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penobski's avatar
penobski
Aspirant
Nov 11, 2020

New MR 1100 unlocked, Cannot Connect to T-Mobile with a Hotspot Plan

I just bought a MR1100, unlocked to use with a aftermarket reseller "Unlimited" T-mobile WIFI hotspot plan.  Unfortunately, I cannot get it connected to T-Mobile, and I cannot determine whether it's because T-mobile is blocking this device somehow, or because of some problem with the router.

 

I've seen a lot of posts about this out there, but none with a solution that didn't include something nefarious (Changing the IMEI), or somehow downgrading the Firmware back to 12.05.05.00 using a non-netgear process, the steps for which have not been laid out in a way the average user might be able to follow.

The Netgear progress for downgrading to the previous firmware version (Via the router's web interface) doesn't work, instead you get "Error Code 16". 

 

The previous Firmware files are still downloadable on Netgear's website, so why can't we get them installed Netgear?

 

To Netgear - can you provide a working process for downgrading to the previous, working firmware version?  Why are we all still getting Error code 16?

 

To the Community, assuming Netgear doesn't do the right thing here, can you help with some step by step directions for using a third party program? 

 

This is a crazy problem to have.  Hoping we can nail down a workable solution.

3 Replies

    • penobski's avatar
      penobski
      Aspirant
      Nov 16, 2020
      Blanca, thank you for your post.

      As it happens, I've already verified that my plan is a hotspot plan, and I've verified my APN correct.

      I would also mention I have two other netgear hotspots functioning properly (an 815s and an lb1120), using the same APN, and same sums and hotspot plan.

      I think the better question is why won't netgear let customers downgrade thier firmware back to the version that last worked? My interpretation of "error code 16" is that it's netgear's way of passively telling customers "no", without owning up to it.

      If I can't solve this by end of day tomorrow, this $300 piece of junk is headed back to amazon, and I'm looking for solutions other than netgear.