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Instructions for firmware updating with browser instead of phone are incorrect. It says to connect the PC to the router with an ethernet cable. When this is done, the login page says it must be connected by WiFi. When a cable is attached the PC switches to the cable instead of WiFi. So no update is possible without correct instructions.
There is also confusion about the password. The instructions say the recovery procedure displays the password but it does not, it just offers to reset the password. Which password is this? Is this the password all devices use to access the network, or something else? As the router is working it seems best to pass on this update just announced, for whatever odd reason they have for it -- or instead of paying for service, buy another one, maybe a better brand.
Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your (actual) model number, and look for Documentation. Get the User Manual. Read. Look for "Types of Logins". Further reading might not hurt, either.
> [...] As the router is working it seems best to pass on this update > [...]
Netgear router R6080 Nighthawk. An email received advising to update firmware with new version released for security improvements, with links to articles on Nighthawk phone app updating and updating with web browser. They log into the router using web address routerlogin.net or routerlogin.com, which displays a request to enter username (default admin), and a password -- or click "cancel" to show a password reset form (which instructions say will display the password but does not, just resets it), using serial number. The product label also shows a password, which doesn't work anymore.
My guess is this is a password for router configuration as opposed to the password used by devices to access WiFi internet, but they don't make this clear. I find no explanation of how this thing works, but the initial setup instructions work, so not messing with it.
When connecting to routerlogin.net with an ethernet cable, it shows an error screen saying the connection must be by WiFi, despite the instruction article saying to use a cable. Obviously the phone app connects via WiFi.
> [...] The product label also shows a password, [...]
Again, I can't see at what you're looking.
I'd expect the product label to show two (different) types of "a password", as explained in the User Manual, under "Types of Logins", as suggested above.
> [...] it shows an error screen saying the connection must be by WiFi, > despite the instruction article saying to use a cable. [...]
Which is why it has been described (in the above-cited thread) as "what may be the worst error message in the world".
Yes, some Netgear documentation stinks. You could pout or complain about this. Or, you could find and read additional information which should let you get on with the task at hand.
The manual section on firmware updating does not mention "connect with an ethernet cable" as does the article on the website -- just typical tech writing detail. Just connect to router.login.net. This is not the network login but router management login, with default user admin, password "password" for initial setup. The phone app is just a substitute for any browser when PC not used.
When router.login.com,.net is not available (probably not in DNS), the manual shows the direct IP address numbers to use, typical for such network devices, modems etc. When new firmware is available the initial BASIC mgt screen has an added notice tab to go directly to update without going to Advanced>Administration.
> The manual section on firmware updating does not mention "connect with > an ethernet cable" as does the article on the website -- just typical > tech writing detail. Just connect to router.login.net. [...]
That's probably because either a wired or wireless connection should work. A wired connection is always more reliable, and reliability might matter more when loading firmware than it would normally.
_Which_ "the article" on _which_ "the website"? (And you complain about sloppy descriptions from _Netgear_?)
> [...] This is not the network login but router management login, with > default user admin, password "password" for initial setup. [...]
I know that. I've read the "Types of Logins" section of the User Manual. Have you?
> When router.login.com,.net is not available (probably not in DNS), > [...]
There's more than one kind of "not available". One particular such problem has already been explained.
I'm not sure what these rambling comments are intended to contribute.
