When I download the newest firmware, the download is a .ZIP containing, a .CHK, and a HTML file?

antinode

Guru

Feb 19, 2021

> [...] the ZIP file is nothing more than a .CHK file, and an HTML.

Yup. And you were expecting what, exactly?

> Does it matter if my version is a tad lower than the most current
> version, [...]

Not to me.

> [...] and according to netgear, my firmware is UP TO DATE?

Which part of Netgear do you trust more?

> [...] WHY, am I not receiving an actual firmware update file, [...]

What led you to believe that you'd know "an actual firmware update
file" if you tripped over one?

https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1721037#M124018

Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your (actual) model number,
and look for Downloads. (For older versions, under Firmware and
Software Downloads, look for "View Previous Versions".) Find the
kit(s). Download the kit(s) you want. Read the "Release Notes" file
for instructions. (In the User Manual, look for "firmware", and,
especially, for a topic like "Manually Upload Firmware to the Router".)
When that fails because of a deficient User Manual, try:

https://kb.netgear.com/23960

michaelkenward
Guru - Experienced User
Feb 20, 2021
NettyJim17 wrote:

So unless, I do not know which method I need to do, to download these two files, then please enlighten me. I have download hundreds of files in my computer-ing history, and this is the first time, I ever ran into this, when I can not open, or do the update.(s)

The link I provided took you to the official Netgear KnowledgeBase article on how to manually update the firmware on any device. That's the process that No1Mportnt mentioned.

The release notes that you can read before you download the zip file should also have similar instructions. No guarantees there because Netgear has a habit of changing things without warning us.

I decided to keep it simple, without throwing on gratuitous insults or useless details, and because I thought that Netgear's instructions were straightforward. Maybe not. Are you still after help?

Those .img and .chk extensions can certainly confuse people because they are not unique. The trouble is that there are limits to the number of extensions available. You just have to know that they are not files that you can open or run. In this case, you have to use a browser to "send" the file to your router. It then writes the data into its memory, replacing the old firmware.

It is actually a pretty straightforward process. One you have done it you will quickly become a pro at firmware updates. It is worth getting familiar with the process because it is more reliable and safer than allowing the router to do its own thing, especially when that involves a wifi connection that can fall over in mid transfer, leaving you with a dead device.
antinode
Guru
Feb 20, 2021
> [...] When I try to open the .chk file, I get the grey box, as you can
> see.

   Yup. And where in the instructions did it say to do that?

> Maybe I am doing something wrong. [...]

   Like not reading and following the instructions? That might explain
it.

> AM I ONLY SUPPOSED TO GET THESE TWO, .CHK FILE, AND HTML FILES? [...]

   YES.

> [...] IF SO, WHY CAN'T I OPEN AND UPDATE MY FIRMWARE?

   BECAUSE THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO UPDATE FIRMWARE ON THIS ROUTER.

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

   When you get to "8. Unzip the file if needed.", right-click on the
".zip" archive file (in File Explorer), and select "Extract all..." to
extract the files from the zip archive. Watch where they go, because
you'll need to find the ".chk" file later.

> [...] It does not open up, it does not 'magically,' and
> automatically, do the update, it does nothing at all.

   That's why it helps to follow the instructions, instead of simply
believing that whatever you did before, in some completely different
situation, will work for this, too.

Forum Discussion

When I download the newest firmware, the download is a .ZIP containing, a .CHK, and a HTML file?