Bug Report: Firmware 4.4.2.694757 — Config Backup Restore Causes Lockout
Product: QSW-M3216R-8S8T
Firmware updated to: 4.4.2.694757 (20260511)
Previous firmware: 4.3.x (prior version)
Steps to reproduce:
- On previous firmware, create a configuration backup via Maintenance → Backup & Restore
- Update firmware to 4.4.2.694757
- Firmware update prevents log-in to Web User Interface, either with last known password, or factory default password (this itself is undocumented and unexpected behavior for a firmware update)
- Forced to initiate factory reset pressing button 10 seconds
- Log in with default credentials (MAC address as password)
- Set a new admin password
- Restore configuration backup from step 1
- Device becomes completely inaccessible — neither the newly set password nor the MAC address default password works
- Physical factory reset required again
- Now enjoy having to recreate the configuration all over again because the new firmware makes the device incompatible with the last configuration backup we were told to make prior to the firmware update
Result: Two manual factory resets required in one session. Configuration backup created on previous firmware is incompatible with 4.4.2 in a way that corrupts or overwrites credentials, leaving the device completely inaccessible.
Expected behavior: Firmware updates should not lock administrator out of the Web User Interface, nor require a factory reset to regain control. Configuration backups should restore successfully without locking out the administrator.
Impact: This is a serious usability and reliability issue. The firmware update notification explicitly recommends creating a backup before updating; but restoring that backup then bricks access to the device. This is contradictory and unacceptable behavior for a managed switch.
Please investigate and issue a fix or at minimum document that configuration backups from previous firmware versions are incompatible with 4.4.2.