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Forum Discussion
RAX45 won't power up after outage without physically actuating switch or unplugging connector
Have the RAX45 updated to V1.0.15.128_2.0.89 (updated to latest hotfix version to see it that would help - but didn't) and behind a UPS. After an extended power outage causing the UPS to shut down the RAX45 would not turn on - no lights - no functionality. After repeated trails I have identified the following 'feature' which seems completely wrong and does not work for my application/needs!
After a power loss to the RAX45 the router will not power up again if power is restored to the transformer. I tried another transformer too with same results. In order to get the router to turn ON you need to either physically cycle the power switch on the back of the router, or unplug and re-insert the power connector on the back of the router! Not once after multiple attempts will the router power up when power is removed and then re-supplied to the transformer (through unplugging and plugging it back in, or attaching it to a power strip with a switch and using that to cut and re-supply power). Yes, waited over 60 seconds between states for all tests.
The problem here is that if we are not physically present after an extended power loss (long enough for the UPS to go down or approx. 4 hours) we will have no functionality in our smart home until we return home and can physically intervene! We travel a bit and have a second home, and power outages are unfortunately becoming more common...
Is this a broken router, or a 'feature' common to other Netgear routers?! I need to have a unit which will power back on when power is restored! I even have a remotely activated power switch which works off a cellular device mainly used for our alarm system which will allow me to power cycle the router remotely, however, that does absolutely NO good since the router will not actually turn back on until I can be back home physically.... Very bad design and/or failure mode?
Anyone else try this on thier RAX45? Do I have a bad one, or are they all like this? I am planning on leaving for 2 weeks very soon and need to have this resolved. Hate to just start buying and testing routers to see if they work or not.
4 Replies
jjh34 wrote:
After a power loss to the RAX45 the router will not power up again if power is restored to the transformer.
That's with the adapter plugged into the wall and not through the UPS or any other device?
Is this a broken router, or a 'feature' common to other Netgear routers?!I'd say broken. I can't recall seeing any mentioned of that here before.
Is it the router not powering up, or failing to get an Internet connection. I ask because I have seen that happen when the modem takes so long to connect that the router times out.
Have you reset the router to see if that fixes it?
How do I perform a factory reset on my NETGEAR router? | Answer | NETGEAR Support
Maybe something got scrambled in the settings during those power cuts.
After a power loss to the RAX45 the router will not power up again if power is restored to the transformer.
That's with the adapter plugged into the wall and not through the UPS or any other device?
Correct, plugged into the wall. I even measured the voltage (12v) to ensure it wasn't something flaky with the 2 power supplies I tried. They both output 12v immediately when plugged in.
Is this a broken router, or a 'feature' common to other Netgear routers?!
I'd say broken. I can't recall seeing any mentioned of that here before.
Is it the router not powering up, or failing to get an Internet connection. I ask because I have seen that happen when the modem takes so long to connect that the router times out.
The router does not power up - no lights at all. Not a connection or timing issue with the modem.
Have you reset the router to see if that fixes it?
How do I perform a factory reset on my NETGEAR router? | Answer | NETGEAR Support
Maybe something got scrambled in the settings during those power cuts.
That is one thing I have not tried yet. I will give that a whirl when I get back home and report out. It's a 100% repeatable issue, so it will be easy to verify! Thank you for the reply!
Completed a factory reset, then set back up. Same issue, the router upon power loss at the transformer (unplug, wait 30 seconds, plug back in - OR - turn off power strip transformer is plugged into, wait 30 seconds, turn power strip back on) will not re-boot. No white light as it normally first displays at beginning of boot sequence, total darkness.
If I either unplug the power connector from the back of the RAX45 and re-insert, or cycle the power button on the back of the router while the transformer has power already supplied - the router boots and operates perfectly. It has run for months on end with no issue's, but cannot handle a power outage evidently?!
The connector is fine, back of the router fine, no amount of wiggling makes a difference, or cuts power to the router once up and running. It is ONLY when power is cut from the transformer and then re-instated that the router refuses to even begin to boot.
Very frustrating, and a deal breaker for keeping the unit. Problem is, what router should I replace it with?! I need one that will actually power on when...the power turns back on!
