Unable to manually update RBR50 for new FW

[kgrass]

I’m sorry if this is in the wrong board. I can’t seem to find a location for the Orbi RBR50.

I need to update the FW on my Orbi to resolve a Guest Network password problem. The Orbi app does not recognize there is a new FW. It is currently using v2.7.4.24 and I am trying to update to v2.7.5.4.

I read the article on manually updating the router and satellite but I do not have a computer with an Ethernet port which is required.

Any ideas on how to update to the latest FW without an Ethernet connection? Will the app eventually update the Firmware? Is my only option to turn off my Guest Network since it cannot be protected?

Thanks in advance

[CrimpOn]

An Ethernet connection is the most convenient, but not an absolute requirement.  Use a laptop or tablet that connects to the router by WiFi.  (smartphone screens are to small that the Orbi web interface is very hard to use on one.)

[kgrass]

Unfortunately Netgear specifically advises AGAINST connecting wirelessly in their Knowledge Artricle - see link attached below.

https://kb.netgear.com/31573/How-do-I-manually-upgrade-firmware-on-my-Orbi-router-using-orbilogin-co... 

[CrimpOn]

So they do. (sigh)  That advice from 2019 sort of flies in the face of the reality of 2023, when people are purchasing laptops or tablets that have no Ethernet connection.

One can always purchase a USB to Ethernet adapter (I have several from Amazon - under $20 each.)  Work on my desktop, two laptops, a Chromebook, and Samsung tablet.

One would think that firmware files ought to be encoded so that the router can determine if they are corrupted before beginning the update.

Sorry.

[kgrass]

Thanks anyhow!

For any Netgear personnel reading this. How about making a selection available on the Orbi app that offers a choice to automatically update an optional firmware update?

That would seem pretty straightforward and save customers countless hours. For example, I’ve already spent over three hours on this. Not sure I will spend anymore. Easier to just turn off my Guest Network until you fix the Guest Password problem with an automatic update.

[FURRYe38]

One can use a wireless PC or laptop and connect wirelessly to send FW updates. Its recommenced to have the PC or laptop fairly close to the RBR, say 3-6 feet to ensure the connection is good. If it's good, then you can send the FW to the RBS first, then RBR lastly. Soon as the file gets sent to the units, the PC or laptop will loose connection temporarily with the RBR after the RBR FW is sent. Once the RBR is back online, the PC or laptop should reconnect. 

It's recommended to have a USB to ethernet adapter on hand for future use should your PC or laptop not have ethernet wire support. 

Good Luck.

[CrimpOn]

@kgrass wrote:

I need to update the FW on my Orbi to resolve a Guest Network password problem.

---

We got side tracked over the Ethernet issue and neglected to ask about this Guest Network password problem.

Could you please describe the issue?

Thanks

[kgrass]

I used to have a guest network password set up. Yesterday I noticed that the guest network no longer had a lock symbol by it. Every time I went to add a password to the guest network nothing would happen. In other words, I could hit return And the field would clear, but no password created. I tried with the various security settings but same result.

There is a reply on the boards to someone describing the same issue which suggested the firmware update was required to fix the issue.

[kgrass]

I previously had a password set up for the guest network on my Orbi RBR50. Recently when adding a new device to the network I notice the guest network was now unprotected. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear I am able to add a password via the Orbi app to that network. 

I’ve tried doing this with each Security Method - no luck. In the case of WPA/WPA2-Personal it takes me to a screen that suggests I should either update WiFi Credentials or Try Again. Neither option adds the password. Using WPA2-Personal it acts as if it is applying a new configuration but nothing changes at the end of the process.

Note: I’m currently running FW v2.7.4.24. I’ve gotten conflicting advice regarding a manual update for the optional update. The Knowledge Article from Netgear explicitly advises against trying to do this wirelessly. As I don’t have an Ethernet port on my laptop I am not going to try updating.

Does anyone have a proposed solution to getting the Orbi to accept a Guest Network Password?

Thanks all

[FURRYe38]

Can you log into the RBRs web page and configure the Guest Network password there with a web browser? 

Try inputting the following for the password to see if it works, Password123

As meantioned before you could update the system using a wireless PC or laptop. Just have the Pc or laptop in close proximity to the RBR for best connection between them. Update the RBS first then RBR lastly.

[kgrass]

Thanks. I thought of that but that’s now a whole ‘nother can of worms. After figuring out Orbilogin.net doesn’t like Safari I went to Chrome to enter my ID and password. Next I got a screen asking for the router S/N. I keep a picture of it on file and entered it. Netgear is saying it doesn’t match. I retried enough times to know there was no typo on my end. 

So, a new problem to sort out another day. I now have three - updating “optional” FW, getting a guest network password, and logging into the web page. Sigh.

You know, I love the performance of my Orbi but dealing with administrative issues seems like death by a thousand cuts. OK, rant over.

[CrimpOn]

The Orbi 'app' credentials are a user name, which is usually the email address used to access my.Netgear.com and a password.

When using the web interface, the user name is always "admin" (and cannot be changed) and the password is what was defined during the original configuration.

If the web credentials are rejected three times in a row, either for changing the user name from "admin" to something else or entering an incorrect web password, the Orbi pops up the Password Recovery option.  This requires the router serial number (which I read from the product label.  guess a picture would do as well, but I enjoy upending the router.) and answers to some security questions that were supposed to be defined during that original set up.

My guess is that Password Recovery is not complaining about the router serial number, but something else.

When the user cannot successfully enter the web password or complete the Password Recovery process, the only method to gain access to the web interface is through a Factory Reset.

https://kb.netgear.com/31486/How-do-I-reset-my-Orbi-system-to-factory-default-settings 

[kgrass]

I finally found a way into the web page but haven't found anything that allows me to set up a password for the Guest Network. If there is something I am overlooking, please let me know.

BTW - I have been helped by you before and know you know your stuff but I am reluctant to try a manual firmware using WiFi given the Netgear official position in that Knowledge Article. 

Thanks

[CrimpOn]

Yes, it is truly annoying that most companies provide such limited support for products.  Netgear will talk to customers for only 90 days unless they pay for Gearhead support.  And the product has only a one year warranty (unless the customer pays to extend the warranty.)

In this specific situation, I feel your pain.  When I discovered that new laptops no longer come with Ethernet ports, I went on Amazon and purchased one.  (Actually, I bought several because I wanted to add more Ethernet ports to my desktop for network monitoring but that's another topic.  Work great.)

If you buy an Ethernet to USB adapter with a USB connector that matches your laptop, then you can be "wired" to the router and do firmware updates.

Actually, the security of Guest WiFi is sort of a "mixed bag".  Turning Guest WiFi on and off does not affect the primary network.  If the goal is to allow real "Guests" to use the network, then enable Guest WiFi before they arrive and disable it after they leave.  So what if some neighbor gets internet access for a couple of hours (or days).  Chances are no one except the guests will even notice it is there.

If the goal of having a password on Guest WiFi is not for "guests", then that's a whole different kettle of fish.

[kgrass]

Things have gotten weird. As you know, I was unable to get a new password created while on the router webpage. I had the same result as I had using the Orbi app.

However, and here’s the weird part, earlier today I noticed the lock symbol was next to the guest password. Hmm. So, I went to see what the password was. It was not the password I have been trying to create. It was the original password on the bottom of the router. 

I decided to take a chance to see if I could edit it to the password I want. Nope, no dice. I’m back to an unprotected Guest Network.

So, no idea how the original router password got added to the Guest Network. The primary network retained the unique password I created so this doesn’t seem to be the result of some behind the scenes reset. I have no idea.

Any thoughts or insights from this experience that might help me get a password created are appreciated.

[KevinLiT]

Hello @kgrass,

Welcome to the Netgear Community!

I understand that you are having issues with your guest network with your RBR50 on Firmware version 2.7.4.24. This behavior may be caused by using an older firmware version, please update your RBR50 to the most current firmware version 2.7.5.4 then perform a factory reset of your RBR50. 

For step-by-step instructions on how to manually update your RBK50 please navigate to the link below (Be sure to update the attached satellites first):
https://kb.netgear.com/31573/How-do-I-manually-upgrade-firmware-on-my-Orbi-router-using-orbilogin-co...

Please navigate to the link below for the download file for your RBR50: 
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/RBK50#download

Please navigate to the link below for instructions on how to correctly factory reset your RBR50 and the attached satellites:
https://kb.netgear.com/31486/How-do-I-reset-my-Orbi-system-to-factory-default-settings

Best,
Kevin
Community Team

[kgrass]

Thank you Kevin. If you read this thread you’d know I do not have an Ethernet port and therefore I am unable to manually update the optional Firmware.

Please ask development to provide an option in the Orbi app to upgrade optional updates. In the meantime I turn my Guest Network off since cannot password protect it.

The current process is cumbersome, unnecessary, and unavailable to many of us who do not have Ethernet ports (which most devices no longer have.) I have an iPad available to me and I don’t even know if an adaptor is available.

[CrimpOn]

This one is compatible with older iPhone/iPad that have the Lightning connector:

https://www.amazon.com/Lighting-Ethernet-Adapter-Network-100Mbps/dp/B07VK8Q36S/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?crid=... 

Newer iPads have the USB C connector, and there are scads of adapters that claim compatibility with these iPads.

[kgrass]

Thanks, that’s useful but buying yet another adapter that I’ll likely use once isn’t very attractive. For now, it’s easier to simply disable the feature until the firmware changes become incorporated into a release that can be automatically uploaded.

I do appreciate the research and desire to help.

[KevinLiT]

Hello @kgrass ,

Thank you for that suggestion!

I will ensure that this option is discussed with our experts.

Best,

Kevin

Community Team