Re: R7960P firmware not upgrading

samfromco · ‎2020-10-10

Unable to upgrade the firmware, using webconsole or uploading manually.

Customer support doen't stand behind their product quality. And belittles their customers. So pathetic, Netgear lost me as a customer. And they need me to add technical support plan to fix their firmware

Returning the router to costco and get a different brand one

onepiece · ‎2021-11-01

Was able to flash to latest firmware version using nmrpflash.

Please take a back of the config before using this utility.
https://github.com/jclehner/nmrpflash
Original solution:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-WiFi-Routers/TFTP-Issues-Bricked-R6700v2/m-p/1974041/high...

View solution in original post

michaelkenward · ‎2020-10-11

@samfromco wrote:

Unable to upgrade the firmware, using webconsole or uploading manually.

That could mean many things.

What are you doing and where does it go wrong?

@samfromco wrote:

Customer support doen't stand behind their product quality.

Support can only help when it knows what is going on. You have to explain things to them, before they can help.

samfromco · ‎2020-10-12

Hi @michaelkenward,

I have clicked on update firmware button on the top when I login to router admiin console, router goes through the update firmware process, reboots and the firmware version remains same as the old one and it is not updated.

I did Reset the router to factory defaults to ruleout any configurtion settings issues, repeated the same steps as above but the result is same.

Then I have downloaded firmware, unzipped and tried to update firmware by uploading *.chk file and same result.

Please suggest what else I can do.

Thanks in advance

michaelkenward · ‎2020-10-12

Which firmware version do you have now, and what are you trying to move to.

Your subject says R7960P but the footer in your message says R7900. Which are we talking about?

samfromco · ‎2020-10-12

New firmware is found. Do you want to update the firmware? (Yes) (No)
Current Firmware Version	1.4.1.44
New Firmware Version	1.4.1.64_1.3.25
Release Notes
1. [New Features and Enhancements] Supports NETGEAR Armor
2. [New Features and Enhancements] Improves the device type and model detection
3. [Security Fixes] This firmware fixes security issues.
4. [Security Fixes] This firmware fixes security issues.

The one I have is Nighthawk R7960P

michaelkenward · ‎2020-10-12

From 1.4.1.44 to 1.4.1.64 is not a huge leap. Sometimes there are so many stages in between that you have to work your way up.

You could try a manual update to 1.4.1.50 to see if this unsticks the process.

If that takes move up to the next level.

samfromco · ‎2020-10-13

Hi,

Tried to upgrade to version 1.4.1.50 (for R7900 as I couldn't find one for R7906) both manually and tftp way and no success.

Thanks

michaelkenward · ‎2020-10-13

@samfromco wrote:

Hi,

Tried to upgrade to version 1.4.1.50 (for R7900 as I couldn't find one for R7906) both manually and tftp way and no success.

Thanks

You cannot use firmware for one device on different hardware.

Persist and you can break the thing permanently.

The only place to get firmware for your device is from its support pages:

Support | NETGEAR

aveatr · ‎2020-10-18

I returned both routers to Costco.

Bieber to purchase a NETGEAR product again.

aveatr · ‎2020-10-18

Never will I purchase NETGEAR again

kmich2001 · ‎2020-12-06

I have same issue identified as others. I get an update found indicating my current firmware 1.4.1.44 has a new version available 1.4.1.64_1.3.25. When I selrct update, the router does reboot however the vession number does not change and indicates the same is available to update. I have reset factory settings and I continue to get the same issue. Any ideas on how to get the firmware update to work?

michaelkenward · ‎2020-12-06

Tried this?

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

samfromco · ‎2020-12-06

Tried the manual approach but it doesn't want to upgrade. Ended up returning in costco.
Thanks,
Sam

rwrose298 · ‎2021-03-04

I also tried to update the router firmware today (3/4/2021) and it did not update. Tried manually also with the same results. I did notice that WinZip defines the "chk" file as a recovered file fragment. Since that is the file that is not installing correction efforts need to be centered there. Hope you give this some attention soon.

PalmSpringsBill · ‎2021-03-18

I have firmware version V1.4.1.50_1.3.10 and I'm having the same firmware update issue.

I tried update through Nighthawk App and says successful but firrmware version never changes.

I've tried with browser over wifi with router login page and it errors out.

I've tried manually with ethernet cable to router using R7960P-V1.4.1.68_1.3.28 CHK file. Goes through process and reboots but firmware version doesn't change.

michaelkenward · ‎2021-03-19

@PalmSpringsBill wrote:

I tried update through Nighthawk App and says successful but firrmware version never changes.

I've tried with browser over wifi with router login page and it errors out.

Experienced users caution against using these routes.

Automated updates require the router to go and get the file, store it in memory and then run the update. It doesn't take much imagination to see how things can go wrong in comparison with downloading the file yourself and using a wired connection to do the upgrade.

But as you have found this doesn't always stick.

PalmSpringsBill · ‎2021-03-19

That's not very helpful 🙂

So basically not follow the manufactureres instructions.

michaelkenward · ‎2021-03-19

@PalmSpringsBill wrote:

So basically not follow the manufactureres instructions.

Those are the manufacturer's instructions

MarkSparks · ‎2021-03-19

I have the same issue with the X6S/RS7960P routers. I have 2 of these and they both exhibit the same reluctance to update firmware. I too have tried all 3 methods with the same failed result. I administer many routers and this is the only one that doesn't update firmware properly.

After reading this thread, I am beginning to believe there is an inherent flaw in this router's hardware. This appears to be a Costco "special" from Netgear. I am going to return both routers to Costco. I also am not going to buy any more Netgear routers. I used to hold Netgear up as a legitimate router supplier but their failure to address this issue that has now been persisting for nearly a year is extremely disappointing.

Good bye Netgear.

kmich2001 · ‎2021-03-19

I did the same thing (returning to COSTCO). It was an issue that support could not (Would not) address. Made no sense and I was tired sepending hours trying to fix. I was glad to return and try another product.

kmich2001 · ‎2021-03-19

The reply "Model #" does not allow R7960P. it only allows R7900.

michaelkenward · ‎2021-03-19

@kmich2001 wrote:

The reply "Model #" does not allow R7960P. it only allows R7900.

Not for the first time, Netgear's database is out of date.

yorugua2001 · ‎2021-07-13

having the same issue, tried manually upgrading and haven't worked, it works great but the firmware is outdated, another issue that has is that sometimes when i reboot it, it looses all the settings.

MarkSparks · ‎2021-07-14

So this issue has been reported here and languishing for almost a year now and there is COMPLETE RADIO SILENCE from Negear. This is unbelieveable to me. I am sure they monitor this forum but do not want to have to answer the question "Why isn't Netgear fixing this problem?!"

It must be a "hardwired" problem that they don't want to have to issue a recall of the units to fix. They are leaving it to us to "eat" their mistake. Unbelievable!! At least there are other good manufactures of routers and switches out there. No more Netgear junk for me!!

kmich2001 · ‎2021-07-14

I returned mine and moved on to another manufacture.