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Forum Discussion
Orbi firmware update v2.1.4.16 availability
We’ve been monitoring issues that some customers have experienced in OrbiOS 2.1.4. In response, we’re releasing firmware that provides a permanent fix for the homekit issue along with various other f...
The Advanced -> Administration -> Firmware Update page told me that v2.1.4.16 was available, so I let it update my RBKR50 and RBKS50. Now several things are happening:
1) The satellite thinks it's connected as it should be, but the Web interface shows the satellite as just another connnected device, the number of connected satellites is listed as zero, and the attached devices list says that everything is attached via the router (when half of them should be connected via the satellite.
2) The Orbi iOS app indicates that my Orbi is not supported by the app -- except that sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't.
Yes, I've tried power-cycling both, done the sync button dance, and tried the Web interface for adding a new satellite. In every case, I get the blue ring indicating a good connection. It's just that the logic in the router somehow refuses to recognize the satellite. This flaw is infuriating (it should just work).
Should I "downgrade" the firmware back to v2.1.4.10 ?
- Firmware must be production because they are pushing it through auto update.
As for the most recent post, I recommend you just leave it alone for awhile powered on and give it time to sort itself, that is if all sats showed blue before turning lights off and router has no light. Sorry, but the time in my experience is indeterminate.- That's silly. Do you work for Netgear?
The fix is to let our router sit idle for 24 hours every time we reset to let it work right?
e1superman wrote:
That's silly. Do you work for Netgear?
The fix is to let our router sit idle for 24 hours every time we reset to let it work right?No, I don't work for Netgear. This is a community forum, not tech support. You do know that Netgear has no responsibility to reply or even read these forums if they want to be difficult right?
Who said anything about letting a router sit idle for any period of time, or mention a certain time frame? Inordinate doesn't mean 24 hours.
Maybe I wasn't clear, but I didn't get any hints from the poster that actual network connectivity or internet access wasn't working for any clients, just that the diagnostics was all hosed. I meant to imply to ignore the diagnostics as long as the internet is working and check back in to see if the diagnostics are reporting correctly after an INORDINATE amount of time. I've seen the diagnostics synch up with reality in as little as 30 minutes, but as long as 3 hours.
I really feel for everyone having trouble with the crappy firmware implementations, especially those stuck outside of return windows and after the support window has closed.
I have no idea why the Orbi works very well for some and absolutely the worst network experience EVER for others. I use it as a Router on my own Netgear cable modem, wireless backhaul on, using daisy chain, with 2.4 ghz transmit power turned down to 75 percent, all the bells and whistles on, assign static LAN addresses outside of the DHCP range for the satellites.
I've had to shut down my satellite becaue any device connecting to it has no connectivity to anything but other clients of the satellite -- in short, the backhaul is non-functional.
Stev3D wrote:
I've had to shut down my satellite becaue any device connecting to it has no connectivity to anything but other clients of the satellite -- in short, the backhaul is non-functional.
I think you may have tried this already, or you might think it isn't necessary, but you could move the satellite to the same room as the router, but NOT within 3 feet of it and power it back up and see if the backhaul is working. If it still is not working, I would try the next step, or just skip to the next suggestion if you feel that moving it isn't a suitable test. Another thing to try is to give the satellite a static IP address on the LAN. I like to give all my satellites a static IP address outside the DHCP range, but that might be overkill. I know this is a moot point if you can't seem to talk to the satellite through the router, but if you can access the satellite via its IP address or can see it listed on the connected devices page (whether it shows it as a satellite or just a connected device) its worth a shot. After giving it a static IP, I would reboot the router, and then reboot the problematic satellite(s). As you have already done way too many times before, wait for the satellite(s) to show a blue color and then test again.
If that doesn't work, I'd open a support ticket, or just return the things, if either of those options are still free/available to you. If they aren't I'd try the dreaded master reset on all units after the latest firmware is loaded (cause its just going to auto update back to it anyways if you revert), setup the master and satellite(s) in the same room, and try my suggestion about the static IPs again, power off, put them in their proper places and power back up.
Updating some previous posts about how nothing worked for me after the update.
I have got things running again. Bottom line - I had to remove all wires from my satellites. No more wired backhaul. Surprisingly when everything is wireless - seems to work pretty good. Even my outdoor Orbi which is daisy chained.
So if you have wired backhaul and you can't get anything working. Here is what I did.
Power everything off.
Remove all wired backhaul network cables.
Power on Router
Power on each Satellite one at a time - wait until it is working perfectly before powering on the next satellite.
I was able to make it through Father's Day without any issues. All 4 of my sonos connect amps which are located pretty far away in a pool storage room worked flawlessly.
Alais - today will be my last day with Orbi. After my total frustration with the updates - I decided I am done. I will be switching to a Unifi system.
If anyone is interested. I have 1x Orbi RBK50 Router, 3x Orbi RBS50 Satellites, 1x RBS50Y Outdoor Satellite.
I will be selling it all.
For those of you who are interested in trying something different. I went with a Unifi system. Thanks to Amazon I got everything I needed in just a day. 1 - Cloud Key, 1 - 8 port POE switch, 1 - Unifi Security Gateway, 1 - Outdoor UAP-AC-M-Pro, 1 - UAP-AC-HD (for my family room where we need the best wifi), 1 UAP-AC-LR (Long Range Access Point).
$1000 all in.
My Orbi setup was 1 Router, 3 satellites, 1 outdoor satelite. - $850 all in.
I did not have to use my dumb switch I had to buy because my smart switch was not compatible. Hopefully I can return the switch I bought.
With only 3 access points vs 5 with Orbi...
The results are amazing. Took me all of 1 hour to get everything setup and configured. Blazing fast everywhere in my house and most importatly outdoor.
I have not seen my wemo switches load this fast on my iphone, my Sonos players all work as smooth as ever - no more issues where I can't find a player or "xyz" music service not working. I was able to go all the way to my boat dock and stay connected and control everything on my network. That is at least 300 feet from the outdoor access point.
We use unifi in our office - I should have known better.
The web gui on unifi is amazing. I don't want to get banned here so I will leave it at that.
I am a happy camper now. Anyone want my orbi setup - just PM me.
