Use Recovery Mode

You can use recovery mode if you want to use the WatchGuard System Manager Quick Setup Wizard to force a Fireware OS installation regardless of the OS version that is currently installed. When you start a Firebox in recovery mode, the device uses the version of Fireware OS that was originally installed when the device was manufactured. The Quick Setup Wizard finds the latest version of Fireware OS installed on the management computer and installs it on the Firebox. When you start the device in recovery mode, the Quick Setup Wizard installs a new OS image and removes all existing settings, backup images saved on the Firebox, certificates, and feature keys.

One reason to use recovery mode is to install an older version of Fireware OS on a device, if you do not have a device backup image. For more information, see Use the Quick Setup Wizard to Downgrade Fireware OS.

In Fireware 12.3 and higher, you can also use recovery mode to automatically restore a designated backup image from a USB drive that is connected to the Firebox. When the Firebox starts in recovery mode and a valid auto-restore backup image exists on a connected USB drive, the Firebox restores the backup image automatically and reboots. For more information, see Automatically Restore a Backup Image from a USB Drive.

If you only want to reset the device to factory-default settings, but do not want to change the OS version, use the steps to reset the device to factory-default settings. For more information, see Reset a Firebox,

Contact technical support for help if you have problems when you use recovery mode.

To start a Firebox T Series device in recovery mode:Closed

  1. Power off the Firebox.
  2. Press and hold the Reset button on the back of the Firebox.
  3. While you continue to hold the Reset button, power on the Firebox.
  4. Continue to press the Reset button until the Attn indicator begins to flash.
  5. Release the Reset button. Do not power off the Firebox yet.
  6. Wait for the reset process to complete. This can take 70 seconds. When the reset is complete, the Attn indicator stays lit and does not flash.
    The Firebox is in recovery mode.

To start a Firebox M200 or M300 in recovery mode:Closed

  1. Power on the Firebox.
  2. Wait until the Arm indicator ( Shield symbol ) is green.
  3. Press and hold the Reset button on the front of the Firebox.
    After five seconds, the Arm indicator is red.
  4. Continue to hold the Reset button while the Arm indicator is red or is not lit.
    After 40 seconds, the Arm indicator starts to flash green.
  5. Continue to hold the Reset button while the Arm indicator flashes green once per second.
  6. After the Arm indicator starts to flash green twice per second, release the Reset button.
  7. Wait until the Arm indicator starts to flash red.
    The Firebox is in recovery mode.

To start a Firebox M270, M290, M370, M390, M400, M470, M500, M570, M590, M670, M690, M4600, M4800, M5600, or M5800 in recovery mode:Closed

  1. Power off the Firebox.
  2. Press and hold the Reset button on the front left of the Firebox, and briefly press the Power button on the front of the Firebox to power it on.
    The Arm indicator is red.
  3. Continue to hold the Reset button while the Arm indicator ( Shield symbol ) is red.
    The Arm indicator starts to flash green.
  4. Continue to hold the Reset button while the Arm indicator flashes once per second.
  5. After the Arm indicator starts to flash green twice per second, release the Reset button.
  6. Wait until the Arm indicator starts to flash red.
    The Firebox is in recovery mode.

To start a Firebox M440 in recovery mode:Closed

  1. Power off the Firebox.
  2. Press and hold the Power button on the front of the Firebox for three seconds to power it off.
  3. Press and hold the Reset button on the front left of the Firebox, and briefly press the Power button on the front of the Firebox to power it on.
  4. Continue to hold the Reset button until the Mode indicator is lit.
  5. Immediately release the Reset button.
    The Attn indicator is lit and does not flash. The Firebox is in recovery mode.

To start the Firebox M440 in recovery mode, you must release the Reset button after the Mode indicator is lit, but before the Attn indicator begins to flash.

When the device is in recovery mode, it is ready to be discovered by the WSM Quick Setup Wizard.