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Anything I should do before rolling back firmware?
Router: R7000 Nighthawk AC1900
We get dropped connections maybe at least once a day that requires turning our router off and back on. We have tried multiple things ranging from editing the DNS server info, changing channels, messing with information in individual devices in the network. It all comes back to me turning the router off and back on. I plan on factory resetting it to see if that helps, but if it doesn’t then I have a question...
Are there any steps I need to take when trying to roll back firmware, or can I simply install it just as if I was upgrading firmware? That is to say just follow standard procedure and install the firmware like normal even though it will be going backwards.
It’s a bit frustrating because I recently came back from Best Buy, and the associate there, while helpful, said that those complaining about their routers and firmware issues typically don’t know what they are talking about. That bit of info isn’t important really, but it’s just something that rubbed me the wrong way.
We get dropped connections maybe at least once a day that requires turning our router off and back on. We have tried multiple things ranging from editing the DNS server info, changing channels, messing with information in individual devices in the network. It all comes back to me turning the router off and back on. I plan on factory resetting it to see if that helps, but if it doesn’t then I have a question...
Are there any steps I need to take when trying to roll back firmware, or can I simply install it just as if I was upgrading firmware? That is to say just follow standard procedure and install the firmware like normal even though it will be going backwards.
It’s a bit frustrating because I recently came back from Best Buy, and the associate there, while helpful, said that those complaining about their routers and firmware issues typically don’t know what they are talking about. That bit of info isn’t important really, but it’s just something that rubbed me the wrong way.
> When you say "reinstall", [...]
I don't know what that meant.
> [...] Or does the firmware remain the way it was at the moment I reset
> the router? [...]Yes. A (misnamed) "Factory Reset" is simply a settings reset. It
does not change the firmware version.> [...] I read somewhere that firmware version isn't affected by a
> factory reset.I've read many things in many places, but that one's true.
That said, I might expect loading new firmware not to require a
settings reset. The new firmware should be able to cope with (and/or
convert) old settings as required. However, when loading older
firmware, I'd do a settings reset and manual reconfiguration. I would
not expect old firmware to deal correctly with newer settings.But, notwithstanding my expectations, after loading _any_ different
firmware, if the gizmo behaves badly, then I'd try a settings reset and
manual reconfiguration before declaring a disaster. ("Trust no one," I
always say.)
> [...] I was considering going to 1.0.9.42Should be harmless.
One other preparatory step would be to fetch a firmware kit for your
current firmware. In the unlikely event that the old firmware cripples
your Internet access, you'd have what you'd need to restore what youhad.
8 Replies
the only thing I'd recommend prior to rolling back and factory resetting is reinstalling the firmware.
Anytime you change firmware, a good idea is to do it over a hardwired (ethernet) connection. we see the most errors/problems from changing over wireless.
so try in this order.
1. reinstall the firmware over ethernet. Then factory reset and manually reinstall
2. downgrade to version 1.0.9.42, factory reset, and reinstall.
> Are there any steps I need to take when trying to roll back firmware,
> or can I simply install it just as if I was upgrading firmware? [...]Generally, a normal manual firmware load should work.
I'd save the current settings first. I wouldn't try to use
future-firmware settings with older firmware, but you might save some
time if you want to return to whatever you have now.What is the current firmware version? "roll back" to what?
> [...] I recently came back from Best Buy, and the associate there,
> while helpful, said that those complaining about their routers and
> firmware issues typically don't know what they are talking about. [...]And the "associates" at Best Buy do?
Many people don't know enough about varioous things. Some even try
to discuss changing firmware versions without mentioning any actual
firmware versions, for example.
> so try in this order. [...]I'd probably save my current settings, load the target firmware,
reset settings, manually configure. I see little value in wasting time
and effort with multiple resets and loads for no obvious reason.- > What is the current firmware version? "roll back" to what?
The current firmware is 1.0.11.100_10.2.100 and I was considering going to 1.0.9.42
- When you say “reinstall”, are you saying that the firmware also resets whenever I factory reset the router, and that is why I need to reinstall? Or does the firmware remain the way it was at the moment I reset the router? I read somewhere that firmware version isn’t affected by a factory reset.
