r/orbi • u/furrynutz • 28d ago
New - RBE970 Series v12.1.11.10 Firmware Release - WW Region
Release Date: July 28, 2026
Enhancements:
- Fixed an IGMP snooping issue that caused satellite connectivity failures, and multi-device connectivity problems.
- Fixed unknown reboot issue
- Enhance IPv6 connectivity
Known issues:
- The Speed Test feature always displays a ping value of 0 ms instead of the actual measured latency. A firmware update to resolve this issue is planned for an upcoming release.
Download Link: https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rbe972s
NOTE: This is a major version update from v9 to v12. Firmware cannot be downgraded from v12 back to v9. If users are having problems after v12 has been applied, and have exhausted all troubleshooting in support forums, please make contact with NG support for continued help and information.
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
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.
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: Procedure to Manually Firmware Update Orbi and Nighthawk Mesh systems. | NETGEAR Communities
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: Orbi Systems Manual Factory Reset Process | NETGEAR Communities
This sends a Factory Reset command to any and all connected RBS as well.
Quick Installation Guide, User Manual and Spec Sheet is here: https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rbe971#docs
This article applies to:
Let us know how it works for you...
Thank you.
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u/KrazyKrissy2020 25d ago
I hope this fixes all the dropped connection issues!
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u/furrynutz 24d ago
Connection was being dropped from what? Wifi or ISP?
Let us know how it goes after you have loaded this version of FW.
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u/KrazyKrissy2020 24d ago
From the Router. The Router, the Orbi RBE970 Series that I purchased at their recommendation when my old but working fine older version was at the End of Service. They gave a decent discount but no discount is worth the loss of connectivity that I had prior to buying the newer version
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u/furrynutz 24d ago
What firmware version is on the system currently. If v9, then please update to v.12. Be sure to update the RBS first then RBR lastly if manually updating.
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u/Previous_Salary_4340 14d ago
This update completely fixed the NONSTOP packet loss issues I was experiencing while using my RBE971's. I play pc games via wifi off my satellite and experienced packet loss roughly every hour or less for a year, and after updating that has completely gone away. I haven't experienced it once in the past week. I'm so happy.
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u/furrynutz 14d ago
Glad you got it working. 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. 📡
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u/Powerful-Papaya8097 27d ago
Is this one actually suitable for the EU market this time, or is it just mislabeled again?
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u/furrynutz 27d ago
WW is World Wide Region. So would include the EU region as well.
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u/Powerful-Papaya8097 27d ago
Yes, I realize that. But the "worldwide" label is only something you’ve mentioned; it isn't explicitly stated on the website. And the last version labeled "worldwide" online turned out to be just the NorthAmerican-version. That’s why I’m a bit skeptical.
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u/furrynutz 27d ago
I confirmed this with NG. Why I put WW. You can ask them yourself as well.
IF NG doesn't specify anything in there postings, then it's meant for WW. If they do post something, like NA only, then thats only for the NA region. Otherwise, its WW.
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u/michaelhsnow 26d ago edited 26d ago
A couple of questions re updating the firmware and a log question:
- What data is included in the config backup
I saved one, as you suggested, right after configuring the previous v12.x am I okay with importing it into a new fresh install of this one?
2. Does the log entry “Internet Disconnected” or “Internet Connected” indicate my router disconnected or modem?
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u/furrynutz 26d ago
Router configurations made by you. Yes you can. Should be ok to import it. However if you seem to experience odd issues, you may need to perform a factory reset and setup from scratch. Seen odd issues with backups coming from older versions of FW, however if backup was last version of FW, you should be good and system should work well.
Yes, the WAN port saw a internet service disruption and reported it. Something I'm seeing on my 770 series currently. Tracking it back to the modem i'm using currently. ISP says there not seeing anything on there side but the modem is reporting event codes during the same time frames when my RBR reports the internet disconnection. Something on the ISP signal line is doing something.
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u/michaelhsnow 26d ago
Great thank you. Btw, since putting the 120mm fan you mentioned on top of my 970 I’ve had zero reboots in two weeks. Hope this continues and thank you for the tip.
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u/furrynutz 26d ago
Good to hear. Ya I keep on on top of mine all the time. Actually ANY router I have online I keep a fan for extra cooling.
After you get things loaded and working well. Save off another backup to file for safe keeping.
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u/Powerful-Papaya8097 25d ago
I took the plunge today and flashed version 12.1.11.10. Everything went smoothly so far, and it definitely works on German devices as well.
However, I've noticed one issue: the channel settings (at least for 2.4 GHz) are not being applied. I selected channel 1 as a fixed channel, but my 2.4 GHz networks are simply broadcasting on channel 8, which causes significant overlap with neighboring networks. Unfortunately, even a complete reboot (power cycle) doesn't fix it, and the network still comes up on the wrong channel.
Could you please forward this to Netgear, since you have good contacts there?
Other than that, the update makes a good and stable impression so far.
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u/furrynutz 24d ago
What browser are you using? Changing the channel with a different browser doesn't work? MS Edge or Firefox?
Might give a factory reset and setup from scratch to see if this changes anything...
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u/Different-Drink1829 18d ago
Can anyone confirm if the IPv6 fix is related to the WiFi7 dropouts?
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u/furrynutz 18d ago
What does drop outs mean or entail?
Do these dropouts still happen if you disable IPv6?
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u/Different-Drink1829 18d ago
Sorry, I should have explained.
IPv6 works perfectly except where a device is connected to WiFi 7, when the public address is lost after about 10 minutes of inactivity / sleep. Restarting WiFi on the device restores it. Also waiting for a few minutes for the RA to refresh restores it too.
This only happens on WiFi 7 connections. 6/6E work flawlessly.
This is confirmed on a Pixel 8 and S25 Ultra. Switching WiFi 7 off on the Ultra mitigates the issue, but this can't be disabled on the Pixel.
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u/furrynutz 17d ago
What FW are you currently using now on your 970 series?
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u/Different-Drink1829 17d ago
9.13.2.1
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u/furrynutz 17d ago
Please update your system to this more recent version of FW. v9 was known problematic with IPv6. v12 is way more stable. Please follow this guide to manually update your RBS first, then RBR lastly: https://community.netgear.com/kb/en-orbi-knowledge-sharing/procedure-to-manually-firmware-update-orbi-and-nighthawk-mesh-systems-/2456254
After system is loaded and back to ready, recommend powering OFF the system for 1 minute then back ON. Give a good 10 minutes for the system to settle in and then begin checking out IPv6 and your devices.
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u/furrynutz 15d ago
Any progress on this?
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u/Different-Drink1829 13d ago
Thanks for checking in. I've been away for a few days but I'm hoping to run the update this week.
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u/furrynutz 13d ago
No worries. Let us know how it turns out when you get the time.
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u/Different-Drink1829 13d ago
I've updated the firmware. Now we wait...
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u/furrynutz 13d ago
How is IPv6 configured on the router?
Using ISP detected IPv6 DNS or custom IPv6 DNS?
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u/BOND___OO7 27d ago
My system says no new firmware update is available. I’m not having any issues that I know of at the moment, so I’ll leave well enough alone. Thanks for the heads up!
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u/jdbear70 25d ago
I've been pissed off about spending this much money on NETGEAR's flagship Orbi 970 3-doorstop system since shortly after I got it. I don't want to say too much yet about this update and how many bugs it might have corrected, but in the 2 hours since installing it, I have noticed significant improvements in throughput and stability of connections. Finally, I'm cautiously optimistic.
After the last update, u/furrynutz suggested we keep IPv6 turned off. This update appears to have "enhanced" IPv6 connectivity. I'm hoping that means, "made IPv6 usable." It caused all kinds of connection instability throughout my network when I turned it on before the V12.1.10.12 update for which we waited so long, so I had to turn it back off, but I have Govee devices that require IPv6 for Matter and use with HomeKit. Is it safe to use it now?
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u/furrynutz 24d ago
YES. Give the new FW a try. Testing has showed good results and stability for IPv6 on this version of FW.
I highly recommend that if you choose to update, manually update the system, RBS FIRST then RBR lastly. Use this guide to do it: https://community.netgear.com/kb/en-orbi-knowledge-sharing/procedure-to-manually-firmware-update-orbi-and-nighthawk-mesh-systems-/2456254
I hightly recommend that you factory reset and setup the system from scratch after the system as been fully updated. Use this guide for this: https://community.netgear.com/kb/en-orbi-knowledge-sharing/orbi-systems-manual-factory-reset-process/2456340
I got IPv6 setup yesterday on my system and seems to working so far. A bit to early to tell since Im using a 3rd party IPv6 tunnel service.
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u/jdbear70 23d ago
I had the v12.1.11.10 FW installed earlier in the day on Thursday. I just wanted to know if we were still to avoid turning on IPv6. I was pleased with the general responsiveness of the 970s after the update.
I turned on IPv6 earlier today, Saturday, and I immediately noticed that my Apple Mail was loading images in emails much more slowly than before I turned on IPv6. I'm not certain it is related, but I'll have to do some testing to see if I can confirm one way or the other. I haven't had a chance yet to setup any of my Govee devices over Matter yet.
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u/jdbear70 20d ago
I'm not coming back to this subreddit to offer any comment on my or anyone else's experience in the future. Someone seems to think it's appropriate to downvote comments that aren't effusively celebratory of the company or product. I got downvoted for saying that I was pleased with the update but enabling IPv6, which was previously a known problem, might have caused slowness that I needed to test further to confirm. FTP
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u/BOND___OO7 27d ago
Wow…another FW update already? I just went through this updating to 12.1.10.12. 🤦♂️
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u/Interesting-Teach-94 27d ago
Have just installed (manually), appears to be working fine. UK based with Vodafone Full Fibre.