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Forum Discussion
RBR50/RBS50 Firmware not automatically updating to 2.5.1.8
My Router and satellites (2) are currently @ Firmware V2.3.5.30. Using the web UI, they show a status of "No new firmware version available".
Yet, when I look at the support site; there shows to be V2.5.1.8 as the current version.
Is there a reason the devices do not automatically update? Or does NetGear control when the automatic updates apply; thus using the community as beta testers (those who manually download)?
Appears this current version addresses something with Sonos which I would like to have.
Thanks for any assistance.
H281DG
20 Replies
My take is that there are several factors in play here.
- Netgear is not ready to have an enormous number of Orbi systems upgraded to the "latest" firmware.
(for good reason) they fear that there are potential "unintended consequences" and a flood of questions/problems would be too terrible to contemplate. Thus, they are not "announcing" the new firmware yet. - Also, Netgear no longer will "force" firmware updates on Orbi customers except for "major" releases.
Thus, this new firmware is not enough of a change to make a "force" necessary. - By making the new firmware "available" but not "advertised", there will be some brave Orbi owners who will install it and validate that (a) it is a step forward, or (b) some bad things happen when it is installed.
- Remember, the vast majority of Orbi owners never look at the Orbi management site or visit the Orbi support sites.
They are blissfully unaware of this new firmware.
So, if you want to be on the "bleeding edge", then download the new firmware and manually install it. Eventually, Netgear may have the Orbi management system alert customers that it is available. They will never "force" this firmware on anyone.
For myself, I am looking for consensus. Is this a step forward, or is it a "mixed bag" that fixes some things and breaks others. I remain on 2.3.50.30 for the time being.
Odd experience here.
At one stage the browser interface did show updates, RBR/S40-V2.3.5.34, but it refused to install them.
Now it doesn't show them.
I did download and try a manual update but that wouldn't work either.
- Netgear is not ready to have an enormous number of Orbi systems upgraded to the "latest" firmware.
v2.5.1.8 is a minor FW revision not a MAJOR rev. Only Major revs get auto updated thru the system. Minor updates will present them selves in the routers UI for users to choose to update or not. Or manually download from NG download site and manually install them yourself.
h281dg wrote:My Router and satellites (2) are currently @ Firmware V2.3.5.30. Using the web UI, they show a status of "No new firmware version available".
Yet, when I look at the support site; there shows to be V2.5.1.8 as the current version.
Is there a reason the devices do not automatically update? Or does NetGear control when the automatic updates apply; thus using the community as beta testers (those who manually download)?
Appears this current version addresses something with Sonos which I would like to have.
Thanks for any assistance.H281DG
I have been having consistent intermittent internet drop outs on my RBR50/RBS50 setup with v2.3.5.30 that I did not have on previous firmware. Would I be better off manually updating to 2.5.1.8?
Yes, use a web browser like IE11, FF or opera and a wired PC and downloaded the RBS and RBR FW update files from NGs download support site.
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/RBK50.aspx#download
Manually FW update the RBS first, then the RBR lastly. After all has been updated power OFF the RBS and RBR for 30 seconds then back on with everything. You shouldn't need a reset and setup from scratch however if you noticed bad behavior with the system it maybe needed.
Trebz_ wrote:I have been having consistent intermittent internet drop outs on my RBR50/RBS50 setup with v2.3.5.30 that I did not have on previous firmware. Would I be better off manually updating to 2.5.1.8?
Hello all,
I have attempted to update the firmware automatically on the RBR50 and it does not apply the update. I have also attempted to manually update the firmware on my RBR50 to 2.5.1.8 via the downloaded zip file and the resulting .img file upload. It seems to attempt the installation, but will not apply the update. My current version is 2.5.0.38 and no amount of effort on our part has resulted in success.
We have one RBS50 which is already updated and one RBS20 which is now (manually) updated to 2.3.5.36 (latest).
In my opinion, whether it is a major firmware update or not, the router should handle this activity as part of intended functionality and not cause so much grief in the community.
TheGardners wrote:I have attempted to update the firmware automatically on the RBR50 and it does not apply the update.By this you mean that the Firmware Update says that no new firmware is available? Or, do you mean that the web page listed new firmware, but clicking on the link did not result in upgrade?
I have also attempted to manually update the firmware on my RBR50 to 2.5.1.8 via the downloaded zip file and the resulting .img file upload. It seems to attempt the installation, but will not apply the update. This is the procedure followed by everyone who has upgraded to 2.5.1.8 thus far (me included). At what point does it "go bad"? Is there a message?
In my opinion, whether it is a major firmware update or not, the router should handle this activity as part of intended functionality and not cause so much grief in the community. Absolutely agree. The topic of firmware upgrades has dominated the community forum for at least six months. I have lost track of the number of participants who declare, "Nothing from Netgear - Ever Again!!!"
Thanks for the response, CrimpOn. I've responded to each point below in blue.
CrimpOn wrote:
TheGardners wrote:I have attempted to update the firmware automatically on the RBR50 and it does not apply the update.By this you mean that the Firmware Update says that no new firmware is available? Or, do you mean that the web page listed new firmware, but clicking on the link did not result in upgrade? The page does list the update, but multiple attempts to apply it simply resulted in "pseudo-availability" where the router goes through multiple many-minutes long cycles of down/up with no change to the version when it settles back to a seemingly normal state.
I have also attempted to manually update the firmware on my RBR50 to 2.5.1.8 via the downloaded zip file and the resulting .img file upload. It seems to attempt the installation, but will not apply the update. This is the procedure followed by everyone who has upgraded to 2.5.1.8 thus far (me included). At what point does it "go bad"? Is there a message? In a manner similar to the above for the auto update, it seems to be applying the manually uploaded IMG file, but when the router stabilizes after the down/up cycles, it is still running v2.5.0.38. There are never any messages implying any warnings or errors.
In my opinion, whether it is a major firmware update or not, the router should handle this activity as part of intended functionality and not cause so much grief in the community. Absolutely agree. The topic of firmware upgrades has dominated the community forum for at least six months. I have lost track of the number of participants who declare, "Nothing from Netgear - Ever Again!!!" I don't think I feel quite so strongly... :) I tried Linksys Velop and Google Home mesh networks before deciding to toss some cash to the Netgear Orbi platform. We are also an Arlo home and are mostly (ha!) happy with that product, too. Despite this frustration on the RBR50, the performance of the Orbi pseudo-mesh has been vastly superior to both Linksys and Google. And the configurability is better, too. So... I'm not in the camp of "NEVER AGAIN NETGEAR". I believe that the Netgear products are decent. Nowhere near ideal, but better than most.
- I have the exact same issue. Very annoying. Please fix NetGear.
No all version of FW auto update orbi systems. If you choose to update to more resent FW, you can manually download FW files your self and apply them for version of FW that are not automatically pushed to your system. Nothing needs fixed about this.
BareMetal wrote:
I have the exact same issue. Very annoying. Please fix NetGear.
