Orbi 970 Satellite stuck on V9.10.0.2, failing all FW attempted Upgrades!

[cdjonescpa]

I purchased a remanufactured Orbi 970 Satellite from Amazon which has clearly been registered previously, and this may be my issue; but upon being received, FW was set with V9.10.0.2. I r literally tried every suggested FW upgrade version possible and ALL Fail. The satellite functions MAYBE for 1 hour at most and then locks up so clearly needs FW upgraded. Yes, I have manually attempted, and yes, I have connected via Ethernet hard wire from 971 router to 970 satellite. Netgear tech suggested it might be because registration has not been transferred to me, which makes no sense that would be the issue, but maybe so. Anyone else stuck on V9.10.0.2? HELP!!!

[FURRYe38]

How about a 30-30-30 reset on the RBS. 

Then don't let it connect to the RBR, try doing this with it and see if it will take a FW load? 

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WIFI-6-AX-AND-Wi-Fi-6E-AXE/Orbi-WiFi-6-AX-and-AXE-Frequently-A...

If this fails, the RBS maybe faulty and should be returned to NG. Something you could check with NG about and see if there is an RMA option.

[CrimpOn]

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@cdjonescpa wrote:
I purchased a remanufactured Orbi 970 Satellite from Amazon

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Are you within the return window for Amazon?  If so, I would return it and get another.

Years ago (literally "years"), Verizon sold the Orbi RBR50 system through their stores and had a special version of firmware put on it that was locked to Verizon.  Verizon never updated the firmware, and the router would not take newer Netgear firmware.  It was a complete disaster.  I have never heard of any ISP offering their own version of the 970 product. (and have no idea how to find out).

Previous registration might interfere with using the Orbi 'app' with the product, but should have no impact on adding it to an existing router or updating firmware.  This Netgear article describes how to deal with problems getting the registration changed to you:

https://kb.netgear.com/1160/NETGEAR-Product-Registration-FAQ 

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@cdjonescpa wrote:
 I literally tried every suggested FW upgrade version possible and ALL Fail.

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Please provide more detail about the process which failed.  such  as

• Using the web interface or the Orbi 'app'?
• Using the Firmware Update function on the router or connecting directly to the IP address of the satellite?
• The *.chk file successfully extracted from the downloaded zip file?
• The satellite "works for an hour"?  Light turns blue? Devices connect?
•  

[cdjonescpa]

I have attempted the 30-30-30 method 6 times both wirelessly and wired with a PC and all to no avail. I’m fairly certain since throughout all my tried, the “wireless mode” field always maintains only a dash, showing no data/status/specification.

[cdjonescpa]

Yes, I have tried multiple times both with Orbi app, as well as logging in directly to my router with attempting update automatically as well as manually.
Additionally, I have called Netgear and opened a case and was told they would “escalate my case to someone who could better help me and call me back”. (That was four days ago and of course no callback)

[cdjonescpa]

Yes the chk successfully unzipped/uncompressed, and I have also tried multiple FW versions…. All fail or it says “service unavailable” given I try to automatically update directly with router IP address. I’ve also tried the satellite IP address as a direct manual update method. It WILL go through the motions like it is going to update and then when “ready” again and I login with IP again, it’s still set at the durn FW V9.10.0.2

I plan on just returning for a replacement via Amazon. My other Orbi satellite and router are on the most current V9.12.5.3 and updated no problem so must be a bum unit

[cdjonescpa]

OH, and the SSID has never gone back to the default SSID. It has remained with SSID:

mapping-DCB6Db on all three GHz ports, with region showing: CAN, wireless mode with a dash, Wireless AP reflecting as Off, broadcast name On, and security type of WPA2-PSK, assuming anyone can see a problem herein.

[cdjonescpa]

Sorry, SSID:

MAPAIG-DCB6DB

SSID has been this since out of the box. When I reset, shouldn’t SSID change back to “ORBI65” per the bottom label of default info???

[FURRYe38]

Ya I'd get that RBS back to Amazon and see if you can find another RBS. 

Only other way you could try is maybe see if the TFTP functioned worked to force load newer FW on it, however not sure if that would work either. RBS should take a FW load from it's self service web page but if it's not, something is faulty with this RBS.