If a VigorAP is not operating normally, then it is very likely that it can be successfully returned to normal operation by performing a firmware upgrade, using the DrayTek Firmware Utility. The DrayTek Firmware Upgrade Utility is a DrayTek specific TFTP utility designed for use with DrayTek products.
If a DrayTek VigorAP is in an inoperable state either due to a failed firmware reflash or any other reason, the access point can be manually put into TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) mode - this is a function separate from the VigorAP's firmware that makes it possible to reflash the firmware when the access point is not able to start up normally.
When a VigorAP is in TFTP mode, its IP address is 192.168.1.1, it will respond to Ping and TFTP connections from the DrayTek Firmware Utility.
There are two firmware file extensions that can be used to send firmware to the VigorAP:
Type | Example | Description |
---|---|---|
ALL File | ap902_123.all | The VigorAP firmware will be upgraded to this firmware version and retain all existing settings |
RST File | ap902_123.rst | Changing the file extension of the file to .rst will set the VigorAP back to its factory default settings |
Firmware recovery is easiest to complete in this order, which this guide will be covering at each step:
Disconnect the computer that will be sending the firmware from its networks, both Wired - disconnect the cable, and Wireless - disable the wireless adapter or enable Airplane mode.
Set up the computer's Ethernet adapter IP address with these details:
IP address | 192.168.1.10 |
Subnet mask | 255.255.255.0 |
Default gateway | no Gateway IP address set |
DNS servers | no DNS IP addresses set |
For guidance on how to change the IP address in different Windows operating systems, see this guide.
Upon starting the DrayTek Firmware Utility, it will pop-up a warning that recommends to disable the computer's firewall. Just click OK to bypass the warning, the Windows Firewall should only be disabled if the Firmware Utility fails to send.
In the Firmware Utility, click "..." for the Firmware File to select the firmware that will be sent by the utility, where the type of firmware to be sent can be selected:
Navigate to the directory that the firmware is located in, select the firmware and click Open:
Standard firmware renamed with .rst extension. Rename the file and change the file type to "(*.rst)" to select the file, then click Open:
With the firmware selected, configure these settings and move on to the next step:
Router IP | 192.168.1.1 |
Password | leave this blank |
Port | 69 |
Time Out | 5 |
Block Size | 512 |
Open the Windows Start menu (Start key) or open the Windows Run prompt (Start+R keys) and type "cmd" then press enter to open the Windows command prompt.
At the command prompt, type "ping -t 192.168.1.1" and press enter. This will start a constant ping to the TFTP IP address, which is useful to determine when the VigorAP's TFTP server is ready to accept firmware.
The pings to 192.168.1.1 will not receive a response, which is normal at this stage. Leave this running and move on to the next step.
Remove the VigorAP from its normal fitted position and connect it directly to the PC running the DrayTek Firmware Utility.
TFTP mode on standard DrayTek VigorAP models such as the VigorAP 902, or VigorAP 810, is activated by powering up the VigorAP while the Factory Reset button is pressed in.
This requires a pen tip or paperclip to press the recessed reset button.
When pressed, the reset button will make an audible clicking sound as the button is depressed.
VigorAP model | LED pattern in TFTP mode |
---|---|
VigorAP 800 | ACT Flashing |
VigorAP 900 | ACT Flashing |
VigorAP 710 | ACT & Repeater Flashing Simultaneously |
VigorAP 810 | ACT & USB Flashing Simultaneously |
VigorAP 902 | ACT & USB Flashing Simultaneously |
Once the VigorAP is in TFTP mode and is connected to the computer, watch the pings to the VigorAP's TFTP IP address - the VigorAP should begin responding to pings after a few seconds, at which point the firmware can be sent:
In the DrayTek Firmware Utility, click the Send button and watch the status, it should look like the animation below:
If the progress bar gets stuck part-way, be patient and it will usually continue. If it doesn't, turn off the AP and power it back up in TFTP mode to try again.
Once the firmware has been sent, the Firmware Utility will pop-up a "Waiting" window, the VigorAP will not respond on the TFTP IP address once it has restarted, so click "Skip" and proceed to the next step.
If a Windows Firewall message pops up, the firmware sending procedure may be able to send successfully even without being allowed access, but if you find the firmware is not sending, click Allow Access for the Firmware Utility.
Once the firmware has been sent to the VigorAP, it will spend 2-3 minutes upgrading its firmware.
During this time, the VigorAP's ACT light will blink quickly.
Do not power off the VigorAP until after it has rebooted
The end of the reflash procedure is indicated by the VigorAP restarting, the ACT & adjacent LED (if present) will be lit constantly for around 5-10 seconds.
Once the VigorAP has restarted, the ACT light should blink once per second, indicating that it is operating normally.
If the VigorAP had standard .all firmware sent to it, the VigorAP will be accessible on the IP address it was on prior to the reflash with all original configuration present. Connect it back up to the network and use the VigorAP as normal.
If the VigorAP had .rst firmware sent to it, the VigorAP will be back to its factory default configuration, which will try to get an IP address through DHCP. Connect it back up to the network and reconfigure the VigorAP.
If the upgrade process shows this error message when attempting to send firmware then the utility has not been able to successfully send the firmware to the VigorAP.
If this occurs, try these steps which should allow the Firmware Upgrade Utility to send to the AP successfully:
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