RouterBOARD Troubleshooting

This page describes methods of testing if a RouterBOARD device has troubles. Before contacting support, or RMA department, please carefully try ALL of the mentioned methods:

Can't connect over IP or MAC

• Try to connect over a different ethernet port
• Try another cable
• See what is output on the Serial console (next sections)

Boots, but stops loading after BIOS info

• Check if the baud rate of your terminal program is set correctly, usually it's 9600 or 115000
• Try using mac-telnet, or mac-winbox to connect
• Make sure your RouterBOARD's BIOS is set to boot from NAND
• If all else fails, hold the button next to the LEDs to load backup BIOS

Starts, but an ERROR interrupts loading of RouterOS

• Enter the BIOS, set it to boot from "ethernet, then NAND" and reinstall OS with Netinstall. In most cases, it will not hurt the configuration or license.
• Examine the error message and see if it's meaning leads to a logical solution
• Contact support with the error message

No information on the console output

• Hold the button next to the LEDs to load backup BIOS
• Check if the baud rate of your terminal program is set correctly, usually it's 9600 or 115000
• Check Power jumpers, are they set according to the manual?
• do any LEDs blink or turn on? Clarify their meaning with support

Operational Problems

CPU load 100% or slow traffic speeds: Check traffic coming to/through router with Torch Tool. Disable interfaces. See if a P2P user, or an attacker is not causing it.

Wireless card disappearing: Check if the pigtail or something else metallic is not touching the wireless card's metal parts.