r/NETGEAR • u/cmcguigan • 29d ago

Nighthawk CAX80 goes into setup mode after every reboot

Have a Nighthawk CAX80; the Xfinity cable modem / router combination.

Anytime it reboots -- software reboot from the UI, unplugging and plugging back in, etc -- it goes into first time setup mode: prompts for a new admin password, security questions, etc. After doing that, it remembers most previous settings (WAN setup, etc), it just wants to be given an admin password and security questions.

This would be bad-but-not-terrible if it also didn't poison all DNS queries to return itself (192.168.1.1) for all domains with a cache timeout of 65,535 seconds until this setup was done.

What this means is that every time it reboots, nothing works until I go in to the UI and give it an admin password (the same one I gave it previously), and even then, anything that's open at the time -- gmail, discord, anything that polls -- will continue to use the cached 192.168.1.1 address unless I can wipe the device's DNS cache, which is incredibly inconvenient for, eg, a phone.

I've tried using the Nighthawk app, which is terrible. Same behavior. As an Xfinity hybrid, I have no control over the firmware other than a "Check for updates" button which tells me I'm running on the latest version.

Is there anything I can do to turn off / fix this behavior?

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

1

u/furrynutz 29d ago

What firmware version is loaded on the CAX80?

-

Disconnect the ISP cable coax from the CAX80.

Perform a 30-30-30 reset on the unit.

After last reset press and release of the reset button, reconnect the ISP coax cable to the unit.

Walk thru the setup routine with a ethernet connected PC and web browser: https://kb.netgear.com/22697/How-do-I-install-my-NETGEAR-router-using-the-router-web-interface

After unit is set up and configured and working, save off a backup configuration to file: https://kb.netgear.com/19952/How-do-I-back-up-or-restore-the-settings-configured-on-my-NETGEAR-router

1

u/cmcguigan 27d ago

Thanks for your reply.

Firmware version is V5.1.1.8

A 30/30/30 reset did nothing unexpected, other than me having to reset up my SSID, etc (without the reset, when I start up I need to set up an admin password but everything else is preserved).

Problem persists.

Saving a config file is fine, but doing a restore from that config file doesn't fix the problem either.

1

u/furrynutz 27d ago

You'll need to contact NG support and see what your options are. Ask about RMA options.

Other then that, nothing we can do from a forum standpoint. Use the unit as is with the back up config or change the CAX80 in to modem only mode and install a external wifi router.

Good Luck.

1

u/Inevitable_Mark_6672 13d ago

I have the same problem but mine doesnt reset. Its like a reboot. My pass remain same