Airport Extreme bricked after firmware 7.7.7 update

Question

Level 1

14 points

Airport Extreme bricked after firmware 7.7.7 update

Error while attempting to update the Airport Extreme (model A1521) firmware to version 7.7.7. After clicking "update" for the APE in AirPort Utility app on my MBP, it looked like it was downloading and then restarting, but then the "error occurred while updating the firmware" message popped up.

It then disappeared from the AirPort Utility app. Checking out the physical APE, it's got a fast flashing amber light on.

Perform a "soft" reset per directions on apple support. No change in status in AirPort Utility or LED.

Perform a "hard" reset. No change.

Perform a "factory" reset. Solid green LED for 1 second, off for 1 second, then solid amber LED for 5-10 seconds, then flashing amber LED forever.

Removed all connections to APE, repeated above steps with identical outcome.

Attempted to connect ethernet cable to all ports, one at a time, to MBP and then into a port in another router. No connection.

Removed rubber base from bottom of APE to inspect physical reset button connection with ohmmeter. Button contacts are open when not depressed, shorted when depressed.

APE does not show up at all in AirPort Utility (not in "Other WiFi devices" either).

Pushing reset button on APE does nothing, no matter how long or when it is pushed.

Once power cord is removed and inserted, the indications are always the same, regardless of what I do with the reset button. Solid green LED for 1 second, off for 1 second, solid amber for 5-10 seconds, then flashing amber forever.

The ONLY interaction with the device, which had up until this point was working flawlessly for years, was through the software AirPort Utility. The only physical interaction came after the firmware update bricked it. I simply do not understand how a botched firmware update could brick the APE. The default firmware should still be able to be loaded with the reset sequence.

Please help.

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jun 1, 2016 6:17 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 1, 2016 7:36 PM in response to socal79

You should not have opened it.. Apple may have been talked into replacing it.

Firmware updates are always dangerous.. the airport less so than the vast majority of routers.

However very occasionally something can go wrong and the firmware does not write to the ROM properly. This will leave the router in a state of broken forevermore. You need to replace it unfortunately.

it's got a fast flashing amber light on.

Rapidly flashing means it is in reset mode..

Perform a "factory" reset. Solid green LED for 1 second, off for 1 second, then solid amber LED for 5-10 seconds, then flashing amber LED forever.

Is it flashing quickly or slowly forever?

Does the ethernet light turn on when you plug in ethernet cable?

AFAIK there is no emergency firmware repair method in the airports.. Apple fully trust their upgrade sequence to work, even when firmware is delivered over wireless.. always a big risk cf ethernet.

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Answer 2

socal79 Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 2, 2016 6:18 AM in response to LaPastenague

Opening it is not the worry. There are no tell tale signs that it has been opened, and the plastic bottom just snaps into place. But the concern is understood.

The LED is flashing amber rapidly.

The ethernet LEDs do not light when a plug is inserted. They light green for a second when first powering on the device, then remain off.

Is there a way to update the router through ethernet? It is not showing up in AirPort Utility.

Thanks for the reply.

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Answer 3

hladha

Level 1

8 points

Jun 2, 2016 7:01 AM in response to socal79

I have 1 airport time capsule, 2 airport extremes and 1 airport express. All installed in my home.

Everything was working very well. until an amber light started flashing on my airport extreme. So i brought it down from my bedroom to my study on the ground floor and someone fromapple try to fix the issue online with me.

he ended up messing with the whole setup of all the 4 units !!! i thing the issue was that he updated

the firmware from 7.6.7 to the latest 7.7.7 ...and that was a mistake.

Since then i have been struggling...connexion on/off/on/off...and it goes on.

Very frustrating !!

I haver tried everything.software/hardware/factory reset...nothing works.

anyone knows how i can go back to the old firmware 7.6.7 ??

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Answer 4

Jun 2, 2016 1:36 PM in response to socal79

socal79 wrote:

Opening it is not the worry. There are no tell tale signs that it has been opened, and the plastic bottom just snaps into place. But the concern is understood.

The LED is flashing amber rapidly.

The ethernet LEDs do not light when a plug is inserted. They light green for a second when first powering on the device, then remain off.

Is there a way to update the router through ethernet? It is not showing up in AirPort Utility.

Thanks for the reply.

The fact that the ethernet light does not turn on and the rapid flashing LED means that the update broke it. Plugging ethernet into the router will not help as it is not even recognised.

You can see from other threads there are plenty of issues with update but what you experienced is very rare.. but your airport is now dead. The firmware did not load properly.

Your only hope now is to talk to apple and get a replacement. If you are out of warranty applecare might still cover it if you have any.. or if the airport is less than 2 years old you can still buy some. But talk to apple .. they might be vaguely generous if a firmware update has clearly broken your airport.. which it has.

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Answer 5

Jun 2, 2016 1:40 PM in response to hladha

hladha wrote:

I have 1 airport time capsule, 2 airport extremes and 1 airport express. All installed in my home.

Everything was working very well. until an amber light started flashing on my airport extreme. So i brought it down from my bedroom to my study on the ground floor and someone fromapple try to fix the issue online with me.

he ended up messing with the whole setup of all the 4 units !!! i thing the issue was that he updated

the firmware from 7.6.7 to the latest 7.7.7 ...and that was a mistake.

Since then i have been struggling...connexion on/off/on/off...and it goes on.

Very frustrating !!

I haver tried everything.software/hardware/factory reset...nothing works.

anyone knows how i can go back to the old firmware 7.6.7 ??

Please post your own thread.. the issue you have is not the same as the OP.

Just to be clear.. 7.6.7 is new firmware for older (gen1-5 AE and express). 7.7.7 is only for AC tower models. You cannot go from 7.7.7 to 7.6.7 as they are not compatible.. 7.7.7 will downgrade to 7.7.3 .. hold down the option key and click on the version number in the airport utility summary page.

But please start a new thread if you need more help.

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