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Forum Discussion
RBR50 bricked after 2.5.1.16
For the first time after several months I used the Orbi app to check if there was any firmware upgrade to my router and satellites. The app told me there is a firmware upgrade to version 2.5.1.16. I forgot to note down the version that was running before. I went ahead with firmware upgrade and after 3 or 4 minutes Orbi app said the upgrade was successfull and I waited for my router to reboot. I waited for several minutes and my Orbi never recovered again. I went upstairs to check on my router and I didn't see any kind of activity. The power led was solid green and there were no other light color or patterns on the top of the router. Tried restarting several times and nothing worked. I thought reset button would fix everything and it is not responding either. It looks like 2.5.1.16 bricked my router. I bought this at Costco just 13 months ago. How can I get this fixed? If I cannot fix it, can I still return this at Costco?
8 Replies
Try this with the RBR, it should recover:
https://kb.netgear.com/000059634/How-to-upload-firmware-to-a-NETGEAR-router-using-Windows-TFTP
I recommend NOT using Orbi app to do any FW updates. Either check the RBRs web page with a PC for updates, or manually download FW files and apply with with a PC or laptop directly.
Try skipping the Orange LED.
I understand that you dont need to do this procedure anymore but this might help others.
To set the rbr50 in tftp mode, you need to press and hold the reset button while powering on the router. The LED will go through:
solid green -> solid amber -> blinking amber -> blinking green
you can release the reset button when it is blinking green.
But for this to succeed you also need to connect a computer (the one you will use to send the firmware through tftp) to the router with an ethernet cable. Otherwise the router wont enter tftp mode and the led will go back to solid green.
Anyway my orbi got bricked weeks ago after I restarted it from the web UI. It happened before and flashing the latest firmware with the tftp method helped recover but not this last time. My orbi remains unusable since. So it's probably better that you were able to return it and I should have done the same the first time it happened, while it was still under warranty...
I had the same solid green light yesterday morning in the RSR50 (router)
No change by pushing the reset button for 10 sec
No change by doing 30-30-30
No change by pressing 2 minutes
It's alway green.
I think they updated firmware or did something the nigth before and now I'm stuck
I called Tech Service and they say I need to pay $49 to talk with a tech.
I had this router and satellite for 14 months, so they said I lost my 90 days free tech service already.
(I need to buy a 3 months service contract minimum so they take my call)
I dont think it's fair, I did not do anything to this device, I set it up to the simplest way with auto updates.
To me, it's obvious that something went wrong with 'their' update and they want me to pay to fix it?
It's so frustating.
I'm thinking on change brands but its just painful to know I paid about $400 for a device that worked only for about year.
had anyone pay them to fix this? so I know if at least it works
I guess I'm rather lucky. I've managed to get many stubborn stuck Orbi devices to factory reset, by using the following method. I can't say it will fix your problem, but it's worth a try:
Turn off the Orbi, unplug the power supply from the wall, keeping it plugged into the Orbi device, with the power button pressed in. Leave it that way, for 5 to 10 minutes or longer.
Then hold the reset button in and plug the power supply into the wall, still holding the reset button in. Do not let go of the reset button, until you see solid green power light. If successful, you will be able to configure the Orbi as if it is new out of the box.
