RBR50 automatically Blocking Windows machines in Access Control

[jvetro]

My RBR50 has been automatically blocking only Windows machines in Access Control, even when Access Control is disabled.  I am running Firmware V2.7.4.24 and running my RBR50 and RBS50 in AP mode to run as access points.  Is there a reason why this is happening?  At first I thought it was Malware or Ransomware, but all my machines are clean.  I have read in other forums and posts to update to the latest firmware V2.7.5.4.  But not understanding how this could fix the problem.

[CrimpOn · Accepted solution]

The reason for keeping the "list of all devices" in precisely in case the user some day decides to enable Access Control.

While Access Control is enabled, edit that table to change those entries from Blocked to Allowed.

The only ways to "clear" the tables entirely are:

• Manually, by deleting every entry in all three tables, or
• A Factory Reset (which clears everything)

[CrimpOn]

What evidence is there of the Windows computers not working correctly besides the entries in the Access Control table?

The reason I ask is because Orbi systems maintain a list of every device that has ever connected to the system just in case the user decides to enable Access Control.  There are three tables (may have to scroll down the page to see all three):

1. Devices which are currently connected to the Orbi system.  If at some point in the past Access Control was enabled and these specific MAC addresses were Blocked, then these MAC addresses will remain labelled "Blocked" in this table no matter whether Access Control is on or not.
2. Devices which have been Allowed in the past, but which are not currently connected.
3. Devices which have been Blocked in the past, and are not currently connected.

The RBR50 firmware has a documented programming bug* which causes problems when the list of devices gets too long.  It might be helpful to "clear out" devices which are no longer relevant and reboot the router.

*This bug was discovered years ago, and has never been addressed.  Now that the RBR50 is officially End of Service, it is pretty clear that Netgear will not spend a penny addressing issues with it.

With Access Control not enabled, whatever is happening with these Windows computers is not caused by this feature.

[jvetro]

Currently Access Control is disabled, however, when I do enable it, those devices are blocked in particular trying to connect to the RBR50 interface, a black screen would come up with a warning of: "The device is blocked by Access Control in the router"

I do have quite a bit of devices.  If the router is rebooted, does that list reset?  Would the latest firmware V2.7.5.4 help with this?  I understand this is an optional update.

[CrimpOn · Accepted solution]

The reason for keeping the "list of all devices" in precisely in case the user some day decides to enable Access Control.

While Access Control is enabled, edit that table to change those entries from Blocked to Allowed.

The only ways to "clear" the tables entirely are:

• Manually, by deleting every entry in all three tables, or
• A Factory Reset (which clears everything)

[jvetro]

Thank you, will give that a try!

[jvetro]

Cleared out old Access Control entries and set the blocked ones to allowed and that seemed to have done the trick.

Thank you!