GL-AR300m16-ext - not accepting firmware

18 posts / 0 new

Tue, 10/14/2025 - 22:18

K1DOS

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

Wed, 10/15/2025 - 11:32

w6bi

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

Wed, 10/15/2025 - 12:22

nc8q

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

Wed, 10/15/2025 - 15:52

(Reply to #3) #4

K1DOS

Chuck,

Chuck,

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

Wed, 10/15/2025 - 15:54

(Reply to #4) #5

K1DOS

Second Try (to add pic)

Second try to upload pic.

Image Attachments:

Thu, 10/16/2025 - 08:15

(Reply to #5) #6

nc8q

GL-iNet 300M Mini Smart Router GL-AR300M16-ext

Here is a picture of the label on my most recent AR300M16-ext.

Image Attachments:

Wed, 10/15/2025 - 18:43

(Reply to #6) #7

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

Thu, 10/16/2025 - 08:26

(Reply to #7) #8

nc8q

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

Thu, 10/16/2025 - 11:52

(Reply to #8) #9

K1DOS

SSH?

Chuck,

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

Hank

Thu, 10/16/2025 - 16:24

(Reply to #9) #10

nc8q

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

Thu, 10/16/2025 - 16:27

(Reply to #10) #11

nc8q

SSH

Hi, Hank:

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

73, Chuck

Fri, 10/17/2025 - 20:58

(Reply to #11) #12

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

Sat, 10/18/2025 - 07:26

(Reply to #12) #13

nc8q

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

Sat, 10/18/2025 - 23:13

(Reply to #13) #14

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:

Tue, 10/21/2025 - 18:46

(Reply to #14) #15

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

Mon, 10/20/2025 - 06:10

#16

nc8q

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

Wed, 10/22/2025 - 19:51

(Reply to #16) #17

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

Wed, 10/22/2025 - 20:49

#18

nc8q

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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GL-AR300m16-ext - not accepting firmware

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

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GL-AR300m16-ext - not accepting firmware

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Control which firmware you are booting into