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GL-AR300m16-ext - not accepting firmware

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Tue, 10/14/2025 - 22:18
#1
K1DOS
GL-AR300m16-ext - not accepting firmware
I just purchased 3 GL-iNet mini smart routers "shadow", model GLL-AR300M16-Ext. and I cannot seem to get the ARDEN firmware to take.

When I upload aredn-20250928-dadf66e3-ath79-nand-glinet_gl-ar300m-nand-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin the router accepts the firmware with warning, displays the keep settings slider, and presents the "install" button.  I press install, router reboots back to GL-iNET firmware.

Can anyone advise what I am doing wrong?  Note: if I try to load aredn-20250928-dadf66e3-ath79-generic-glinet_gl-ar300m16-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin the router update page presents an error.

Advise appreciated.

Thanks Hank / K1DOS
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Wed, 10/15/2025 - 11:32
w6bi
w6bi's picture
Supported Model?
The AFS (firmware selector) shows support for the GL-AR300M16 but not the GL-AR300M16-Ext.  You'd think they were the same - but maybe not.   

Orv W6BI
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Wed, 10/15/2025 - 12:22
nc8q
nc8q's picture
displays the keep settings slider, and presents the "install" bu
"displays the keep settings slider, and presents the "install" button.  I press install,"

Hi, Hank:

1. "When I upload
aredn-20250928-dadf66e3-ath79-nand-glinet_gl-ar300m-nand-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin"
That may be the wrong firmware.
I recommend
aredn-3.25.10.0-ath79-generic-glinet_gl-ar300m16-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin

2. In what state did you leave the keep settings slider?
file:///home/gelmce/Downloads/GL.iNet_First_Install_Checklist-5.pdf
"Verify that you uncheck the Keep Settings checkbox"

3. On my 2 working gl-inet-300m16-ext devices,
the external slide switch is toward the antenna. 

73, Chuck
 
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Wed, 10/15/2025 - 15:52
(Reply to #3)
K1DOS
Chuck,
Chuck,

Thank you for the response.  I purchased three of these (after my two other units were misplaced).

 
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Wed, 10/15/2025 - 15:54
(Reply to #4)
K1DOS
Second Try (to add pic)
Second try to upload pic.
Image Attachments: 
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Thu, 10/16/2025 - 08:15
(Reply to #5)
nc8q
nc8q's picture
GL-iNet 300M Mini Smart Router GL-AR300M16-ext
Here is a picture of the label on my most recent AR300M16-ext.
 
Image Attachments: 
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Wed, 10/15/2025 - 18:43
(Reply to #6)
K1DOS
Chuck,
Chuck,

tried to load the recommended firmware aredn-3.25.10.0-ath79-generic-glinet_gl-ar300m16-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin but it does not pass the upload and does not present keep settings slider or install.

Hank
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Thu, 10/16/2025 - 08:26
(Reply to #7)
nc8q
nc8q's picture
gl-ar300m16-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
Hi, Hank:

Since the GL-iNet devices are already OpenWRT,
can you SCP the image to /tmp then
SSH in and
sysupgrade /tmp/aredn-3.25.10.0-ath79-generic-glinet_gl-ar300m16-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
?

73, Chuck
 
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Thu, 10/16/2025 - 11:52
(Reply to #8)
K1DOS
SSH?
Chuck,

SCP and SSH are terms I have not heard before.  Is there a cheat sheet for that?

Hank
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Thu, 10/16/2025 - 16:24
(Reply to #9)
nc8q
nc8q's picture
SCP
Hi, Hank:

https://docs.arednmesh.org/en/latest/arednGettingStarted/installing_firm...

https://docs.arednmesh.org/en/latest/arednGettingStarted/installing_firm...
"Your computer should have ssh and scp software available.
Ssh and scp are available by default on Linux, MacOS, and Windows 11.
On Windows computers you may also use programs such as PuTTY and WinSCP to connect to your device."

73, Chuck
 
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Thu, 10/16/2025 - 16:27
(Reply to #10)
nc8q
nc8q's picture
SSH
Hi, Hank:

https://docs.arednmesh.org/en/latest/arednHow-toGuides/command-line.html...

73, Chuck
 
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Fri, 10/17/2025 - 20:58
(Reply to #11)
K1DOS
Chuck,
Chuck,
I think this is beyond my skill set.  I cant seem to get the firt AREDN load to take and then telnet into it.
I am hoping this issue will clear with furture nightly-builds.

Thanks for all your guidance.

Hank
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Sat, 10/18/2025 - 07:26
(Reply to #12)
nc8q
nc8q's picture
SSH is like a secure telnet
Hi, Hank:

Please confirm that the GL.iNet GL-AR300M16's external switch is towards the antenna connector.
Please confirm that when using the GL software upgrade, you unselected 'Keep settings'.

For those active using AREDN firmware,
SSH 'ssh' (Secure SHell) is a handy tool to have in one's tool belt.
I may have used 'telnet' once in the last year.
I use the 'Winlink telnet' once a week. 
I likely use 'ssh' 100 times a month.

SCP ('scp', Secure CoPy) is also a handy tool.
Windows calls it 'WinSCP', I think.
I use 'scp' often to transfer files between workstations, servers, and/or devices.

73, Chuck

 
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Sat, 10/18/2025 - 23:13
(Reply to #13)
K1DOS
GL.iNet GL-AR300M16
Chuck,

Yes, the external slider switch is slid towards the antenna port.
Yes, the "keep settings" slider in the GUI is not active.  Note:  By default it is not in the keep settings position.

I have added two screen shots.   Note only the NAND file seems to be accepted by the router but does not take.

Happy to mail these to someone to look at.

Hank

 
Image Attachments: 
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Tue, 10/21/2025 - 18:46
(Reply to #14)
N0WMM
No matter how I try the
No matter how I try the firmware I never get the "keep settings " options even If I ssh in and change boot function per the

Control which firmware you are booting into    Method 2: using the switch

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Mon, 10/20/2025 - 06:10
nc8q
nc8q's picture
GL.iNet GL-AR300M16: Choosing boot method
Hopefully, this may help:
https://docs.gl-inet.com/router/en/2/hardware/ar300m/#control-which-firm...
 

Using Firmware

The firmware has exactly the same UI as our other mini routers. To determine you are using nor flash or nand flash, please check the available space from the UI.

Control which firmware you are booting into

There are two methods to control which firmware you can boot.

IIRC, I have had to use this procedure.

73, Chuck
 


 
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Wed, 10/22/2025 - 19:51
(Reply to #16)
K1DOS
Chuck,
Chuck,

I am able to SSH in with Bitvise.

I am not sure how to switch the command from # to $ sign.  I can enter the following commands if I don't have the $ 
$ fw_printenv
$ fw_setenv boot_dev on
$ reboot

However, after loading aredn-20250928-dadf66e3-ath79-nand-glinet_gl-ar300m-nand-squashfs-sysupgrade the router reverts to GL-iNet.

Hank


 
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Wed, 10/22/2025 - 20:49
nc8q
nc8q's picture
NOR .vs. NAND
Hi, Hank:

I am booting and using the NOR firmware.
I suggest that you choose to boot the NOR firmware:
https://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/25/3.25.10.0/targets/ath79/ge...
.
Not NAND.

73, Chuck
 
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