I have a very similar to issue to this thread here (the system says that I should create a new thread rather than to revive the old one, so here I am). The link to the instructions for how to upload firmware, from that thread, didn't work, but I was able to google it and find the instructions anyways (here). In the instructions, on step 10, it says to "Wait for the Power LED to light orange and start flashing." except that in my case, my WNDR3700v3 -- the power LED NEVER starts flashing, so I'm not really sure what I should do next, at this point. If I can get some help with this, that would be greatly appreciated. I also found somebody online that was able to solder in a serial connection, directly to the router's PCB (here), but I would really like to avoid that, if at all possible. Thank you. P.S. Also, since the power LED NEVER starts flashing, when I plugged my network cable into the router, and plugged the other end to my computer/laptop, neither the port (on the router) nor my laptop (via Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network Connections) shows that it has successfully made a connection. I've tried with a number of cables, and they all say the same thing. But if I plug my computer back to my Nighthawk R7000, then it works fine.So I think that my WNDR3700v3 has a very serious problem with it where it won't even boot up the network ports.Your help is greatly appreciated.

Power adapter seems to be fine as there are no visible signs of damage nor anything like that and it is also able to power up other devices as well (that also uses 12V input and the same size barrel jack as well). As I mentioned, I've got the Airport Express working right now and I can add a switch for more RJ45 ports, but the idea was that if I can do it with this router (as a "one-box" solution rather than a "two-box" solution), then it would be a plus. If it doesn't work, I have an alternative solution that I can deploy already. I might try and see if I can dig up/out my Linksys WRT54G (which is an even older device), but if it works -- that can also be an alternative solution to this dead N600 now as well. Thank you, everybody, for all of your help and support. It is greatly appreciated.

If you done al that and nothing seems to be working, maybe time to get something new. That model is fairly old generation and no longer updated and is EoL from development and support perspectives. So seems like it's had good service to carry you this long. Call it a day and go find you something new. Theres lots of good used items out there on places like amazon or shopgoodwill where you can find you something that needs a good home.

Thank you. Yeah, I actually replaced it with a Netgear Nighthawk R7000 back in May of 2018, but I was hoping to see if I would be able to revive this because if I can, I mean -- the router itself, otherwise, is good, not scratched up or anything like that.(I'm *just* finally getting around to asking about trying to resuscitate this back to life now.)The reason for it is because I was looking to see if I can re-deploy this router as a wireless AP, so that I don't have to run like a 300 foot network cable to our upstairs/2nd floor. (I also have the Amazon eero 6 wifi mesh network as well, but it doesn't have any RJ45 ports for the other wifi APs, and I have deployed one of my systems upstairs that is RJ45 only. WiFi doesn't work on it.)Figured that if I can re-deploy this, then I won't have to deploy my Apple Airport express and a network switch, as this N600 would be more than sufficient for what my upstairs system needs. But if the experts here can't really help where the router is beyond dead -- then e-Waste it is. I just thought that I'd give it a shot, if I can prevent it from going to e-Waste.

Only other thing would be to try a 30-30-30 reset, if this fails to bring it back to life then, time to let it go. Good Luck.

Had to google what the "30-30-30 reset" was, but I did try it and the power LED still doesn't blink. Pity.I appreciate your help. Thank you.

WNDR3700v3 Possibly Bricked | NETGEAR Communities

11 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru
Jan 25, 2025
If you done al that and nothing seems to be working, maybe time to get something new. That model is fairly old generation and no longer updated and is EoL from development and support perspectives. So seems like it's had good service to carry you this long. Call it a day and go find you something new. Theres lots of good used items out there on places like amazon or shopgoodwill where you can find you something that needs a good home.
- alpha754293
  Guide
  Jan 25, 2025
  Thank you. Yeah, I actually replaced it with a Netgear Nighthawk R7000 back in May of 2018, but I was hoping to see if I would be able to revive this because if I can, I mean -- the router itself, otherwise, is good, not scratched up or anything like that.
  
  (I'm *just* finally getting around to asking about trying to resuscitate this back to life now.)
  
  The reason for it is because I was looking to see if I can re-deploy this router as a wireless AP, so that I don't have to run like a 300 foot network cable to our upstairs/2nd floor. (I also have the Amazon eero 6 wifi mesh network as well, but it doesn't have any RJ45 ports for the other wifi APs, and I have deployed one of my systems upstairs that is RJ45 only. WiFi doesn't work on it.)
  
  Figured that if I can re-deploy this, then I won't have to deploy my Apple Airport express and a network switch, as this N600 would be more than sufficient for what my upstairs system needs.
  
  But if the experts here can't really help where the router is beyond dead -- then e-Waste it is. I just thought that I'd give it a shot, if I can prevent it from going to e-Waste.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    Jan 25, 2025
    Only other thing would be to try a 30-30-30 reset, if this fails to bring it back to life then, time to let it go.
    
    Good Luck.

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WNDR3700v3 Possibly Bricked