HiI bought and successfully installed the range extender on my existing network. When I logged into the _EXT router, the first page that came up was an update page asking if I wanted to upgrade the firmware as an update was available. I clicked yes, and the router went thru the download and install. It then disappeared as a network and refused to reconnect. After an hour, I switched it off, removed it from the power, then restarted. I now get a constant amber light on the status LED and no visible network. I have tried the factory reset but no flashing amber light, it just stays on. Please help, as I have no idea how to correct this problem! Many thanks!

The sad thing is that nobody from Netgear cares!

scogie wrote: I was informed that doing a firmware update is only recommended if connectivity issues are encountered That is correct BUT an official update from Netgear should NOT brick the unit. Yes, your current firmware may work better than the newest firmware but no matter what, you should be able to go back to the old firmware. I have never heard an official firmware bricking a unit!

celo53 wrote:That is correct BUT an official update from Netgear should NOT brick the unit. Yes, your current firmware may work better than the newest firmware but no matter what, you should be able to go back to the old firmware. I have never heard an official firmware bricking a unit!Having bricked the unit within the first 10 minutes the first thing I did with the replacement was to turn off checking for updates. You then get a message telling you not to do this because you will miss out on new/improved features. I can not remember the actual words and I am not going near anything with the word update in it until someone reports a succesful upgrade.

I've had the same problem that I got from Netgear support:"Thank you for choosing NETGEAR, my name is ... and I will be your support expert for this case. Since the assistance is online it may require a few mail exchanges before we can resolve the issue. We will do our best to help resolve your case in the least amount of time. Based on the information provided, I kindly ask you to follow the troubleshooting steps below in order to solve your issue:1.Please reset the extender with a paper clip ca 30seconds and reinstall.2.remove also old wireless profiles from the computers and all other devices.*If you have PC-open network and sharing center- manage wireless networks and remove all networks.*Apple units-just forgot networks.3.Try also change wireless channel to 01 or 02 in your router.NETGEAR Support"I used my own solution. 1. Went back to store I've bought the repeater2. Changed the product3. Went home, connect, deselcted update funktion.4. Works fine.Best,Abu

scogie wrote:...I was informed that doing a firmware update is only recommended if connectivity issues are encountered and also that firmware updates rarely work when done wirelessly.. Considering that the firmware update won't even ***SEE*** the device unless you're connected to it from a wireless device (obviously you can't directly connect to it because it doesn't *HAVE* an ethernet or even USB port), not much other option. Unless they meant that to mean you should never EVER update it, in which case that might be correct. In fact, you should never buy it in the first place.

Firmware update WN1000RP | NETGEAR Communities

19 Replies

jmizoguchi
Virtuoso
Dec 10, 2012
If you reset after flashing firmware you have to do all the setup like you as you would open the boxed and setup
Srgza
Aspirant
Dec 11, 2012
Hi Jim

Thanks for the response! I did try.. When plugged in again, I waited the one minute for startup, and the light stays amber constantly, and doesn't pick up the existing router.. Also doesn't broadcast a wifi signal from the device that I can log in to.. Hence the problem setting up again!
Any ideas? Or have I fried the device? :eek:
jmizoguchi
Virtuoso
Dec 11, 2012
Meaning if you try to login to unit wih PC using Ethernet you can not configure it?
Srgza
Aspirant
Dec 11, 2012
Exactly! :( unfortunately because of its design, there is no Ethernet port on it..
jmizoguchi
Virtuoso
Dec 11, 2012
Correct. I forgot this model don't have it

I would suggest to contact t support at my.netgear.com
Srgza
Aspirant
Dec 11, 2012
Thanks for the help this far! :) I've contacted tech support and they're working thru the steps above again :) will see how it goes.. Keep up the good work!
camsbored
Aspirant
Dec 21, 2012
Hi, I have exactly the same issue. Any update to your problem?

Thanks!
hrombo
Aspirant
Dec 24, 2012
I have experienced EXACTLY the same problem. Looks like the firmware update has corrupted the device :-(
celo53
Guide
Dec 29, 2012
This is such a BS on Netgear's site. I am so mad because after I bought this which was two weeks ago, I moved out of the States for 6 months just yesterday! Came home and plugged it. I have the EXACT problem after the firmware update. Why didn't the Netgear tech guys test this before they make it available to the public? I have been trying to make this thing work and finally found this topic and see that I am not the only one who has this problem. I doubt there is anything can be done because there is no ethernet port and the unit is not visible and when you reset, it does not do anything. Arrrghhh. What am I going to do now for six months?
s_henrique
Aspirant
Dec 29, 2012
I followed exactly the same steps as Srgza and got the same problem.
So far I tried performing the factory reset by holding it longer than 7 seconds with the device on and off, but nothing changes. I keep getting the constant amber status light and no network shows up and no connection happens.
I just got a brick. :mad:

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Firmware update WN1000RP