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Can't restore router firmware after update failure
I tried updating my R6700v3 via the Nighthawk app, and the app displayed an update failed message. I walked over to the router and all the LED lights were on. I have a computer that has a wired connection to the router, and it showed a connection with no internet. I tried connecting to the router through the browser using IP address 192.168.1.1, but the browser timed out. At this point I power cycled the router and, on reboot, the Power LED started blinking after a few minutes. I waited four minutes and it was still blinking. So, I figured the update corrupted the firmware. Here is what I have tried to restore the router without success so far:
- A soft reset by pressing the reset button for 7 seconds
- A harder reset by pressing the reset button, wait 30 seconds, turning the router off, wait 30 seconds, turn the router on, wait 30 seconds, and then release the reset button.
- Uploading the firmware following this article: How to upload firmware to a NETGEAR router using TFTP client? The only difference between what I see, and what the article describes is that, at the completion of the tftp upload, the MD5 shown in the dialog box for Tftpd64 is blank. This is true for all three firmware versions that I tried.
- Uploading the firmware following this article: How to upload firmware to a NETGEAR router using Windows TFTP However, the power LED on the router never starts blinking while the reset button is held as described in this article. Instead, the router goes through a repeating cylce of turning on the other lights with the power LED at solid amber and sometimes turning off and then back on with the other lights; only when I release the reset button does the power LED start blinking after a few seconds. In any case, the transfer only works when the LED starts blinking. The tftp command claims success each time.
For methods 3 and 4, I tried three different firmware versions: 1.0.4.98 (latest), 1.0.4.84 (what was previously installed when last working), and 1.02.56 (the smallest prior firmware I could download). In all tftp upload attempts, the computer could successfully ping the router, and both the Tftpd64 and Windows tftp client appeared to successfully upload the firmware. Between tries, I waited at least four minutes to make sure the last firmware upload did not take hold. Any help would be appreciated, thank you!
Not sure I can offer much help other than..remove all cables from it, and power it up, after 5 minutes what do you see in terms of lights? Still just the Power LED flashing?
If so, sounds like the flash memory could be the culprit...not much that could be done if it's failing other than RMA ...
13 Replies
Not sure I can offer much help other than..remove all cables from it, and power it up, after 5 minutes what do you see in terms of lights? Still just the Power LED flashing?
If so, sounds like the flash memory could be the culprit...not much that could be done if it's failing other than RMA ...
I tried timing the start of the tftp based on other posts that I found indicating there is a small window for tftp to work. Even found one post that suggested running ping and tftp in parallel and starting the tftp when the ping starts dropping packets. (This happens when the power LED first turns solid amber befor it starts flashing.) I also let the router sit for 5+ minutes with no cables attached as you suggested. All result in continual amber blinking of the power LED. So, I feel that I have exhausted all options and will take your advice to do an RMA. Thank you for the reply.
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.
If that 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 tell Windows to use TFTP on your PC.
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.
The good news is that TFTP has rescued many a dead device.
Router purchased in April 2020
Worked for 3 or 4 months.
Netgear alerted me via email that i needed to do a firmware upgrade. Included instructions on doing so via Nighthawk App.
I ran the suggested upgrade three times and got three failures.
Router went kaput - only power light showing. Evidently the Firmware is corrupted.
After several hours trying to fix by downloading firmware to computer and trying a TFP transfer. No luck. It's toast.
4 month old router is toast. Service ended at 3 months.
jallington59 wrote:Router purchased in April 2020
Worked for 3 or 4 months.
Netgear alerted me via email that i needed to do a firmware upgrade. Included instructions on doing so via Nighthawk App.
I ran the suggested upgrade three times and got three failures.
Router went kaput - only power light showing. Evidently the Firmware is corrupted.
After several hours trying to fix by downloading firmware to computer and trying a TFP transfer. No luck. It's toast.
4 month old router is toast. Service ended at 3 months.
Perhaps a glimmer of hope, but assuming you've exhausted all options, if you purchased it brand new from a authorized/legit retailer, you have a 1 year warranty (90 day tech support), so you should be able to get an RMA/replacement under warranty if it's failed.
Great advice. I will give it a shot.
jallington59 wrote:
Router went kaput - only power light showing.
Showing what?
Colour? (White/Green/Orange?)
State? (Steady/Flashing?)
These things matter.
jallington59 This was the first and last time that I use the Nighthawk app to update firmware on a router. After this experience, I am sticking with manual firmware loads from a PC. I own all three versions of the R6700. (I use the v2 as a wireless bridge and keep the v1 as a cold backup. It is what I am using now that the v3 is a brick.) I never had an issue with Netgear's firmware upgrades until I tried it through the app. The v2 has been going strong for 3 years and the v1 worked great for four years before it started requiring weekly reboots. (Though this may be due to a sudden growth in wireless devices in my house putting a bigger strain on the network.) This is why I replaced it with the v3. Hopefully, this issue with the v3 is one-time, and isn't indicative of quality issues with this version of the unit.
RocketDesigner wrote:
jallington59 This was the first and last time that I use the Nighthawk app to update firmware on a router.
Wise move.
While you are at it, disable any attempts to automatically update the firmware behind your back.
Netgear, and probably others, try to make life easier for users. In the process, they actually introduce what can be pitfalls when things do not go to plan.
