Nighthawk R8500 not connecting - was working before for a few days now getting an amber light

[Art_Chicago]

Having a similar issue that started two days ago. Internet through wireless stopped working, I can see my home network and sign into my wireless but cannot get to the internet. If I plug in wired to the back of the router I can get the internet but not through the wireless. Tonight I plan on trying a factory reset and firmware update (not sure which firmware I am running now). Any one ese have similar issues? Has there been a recent firmware update released?

[JamesGL]

Hi Art_Chicago,

Did reset work for you?

[Art_Chicago]

No the reset did not work. I am able to access the router through the Genie, set name and passwords throught the Genie but cannot access the interent throught the yellow jack. I had to purchase an inexpensive wireless router at Walmart to get to the internet. I am able to access the internet if I plug my laptop directly into the cable modem (ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem), but not through the Nighthawk wireless. What is the next step for exchange? Thank you

[markg03]

Like most other psost my router just stopped working. Now only the amber power light. Does netgear need to replace it?

[FURRYe38]

I would phone contact them and ask them about this issue. 

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wrote:

Like most other psost my router just stopped working. Now only the amber power light. Does netgear need to replace it?

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[JamesGL]

Hi markg03,

Contact support for warranty entitlement.

[vipsin]

Two - R8500 units got unresponsive in just 24 hours. At first in one of the device 2.4ghz was not working at all and than suddendly only the Power LED was amber and rest all went away and router was not booting at all. In 2nd unit, 1 Band of 5Ghz was not working. While troubleshooting the issue with tech support, suggested to try to downgrade the firmware and soon after downgrading the firmware, the router went in inresponsive infite boot loop with only power LED solid amber and rest of light blinks a sec and than goes away.

Its really strange to have these sort of issue in such an high end devices, was going to the multiplel blogs and found that most of the users faced similar issues, seems there is some PCB design fault in these device.

[thisshouldbeasy]

Unbelieveable and VERY disappointing NETGEAR!!!! I wish I'd seen this forum first. I am having the same issues. Amber power light. No ability to connect via wire or radio. Received it April 30. On the phone with support late at night. Still running in the AM but dead before lunch May 1. This time, support was unable to revive it. I have several Netgear products but am reconsidering my brand loyalty. A home router should be easy...

[JamesGL]

Hi thisshouldbeasy,

Check your warranty with support and have it replaced.

[thisshouldbeasy]

Thanks for the reply JamesGL. This would typically be the first option but I don't feel like taking the risk with another given that this thread is 3 years old and Netgear has not yet managed to resolve the issue. I am returning it to the vendor and will look for other options. My older Netgear router hasn't missed a beat in the meantime. 

[BBentley]

I too am having the same issue. I bought mine in January '18, but wasn't able to get it installed until this last weekend. It lasted all of 24 hrs and then amber power light and nothing else. Mine was setup as an access point. I've tried all the solutions I could find. Reset does nothing and I can't access the router or ping it, so changeing the firmware doesn't appear to be an option. It's obviously out of warranty based on my purchase date, so am I just screwed?

[Deanmastjr]

Easy answer is yes you are screwed... I actually bought mine when it was first released, had nothing but issues, netgear sent me another one, again nothing but issues, tried all sorts of firmware, finally gave it to a friend and got an Asus RT-AC5300, only small issues that were fixed with firmware updates, still runs good but I also have a laptop cooler hooked to it, the Netgear on the other hand worked fine for my friend for 2 years, now it is stuck in a reboot loop, tried everything even a ttl to usb cable to manually clear it and upload new firmware to it using the port on the inside of the unit (this has worked for some people just not me).... dead and worst $400 I ever spent... Netgear messed up, didn't do their due diligence with the X8 which is why you can find them cheap and why Netgear and stores don't even sell them any more. Good luck!!

[newapple]

Nighthawk R8500 not connecting after I moved 2 days ago - it was working great for over 3 years. I have the cable guy here trying to help me get it working but nothing seemed to help

[DarrenM]

Have you tried to factory reset the unit?

https://kb.netgear.com/9665/How-do-I-perform-a-factory-reset-on-my-NETGEAR-router

DarrenM

[Deanmastjr]

Good luck, mine never worked for me right, always doing something crazy, but worked good for a friend for 2 yrs, maybe it just didn't like my equipment, then stopped working, tried all normal things, unplugged and took back to my house where i ordered a part to connect from usb to the internal port, found out it was in a reboot loop, tried unsuccessfully to reprogram, Netgear was good to me for a long time, switched to an Asus and haven't looked back.... also learned to read reviews before I purchase and not to buy new tech right away!!

[mharris6165]

Mine stopped working and have been trying to get it working.  The power light stays on n amber even when trying to do a factory reset.  Is there anyway to update firmware using the USB port?

[PTTHUESCA]

Is it posible to update the firmware using usb? i cant see the router in the app or mac

[Deanmastjr]

the closest thing that i know of is a usb to ttl serial cable using the ttl port on the inside of the unit, i do believe there are some forums dedicated to this but i will tell you that i didnt have any luck with it

[myersw]

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@PTTHUESCA wrote:
Is it posible to update the firmware using usb? i cant see the router in the app or mac

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No you cannot update firmware via a USB flash drive. Very best way is via a PC/MAC Ethernet connected to router and following the directions that are in the text file when you download firmware from the support site. All other ways are fraught with issues. 

[antinode]

> Is it posible to update the firmware using usb? [...]

   Generally, no.

> [...] i can[']t see the router in the app or mac

   "see"?  Which "the app"?  Does your (unspecified) "mac" use a wired
or wireless connection to the router?

   General advice:  Rather than tack your (detail-free) problem report
onto this years-old thread which may have little relevance to your
problem, you should start you own new thread, and include some useful
information about your router and how it's behaving, rather than asking
about how to implement some particular "solution" (like "update the
firmware using usb"), which may or may not make much sense.