New - RBE970 / RBE971 Firmware Version 9.12.5.3 (for NA Region Only)

[OrbiTechDude]

Rebooting the router before I went to bed fixed it (which I was highly confident wouldn’t as it never did before). As such, I believe I had two issues going on prior:

1. Cabling was once poor before (now fixed).
2. Tarana and Orbi do not agree with each other. Since the Tarana forces a gigabit ful link speed regardless with no auto-negotiation, the Orbi and Tarana at some point disagree and give duplex mismatches (the Orbi will state gigabit, but I’m assuming the Tarana changes to 100M over time since that’s normally what my speed caps to).

I have a joint meeting with 3 Tarana executives and supervisors of my ISP tomorrow. I think finally I have nailed everything and sorry if I come off hot to you or Netgear, it’s just frustrating I have been dealing with this since November 7th of 2024.

[FURRYe38]

I would get you in non managed switch in between the RBR and Tarana device and see if this help with there non auto negotiation handling. A GS105 or GS305 and see what happens.

[wvkregten]

Works fine in eu just updated

[Mooose]

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@wvkregten wrote:
Works fine in eu just updated

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Note that there is now a version of 9.12.5.3 that is not "NA only":

https://kb.netgear.com/000066513/RBE970-RBE971-Firmware-Version-9-12-5-3

[SpeedPro_03]

Is the NA version the same file as the non NA version? I am in Europe and installed the NA version some weeks ago,m and I’m not sure if I have to reinstall the non NA version if it has changed anything. Thanks

[FURRYe38]

I believe this version is now all NA and ROW supporting. I see the download site for this version was updated on 1/6/25 and NA Region Only was removed. 

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@SpeedPro_03 wrote:
Is the NA version the same file as the non NA version? I am in Europe and installed the NA version some weeks ago,m and I’m not sure if I have to reinstall the non NA version if it has changed anything. Thanks

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[FURRYe38]

Enhancements: 01/06/2024

• Improved 2.4 GHz WiFi connectivity.

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed an issue where the 2.4 GHz channel did not change when using channels 9-13.
• Fixed various minor bugs.

Security Fixes:

• This firmware addresses security vulnerabilities. For more information about security vulnerabilities, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/security

(for ALL Regions)

Download Link:

https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rbe972s#download

Firmware Update Instructions:

To update your router’s firmware, follow the instructions in your router’s user manual. To view your router’s user manual, visit https://www.netgear.com/support/product/RBE971.aspx#docs.

IF MANUALLY UPDATING THE SYSTEM:

Be sure to update the RBS FIRST, then the RBR lastly. 

Please navigate to the link below for step-by-step instructions on how to update your RBR971/RBS970:

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

https://kb.netgear.com/000037217/How-do-I-check-and-manually-upgrade-the-firmware-on-my-Orbi-satelli...

Proceedure to Manually Firmware Update Orbi and Nighthawk Mesh systems

I HIGHLY recommend after the FW is loaded on the system and it's back to ready, power OFF all Orbi units and the ISP modem/ONT for 1 minute. Then back ON with the ISP modem/ONT first, then RBR then RBS.

NOTE: Orbi app or the routers web page may not report seeing new FW updates. NG may not push this to there auto update services immediately and may activate the newer FW update being seen on there auto update services at a later time. User will have the choice to manually update if you want too.

FW UPDATE ALL Feature:

If there is a FW updated seen on the RBRs web page and all RBS are online and connected with GOOD STATUS, you can select the UPDATE ALL button option to have the RBR update the RBS and RBR. Update All button is seen on the RBRs Firmware Update WEB page on the Check for Updates FW section of the page. Once FW has been checked for an update and all devices show the FW update is available, select the UPDATE ALL button. Give 5 minutes for the process to take place. 

NOTE: If continued problems are seen after a FW update, it's recommended to try a factory reset and setup from scratch with out loading any saved configurations from backup files. Use the ERASE button on the routers web page to factory reset the router:

https://kb.netgear.com/000062081/How-do-I-erase-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System

This sends a Factory Reset command to any and all connected RBS as well.

Procedure for Factory Reset of RBE970 series systems

Quick Installation Guide, User Manual and Spec Sheet is here:

https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rbe971#docs

This article applies to:

• Orbi (8)
  • RBE970
  • RBE970B
  • RBE971
  • RBE971B
  • RBE972S
  • RBE972SB
  • RBE973S
  • RBE973SB

Let us know how it works for you...

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[SpeedPro_03]

Ok so better update again?

[FURRYe38]

If the system is working fine, i'd leave it. If not, then could update and power cycle the system OFF then back ON after FW is loaded on the RBS first, then RBR lastly.

[Validus]

This Firmware V9.12.5.3 (ROW version) upgrade had a massive impact in the performance for the upstairs Satellite...

Download Mbps: 935.56

Upload Mbps: 516.23

Ping: 6ms

This is pretty much the max my Fiber Internet can support!

On the prevent Firmware V9.12.3.3, i was only getting...

Download Mbps: 112.17

Upload Mbps: 56.04

Ping: 12ms

And that was after moving around the Satellite position to get the best possible. I thought it was because it was going through walls/doors/floors and across the entire house to get there. Yet now I appear to be getting max speed across the entire two story house.

Update seems really good so far, after a full power cycle (router and satellites).

I believe the back haul wireless connection type for the Satellite changed from 2.4Hz to 5GHz+6GHz (in New Zealand), which makes a huge difference.

[FURRYe38]

Good to hear. Making progress. Be sure to make a backup config to file for safe keeping. 

Enjoy.

[McLong]

Max speeds are impressive but what are your ping times while under load?

[Validus]

Lower than before pingage. It's good and very smooth, ideal for gaming and 4k Streaming. It wasn't too bad before, but download speeds are way faster. The lower 2.4 GHz band offers longer range at lower data rates, while 5 GHz and 6 GHz offer much faster speeds. Yet it seems to be happy going through a few walls with a strong signal strength.

Must of been related to this...

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed an issue where the 2.4 GHz channel did not change when using channels 9-13.

I can see under the Orbi App it's saying 5+6GHz connection on both the Satellites, when before it was 2.4GHz only. 

2.4Ghz Channel = Auto

5Ghz Channel = 40

WPA3-Personal

Wireless loT is however set to 2.4Ghz only

[wvkregten]

So far so good, wired backhaul at 2.5g. works better than previous, no disconnected sessions in teams or games for days now.

[FURRYe38]

Glad its working better for you. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
Enjoy. 📡

[OrbiTechDude]

Good to see that for the majority of everyone applying this update has had a good experience so far. As for me, awaiting Netgear to give me the final green light to RMA my entire system as everything possible has been exhausted on my end.

[FURRYe38]

Keep in contact with them and let us now how it turns out. 

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@OrbiTechDude wrote:
Good to see that for the majority of everyone applying this update has had a good experience so far. As for me, awaiting Netgear to give me the final green light to RMA my entire system as everything possible has been exhausted on my end.

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[Chenjesu]

This firmware has apparently been out for some time, yet my hardware does not see it. Every time I run a firmware check from the web GUI, it tells me no new firmware is available for my router or satellites. I'm fine with doing a manual firmware update but the last time I tried to do that to my RBE971, it bricked it. Fortunately it was still within the warranty period at the time so I was able to exchange it for a new one but warranty is expired now so I'm a bit cautious about doing a manual update. I'm located in South Bend, Indiana — any idea why my router isn't seeing the update?

[FURRYe38]

Your system serials may not be in the Auto Update system. NG rolls updates out in batches as well. 

I prefer to manually update and have never had problems manually updating FW. RBS first, then RBR lastly using a wired PC. 

Is the system working currently? If so, might just keep what it loaded on it for now.