RB260GS - Problems with firmware update?

SwOS
1

Hello,

I bought a Mikrotik RB260GS (CSS106-5G-1Sr2). On the devices runs Firmware 2.11p (built Feb 2020), version 2.18 (2025) is available. In the Web GUI there is an “Upgrade” tab, there’s is the “Download & Upgrade” button. I assume this should allow you to update the Switch in any situation, even if the build times are already very far apart

After pressing the button, it appears to perform an update, but the device doesn’t return to the network afterward. I’m performing the update with the default configuration. I don’t know if the update was performed correctly and the device now has a fixed IP address, or if it was somehow bricked. There are reports of issues with updates on this model. I have to reset the device afterwards

Greetings

2

Hello,
Have you or someone else found a solution for the problem?
I have exact the same problem.

I also wanted to download an older version, but I did not find one.

br
Werner

3

Current URL:
(https://download.mikrotik.com) /swos/2.18/swos-css106-2.18.bin

Try with (for down to 2.16):
(https://download.mikrotik.com) /swos/2.16/swos-css106-2.16.bin

Older versions have a different path (for 2.5 to 2.9, example for 2.8):
(https://download.mikrotik.com) /swos2/css106/swos-css1061g4p1s-2.8.bin

For 2.10 to 2.13 (example for 2.13):
(https://download.mikrotik.com) /swos2/css106/swos-css106-2.13.bin

Some versions cannot be found at all, probably they were either pulled for some reasons or were “internal only versions”, see as an example:

It is a hit and miss game.

4

It looks like I can’t upgrade at all. I haven’t tried downgrading yet.

“Download & Upgrade” → It somehow causes the thing to “crash.” After turning the power off and on again, it comes back on, but it’s not bricked.
Manuall Download 2.18.> It does an update, restarts but nothing happens
Manuall Download 2.16.> It does an update, restarts but nothing happens
Manuall Download 2.12.> It does an update, restarts but nothing happens The 2.12 should be the next version after the 11d.

What is also interesting is that when I click on “IGMP Groups” in the web interface the following error appears “ERROR: SyntaxError: expected expression, got ‘<’”

Can @Werner confirm this?

Any other suggestions?

5

There were update issues reported, but I believed only in older SWOS versions:

it seems to me like worth opening a support ticket, this thread seems to me similar enough:

The OP in there reported different behaviour on different batches, support should be able to understand if yours belongs to a “bad” batch and (hopefully) provide a solution.

6

Yes, i can confirm this. I have exactly the same problem.
I tried every firmware version, but always the same.
After some seconds, the device reboots and nothing happend - still the same firmware as bevor
( v2.11p )

7

Werner, can you also confirmn this?

“…when I click on “IGMP Groups” in the web interface the following error/text appears “ERROR: SyntaxError: expected expression, got ‘<’””

My first switch from Mikrotik, but this also looks like a bug to me and not like there is a missing config.

8

I’ll open a ticket this weekend. Its frustrating right now because I need the devices.

I’ve encountered two more problems:
-I can’t save any settings, such as VLANs or VLANs. I can click Apply, but they aren’t saved. The next time I turn the power off and on, the entire configuration disappears. I don’t see any way to save it again.
-In some places, buttons like “Apply all” are grayed out, but I can click them, and a message appears indicating that the click was successful and the changes have been made.

9

Hello,

Update: I contacted support, and compared to other companies, it was just one request and one response to clarify the issue:

In a nutshell: "Described is a known issue - faulty software 2.11p, invoking the RMA procedure is recommended right away."

-If purchased from Mikrotik, then handle it through them (RMA system in your distributor account and start a warranty process)
-If not purchased from Mikrotik, then handle it through the buyer and I should refer to my ticket.
@Werner Would be nice if you could report back how things went for you. If you need further information, please contact

Which now leads me to the following question:
1.) How do I know the issue is known? I've already done some research, and there were indications that something was wrong with 2.11p. But nothing concrete, or I would have had to search for it. It would have saved me several hours/days if I'd known about it right away. Is there somewhere I can look it up?
2.) I have to be careful when buying a new one that I don't get this software version again.

Greetings

10

Well, it's evidently known to support, but not common knowledge/published anywhere AFAICT.
Very likely it is a "largely forgotten issue", it is unusual (again AFAICT) that you get new a device from a batch with software dated 2020, I have no experience specifically with the RB260GS, but other devices I have seen are usually one year behind or so.

11

I have a similar issue, firmware upgrades in the past went OK via the web interface, but I'm now stuck on version 2.16 as the device seems to be unable to upgrade to 2.18... neither the automatic "Download & upgrade" nor the manual "Browse..." > select 2.18 upgrade .bin > "Upgrade" seem to work...

12

@tristantxc
Thats is weird, because your version ist 2.16

Support started the response with the following sentence: "Described is a known issue - faulty software 2.11p, invoking the RMA procedure is recommended right away."
Explicit reference to version 2.11p, not 2.16. It may be that the answer was incorrect and not only 2.11 is affected

You can contact support, refer to ticket "SUP-195569" because you have the same issue and tryed the same things but with 2.16. As mentioned, I also have a "display error" in the web interface. Do you have that too? Also it seems that no settings are saved, other problem (see ticket below)

This was my ticket:
Dearl Ladies and Gentlemen,
i bought two RB260GS (ID: CSS106-5G-1Sr2) and both devices have following issues:

Main Issues

Cant Install updates
On the devices runs Firmware 2.11p (built Feb 2020), newer version 2.18 (2025) is available. In the Web GUI there is an “Upgrade” tab, where you can find the “Download & Upgrade” button. After pressing the button, it appears to perform an update, but its not longer possible to access the web gui. I have the impression that you have to perform a hard reset via the reset button in order to access the GUI again

It is also not possible to install manually downloaded updates, even older versions

Settings are not saved
Here ist the possibility that i miss something, but I can’t apply any settings permanently, p. e. VLANs or VLANs. I can click Apply, the settings are adopted/work, but not saved permanently. The next time I turn the power off and on, the entire configuration disappears. I don’t see any other way to apply the settings

Side Issue
…when I click on “IGMP Groups” in the web interface the following error/text appears “ERROR: SyntaxError: expected expression, got ‘<’”

The problem is posted here in the Mikrotik Forum: RB260GS - Problems with firmware update?

13

Hi, I've solved the upgrade problem for RB260GS with 2.16 fw installed. Unfortunately the direct upgrade to 2.18 fails, you must install 2.17 and then 2.18. The link for 2.17 is FW 2.17 css106.

14

Link doesn't work.

15

Try:
https://download.mikrotik.com/swos/2.17/swos-css106-2.17.bin

16

There was an error on the protocol (http instad of https), now should work. Or you can use link provided by lboyd.

17

Doesn't seem to work here -- my 2.16 keeps on running without problem, but both "Download & Upgrade" nor the manual upgrade to either 2.17 or 2.18 seem to work -- stays at 2.16

18

Hello tristantxc,

have you configured the switch or is it in default settings? The update doesn't work for you, but the web interface doesn't crash afterward either?

As mentioned, I had two more symptoms (see above):
-broken GUI under "GMP Groups" (ERROR: SyntaxError: expected expression, got ‘<)
-Settings cannot be saved permanently, disappears after restart (my observation, but not investigated further)

19

... and as I typed this, I tried the upgrade in Edge, and there the direct upgrade to 2.18 worked... didn't work in Chrome nor Firefox, so might be a good idea to try a different browser...