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If your NETGEAR router is unusable (bricked) or experiences other problems during or after a firmware update, you can use a TFTP client on your computer to upload firmware to your router remotely.

These instructions are specific to Microsoft Windows computers. For Apple macOS computers, see How do I upload firmware to my NETGEAR router using TFTP on Apple macOS?

You might want to try to upload firmware to your router via TFTP if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • Router is unusable (bricked) after a firmware update
  • Router doesn’t boot properly
  • Power LED is blinking or solid amber
  • Firmware update attempts fail
  • Unable to access router web interface
  • Router does not assign DHCP addresses to clients

Important: Uploading firmware to your router via TFTP requires more networking and computer knowledge than updating from the router web interface. Read through all of the following instructions before proceeding. If you do not understand any step of the process, contact NETGEAR technical support and do not proceed.

To upload firmware to your NETGEAR router using a TFTP client on Microsoft Windows:

  1. Download and install Tftpd64 from the Tftpd64 website.
  2. Download the ZIP file containing your router’s firmware update file from the NETGEAR Download Center.
  3. Extract the ZIP file to your desktop. The firmware file format is either .img or .chk.
  4. Using an Ethernet cable, connect your computer directly to your router.
  5. Set your computer to use a static IP address:
    1. Click the Windows icon in the taskbar or press the Windows key on your keyboard. The Start menu displays.
    2. Type network connections.
    3. Click View network connections or press the Enter key.
    4. Right-click Ethernet and select Properties.
    5. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
    6. Select Use the following IP address and enter the following values:
      • IP address: 192.168.1.10
      • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
      • Default gateway: 192.168.1.1
    7. Click OK to save the configuration.
  6. Configure Tftpd64 to connect to your router:
    1. Launch Tftpd64.
    2. In the Server interfaces field, select your computer’s LAN adapter.
    3. In the Host field, enter 192.168.1.1 (the default router IP address).
    4. In the Port field, enter 69 (the default port number for TFTP).
    5. Click the … button next to the Local File field.
    6. Browse to the firmware file that you downloaded and select it.
      Caution: Do not click Put until you are instructed to do so!
  7. Unplug all other Ethernet connections from your router, leaving only your computer connected.
  8. Turn your router off for 10 seconds.
  9. Turn your router back on.
  10. Wait for the Power LED to light orange and start flashing.
  11. When the Power LED is flashing, click Put in Tftpd64 to initiate the firmware upload. The upload might take a few minutes.
  12. If the firmware upload is successful, a dialog box appears to confirm the blocks transferred, with a 0 block retransmitted message and a MD5 checksum. If the firmware upload fails, repeat steps 8-11.
  13. Wait about 4 minutes for the router to finish storing the firmware into its flash memory. When finished, the Power LED turns solid white and the wireless LEDs light up.
  14. Return your Ethernet network connection settings in Windows to the previous settings.

If you don't want to download a TFTP client, you can also upload firmware using the Microsoft Windows Command Prompt. For more information, see How do I upload firmware to my NETGEAR router using TFTP using the Microsoft Windows Command Prompt?

Last Updated:07/07/2025 | Article ID: 000059633

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