Sometimes, airMAX devices need to be recovered from an unresponsive state. This can occur randomly or after a failed firmware upgrade. Performing a TFTP recovery allows you to strip the software off the device and upload a new firmware file.

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Things to do beforehand

Before starting the recovery, perform the following steps:

Download a TFTP client application

The easiest method is to use a simple TFTP application, this can be used on either macOS or Windows, a good one to PumpKIN TFTP.

Download the latest firmware for your device

The latest firmware for your device can be obtained from the official Ubiquiti website, at ui.com/download.

Find a paperclip or SIM ejection tool

You'll need something easy to hold for around 15 seconds on the reset button.

Set a static IP address on your computer

Once the airMAX device is in TFTP recovery mode, it will communicate on its default IP address, of 192.168.1.20. In order to communicate with it, set your computer to an IP address within the same /24 subnet.

Put the airMAX Device into TFTP mode

First, run a continuous ping to 192.168.1.20. Depending on the state of the device, it might not respond straightaway.

1. Next, unplug the PoE cable for the airMAX device
2. Press and hold the reset button on the device.
3. While holding the reset button, plug the PoE cable back and in continue to hold reset for 10 seconds.
4. The airMAX device should now go into the TFTP recovery mode. Depending on the model, all of the signal lights should strobe backwards and forwards.

The device should now respond to pings, if not try the above steps again.

Upload the firmware with the TFTP app

Now that the airMAX device is in the TFTP mode, we now need to upload the firmware to it. This can be done using the PumpKIN TFTP app mentioned above.

1. Open the PumpKIN TFTP app
2. Click Put File
3. Click the button to the right of the Local File field
4. Select the firmware downloaded from the Ubiquiti website
5. For remote host, type in 192.168.1.20
6. Click Ok

After a few minutes, the TFTP app will upload the firmware, the device will reboot and the airMAX device will come back online and be functional again.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes this process won't work the first time around. Some things to try for troubleshooting

• If you can't ping the device, disable WiFi or any other network cards on your computer.
• If you see Firmware Check Failed, then you have used the wrong version of software. airMAX M devices have two different boards, XM and XW and airMAX AC have XC and WA.