R8000p can't update firmware

[ServiceGear]

I had this problem back in Feb 2021 and it was "solved" by Netgear sending me a new (actually, a refurb) router. During the whole, painful process, I was told I would have to pay for support in order to get it fixed (since I was past the initial, 90-day free support period). I told Netgear via phone and email that I was not going to pay a ransom to them to fix a problem with their product. That's when they replaced the router.

The router has been on firmware v1.4.1.68_1.3.28 since then (Feb 21). I see that there have been several firmware updates since then but I have been very reluctant to attempt another update. Does anyone have any experience with updating to any of the more recent firmware versions? Can it be done? Does it work?

Thanks.

[ServiceGear · Accepted solution]

FYI, I tried upgrading directly from v1.4.1.68 to v1.4.4.94 by manually uploading a file from my laptop. It didn’t work. So I upgraded one step at a time (again, manually from my laptop) from v1.4.1.68 to v1.4.2.84 to v1.4.3.88 to v1.4.4.94. That worked fine.

[ServiceGear]

I have been running 1.4.1.68_1.3.28 since Feb 2021 and I have not had any issues. There have been  a few updates since then but I have been reluctant to install any of the new firmware updates, having been burned by Netgear in the past. 

The new updates are: 

v1.4.2.84

v1.4.3.88

v1.4.4.94

Has anyone had any luck updating to any one of these versions? Are any of them stable?

Thanks.

[FURRYe38]

For this issue:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-Wi-Fi-5-AC-Routers/R8000P-Advanced-Setup-Lan-Setup-Addres...

NG gave users a beta which is version v.1.4.4.95 that resolved and fixed the IP address reservation bug found by users with the R7960P and R8000P routers. This was a big issue for the R####P series of routers. 

Was sent to many users that responded back confirming it fixed the issue on there routers.

Though most of these users had most likely had the v.94 version loaded so there routers had already been on most current FW version for the time and had not posted having problems getting there routers past a older FW version or updated. 

[ServiceGear]

Thanks, @FURRYe38 . 

Question: Is it safe to upgrade directly from v1.4.1.68 to v1.4.4.94 or do I need so sneak up on it by upgrading to one or more intermediate versions?

[FURRYe38]

Seems the other have had issued prior to what you have loaded currently. v.50 seem to be one version users have tried to applied and failed. There's were on older versions. So you could try the next FW version up or try going directly to v.94. 
There is a beta as well. 

[ServiceGear · Accepted solution]

FYI, I tried upgrading directly from v1.4.1.68 to v1.4.4.94 by manually uploading a file from my laptop. It didn’t work. So I upgraded one step at a time (again, manually from my laptop) from v1.4.1.68 to v1.4.2.84 to v1.4.3.88 to v1.4.4.94. That worked fine.

[FURRYe38]

Seems that one of those intermediate versions is needed. Glad you got it updated. 

Please mark your thread as solved so others will know. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/24231/How-do-I-back-up-the-router-configuration-settings-on-my-Nighthawk-rout...
Enjoy. 📡

[michaelkenward]

---

@ServiceGear wrote:

FYI, I tried upgrading directly from v1.4.1.68 to v1.4.4.94 by manually uploading a file from my laptop. It didn’t work. So I upgraded one step at a time (again, manually from my laptop) from v1.4.1.68 to v1.4.2.84 to v1.4.3.88 to v1.4.4.94. That worked fine.

---

This happens when there are significant changes in the firmware. For example, the move from the Netgear Genie app to the Nighthawk app was one. From memory, it can be down to the way in which the firmware used its memory.

Too late now, but a strategy that can avoid a step by step change is to start with something between the oldest and the newest. If that works go for something half way between the version that installed and the latest. If it failed more in the other direction and pick one half way between the failed update and the installed version.

Keep going with that strategy until you get to the latest. That can cut through a process that can otherwise entail trying m ore than a dozen different updates.

Sometimes the release notes will tell you that you have to be on version x before you try version y.

This behaviour seems to be specific to the R series, which brings us back to the switch between the two different apps.

---

Just another user with time on their hands.

[dandblitt]

My Nighthawk R8000P still has version 1.4.1.50_1.3.10.  I too have failed in trying to update FW to 1.4.4.94.  I would like to try the intermediate step process, for example to v.1.4.1.68 or v.1.4.2.84, etc. I have tried to find these versions on Netgear's Download Center with no luck. That only gives me the .94 version to upload.  How do I find these intermediate versions, and how do I get them to be added to my Net Gear router interface to be uploaded via ethernet?

[ServiceGear]

Here are the steps that I followed to find previous versions of the firmware:

1. Go to Netgear.com.

2. In the top menu bar, click Support.

3. Enter your model number (R8000P) where it says "Welcome to Netgear Support". 

4. The next page shows your model number and a nice picture of your router. Below that, click on Downloads (or simply scroll down a little bit).

5. You'll see a label that says Current Versions. Six lines below that, you should see a label/link, that says View Previous Versions. Click on that.

6. Each of the previous versions should have Download link. Download the versions you need. 

7. To manually upload the firmware to your router, follow the instruction on page 74 of the Netgear Nighthawk R8000P User Manual.

Manually uploading the firmware to the router is fairly straightforward. 

Although, many people, including myself, have had lot's of trouble trying to update the router beyond v1.4.1.50_1.3.10. My particular problem was only solved after I convinced Netgear to send me a "new" router (they actually sent me a refurb router - which is consistent with the Netgear warranty/service terms and conditions).