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

Forum Discussion

santoshamb's avatar
santoshamb
Aspirant
May 30, 2021

Unable to flash R7000 router using tftp

I am trying to flash my R7000 router using the tftp client on mac but after several hours of trying I have no success. I've been experiencing a lot of weird connectivity issues so I'm trying to downg...
michaelkenward's avatar
michaelkenward
Guru - Experienced User
May 30, 2021

What tells you that you need to use TFTP to update the firmware?

 

What does the power LED look like when you turn the thing on?

 

You should be able to use the standard procedure to downgrade firmware:

 

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

 

santoshamb wrote:

I don't know if this is related, but I'm unable to flash using the normal method on the admin page (Advanced -> Administration -> Router Update). Whenever I use this method, the process seems to work, but when I reboot my firmware is always the same.

 

It  might be related.

 

Have you tried different firmware?

 

You could also see if a recovery reset helps:

 

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

Maybe you tried that. Your description isn't clear to me.

 

santoshamb's avatar
santoshamb
Aspirant
May 30, 2021

Hello,

 

Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate it.

 

I'm trying to use the TFTP approach because flashing using the admin webpage (the method you linked to) does not work. It appears to work, but when the router comes back up the firmware never changes.

 

I've also tried a firmware upgrade, to R7000-V1.0.11.123_10.2.100.chk using the admin web page. Same result.

 

I'll try to describe the colors of the power LED as best I can, after turning off power for 10 seconds and then turning back on:

 

0 seconds - the color is a soft or washed out amber
10 seconds - similar color, but brighter.
18 seconds - the full amber color
2 minutes 8 seconds - white

 

The led does not ever blink.

 

I've done both regular reset, and the 30-30-30 reset multiple times, as you described.

 

Is there anything else I can try? I'm trying to change firmware becuase of an issue with wifi dropping whenever certain devices attach or when I play an amazon prime video. I have a seperate issue for this: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-WiFi-Routers/R7000-Drops-wifi-for-all-devices-only-when-certain-devices/m-p/2100640

 

Thank you!

  • michaelkenward's avatar
    michaelkenward
    Guru - Experienced User
    May 30, 2021
    santoshamb wrote:

     

    I'll try to describe the colors of the power LED as best I can, after turning off power for 10 seconds and then turning back on:

     

    0 seconds - the color is a soft or washed out amber
    10 seconds - similar color, but brighter.
    18 seconds - the full amber color
    2 minutes 8 seconds - white

     

    The led does not ever blink.

     

    That is the standard start-up routine. It tells us that there is nothing wrong with the router's firmware. At least, nothing that shows up in the self check routine that would scream "corrupt firmware".

     

    santoshamb wrote:

    I've also tried a firmware upgrade, to R7000-V1.0.11.123_10.2.100.chk using the admin web page.

     

    I don't know what that means. By mentioning the .ckh file it sounds like a manual update, but the admin web pages (there's more than one) also offer an automated process.

     

    As a simple test, can you access this?

     

    http://192.168.1.1/debug.htm

     

    Have you tried any other firmware versions as suggested earlier?

    • santoshamb's avatar
      santoshamb
      Aspirant
      May 31, 2021

      Hello,

       

      Here is more specifics on how I tried to update the firmware.

       

      I opened the admin page at 192.168.1.1 using a web browser. The firmware currently loaded on the device (as reported in the upper right corner) is V1.0.11.122_10.2.100

       

      I then went to Advanced -> Administration -> Router update

       

      From here I pressed "check" on Check for new version from the Internet. This told me "No new firmware version available". However, I believe there is a newer version (V1.0.11.123_10.2.100), since I can download it manually.

       

      On the same page, I then tried a manual update. I downloaded two different firmware versions and did Browse -> open file -> Upload. The two versions I tried are

       

      V1.0.11.123_10.2.100 (upgrade)

      V1.0.9.42_10.2.44 (downgrade)

       

      In both cases, everything appears to work, but when I boot back up, version 1.0.11.122 is still displayed in the upper right corner.

       

      I can reach http://192.168.1.1/debug.htm just fine. This appears to be a really helpful page, thank you.