I got a notice for an update on my R6700 yesterday.

[randyg6224]

I received a notice of an update for my nighthawk router.  I started the update process on my nighthawk app on my iphone.  Tried it twice failing both times, now router is not responding.  I switched back to my old router and everything works fine.  Tried connecting my nighthawk again, no service.  What can I do?  HELP!!  Thanks

[James721]

NEVER upgrade firmware from a APP.  What can you do, jump through a ton of hoops and try and unbrick the router or buy another one from someone else other then Netgear. Look folks it's time to wake up and smell the coffee. Netgear firmware is crap. Im sorry but it's just a fact. 

[randyg6224]

So your saying my router is now junk?  It's still under warranty.

[plemans]

A couple things you can try. I think @James721 is just saying don't update over the app. I never recommend it either. I always recommend updating over a hardwired connection. 

Is the light's doing anything? if you're getting a power light, there's hope for it. 

Things to try in order.

1. Factory reset. Push and hold reset while powered on. Hold until the lights change

2. Didn't work? Try recoving with a tftp procedure. Pretty easy to do but make sure to follow the procedure exactly. watch for spaces and capitalization. 

https://kb.netgear.com/000059634/How-to-upload-firmware-to-a-NETGEAR-router-using-Windows-TFTP

also make sure to enable tftp from within windows.

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/enable-tftp-windows-10

3. didn't work? If its still within your warranty period, you can RMA it to netgear. First click on mynetgear at the top. Register an account and then your device. From there you can go through the RMA process. DO NOT google for netgear support. It leads you to a bunch of scam/con sites. You need to go through the mynetgear.  

[randyg6224]

I do have a blinking power-on light (yellow) and port 1 is lit.  I tried the reset button, didn't work.  I looked at option #2, thats over my head.  Any other idea before I contact tech support?  Thanks

[plemans]

Try option 2 and just follow the instructions. Worst case it makes you do the rma option. It's not hard. You just need to follow the directions. There's videos on YouTube

[plemans]

Here's a video walk through of an extender being flashed with tftp. same basic procedure though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9DLrLQrpaw

[randyg6224]

I contacted tech support last night.  After trying a few things they did issue me a RMA and are going to replace my unit.  Thanks for all your help.

[plemans]

Glad to hear you got a fix started. Sorry it was an RMA.

[whee]

Yeah same thing happened to me. I tried updating the firmware through a hardwire connection though. Same outcome. You'd think the firmware provided by NETGEAR wouldn't make the device unusable. I don't think your issue was that it was done via wifi. Tried the factory reset, 30-30-30 reset and TFTP recovery method.. Power button continues to blink orange. Ping and TFTP transfer were both succesfully, but R6700 won't budge off of blinking orange power light. I guess I'll go through the warranty return. The problem is I'm not going to use a new one. I'll never own another netgear product again. Reviews of netgear firmware mirror are issues.

[plemans]

@whee sometimes you have to do tftp more than once.

[whee]

I've done it about 8 times.

[plemans]

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@whee wrote:

I've done it about 8 times.

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Then maybe you have a device with a hardware failure. 

If you're still within your warranty period, you can open an RMA with netgear. 

[randyg6224]

I'll use the replacement they send me.  Another problem arise, I will not use NetGear again!

[plemans]

No worries. 

I would make sure to do any upgrades over a hardwired connection when you do them. I usually disable auto updates to prevent the issues when updating wirelessly.