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Forum Discussion
Intermittent DNS Errors and WiFi Issues
I have had the Orbi AX6000 for a few months now. While there are many things I love about it (great wifi coverage, great speed, looks nice, software, ease of setup, etc.), there are two very frustrating issues that pop up intermittently across my network that are extremely frustrating and causing me to consider taking the unit back.
I am continuing to have intermittent DNS errors across multiple devices and different web browsers. I basically receive some sort of name resolution error based on the system (have seen in on Windows 10, my work win7 device, a Rasberry Pi device, even once on my Nintendo switch). This has occured on mahcines both on WiFi and connected via ethernet. All I have to do is refresh the browser and it usually connects immediately. I have upgraded the router and satellites up to V3.2.15.25 and still facing the same issue. I downgraded back to my old Nighthawk router, and didn't see the same issue, so it's definately the router. I shifted the DNS from my ISP (Spectrum gigabit) to google DNS, and faced the same issue. It certainly isn't constant, but maybe happens once every 15-30 minutes. I leave my Raspberry Pi on because it runs a bulletin board display that refreshes every five minutes, and I come back to it and see a DNS error 1-2 times a day.
As of a few weeks ago, I'm not also getting WiFi issues with multiple different iOS devices (5 different ones). I will pick up a device and try to connect to the internet, and it times out even though it is connected to the wifi. I can turn on Airplane mode for a split second and turn it back off, and when it reconnects back to the WiFi I can connect to the internet just fine.
I have tried to powercycle everything and even tried to reset and rebuild the router setup, and still run into the same issues. Any advice you can offer here would be greatly appreciated!
578 Replies
Just downloaded the new beta firmware for my orbi RBR850. Can someone point me to the correct way to upload and install these software updates? I want to do it right and not mess things up. Thanks for the help!
Amcbroom81 wrote:Just downloaded the new beta firmware for my orbi RBR850. Can someone point me to the correct way to upload and install these software updates? I want to do it right and not mess things up. Thanks for the help!
Manually update satellite firmware We recommend that you update your satellite’s firmware before you update the router’s firmware.
To manually update your satellite’s firmware:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your
Orbi network.
2. Enter orbilogin.com.
A login window opens.
3. Enter the router admin user name and password.
The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time
that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.
The BASIC Home page displays.
4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Firmware Update > Manual Update.
The Firmware Update page displays.
5. Select the check box next to your satellite’s model name.
If you have more than one satellite, only update one satellite at a time. You must wait
for the first satellite to finish updating before updating the next satellite.
6. Click the Update button.
Manage Your Network 82 User Manual
Orbi Whole Home Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System
The Orbi satellite Firmware Update window opens.
7. If the browser ask you for the admin password, enter the same password that you
entered for the router.
8. Click the BROWSE button.
9. Locate and select the satellite firmware file that you downloaded.
The firmware file name ends in .img or .chk.
10. Click the UPLOAD button.
It takes a few minutes to complete the process.
11. After Orbi satellite finishes updating, select Status and double-check the firmware
version on the Status page.
The firmware on your Orbi satellite is updated.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manually update router firmware We recommend that you update your router’s firmware after you update the satellite’s firmware.
WARNING: Make sure that your satellite completes its firmware update before you
update your router’s firmware.
To manually update your router’s firmware:
1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your
Orbi network.
2. Enter orbilogin.com.
A login window opens.
3. Enter the admin user name and password.
The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time
that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive.
The BASIC Home page displays.
4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Firmware Update > Manual Update.
The Firmware Update page displays.
5. Click the Browse button.
6. Locate and select the router firmware file you downloaded.
The firmware file name ends in .img.
7. Click the Upload button.
The firmware is updated.- Thanks for the help! Will follow these steps and hope my issues go away. Thanks again!
Amcbroom81 wrote:Just downloaded the new beta firmware for my orbi RBR850. Can someone point me to the correct way to upload and install these software updates? I want to do it right and not mess things up. Thanks for the help!
Detailed instructions in the NDA link where you download the beta from.
I'm really happy to hear there's a beta firmware to deal with these issues! I reached out to get a copy of the beta. I'm extremely excited to give it a try on my RBR850/RBS850.
Likewise! I am hoping this resolves the DNS issue, as I have been having it ever since I got the AX6000. I sent a private message like was suggested. Now it's just the waiting game...
I just checked the Netgear 752 (750R/750S) downloads.
There is now an official version for download that says it resolves the DNS issues.
Numbering changed "dramatically"....
My beta was 3.2.19.4_1.4.15
The download is 4.6.3.7_2.0.49
:smileywink:
Sent Christian_R a PM on the 27th requesting the RBR750/RBS750 beta firmware. Waiting to hear back.
Looking forward to finally being able to resolve this DNS problem.
Someone who has access to the beta firmware for RBK853, please PM me a link? I already asked for it in an official capacity but nothing yet. I am trying to resolve the annoying DNS issues. Wish I could just pass alternate DNS entries as part of the DHCP reservation and not have to deal with the internal proxy. I also really wish I could separate the 2.4 and 5.8 bands into separate SSIDs. Not sure why I would be limited like I am with these routers for a cool thousand dollars! It is almost like Apple is making these and know what is best for me. :smileyfrustrated:
Please direct requests to @Christian_R
It's the weekend so please be patient.
LeBlackNight wrote:Someone who has access to the beta firmware for RBK853, please PM me a link? I already asked for it in an official capacity but nothing yet. I am trying to resolve the annoying DNS issues. Wish I could just pass alternate DNS entries as part of the DHCP reservation and not have to deal with the internal proxy. I also really wish I could separate the 2.4 and 5.8 bands into separate SSIDs. Not sure why I would be limited like I am with these routers for a cool thousand dollars! It is almost like Apple is making these and know what is best for me. :smileyfrustrated:
- I am also wanting to try the beta, iPhones and iPads have issues connecting or acting like there is no internet. Try to load apps or web pages on phone and nothing, so I get frustrated and turn off my wifi and use my phones internet. Hope this Beta can help
- Which version? 7 series or 8 series?
Please make contact with Christian_R to get access to the beta.
Amcbroom81 wrote:
I am also wanting to try the beta, iPhones and iPads have issues connecting or acting like there is no internet. Try to load apps or web pages on phone and nothing, so I get frustrated and turn off my wifi and use my phones internet. Hope this Beta can help
Can I get the Beta firmware for RBR750 and RBS750? I DM'd Christian this morning and haven't received a response. Thanks!
- Thanks! Just sent a request myself. Did a cutover this morning and had to refresh alot. Looking forward to this fix!
- Was given access to the series 8 beta which I have now applied.
DNS issue appears to have been resolved and internet appears to be much faster.
So far so good.
Now all we need is parental filtering!Please make a post about this in the beta thread as well.
Thank you for letting us know.
rr20552 wrote:
Was given access to the series 8 beta which I have now applied.
DNS issue appears to have been resolved and internet appears to be much faster.
So far so good.
Now all we need is parental filtering!
Just wanted to post as a bystandard that I appreciate the community pushing towards a resolution on this. I've had the RBR850 for about 3 months and have been patiently waiting for a solution to the DNS issue (as I experience it as well). I'll be monitoring this thread in the hopes that beta firmware comes out for series 8 in the near future. Thanks!
Based on my discussion with NG support, once this firmware is certified for sereies 7, solution will be extended to other impacted models.
- Did they give you an ETA?
Is there beta firmware for this issue on AX6 or just AX7? I've reached out about a beta but haven't heard back.
So glad I've read this thread. Thankfully I can correct my mistake now. Received my 853 system yesterday and it's going straight back. Not even opening the box, straight back. I'm not going to buy a stand alone router to fix built in problems of the Orbi nor try the work arounds to fix what shouldn't be a problem. Not even going to see if my hardware is good, straight back. What blows my mind more than anything is the lack of NG involvement here. I've used many NG products over the years and have been generally pleased. I'm not going to put up with inherent bugs right out of the box though. Return.
Thats your choice to not try your system. Not everyone sees this problem. Mines working well. Even on recent FW.
NG IS aware of this problem for those that are effected by it.
Good Luck.
With the latest firmware and using the 6to4 Tunnel option under the router admin settings, I had no issues.
However, Google Search started popping up a "6to4 Tunnel detected - This is being deprecated warning with a forced captcha puzzle to complete each time.
"We have detected you are using a 6to4 tunnel. 6to4 is deprecated and will be shutdown shortly."
My ISP doesn't support direct IP6 connections, so I disabled the 6to4 Tunnel to get rid of the Google deprecation warning and went back to an IP4 connection.
As soon as doing so, DNS errors started appearing again. So it's clearly only IP4 connections affected (or affected the most).
If you can't do IP6 with your ISP, currently I can not recommend this router Mesh. They won't bother fix it.
- It's a firmware issue that affects all users running these Orbi AX in router mode.
Not to put a tinfoil hat on. But it's really strange that a user with no real posts. Post a comment regarding this issue. With an immediate thumps up from Furrye38 (who seems to be working for Netgear).
Netgear should fix the Firmware / DNS issue. They already did it for the Orbi AX pro series one year ago.
Stop this nonsense and fix the Firmware.Just a quick update from my side. About 10 days into shifting the Orbi into AP mode and running a TP Link Archer as a wired router and it has worked flawlessly. The obvious DNS issues that plagued many of my devices and my work laptop have been completely eliminated. It has also eliminated some freezing issues I was having with both apps on my AppleTV (HBO Max and other streaming services would sometimes time out and cause me to have to reboot) and errors I was getting in how my WHDVR was working via DirectTV. I hadn't attributed this before to the Orbi DNS issue, but it apparently was assuming these errors leave. While still completely flabbergasted that such an expensive mesh system could have such a fundamentally and unaddressed flaw, I'm much happeir with it in AP mode (especially since I couldn't return the damn thing!)
