Just tried to install new firmware version, after the install, it said successful and that I needed to restart the hardware. Restarted it but now the device doesn't appear in the wifi selection menu. I've tried manually turning it off, restarting it, using a paperclip to reset it, nothing works. Is it bricked?

So a factory reset on the Router by pressing the reset button for 10 seconds then release and connect 1 wired PC to the back of the router you can't get access to 192.168.1.1 at all in any web browser?

otakukj wrote:Since the router no longer shows up in my choices for a wifi connection. I assume I'll probably need to use a USB stick or something? It is a bad idea to update firmware over wifi. It can fail more easily than a wired connection. There is no USB option. For truly stuffed routers, the standard trick is to try TFTP: How to upload firmware to a NETGEAR router using Windows TFTP | Answer | NETGEAR Support This isn't the easiest operation, so if you are forced to use it, you could try a web search to find videos that guide you through the process.

I see that no one has asked you about the state of your router's LEDs. So far you seem to be relying on the missing WiFi as the diagnostic clue. If you look in the manual and the section Troubleshoot with the LEDs you will see that it says: If the Power LED blinks slowly and continuously, the router firmware is corrupted. If that isn't the case, things are looking more hopeful.

You might give NMRPFLASH a try: https://github.com/jclehner/nmrpflash

Try a 30-30-30 reset on the router. See if this can get you back to to the 192.168.1.1 setup wizard. Definitely try the nmrpflash. This doesn't hurt anything, just attempts get the FW to load at the time when TFTP is active is all this does. If the nmrpflash and TFTP has failed then it's possible the router needs to be replaced. otakukj wrote:Hm, I'd like to believe that is the case but nothing seems to be working as intended. I tried communicating with the device via command prompt and using the command prompt as a means of "put" to transfer the firmware that another comment mentioned but when attempting to go through this method or the windows software tftp methof all seem unable to communicate at present. I also tried another ethernet cable. I tried switching to different physical ports on the device as well. I'm not sure what else I can try at this point. Any other advice is greatly welcomed. Thanks in advance.

Rax50 bricked? Doesn't appear after firmware upgrade attempt

18 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru
Jun 27, 2023
What FW version?

What Hardware version is your RAX50? V1 or V2? Look at the sticker under the router to see if there is a V2 seen on the sticker...
- otakukj
  Aspirant
  Jun 27, 2023
  I checked the underneath the router but I didn't see either v1 nor v2 so I assume it is v1. At the time I got it I hadn't heard of another version. I was upgrading firmware from version 386.5_2 to version
  RT-AX58U_388.2_2_puresqubi.w
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    Jun 27, 2023
    If you don't see a v2 then it should be a v1 and you should use v1 FW from this post seen here:
    
    https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-with-WiFi-6-AX-and/New-RAX35-38-40-42-43-45-50-54-Firmware-Version-1-0-15-128-Hot/td-p/2314558/jump-to/first-unread-message
    
    RT-AX58U_388.2_2 is NOT a valid FW version. This looks like a ASUS router mfr FW name version. Would NOT be compatible on the RAX50 router.

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Rax50 bricked? Doesn't appear after firmware upgrade attempt