NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
Latest Update Bricked My R8000 Router
The latest firmware update (R8000-V1.0.4.52_10.1.67) bricked my router! I am using the R8000 Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Smart WiFi Router. I utilized the web interface to update the firmware via a wired ...
There is more severe, recovery reset, that you could try:
- Press reset for 30 seconds
- Keep pressing reset while removing power
- Keep pressing reset for another 30 seconds while apply power
If it works, you may be able to use the usual method to flash the firmware again.
Download the latest firmware for your device – or an older version if that is what you want – and read the Release Notes for how to install it.
If that fails, you are into TFTP country.
How to upload firmware to a NETGEAR router using Windows TFTP | Answer | NETGEAR SupportThis also explains how to tell Windows to use TFTP on your PC.
This isn't the easiest operation, so if you are forced to use it, you could try a web search to find videos that guide you through the process.
The good news is that TFTP has rescued many a dead device.
SpiderRouter wrote:
Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.
That's a hard one.
You have joined in on an ageing conversation, it dates back to June, and there are large holes in your details. It is also about different hardware. You have an R7900 while M3TALHEAD has an R8000.
You might do better to start your own fresh conversation.
Let's start at the beginning.
SpiderRouter wrote:
Hi,
My R7900 router bricked.
What tells you that? Sadly, "bricked" is one of those labels that people use to describe all sorts of things. What does it mean in your case?
SpiderRouter wrote:
I've already followed all of the instructions from the suggested tftp instructions.
It sounds like you are on the right track, but it helps if you can copy and paste all of the messages that you see when you go through the many steps involved.
However, this bit is seriously worrying:
SpiderRouter wrote:
The cmd promp indicates that the firmware R7900P-V1.4.1.56_1.3.14.chk was transferred successfully
I'm not sure if the process is resolved if I don't have R7900 connected to LAN because the power light is still flashing.
The R7900P is not the same as the R7900. They use different firmware. The device should prevent you from using the wrong firmware, but TFTP may subvert those warnings. What do you have?
TFTP isn't the easiest operation, so if you are forced to use it, you could try a web search to find videos that guide you through the process.
The good news is that TFTP has rescued many a dead device.
Thank you. You actually pointed out the firmware and that is likely the issue. I have a R7900 but the firmware is R7900P.
I have watched multiple videos on YouTube with different methods (primarily using tftp2 MFC app) of resolving this but none are very explicit. I rarely register for these boards because for the most part I'm able to figure these things out. Whether I asked using a 7900 or 8000 you still answered so I appreciate it. I currently have both now.
Instead of starting another conversation I brought it here because it's a conversation/question that has already been asked and answered. You pointed out my firmware and that s the second set of eyes that I needed.
When I say bricked, I mean that I awoke last week with A R7900 router that was no longer establishing a LAN OR WAN network even after resetting with flashing power light. I could not run a firmware update and after watching multiple videos that term was used. I purchased the R8000 and still wanted to figure out what I could do to resolve the R7900 you've helped in your own way.
I have watched multiple videos on YouTube with different methods (primarily using tftp2 MFC app) of resolving this but none are very explicit. I rarely register for these boards because for the most part I'm able to figure these things out. Whether I asked using a 7900 or 8000 you still answered so I appreciate it. I currently have both now.
Instead of starting another conversation I brought it here because it's a conversation/question that has already been asked and answered. You pointed out my firmware and that s the second set of eyes that I needed.
When I say bricked, I mean that I awoke last week with A R7900 router that was no longer establishing a LAN OR WAN network even after resetting with flashing power light. I could not run a firmware update and after watching multiple videos that term was used. I purchased the R8000 and still wanted to figure out what I could do to resolve the R7900 you've helped in your own way.
SpiderRouter wrote:
Thank you. You actually pointed out the firmware and that is likely the issue. I have a R7900 but the firmware is R7900P.Heaven only knows how you achieved that. These are two different models, with different hardware (processor chips) inside them. You should not be able to install the wrong firmware on your device. The update process usually throws up its hands and tells you not to be so silly. (I can't remember the exact messages.)
If you forced the wrong firmware on to the device, then you may have killed it permanently. Your best option would be to start from scratch with the right firmware.
If you visit the support pages:
Support | NETGEAR
you can feed in your model number (see the label on it) and find the documentation for your hardware.
It will also have any firmware for your device.> [...] You should not be able to install the wrong firmware on your
> device. [...]"Transfer a firmware image file using TFTP" and "Install firmware"
are spelled differently for a reason. You might not have noticed, but
this wrong-file transfer had no apparent effect. Presumably, you could
send whatever you want using TFTP, but the router is free to ignore it
if it does not look appropriate. The _Trivial_ File Transfer Protocol
is not well-suited to exception handling or returning informative error
messages.> If you forced the wrong firmware on to the device, [...]
That's a big "if".
michaelkenward If you forced the wrong firmware on to the device, then you may have killed it permanently. (I didn't)
Your best option would be to start from scratch with the right firmware. (I did)
Heaven only knows how you achieved that. These are two different models, with different hardware (processor chips) inside them. You should not be able to install the wrong firmware on your device. (I know) The update process usually throws up its hands and tells you not to be so silly. (I can't remember the exact messages.) (It didn't)
I have enough Netgear products EX7500 (extender), 2x EX8000 (extenders) and now R8000P (router) to know how some things should/shouldn't work. This is the first time that I've ever used this "community" and I've shown more gratitude than attitude. At times, the nomenclature of their products can be convoluted and the process of maintaining them as well.
All I did yesterday was change the firmware to the correct model. Anyone that saw my screenshot attached to my original post will see that it said successful in cmd prompt. You pointed out that I had the wrong firmware and once I downloaded the correct firmware version and redid the TFTP process it finally installed. My light is white and although the router was only connected to my computer ethernet (no LAN port) I was able to see that the Wifi was back on and listed amongst available networks. It is working. I've already tested it.
I am moving on from the router and this post.
Peace and Thank You
- Straw, meet Camel.
This was it for me. The same firmware issues you mentioned also caused the exact same WiFi instability I had in 2019 (see my older posts). The "fix" was to reset the device to factory default and start again. This doesn't work for me since I'm using 2 Nighthawks in AP mode and I would have to unplug/disconnect and reset all the settings for the device. It's ridiculous that Netgear cannot come up w a solid firmware design for their outstanding hardware.
Also, the lack of roaming support is terrible. I have places in my home where the Netgear routers (in AP mode) would keep the client connected at 4mbps when I'm standing right by the other AP!
Ive replaced all of my Netgear devices and sold them for dirt cheap. Went with a solid brand name who sounds like A, goes by Zues.
Good luck everyone!