Nighthawk MR2100 keeps ‘freezing’ - wifi connection drops out / cannot turn on the screen

Question

I have had this mobile router since December, and having constant problems with it. Firstly we notice that the wifi signal has dropped down to almost zero (I am able to check this via my provider app - Telstra), and when this happens, it coincides with not being able to turn on the screen.

I then have to press and hold the power button for over a minute, then wait again while eventually the screen will turn on. But even once the screen is on, none of the buttons respond as they should.

The only way I have found to resolve this is to press and hold the power button (again for over a minute) until eventually the option of turning the power off comes up. I also have to press and hold this button for ages before it finally switches off! Once I turn the router back on, the wifi connection returns to normal speeds, and the screen buttons respond with a light touch, as they should. But this is happening almost daily. Not happy.

addyp95 · Answer

I have the same issue but somewhat in reverse - I keep the battery out because its always plugged in, but if often freezes multiple times a day. When I leave the battery in (which isn't good for it) it stops locking up. I guess it must have bursts of power needs that the AC charger can't support on its own.&nbsp;Seems these aren't particularly stable routers for anything long term

JohnPeng · Answer

Please make sure you upgrade to the latest release.
&nbsp;
FW: NTGX24_10.19.03.00_00
PRI: 05.02
&nbsp;
Thanks

tc__ · Answer

I have/had the same issue with the Nighthawk MR2100 but could only restart the device by pulling the battery. Firmware is the latest and a have done a reset which did not fix the issue.

After testing I think it is failing due to the poor signal. I moved it to another room so it was next to a window and it now seems to be OK. I will be testing again later this week.

tc__ · Answer

Test update:Test intervals have been 1 week apart.&nbsp; Unit indicating a strong signal&nbsp; When left this long and the router is used as a failover internet connection:it takes over a minute to failover (if at all), it used to take 5 - 10 secondsI may get 1 - 5 pings if the failover connects, pings are a better result than the main internet connectionthe router then rebootsonce active I may get 10 - 30 pings, then it locks up and the only way to have it functional is to pull the battery, ie: the on/off does not work.The unit is no longer functional as its purpose is to provide a redundant internet connection.&nbsp; It is about 15 months old.

Charlie2022 · Answer

I ended up getting some very good advice from Telstra about how to fix the problems I was having. The store manager told me not to leave the battery in the unit all the time, that the unit can be used just on mains power, which reduces the risk of the battery overheating (which is probably why is was not working properly). He recommended replacing the battery once a week to charge it but where possible to just run the nighthawk on mains power.

This has certainly worked, I have not had a single issue with the signal dropping out or the unit ‘freezing’ since I removed the battery!

As I do travel a lot in a motorhome, I will need to use it with the battery then, so will be interesting to see what happens…. But for now I am happy 😊

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Nighthawk MR2100 keeps ‘freezing’ - wifi connection drops out / cannot turn on the screen

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