New XR300 Nighthawk hangs on "checking for updates"

[stez]

I bought a new XR300 Nighthawk router and used the connection wizard to try to connect to my ISP. I put in all the login details but it just hangs on "checking for updates". I logged a support call on 1 July 2020, received a response on 2 July asking me to power cycle my entire network and factory reset the router and that if I didn't reply in 7 days they would close the call. I tried to reply today (4 July) but the support call has been closed.

I assume the next course of action is to return the router to the seller, and buy a TP-Link AX50 instead? Any other suggestions?

[Netduma-Fraser · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the information, use this guide to install the latest firmware (https://kb.netgear.com/000062023/XR300-Firmware-Version-1-0-3-44-Hot-Fix). This method allows you to do it before the router has properly booted:
https://kb.netgear.com/000059634/How-to-upload-firmware-to-a-NETGEAR-router-using-Windows-TFTP

[Netduma-Fraser]

Are you connected via ethernet when you're trying to setup the router? What browser/platform are you trying to set it up with? A factory reset should help, hold the reset button down for 30 seconds then wait 1-2 minutes and connect via a wired PC and attempt setup again.

[stez]

> Are you connected via ethernet when you're trying to setup the router?

Yes.

> What browser/platform are you trying to set it up with?

Google Chrome on Windows 10.

> A factory reset should help

I tried that and it was just the same. Thanks though.

I wouldn't mind so much if support hadn't just closed the ticket.

[Netduma-Fraser · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the information, use this guide to install the latest firmware (https://kb.netgear.com/000062023/XR300-Firmware-Version-1-0-3-44-Hot-Fix). This method allows you to do it before the router has properly booted:
https://kb.netgear.com/000059634/How-to-upload-firmware-to-a-NETGEAR-router-using-Windows-TFTP