Unknown Error 109 during Firmware Update

[akak]

Current Firmware: 1.0.9.26_10.2.31

In attempting to get the latest Firmware Update 1.0.9.28_10.2.32, after accepting "Yes" to start the update it begins to start downloading... Then within 3 seconds the following error appears:

Unknown Error: 109

Then it jumps to the Internet Setup Page. All my settings are still there...Thankfully.

-akak

[Blanca_O · Accepted solution]

Hi akak and jcd1126, 

I tested it in our laboratory and was not able to reproduce the error. I have successfully updated the firmware from 1.0.9.26_10.2.31 to 1.0.9.28_10.2.32. I updated it using the check button in the router web interface and also tried the manual update. The browser I used is Chrome. 

How did you update the firmware? 

I suggest to manually update the firmware. Here's the reference link: 

https://kb.netgear.com/23960/

There is also Hot Fix firmware available. I recommend to update the firmware to the latest version. 

https://kb.netgear.com/000057097/R7000-Firmware-Version-1-0-9-30-Hot-Fix

Regards, 

Blanca

Community Team 

[jcd1126]

Trying to update firmware. Keep getting error code 109. (Same problem as above.)

[antinode]

> Unknown Error: 109

   Normally I prefer plain text, but that's strange enough that a
picture might be interesting.

> [...] Keep getting error code 109.

   If it's repeatable (inescapable?), then it may be time to try the
TFTP recovery scheme:

      https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1533866#M87578

[akak]

It isn't destructive and nothing needs to be recovered, but it is repeatable.

Again, the update begins to start downloading, then within 3 seconds the following error appears: Unknown Error: 109

Then it jumps to the Internet Setup Page and all the original settings still there.

I wonder if Netgear realizes there is an issue, and is it an issue with the current update not being able to process ANY future updates or something else? If this current update addresses the VPNFilter exploit, I'd like to get it on!

[antinode]

> [...] it is repeatable.

   Ok.

> I wonder if Netgear realizes there is an issue, [...]

   Perhaps there's a problem with your particular R7000, and not a
general problem with the R7000.  It's possible that your firmware is
corrupt, and that it can't perform a firmware load operation.  Your
R7000 could also have a hardware problem.

> [...] is it an issue with the current update not being able to process
> ANY future updates or something else? [...]

   There have been many reports of R7000 units being updated from
"V1.0.9.26_10.2.31" to various later versions, so it seems unlikely that
this is a general problem with "V1.0.9.26_10.2.31" or the R7000.

>    If it's repeatable (inescapable?), then it may be time to try the
> TFTP recovery scheme:
>
>       https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1533866#M87578

   Still my advice.

> [...] If this current update addresses the VPNFilter exploit, [...]

   Judging by the date in the Release Notes file for "V1.0.9.28_10.2.32"
("Last Updated:04/03/2018"), I wouldn't expect it to include a fix for a
problem which was announced after that date.

   There is also a "Hot Fix" kit, "V1.0.9.30_10.2.33_beta" ("Last
Updated:04/30/2018"), which, I'd guess, is no better in this respect.
(Look for "Security Hotfix Downloads (Beta Firmware)" under "Pick a
Topic" on http://netgear.com/support/product/r7000.aspx .)

   But, in any case, if the normal firmware load procedure always fails
on your R7000, then any update would seem to need to be done using some
alternative method.

[Blanca_O · Accepted solution]

Hi akak and jcd1126, 

I tested it in our laboratory and was not able to reproduce the error. I have successfully updated the firmware from 1.0.9.26_10.2.31 to 1.0.9.28_10.2.32. I updated it using the check button in the router web interface and also tried the manual update. The browser I used is Chrome. 

How did you update the firmware? 

I suggest to manually update the firmware. Here's the reference link: 

https://kb.netgear.com/23960/

There is also Hot Fix firmware available. I recommend to update the firmware to the latest version. 

https://kb.netgear.com/000057097/R7000-Firmware-Version-1-0-9-30-Hot-Fix

Regards, 

Blanca

Community Team 

[akak]

I'll try the manual upgrade. Here is a video if it helps you to see what we are seeing:

[akak]

A manual upgrade worked. I went with the stable V1.0.9.28_10.2.32 at http://www.netgear.com/support/product/r7000.aspx#docs

instead of the link to the Beta version you posted. I'll let you live on the edge

Thanks for the help.

[test4321]

I get the same error, but why wasnt V1.0.9.26_10.2.32 officially released? There is no link on the downloads page. There is only 1.0.9.28 available for download as latest.

There also 1.0.9.30_10.2.33_beta - but who puts beta software in production environment?

Netgear, get your head together - if you release a version, make it available on downloads page too. 

Also release notes - why was the hotfix released? Why is it a hotfix? Are there potential problems with original firmware? It would be nice to know those things before we update a small office with 40-50 computers to a broken firmware and have no replacement in case it fails.

[bkbell]

Identical problem as the others, older version of the router.  I was trying to update to Firmware version V1.0.1.48_10.0.30 from V1.0.1.46_10.0.28.  I was able to manually update, but it seems like the previous version 1.0.1.46 broke the automatic update feature of the Netgear Genie software.  I don't see any hotfixes for my version of the router but I would love to see the automatic update functionality restored.

[gso]

In the Genie app on the browser, click on Advanced, then click on Reboot in upper left Router Information panel. After it reboots run the firmware update.

[mluvw47]

Got exactly the error message. I used my phone to login 192.168.1.1 Reboot the router and then update firmware work just fine. 

[hankinator]

exactly the same issue with updating from V1.0.9.26_10.2.31. solved with manual update.

[mluvw47]

That is obvious is a repeatable issue. I wonder why NetGear don't do enough QA on this kind of firmware update testing..

sad.

[milesdabhlo]

Same error message. Rebooted router and then was able to updatefirmware.

[madbrain]

Experiencing the same error 109 here trying to update my R7000 .

[madbrain]

Rebooting the router allowed the update to go through without error.

FYI, error 10 in Linux is :

http://www-numi.fnal.gov/offline_software/srt_public_context/WebDocs/Errors/unix_system_errors.html

Probably some kind of leak going on in the R7000 OS causing the issue.

[mluvw47]

Yes, I have experience same thing. Reboot it first then run the update work. You wonder if NetGear would have done some good QA job testing on this.

[JohnnyConkeroo]

I got the same error using the browser interface (both Firefox and Chrome). I installed Genie, which I had not reinstalled after a previous OS reset, and told it to do the update. It succeeded. Wasn't necessary to reboot the router.