NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.

Forum Discussion

MiaJ87's avatar
MiaJ87
Aspirant
Dec 22, 2022

R6020

So my internet connection was slow! I checked my app & it said I need to update the firmware! I started it, but I honestly don’t know if it got interrupted or what! Now I’m just getting a blinking green power light continuously. I don’t have my computer right now to connect the Ethernet cord. What else can I do besides going to buy a new router?

3 Replies


  • MiaJ87 wrote:
    So my internet connection was slow!

    How slow is slow? The top speed you will get out of that router is 100 Mbps.

     

    According to Netgear's manual for this device, not always the most reliable source of information, the LAN and WAN ports support only 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX. That makes it slower than many newer internet services and most modern network hardware. This may not matter to you, but be warned that it will hobble you if you ever sign up for faster Internet, anything faster than 100 Mbps is a waste of your money.

    It also slows down whatever is going on in your local network. Newer devices support at least 1000BASE-TX.

    If your Internet is supposed to be faster than 100 Mbps, ditch the R6020.

     

     


    I checked my app & it said I need to update the firmware! I started it, but I honestly don’t know if it got interrupted or what! Now I’m just getting a blinking green power light continuously. I don’t have my computer right now to connect the Ethernet cord. What else can I do besides going to buy a new router?

    The blinking light could be a sign of broken firmware. That can happen when the update gets interrupted. (Experienced users donlt use an app or wifi to update firmware.)

    If a standard factory reset fails, there is more severe, recovery reset, that you could try:

      • Press reset for 30 seconds
      • Keep pressing reset while removing power
      • Keep pressing reset for another 30 seconds while apply power

     

    If it works, you may be able to use the usual method to flash the firmware again.


    Download the latest firmware for your device – or an older version if that is what you want – and read the Release Notes for how to install it.

     

    How do I manually upgrade firmware to my NETGEAR router? | Answer | NETGEAR Support


    If recovery reset fails, you are into TFTP country.

     

    How to upload firmware to a NETGEAR router using Windows TFTP | Answer | NETGEAR Support


    This also explains how to enable TFTP on a Windows PC.

     

    TFTP isn't the easiest operation, timing is important, as are the exact details for the commands and prompts you see. It can take several attempts. So if you are forced to use TFTP try a web search for videos that guide you through the process.

     

    For example:

     



    Different device, but the approach is the same.

     

    The good news is that TFTP has rescued many a dead device.

     

    • MiaJ87's avatar
      MiaJ87
      Aspirant
      I’m just going to buy a new one! But thank you for your advice!

      • MiaJ87 wrote:
        I’m just going to buy a new one!

        Probably a good move. The R6020 was pretty well the bottom of the Netgear range.

         

        When you choose, get something that has gigabit Ethernet. That would be just about anything other than the R6 range.