Perform a firmware recovery on a router

At some point in its lifespan, a router's firmware may become corrupted, which will prevent the router from booting up and operating normally. For routers that were shipped with a CD, the CD usually contains a Firmware Recovery Tool, which can be used to correct this malfunction.

The steps in this article are required particularly for the newer routers that were not shipped with a setup disk or CD that has a firmware recovery tool, or for older routers whose disks were already misplaced or lost. Most of the routers in the market do not come with a CD anymore for easy setup purposes. So if this problem occurs, they won't have any tool for recovering the firmware in case of a firmware failure.

1. 1
   Identify Firmware failure by one of the following

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   1. Green blinking power light.
   2. Steady amber power light.
   3. No access to administrator user interface.
   4. Router does not assign DHCP address to local clients after factory default.

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2. 2
   Before going ahead with firmware recovery try resetting router using the instructions below

   :

    

   1. Use a paper clip to press and hold the reset button on the back of router for about 5 to 10 seconds.
   2. Release the button when the power LED starts blinking.
   3. Disconnect power for about 10 seconds and then reconnect.

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3. 3
   If the router still is showing above mentioned symptoms, then the following steps should be followed

   :

    

   1. Connect the computer directly to the modem using an Ethernet cable providing that the modem is working fine.
   2. Download the router's latest Firmware. You may download the said file on the manufacturer's website depending on the brand name of the product.
   3. If there is no internet connection from the modem, try to download from another internet connection/network.
   4. Unzip the downloaded file and save it on the desktop page.
   5. Download a TFTP server software. There are many available third party TFTP server software programs available in the internet. There is even a TFTP utility that is built in for Windows. But for this article, we will be using an easy to use third party software that could be downloaded from http://www.shadowsoftware.net/shadowgameworld/downloads/.
   6. Connect the computer to the router. Assign a static IP of the router's default range (192.168.1.x or 192.168.0.x) on the LAN connection.

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4. 4
   To accurately set static IP

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   1. Check the default IP found at the bottom or at the back of the router.
      
      
   2. On the computer. Click on Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
   3. You may also select "Start" and then type "Network and Sharing Center" on the search box found at the bottom of the screen.
      
   4. At the left side select "Change adapter settings". Then right-click "Local Area Connection" and select "Properties"
      
      
   5. Highlight "Internet Protocol Version 4" (TCP/IPv4). Select "Properties"
      
   6. You should see a window pop up. Set the static IP based on the range of the default IP address. On this example, the default IP is 192.168.1.1 so, we set the IP to 192.168.1.100. Once done, select "OK."
      

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5. 5
   Now we can begin to flash the firmware of the router

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   1. Run the tftp2.exe file that was downloaded earlier.
   2. You should see this window on the screen.
      
   3. In the field "Server" enter the default IP of the router.
   4. In the field "Password" enter the default password of the router. You will not need any username.
   5. In the field "File" browse and locate the firmware file that was downloaded earlier.
   6. Turn the router off for 10 seconds and turn it back on.
   7. While the router is still in the boot process. And when the power light is still amber, click on "Upgrade" and wait for the process to be completed.
   8. Once the process is complete. the power light should turn stable, and you can reconfigure the router accordingly.
   9. Do not forget to set the computer back to dynamic IP. To do this, just follow the steps above.

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6. 6
   What does TFTP mean

   ?

   TFTP or Trivial File Transfer Protocol is a basic functionality of transferring file configurations between machines in a local environment. TFTP is limited and rarely used, as it does not need any authentication, unlike the FTP.

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7. 7
   Other way to recover/perform TFTP

   .

   To complete these troubleshooting steps, you don't need to download any other software to perform recovery, aside from the firmware of the router you wish to recover. You will be using a command prompt to do these steps. Please see below:  

   1. Download the firmware of the router you wish to recover. Make sure you download the latest update.
   2. Make sure to save the file where you can easily locate it.
   3. If you have downloaded a zip file format. Just right click then unzip.
   4. Open the file folder and copy the firmware from the folder where you extracted it.
   5. Close all Windows and go to your Start/Windows logo. Then click "Computer" or "My Computer".
   6. Go to your disk drive C and paste the file there and not on any folder.
   7. Make sure you have the full name of the file when you paste it in the C drive. Close all Windows and open the command prompt.
   8. Go to your Windows logo. Then go to the control panel, and then click "Programs".
   9. Under the programs and features that you opened. Click on the "Turn Windows features on or off" section.
   10. On the Windows features box. Scroll down to look for the "TFTP Client" folder, and check the box beside it.
   11. Wait for the process to enable the TFTP.
   12. Set the static IP on your LAN adapter. Make sure that the IP address is in line with the router's IP address.
   13. Once done with setting the static IP on the LAN adapter. Open the command prompt by going to Start > All Programs > Accessories, then click on Command Prompt.
   14. Type in the command as "tftp -I 192.168.1.1". Then put (space)(firmware_filename).
       
   15. After the process is finished. Restart or power cycle the router to refresh its system. Then check to see if your getting a valid IP address from the router.

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• Before you proceed to recover the firmware, make sure to first set the static IP address on your computer that is in line with your router's IP address and do a ping test. If the router would not reply to the ping test, meaning the router is dead already, then you may need to replace it with a brand new router.

My firmware is corrupt, need help?

My firmware is corrupt on my NETGEAR WNDR4500 router. I am trying to manually reload the firmware. I have already downloaded the firmware and the FTP. I am having a hard time getting the router to recognize the computer so I can upload the firmware.

NETGEAR recommends that you use a computer that is wired to the router to perform this procedure. If you don't, you may experience a wireless disconnect during the procedure, which could corrupt your router.

To install the firmware you've downloaded, follow these steps:

• Visit http://www.routerlogin.net/.
• Click the Advanced Tab, and go to Administration and click Router Upgrade.
• Click Browse to find the firmware file and click upload to begin the process.

If your router doesn't let you log into it through that website, you will need to call NETGEAR to fix the issue since its software is corrupt and won't allow you to upgrade it.

How do I recover firmware on Netgear wndr4500v2 after a bad firmware update?

Already power cycled numerous times, already turned off for 30 minutes + and tried to power cycle again, tried resetting to factory settings (all didn't work); what I want to know is if I can download the updated firmware and install it on the router without having to access 'routerlogin.net'

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

I need help with a Netgear wndr4500?

Power LED is flashing green. I don't know how to update the Firmware, because even when I tried to connect the router through a cable, I can't get anywhere

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

My router Netgear 6220 reset itself while I was on vacation?

Upon returning home, it came up on my (old) Mac with all the original factory settings and asked me to upgrade the firmware. That process failed halfway through and now I can't get it to respond to either my (new) PC or my old Mac.

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

Need help on router LED lights?

Perhaps you can help me, I reset my router r6300 version 2 yesterday morning, I got everything back working except for power and internet are like amber yellow and I don't know how to make them green

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

Not able to make the tftp program to work?

I did all the steps, inclusive tried to ping the router. If I ping 192.168.1.1 (default router IP) it doesn't return any answer, however if I ping 192.168.1.100 (as entered in the IP dialog box) it does get an answer. The tftp2 software is giving me the following answer: unable to get response from the server

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How to use tftp, I keep getting error messages?

I'm trying to do tftp -I 192.168.1.1. I put the file name and all I keep getting back is "timeout occurred, connect request failed".

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

I can't ping WNDR 4500 at 192.168.0.1 or 1.1?

Green light is blinking so I need to update or fix the Firmware

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

TP Link Archer C9 router firmware issue?

Sir, my TP Link Archer C9 router firmware is corrupted, so I can't enter the configuration. How can I recover it? Please help me!

Power up the router. Turn the router around so that the back panel faces you. You will see the "Reset/WPS" button next to the Internet socket. Press and hold the "Reset/WPS" button for 8 seconds. Release the button and wait the router to reboot to its factory default settings. If this procedure has not helped you, then follow steps 3-7 in the article above (in step 3, download tftp2.exe from the link). For the firmware BIN file, please navigate to http://www.tp-link.us/download/Archer-C9.html#Firmware. If you are outside of the United States, then you will need to choose your region by clicking the word "here" in "Click here to choose your region for the most suitable firmware" on the web page.

The last method is bringing the router it to a TP-Link service center for repairs.

Hello, I have bricked my Netgear R7500 trying to flash it for open-wrt?

Is there anyway to unbrick it? I have tried: I've tried to reinstall firmware using TFTP.

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

Digisol firmware dd-wrt installation?

How to install dd-wrt firmware in my digisol WiFi router.

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

I have some difficulties with Multi Modem Zyxel P-2812HNU F3?

It's firmware is doubtful. Can't access USB File Sharing. Tried resetting the firmware version. Not accepted by Router. According to me there are some flows in the software. Do you have any suggestions? No solutions so far. Not even at Zyxel's troubleshooting site.

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

I used bad firmware to the router, how could I forced my router to get firmware?

I used DD-wrt firmware before one month when I tried to get the original firmware back , I used bad firmware and router not working now at all

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

Can't tftp to install firmware on my router. Have access to GUI, but it is useless?

I installed a version on Tomato, but the GUI just says System and LAN with no info for them. I'm guessing it is a bad copy or installed improperly. Now I have no way top flash new firmware through the GUI. I tried tftp but can't connect. My router is a Netgear R7000. Can tftp to my router. I have tried every way I know how to connect. I have tried: I have tried a tftp connection but failed. That is the only thing I can think of. I think it was caused by: I flashed bad firmware I believe that is the only thing I can think of

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See more questions like this: Sir that tftp2.exe link is expired and I have a router which is on bad firmware?

Accidentally deleted file flash how do I regain the properties?

Want to continue the configuration but can't go through the start up menu.when listing the file flash files it says failed! The article doesn't mention the recovery of file flash properties

VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.

Tenda w316r damaged firmware Flashing. I look for a solution to get back the device frameware?

Dear Sir. . I have one Tenda w316r router which it's frameware has been damaged by upgrading with wrong frameware version . . I have tried to flash it by using your instruction but unfortunately TFTP2 cannot connect to my device so process failed.. I have changed the IP several times and tried with different IP range as well as default one. . could you please let me know How can I solve it or if you have any experience with such router.. I have seen in some pages that the opened the modem and used some wires to connect to modem and used several program which was difficult to me.. do you have any simplest solution?. . Kind Regards,. Hamid. I have done the process same as the article but it tries to connect to the device 3 times as default number but it cannot connect even I have tried with several IP

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If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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