You want to update your Netgear router, but the app doesn't support your model or the update menu looks different from the instructions you've found. NETGEAR uses different firmware controls for Nighthawk routers, Orbi systems, and cable gateways. Start with the app on a compatible router, then use the browser or manual-upload steps that match your device.
Start with the Nighthawk app
Connect your phone to your router’s WiFi network. Open the Nighthawk app on a compatible router; use the browser method below if your model does not support the app. Sign into your MyNETGEAR account if prompted. Enter your router’s administrator credentials.
Tap the router image. Scroll to CHECK FOR UPDATES. Tap CHECK FOR UPDATES. Tap UPDATE when firmware is offered.
Leave the router powered on until installation finishes. Start when you can leave the router undisturbed throughout the update.
Use the browser when the app does not support your router
An unsupported router model blocks the Nighthawk app route. Connect a computer to the router, preferably with an Ethernet cable. Open routerlogin.net in your browser. Sign in with the router’s administrator credentials.
Open ADVANCED > Administration, or Settings > Administration on models using that layout. Select Firmware Update or Router Update, depending on your model’s menu wording. Click Check.
Click Yes or Upgrade when firmware is offered; on the RS700 and RS700S, click Update. Wait for the update and restart to finish without interrupting installation.
Switch to Orbi’s update controls
Orbi has its own app and browser controls. For an Orbi-app-compatible system, connect your phone to the Orbi WiFi network. Open the Orbi app. Enter the administrator password.
Tap SIGN IN. Open the top-left menu. Select Settings > Router Settings > Check for Updates, or Update Firmware when that option appears instead. Complete the installation prompts.
If the app update fails on an Orbi 970 system with an RBE971 router and RBE970 satellites, use its browser updater. Other Orbi families have different update-page layouts.
Open orbilogin.com from the Orbi network. Sign in with your administrator credentials. Open ADVANCED > Administration > Firmware Update > Online Update. Click Check.
Select Update All when firmware is available. Wait for the router and satellites to restart. If these update controls fail, try the manual Orbi upload procedure below on a system with a manual-update control.
Install a downloaded firmware file
Connect your computer to the router by Ethernet; these steps apply to supported routers with a firmware-upload control, with a separate Orbi procedure below. Find your exact router model and hardware revision in NETGEAR’s Download Center. Select Downloads for your product. Choose the firmware for that exact model and revision.
Read its installation instructions before proceeding. Click Download. Extract the downloaded firmware package. Open routerlogin.net.
Sign in with your router administrator credentials. Open ADVANCED > Administration, or Settings > Administration on models using that layout. Select Firmware Update or Router Update. Use Choose File or Browse to select the extracted .img or .chk firmware file.
Click Upload. Wait for installation and the router’s restart to finish. Match both the model and hardware revision before uploading any firmware file.
Update Orbi satellites before the router when uploading manually
Manual uploading installs downloaded firmware on Orbi systems with a manual-update control. Download the correct firmware files for your Orbi router and satellites from NETGEAR’s Download Center. Extract the downloaded files. Connect your computer to the Orbi network by Ethernet.
Open orbilogin.com. Sign in with your administrator credentials. Open ADVANCED > Administration > Firmware Update > Manual Update. Select a satellite’s checkbox.
Click Update. Use BROWSE to select that satellite’s firmware file. Click UPLOAD. Wait for that satellite’s update to finish.
Repeat the satellite upload procedure individually for each remaining satellite. Return to the router’s Manual Update page after all satellites have finished. Use Browse to select the router’s firmware file. Click UPLOAD.
Click YES if prompted. Allow the router’s installation and restart to finish without interruption.
Check who controls your cable gateway’s firmware
Most NETGEAR cable modem routers receive firmware automatically from the internet provider, so there is no consumer upload control for ISP-managed cable firmware. Contact your internet provider about firmware availability for your cable modem or gateway.
The CAX30, CAX30S, CAX80, CBR40, and CBR750 have a separate router component that you can update yourself. Their cable firmware remains under ISP control. For those CAX models, use the Nighthawk app, browser update check, or manual upload procedure above to update the router component. For those CBR models, use the Orbi app or manual Orbi upload procedure to update the router component.
Enable automatic updates on supported models
On the RS700, sign into routerlogin.net and open ADVANCED > Administration > Router Update. Under Router Auto Firmware Update, select Enable, then click Apply. Automatic updating is enabled by default on this model.
For an Orbi 970 system with an RBE971 router and RBE970 satellites, sign into orbilogin.com and open ADVANCED > Administration > Firmware Update > Online Update. Select Enable for automatic updates, then click Apply. These systems also enable automatic updating by default.
Nighthawk Mesh MR70/MS70 systems place this control under a different tab: sign into routerlogin.net and open ADVANCED > Administration > Router Update > Manual Update. Under Router Auto Firmware Update, select Enable, then click Apply. Automatic updating is enabled by default here too; availability and menu placement depend on the model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use the NETGEAR Genie app to update firmware?
NETGEAR no longer updates the separate Genie app and directs owners of compatible routers to Nighthawk for firmware maintenance. This change does not remove the browser administration interface sometimes called NETGEAR genie.
How do I make Orbi automatic updates happen overnight?
On Orbi models with this timing control, sign into orbilogin.com and open Advanced > Security > Schedule. Correct the time zone. NETGEAR specifies a 1–4 a.m. local update window for the systems covered by this setting; changing it does not start an immediate update.
Does connecting a new Orbi satellite update its firmware?
During initial wired setup of an RBE971/RBE970 system, the router can update the satellite’s firmware as part of synchronization. Connect the satellite to the router by Ethernet, power it on, and allow 5–10 minutes for synchronization. This does not request the newest router firmware.