Factory reset N300 WIFI Cable Modem Router and now cannot access internet via browser

[MagnumMike44]

Why is that I have to reset both my CM400 cable modem and R6200v2 Router so often to be able to access the admin account on the router (192.168.1.1 address)? It seems that I have to do this once or twice a week now. When I type in 192.168.1.1 in the URL address bar, I don't get the login prompt, the browsers that I use, Edge, IE 11, and Firefox seem to go into an endless loop and they come back with a message after 3 or 4 minutes that says something like "Unable to find address". After I unplug both the cable modem and router, which of course resets them, I'm able to see the login window and I'm able to go into the router's admin account.

Also, there are firmware updates that are listed on Netgear's site, but there aren't any links that allow us to download them.

[antinode · Accepted solution]

> the browsers that I use, Edge, IE 11, and Firefox seem to go into an
> endless loop and they come back with a message after 3 or 4 minutes
> [...]

   So, not "endless".  (Probably not really a loop, either, but also not
the proper behavior, whether looping or hung.)

> [...] that says something like "Unable to find address".

   As usual, an actual error message might be more helpful than
"something like" an actual error message.

   Sadly, it's not unheard of for the Web server on some Netgear routers
to die (for various reasons), which may cause such symptoms (depending
on exactly what those symptoms are).  In some cases, clicking on the
lucky/wrong button on one of its Web pages can be fatal.  Perhaps in
other cases, the Web server dies more or less spontaneously.

   There may be exotic ways to explore what's happening on your router,
if you're looking for an educational experience.

> After I unplug both the cable modem and router, which of course resets
> them, I'm able to see the login window and I'm able to go into the
> router's admin account.

   Have you tried whacking only the router in the head?  (The modem
might be doing fine.)  There's also the option of doing a full
("factory") reset, and reconfiguring the router from scratch.  In some
cases that helps, but it's not a panacea.

> Also, there are firmware updates that are listed on Netgear's site,
> but there aren't any links that allow us to download them.

   Where "on Netgear's site" are you looking?  I gather that the
cable-TV companies all demand that only they get to play with the
firmware for devices like your CM400 cable modem, but firmware for an
R6200v2 (a plain router, not a cable-TV device) should be available.

   When I visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number
(R6200v2), and look for Downloads, I see firmware (1.0.3.12) available
for "Download".  With my weak psychic powers, I don't know if that's
newer/better than what you have now, but it's apparently available.
Newer, of course, isn't always better, but there's a chance.

[antinode · Accepted solution]

> the browsers that I use, Edge, IE 11, and Firefox seem to go into an
> endless loop and they come back with a message after 3 or 4 minutes
> [...]

   So, not "endless".  (Probably not really a loop, either, but also not
the proper behavior, whether looping or hung.)

> [...] that says something like "Unable to find address".

   As usual, an actual error message might be more helpful than
"something like" an actual error message.

   Sadly, it's not unheard of for the Web server on some Netgear routers
to die (for various reasons), which may cause such symptoms (depending
on exactly what those symptoms are).  In some cases, clicking on the
lucky/wrong button on one of its Web pages can be fatal.  Perhaps in
other cases, the Web server dies more or less spontaneously.

   There may be exotic ways to explore what's happening on your router,
if you're looking for an educational experience.

> After I unplug both the cable modem and router, which of course resets
> them, I'm able to see the login window and I'm able to go into the
> router's admin account.

   Have you tried whacking only the router in the head?  (The modem
might be doing fine.)  There's also the option of doing a full
("factory") reset, and reconfiguring the router from scratch.  In some
cases that helps, but it's not a panacea.

> Also, there are firmware updates that are listed on Netgear's site,
> but there aren't any links that allow us to download them.

   Where "on Netgear's site" are you looking?  I gather that the
cable-TV companies all demand that only they get to play with the
firmware for devices like your CM400 cable modem, but firmware for an
R6200v2 (a plain router, not a cable-TV device) should be available.

   When I visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number
(R6200v2), and look for Downloads, I see firmware (1.0.3.12) available
for "Download".  With my weak psychic powers, I don't know if that's
newer/better than what you have now, but it's apparently available.
Newer, of course, isn't always better, but there's a chance.

[MagnumMike44]

Hi Antidote, thanks for the information in your reply, I don't think I have a Netgear "Server" App installed on any of the computers on my home network, I'll have to look to confirm that, so I'm 99% sure that I don't have any backend services that die out (as you mentioned in your reply). I'll wait until I run into that problem again and I'll reset the router only. 

Cheers. 

[antinode]

> [...] I don't think I have a Netgear "Server" App installed on any of
> the computers on my home network, [...]

   I was referring to the router's own Web server, the one you're
talking to when you "type in 192.168.1.1 in the URL address bar" of your
Web browser.  It's part of the router's "firmware", not anything
installed on your computer(s).  It's possible for that Web server to die
(for whatever reason), while other router functions continue normally.
If/when that happens, your Web browser will fail when you try to access
it, usually after trying for at least thirty seconds, but that interval
depends on the browser and/or the OS.