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RN426E22 NAS Stuck on "Welcome to Netgear Storage" – No Button Response, No Network Access
Hi Team,
My NAS (model: RN426E22) is stuck on the "Welcome to Netgear Storage" screen.
There is no response when I press the center button or any of the four surrounding buttons. Additionally, the device does not appear on the network — the assigned IP address is not reachable/pingable.
Replaced RAM & Working Fine
I removed the RAM stick and powered it on — it still stopped at the same “Welcome” screen. Then I replaced the RAM with another one, and this time it showed “Booting...”. After that, I inserted the disks and powered it on again, and now it’s working fine. Thank you very much for your inputs Sandshark & StephenB
I’m planning to collect all technical details to ensure I can rebuild the shares from a Linux PC if the NAS fails again in the future. Could you please advise what information I need to note and where to find it?Also, since this product is no longer supported, my company management is ready to procure another rack-mountable NAS. Could you experts please suggest a reliable, rock-solid make and model?
25 Replies
I've not confirmed this,. but I suspect that Welcome to Netgear Storage is the default programmed into the display panel on OS6 units just as simply ReadyNAS is programmed into it on older units. That means that a whole lot of things can be wrong and result in that display because it doesn't even have to complete POST. Can you get into the reset button menu (see How-do-I-access-the-boot-menu-on-my-ReadyNAS-526X-and-626X)? Does it display anything different when booted without drives? (Remove and re-install them with power off and mark the slot that came from, so you can re-install them in the same order.)
The usual first suspect is the power supply. The 426 is getting to be old enough that that could be your problem. But it's a bit early to jump to that conclusion.
Hi Sandshark , Thanks for your response.
If I am doing in following order, will it affect the data or existing RAID settings ?
- Switching off the device & removing power cord too
- Marking some mark in disk to identify the positions ( 6 disks are there ) & removing all disks.
- Just switch on and observe ( hope this you mean by -> Does it display anything different when booted without drives?)
- Switching Off again,
- Powering on the NAS with press and hold the Reset button. to do the 'memory test' in boot menu
- After that power off again and inserting all disks in previous positions then switching it on
I want to try reinstall OS ( hope that also will not affect the existing data) . can you please share that steps too
I want to try reinstall OS ( hope that also will not affect the existing data) . can you please share that steps too
They are in the hardware manual - see pages 105-106:
The OS reinstall is data-safe, but does change a couple of settings:
- The admin password is reset to password
- The network configuration is changed to DHCP with no bonding
- Volume quota is disabled (it can be re-enabled from the volume settings wheel).
That said, it is unlikely to solve your problem. Testing the disks in a PC could rule out a disk-related issue - start with disk 1, as the NAS will boot from that disk slot if it is installed.
The instructions also include running the memory test.
FWIW, I agree with Sandshark that a failed power supply is the most likely cause.
Does it display anything different when booted without drives
It normally will display a "no disks" status.
That's pretty much it. You can mark the drives as you remove them. I use a Sharpie and write right on the drive. When booted diskless, it should not require a long press to turn off.
I suggest you wait to see the results of the diskless test and memory test before you consider an OS re-install. What you are seeing is not a typical failure associated with a corrupt OS and doing a re-install now could have negative consequences.
Sandshark okay as you suggested , I will do disk less test.
StephenB The display is currently showing 'Welcome to Netgear Storage'. Based on this, can we assume that the power supply is working, or display is receiving power from a different source?
The display is currently showing 'Welcome to Netgear Storage'. Based on this, can we assume that the power supply is working,
Unfortunately, not. There are multiple power outputs from the supply. It isn't unusual for the one that powers the LCD display to be working (but not the others). So it could be the supply (but also could be something else).
As Sandshark says, older units just say "ReadyNAS" on their display when this happens. There aren't many reported PSU failures with the newer models, but we are thinking that might have changed to "Welcome to Netgear Storage".
On an RN628X, I have confirmed that the default display is ReadyNAS Storage. Welcome. So I'm now even more sure what you are seeing is just the default display. The NAS does not even have to complete POST (Power-On Self Test) for that to display. I have no easy way to check, but I'm pretty sure it runs off the 5V rail and may not even require especially well-regulated power. So, as I said, there are many potential causes of that symptom.
In addition to posting the result of the diskless test: How did you turn it on? Did you have to press the power button, or did it just come on when plugged in? When you turn it on, do you even see a flicker on the Ethernet LED? Do the drives spin up? You say you get no results from pressing any buttons. Does that include a long press of the power button?
If it is the power supply, then it's likely either the +3.3V rail (unless the display runs off that, which would be unusual) or the +5VSB (5 V standby) power. But it could be a weak +5V or +12V rail.
One important point I missed earlier — there were frequent power failures on the day this issue started. The problem seems to have occurred after those outages
Here’s a summary of what I’ve done.
- I powered off the unit and removed all drives.
- When powering on the device using the rear switch only (without touching any buttons on the front panel), it still boots to the same screen: “NETGEAR Storage Welcome.”
- During startup, all four Ethernet port LEDs turn on briefly (just for a second).
- After that, when I plug in an Ethernet cable to any of the ports, the link/activity LEDs start blinking
All the above testing was done in disk-less mode (no drives installed).
As suggested checked below things too :(my observations as follows )
- How did you turn it on? Did you have to press the power button, or did it just come on when plugged in?
I just plugged in the power cord, and after switching on the rear power switch, the unit powers on and reaches the 'Welcome' screen — without pressing the front power button near the disk bays.
- When you turn it on, do you even see a flicker on the Ethernet LED?
Yes
- Do the drives spin up?
Yes I can feel tiny vibration while touching the front portion of each disks and the blue light near to each 6 bays are ON only. ( for doing this step I kept all disks back )
- You say you get no results from pressing any buttons. Does that include a long press of the power button?
While pressing unit goes off.
Next Steps:
I’m planning to try the Memory Test option from the boot menu.
Can you please confirm:
Should I do the memory test with or without the drives inserted?
Will this process affect the existing RAID configuration or stored data in any way?
This storage was originally set up by someone else, and until now we’ve only accessed shared folders—no changes have ever been made to the admin settings.
I’m planning to try the Memory Test option from the boot menu.
Can you please confirm:
Should I do the memory test with or without the drives inserted?
Will this process affect the existing RAID configuration or stored data in any way?You can do it with the disks inserted, as this will not affect the configuration or the data.
If the unit doesn't say "No disks" when booted without drives, then the problem is not you volume. It's either a hardware issue or a flash content issue.
If you can get to the reset button menu but the unit won't boot in normal mode, you may need to do a USB recovery. But do the memory test first. Bad memory can cause the OS to stop in it's tracks. If that happens early enough, then I would think it could have the result you are seeing. Even if you can't get to the reset button menu, it may be worth trying a USB recovery.
The reset button menu also relies on the flash content, just different content. So USB recovery is a good thing to try even if you can't get to that menu. ReadyNAS can be picky about what USB drives will work for a recovery, though OS6 units are less sensitive than older ones. So if it doesn't work, you should try with more than one (different brand) USB device before deciding it won't work. Using a USB drive with an access LED is helpful. If it accesses the drive briefly but nothing else, it usually means the drive itself is incompatible or you made a mistake in creating the recovery. If it's not accessed at all, it typically points to a hardware issue. USB recovery can be done with or without drives. Just make sure you are recovering to the same version you had before.
Hi Sandshark , A quick question , USB recovery means OS Re-installation right ?
A quick question , USB recovery means OS Re-installation right ?
No. If you suspect the flash content is bad, that's the last thing you want to do, as it could be copying corrupt content to your drives. See How-do-I-use-the-USB-Recovery-Tool-on-my-ReadyNAS-OS-6-storage-system
Hi Sandshark , StephenB
I followed below USB Recovery procedure in the documentation for the RN420 series models. However, there is no change on the display — it continuously shows "NETGEAR Storage Welcome".
After powering on the ReadyNAS system, wait for the backlight on the navigational buttons to turn off.
Then press and hold the OK button (the center of the navigational buttons) for up to 30 seconds, until the LCD confirms that the ReadyNAS is attempting to boot from the USB drive.Even tried to access the boot menu with the intention to do Memory Test by press and holding the reset button while powering on . still it is coming to "NETGEAR Storage Welcome" no change
Even tried to access the boot menu with the intention to do Memory Test by press and holding the reset button while powering on . still it is coming to "NETGEAR Storage Welcome" no change
Which points to the power supply as the problem. Or perhaps the system board. Hopefully the supply, as the system board isn't something you can repair.
The PSU can be replaced - Sandshark often gives advice on that, but unfortunately something is going on with the forum software that is blocking his ability to log in at the moment.
Hi StephenB , Sandshark
I will try the options to check the PSU. in the meantime, I have a question: if I decide to purchase a brand new Netgear NAS, can I use the same disks from my current NAS in the new one? or any method available to migrate the existing data from these 6 disks to the newly purchased NAS?. Will I get Netger Support for this ?
if I decide to purchase a brand new Netgear NAS
The problem here is that Netgear exited the business some years back, so the only new ReadyNAS would be old inventory (at least 5 years old).
That said, you could migrate the disks directly to a used OS-6 x86 model (316, 426, 428, 516, 526, 528, 626, 628, or 716 are the possible desktop NAS). The x1x models are the oldest (launched in 2013). 42X, 52x, and 62x are the newest (launched in 2016-2017).
You could also get a used Ultra 6, Ultra 6 Plus, or Pro 6, and convert that to run OS-6. Then you could migrate the disks. Note these models would be at least 12 years, as Netgear stopped building them in 2013 when they launched the OS-6 NAS.
Will I get Netgear Support for this ?
No, as all ReadyNAS platforms (including yours) are end-of-life.
So unfortunately no Netgear support for any ReadyNAS.
or any method available to migrate the existing data from these 6 disks
If you can connect all the disks to a Linux platform (using either SATA or USB adapter/docks) you could mount the volume manually and offload data. This assumes that the failure did not damage the disks (or the data on them). We can provide details on how to do that.
Another option is to use RAID recovery software that supports BTRFS and linux software RAID. ReclaiMe and UFS Explorer are two packages that other posters have used with success. This would require connecting all the drives to a Windows PC.
If you can connect all the disks to a Linux platform (using either SATA or USB adapter/docks) you could mount the volume manually and offload data. This assumes that the failure did not damage the disks (or the data on them). We can provide details on how to do that.
Hi StephenB ,
I am a Linux enthusiast and interested in trying above method. Could you please provide the details for me to try it out?
A few additional points that might help in the next steps
- There are a total of 6 disks, where 5 disks have a capacity of 4 TB each, and one disk has a capacity of 2 TB
- I have attached a screenshot of the admin page, which I took a while ago
Even if the disks were part of a RAID array, we can still retrieve the data using above method right ? ( assuming that disks are fine)
Replaced RAM & Working Fine
I removed the RAM stick and powered it on — it still stopped at the same “Welcome” screen. Then I replaced the RAM with another one, and this time it showed “Booting...”. After that, I inserted the disks and powered it on again, and now it’s working fine. Thank you very much for your inputs Sandshark & StephenB
I’m planning to collect all technical details to ensure I can rebuild the shares from a Linux PC if the NAS fails again in the future. Could you please advise what information I need to note and where to find it?Also, since this product is no longer supported, my company management is ready to procure another rack-mountable NAS. Could you experts please suggest a reliable, rock-solid make and model?
I removed the RAM stick and powered it on — it still stopped at the same “Welcome” screen. Then I replaced the RAM with another one, and this time it showed “Booting...”. After that, I inserted the disks and powered it on again, and now it’s working fine.
Great!
I’m planning to collect all technical details to ensure I can rebuild the shares from a Linux PC if the NAS fails again in the future.
Well, you need a Linux system with both mdadm and btrfs installed. Then you assemble the raid groups with mdadm, and mount with btrfs.
The details depend on what RAID configuration you have. If you send me a link to the full log zip file via private message (PM), I can give you the needed commands.
Not you do need to put the zip into cloud storage, as the forum software won't let you attach it. You can send a PM using the envelope icon in the upper right of the forum page. Make sure the permissions are set so anyone with the link can download.
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