

       

      • plemans's avatar
        plemans
        Guru - Experienced User
        May 18, 2020
        It might not "see" the connection. its why you're setting static addresses. Did you try the tftp? if anything is missed, it can not work
    • TomHarker's avatar
      TomHarker
      Initiate
      Jun 13, 2020

      Heya,

       

      I have the same problem, recently got a 2nd hand RBK50 set to upgrade from my perfectly good RBR40.

      When powered up both the RBR50 and RBS50 have solid green power LED, and soild white ring lights.

      I'm concentrating on the RBR50 for now to get that running first, I've tried a factory reset, a 30-30-30 reset and flashing the firmware back to v2.2.1.212 over TFTP (this fails halfway through the upload).

      After all this I now have a flashing green power led and a solid white ring on top of the RBR50, and a deep sense of frustration!

       

      Not sure where to go from here??

       

       

  • PeterSchneider's avatar
    PeterSchneider
    Star
    Oct 05, 2020

    Having exactly the same issue.  All working fine and then suddenly dead to the world.  Solid green on power but no response to reset attempts.  Very frustraiting. 

     

    Has anyone recovered from this or am I dreaming to think that there is a way to fix this very expensive brick?

    • FURRYe38's avatar
      FURRYe38
      Guru - Experienced User
      Mar 14, 2021

      So you can't access the RBRs web page after a 15 second press of the reset button then release? 

      Try the TFTP option mentioned in this thread? 

      stilesfamily wrote:

      I have this exact same issue.  Any other ideas on how to fix it???

       

      • CrimpOn's avatar
        CrimpOn
        Guru - Experienced User
        Mar 14, 2021

        I have used TFTP several (stressful) times.  It seems as much an "art" as it does a "science".

        My impression is that there is a magic window of time during which the router will accept a TFTP connection. Maybe only a few seconds. I had numerous attempts fail (0 blocks transmitted), and then one succeed.

  • NikaBooboo's avatar
    NikaBooboo
    Initiate
    Aug 20, 2021

    L E M O N - wasted massive amount of time on all suggested solutions and it's DEAD! Had multipe GOs with NG support and there is a update - it's a DEAD LEMON

     

     

    • PeterSchneider's avatar
      PeterSchneider
      Star
      Aug 20, 2021

      Sadly, the only way to get it back is by sending the unit to Netgear, paying the shipping and then their service fee.  Netgear takes no accountability for the failure to properly develop and test firmwares.

       

      I have a second RBK that is my backup (until recently I had a second home that I outfitted before learning the Netgear lesson).  When my current one dies I will move to the other one until that one dies.  Then I will be off to a new company.

  • RonRolfsen's avatar
    RonRolfsen
    Guide
    Oct 15, 2021

    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's avatar
      FURRYe38
      Guru - Experienced User
      Oct 15, 2021

      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's avatar
        RonRolfsen
        Guide
        Oct 15, 2021

        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.

  • lrkell01's avatar
    lrkell01
    Aspirant
    Oct 16, 2021

    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.

      • wwlen1's avatar
        wwlen1
        Guide
        Oct 16, 2021
        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.
  • noktulo's avatar
    noktulo
    Aspirant
    Dec 19, 2021

    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.

  • FootX61's avatar
    FootX61
    Aspirant
    Jan 31, 2022

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