I have not looked at your manual but I currently have a Netgear and have owned others in the past. All have auto and manual update options in their admin menus. My current Nighthawk 7000 shows it under the Administration tab.

HOWEVER - while I recommend keeping your router's firmware current, if your connection used to be good, it is unlikely this update will help, but without additional information, we don't know.

Are all connected devices affected? Have you changed cables (if Ethernet)? This includes the cable to the modem.

If wireless, has anything changed there - including your computer's location or distance from the wireless router? Any new wireless devices or large metal and/or electronics objects nearby.?
What does Speedtest show?

 

When I go to the admin settings I can't find anything on updates or firmware, from what I've found Netgear specifically states that the "only" way to updated this particular firmware is through your provider. So I am effectively trying to go around them.

I was using this as a modem previously, but just recently started using it as a router as well so. The router/modem (C6900) is only about 9 months old though.

All connected devices are affected. Ethernet speeds are at full speed it is only wireless that seems to have a problem.

I have tested speeds with several devices in many different locations in the house. I should be getting speeds around 400mb/s but only getting around 40mb/s regardless of location or device.

 

Hello and welcome to TSG!!

It looks like it depends on your provider. Who is your ISP?

 

Hello and welcome to TSG!!

It looks like it depends on your provider. Who is your ISP?

View attachment 298951

It is WOW which would be in the "All other ISPs" category. Which would be the V1.01.35

 

Might be worth a call to their support to find out if/when they plan to push the latest update.

 

I have called my internet provider but they pretty much have nothing to do with this as it is my personal router so they won't work on it.

I have tried to submit a ticket to Netgear but they won't even accept the ticket sense the router is past the 6 month warranty

 

From what I can find out, that is a modem/router combo. A modem/router combo is almost always a proprietary piece of hardware from an isp provider. While you may own this combo unit, it still has the issues that come with proprietary hardware.

FWIW I always recommend getting a real router ie linksys, asus, etc and either use the modem supplied OR purchase your own modem.

 

Thank you for the advice and I will take this into consideration when buying my next devices, but for right now I am hoping to fix this one even if it requires a bit of brute force.

Also any chance you could approve my other response to user Digerati?

 

This article may help you in updating firmware : https://kb.netgear.com/23960/How-do-I-manually-update-the-firmware-on-my-NETGEAR-router

 

I approved your pic. Do understand that if your device is using the 2.4 band, it is limited to a max of 54mbps. Next issue since this is a proprietary type modem/router, you are going to have to wait until your isp puts out an update. Just because it is a netgear router does not mean it uses the standard firmware. Very often proprietary hardware uses proprietary firmware. You try and force a firmware update and you can cause a problem.

Note if you are REALLY not wanting to wait, you can try a custom firmware such as DD-WRT. Custom router firmware is not for everyone AND there is always a chance of bricking your router.

 

Thank you,

I'm using the 5G network on all tests that I've run. I've contacted my isp and they have stated that they will not be putting out an update sense this is a private device. I appreciate the warning regarding custom/forced updates and would like to still try (if I brick it I've lost nothing as the router is practically worthless to me at these speeds and frequent drops) do you have any suggestions for where I could learn how to do custom router firmware? I'm rather inexperienced with this sort of work but am "generally" tech savvy

 

DD-WRT
They have a forum and you can check if your router is on the supported database.

 

DD-WRT
They have a forum and you can check if your router is on the supported database.

Thank you c: at least a good starting place. No idea if the firmware is really the problem but I've exhausted all other options that I can think of

 

TigerTooth 61
You are using 5Ghz channels limited in power and subject to other restrictions to avoid interference to certain other users of the 5GHz band
Those channels shown on your screenshot are in the group subject to this control

If your Netgear router will allow you to try channels in the group 32 to 48 (channels are 32,43,36,38 etc.)
Those channels NOT being used by other than WLAN are not subject to the same restriction

Make sure your router isn't sitting on the floor. Elevating it just a foot or two will help considerably.

I am sure you have the user manual - just in case you do not
NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router Model C7000 User Manual

see change channels see page 72/73 on online manual

I would NOT try and force a firmware update - IMHO it is nothing to do with the problem and as Netgear say

C6900
Documentation

• 
  Product Data Sheet
• 
  Installation Guide
• 
  User Manual

Firmware/Software

• Firmware/Software not available for this model

• .

It would be foolish I think to try and use some unapproved procedure to update firmware
I mention this just in case you were considering such - if you were to find such suggestion on the web

Also check if on that Netgear you can turn off the 2.4 wireless
2.4 GHz radio • Solid green: The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is on. • Blinking green: There is WiFi activity on the 2.4 GHz band. • Off: The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is off.
5 GHz radio • Solid green: The 5 GHz WiFi radio is on. • Blinking green: There is WiFi activity on the 5 GHz band. • Off: The 5 GHz WiFi radio is off
EDIT you can turn off the 2.4 see page 55 of the manual I attached

ONLY try the channel for the 5GHz FIRST if there is no improvement and give it time to settle on that
Then try turning off the 2.4 if the settings will allow
DO NOT MAKE both changes together.

 

TigerTooth 61
You are using 5Ghz channels limited in power and subject to other restrictions to avoid interference to certain other users of the 5GHz band
Those channels shown on your screenshot are in the group subject to this control

If your Netgear router will allow you to try channels in the group 32 to 48 (channels are 32,43,36,38 etc.)
Those channels NOT being used by other than WLAN are not subject to the same restriction

Make sure your router isn't sitting on the floor. Elevating it just a foot or two will help considerably.

I am sure you have the user manual - just in case you do not
NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router Model C7000 User Manual

see change channels see page 72/73 on online manual

I would NOT try and force a firmware update - IMHO it is nothing to do with the problem

Also check if on that Netgear you can turn off the 2.4 wireless
2.4 GHz radio • Solid green: The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is on. • Blinking green: There is WiFi activity on the 2.4 GHz band. • Off: The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is off.
5 GHz radio • Solid green: The 5 GHz WiFi radio is on. • Blinking green: There is WiFi activity on the 5 GHz band. • Off: The 5 GHz WiFi radio is off

ONLY try the channel for the 5GHz FIRST if there is no improvement and give it time to settle on that
Then try turning off the 2.4 if the settings will allow
DO NOT MAKE both changes together.

Thank you for the advice. This sounds more reasonable than it being a firmware issue to me so I will definitely try this route first as it sounds "easier" and more likely to solve the problem. I will get back with results here soon and detail a solution if I find one using your instructions

 

Cheers
I do have other suggestions if the ones above do not improve the situation.

 

This is odd. Your menu has the same look and feel to it as my Netgear, but mine clearly has a Router Update option. I found your manual and as you noted, it says firmware updates must come from the ISP. That suggests to me that Netgear only provides this specific model to ISPs and not to the general retail market.

So I find it confusing that this is your personal device, unless you bought (as opposed to renting) it from your ISP. But if renting, it sure seems to me they should be supporting it.

I think, if me, after other efforts have been exhausted, and I was still interested in updating the firmware, I would call the ISP again and hope, with fingers and toes crossed, you got a different tech - one who is willing to work with you and get you the update, or to at least explain to your satisfaction that you have the latest available.

Otherwise, I note that is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. 3.0 came out in 2006. DOCSIS 3.1 came out in 2013 and is still widely used. DOCSIS 4.0 came out in 2017, but is not yet widely used. You might consider upgrading 3.1.

 

found your manual and as you noted, it says firmware updates must come from the ISP. That suggests to me that Netgear only provides this specific model to ISPs and not to the general retail market.

Indeed as I said on post 15 - the Netgear site -actually says

Netgear say C6900
Documentation

Product Data Sheet

Installation Guide

User Manual
Firmware/Software

• Firmware/Software not available for this model

and I attached the user manual on a direct link as well.
I think it may just be the default of channel 153
RF channel (5 GHz) CH 153 DEFAULT(or manually select Band I and 4 Channels)
but we will know when TigerTooth61 posts back

I will get back with results here soon and detail a solution if I find one using your instructions

 

Tigertooth61
How did it go please, you said you would post and let us know
Cheers