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Forum Discussion
Qu9ke
Jun 18, 2020Aspirant
Anything I should do before rolling back firmware?
Router: R7000 Nighthawk AC1900 We get dropped connections maybe at least once a day that requires turning our router off and back on. We have tried multiple things ranging from editing the DNS serv...
- Jun 18, 2020
> When you say "reinstall", [...]
I don't know what that meant.
> [...] Or does the firmware remain the way it was at the moment I reset
> the router? [...]Yes. A (misnamed) "Factory Reset" is simply a settings reset. It
does not change the firmware version.> [...] I read somewhere that firmware version isn't affected by a
> factory reset.I've read many things in many places, but that one's true.
That said, I might expect loading new firmware not to require a
settings reset. The new firmware should be able to cope with (and/or
convert) old settings as required. However, when loading older
firmware, I'd do a settings reset and manual reconfiguration. I would
not expect old firmware to deal correctly with newer settings.But, notwithstanding my expectations, after loading _any_ different
firmware, if the gizmo behaves badly, then I'd try a settings reset and
manual reconfiguration before declaring a disaster. ("Trust no one," I
always say.)
> [...] I was considering going to 1.0.9.42Should be harmless.
One other preparatory step would be to fetch a firmware kit for your
current firmware. In the unlikely event that the old firmware cripples
your Internet access, you'd have what you'd need to restore what youhad.
plemans
Jun 18, 2020Guru - Experienced User
the only thing I'd recommend prior to rolling back and factory resetting is reinstalling the firmware.
Anytime you change firmware, a good idea is to do it over a hardwired (ethernet) connection. we see the most errors/problems from changing over wireless.
so try in this order.
1. reinstall the firmware over ethernet. Then factory reset and manually reinstall
2. downgrade to version 1.0.9.42, factory reset, and reinstall.
antinode
Jun 18, 2020Guru
> Are there any steps I need to take when trying to roll back firmware,
> or can I simply install it just as if I was upgrading firmware? [...]
Generally, a normal manual firmware load should work.
I'd save the current settings first. I wouldn't try to use
future-firmware settings with older firmware, but you might save some
time if you want to return to whatever you have now.
What is the current firmware version? "roll back" to what?
> [...] I recently came back from Best Buy, and the associate there,
> while helpful, said that those complaining about their routers and
> firmware issues typically don't know what they are talking about. [...]
And the "associates" at Best Buy do?
Many people don't know enough about varioous things. Some even try
to discuss changing firmware versions without mentioning any actual
firmware versions, for example.
> so try in this order. [...]
I'd probably save my current settings, load the target firmware,
reset settings, manually configure. I see little value in wasting time
and effort with multiple resets and loads for no obvious reason.
- Qu9keJun 18, 2020Aspirant> What is the current firmware version? "roll back" to what?
The current firmware is 1.0.11.100_10.2.100 and I was considering going to 1.0.9.42- antinodeJun 18, 2020Guru
> When you say "reinstall", [...]
I don't know what that meant.
> [...] Or does the firmware remain the way it was at the moment I reset
> the router? [...]Yes. A (misnamed) "Factory Reset" is simply a settings reset. It
does not change the firmware version.> [...] I read somewhere that firmware version isn't affected by a
> factory reset.I've read many things in many places, but that one's true.
That said, I might expect loading new firmware not to require a
settings reset. The new firmware should be able to cope with (and/or
convert) old settings as required. However, when loading older
firmware, I'd do a settings reset and manual reconfiguration. I would
not expect old firmware to deal correctly with newer settings.But, notwithstanding my expectations, after loading _any_ different
firmware, if the gizmo behaves badly, then I'd try a settings reset and
manual reconfiguration before declaring a disaster. ("Trust no one," I
always say.)
> [...] I was considering going to 1.0.9.42Should be harmless.
One other preparatory step would be to fetch a firmware kit for your
current firmware. In the unlikely event that the old firmware cripples
your Internet access, you'd have what you'd need to restore what youhad.
- Qu9keJun 19, 2020Aspirant> I don’t know what that meant
That question was directed to plemans when he suggested “reinstall the firmware over ethernet. Then factory reset and manually reinstall” The fact that “reinstall” was in there twice kind of threw me off, because if firmware remains the same after a reset then I don’t understand the need to reinstall it again after the reset.
And for the record the firmware was originally installed via ethernet (for plemans). It had to be since at the time the firmware it is currently running was installed I had to resuscitate the router back to life by installing firmware via ethernet through command prompt. The router was totally unresponsive a few weeks back for whatever reason, but installing firmware with command prompt booted it back up.
Thank you by the way for all the replies. They are helpful. I’m sort of the “IT guy” in this house, so when something goes wrong I typically have to find ways to fix it, often times with a little help from the internet.