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Netinstall Mikrotik: Recovering RouterOS Step‑by‑Step

Summary
Learn how to reinstall RouterOS on your MikroTik device using the Netinstall tool. This tutorial covers preparing backups, choosing the correct processor architecture, downloading the software and packages, configuring your computer’s network settings, running Netinstall, resetting the device and completing the installation.

What Is Netinstall Mikrotik?

Netinstall Mikrotik is a utility provided by MikroTik for reinstalling RouterOS on devices via a network boot or a serial cable. It formats the router’s storage and writes a fresh RouterOS image to it, solving issues such as:

  • Corrupted RouterOS firmware.
  • System freezing or failure to boot.
  • Devices that refuse to start after an update.
  • Full disk preventing upgrades or downgrades.

Although Netinstall does not remove your RouterOS licence key, it offers no guarantee that existing configurations will survive the process, even when you tick “Keep old configuration.” For that reason, always back up your device before proceeding.

Backing Up Your Mikrotik

At MKController we offer two backup solutions:

  • Binary backup: creates an uneditable backup tied to the specific device. Because it contains hardware‑specific information it can only restore the unit it came from.
  • Configuration backup: produces an editable file without hardware identifiers. It can be used to replicate configuration on other RouterOS devices or to restore the original device later.

Determine the Processor Architecture

Before downloading any files you need to know the router’s processor architecture. Open the device in Winbox; the architecture appears at the top of the window after the RouterOS version and model. In our example, the architecture is smips.

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Download the Netinstall Software

  1. Go to the MikroTik website and open the Software → Downloads section.
  2. Under the General column, click the floppy‑disk icon corresponding to the operating system you are using. For this guide we select the Windows 64‑bit version.

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Download RouterOS Packages

Updating or Recovering to the Current Version

If your RouterOS is already at the release available on the downloads page or you simply want the latest version, click the floppy‑disk icon in the Main package column for your router’s architecture (e.g. smips). This downloads the .npk file you will later install via Netinstall.

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Downgrading

To downgrade RouterOS, open the Download archive section on MikroTik’s site and download the .npk file for the desired version and architecture. For example, to install RouterOS 6.49.9 on a smips device you would download routeros‑smips‑6.49.9.npk.

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Change Your Computer’s Network IP

Netinstall expects your PC to be in the same subnet as the router’s boot server. MikroTik recommends temporarily setting your network card to the 192.168.88.0/24 range. Follow these steps in Windows:

  1. Click the network icon on the taskbar and open Network and Internet settings.

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  1. Choose Ethernet.

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  1. Select Change adapter options.

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  1. Right‑click your network card and choose Properties.

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  1. Double‑click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and enter the following values:

    • IP address: 192.168.88.10
    • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
    • Default gateway: 192.168.88.1

    Click OK to confirm.

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  1. Back in the adapter properties window, click OK again to save the changes.

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Run Netinstall Mikrotik

  1. Extract the downloaded Netinstall archive and open the folder.
  2. Right‑click netinstall64.exe (or netinstall.exe on 32‑bit systems) and select Run as administrator.

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  1. In the Netinstall window, click Net booting.

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  1. Tick Boot Server enable, type the IP address the router should receive after rebooting (e.g. 192.168.88.1), then click OK.

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Reset the MikroTik Device

Connect a network cable to the router’s Ether1 port (sometimes labelled POE or BOOT depending on the model). Press and hold the reset button, then plug in the power cable. Keep the reset button pressed for approximately 30 seconds until Netinstall detects the device.

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Return to Netinstall and Install RouterOS

  1. Within 30 seconds of resetting, the router should appear in Netinstall’s Routers/Drivers list. If it doesn’t, repeat the previous steps.

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  1. With the device highlighted, click Browse… and select the folder where you saved the .npk file. Confirm with OK.

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  1. Choose the RouterOS package you want to install and click Install.

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  1. Wait until Netinstall reports Installation finished successfully.

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  1. Disconnect the router from the PC and power‑cycle it. When it boots, connect via Winbox to check that the desired RouterOS version is running.

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Conclusion

By following this guide you can recover a misbehaving MikroTik device or perform clean RouterOS installations and downgrades. Always keep current backups, verify the processor architecture, set your computer’s IP correctly and use the official packages. Should you have any questions or require assistance, our team is ready to help.

About MKController

Hope the insights above helped you navigate your Mikrotik and Internet universe a little better! 🚀
Whether you’re fine-tuning configs or just trying to bring some order to the network madness, MKController is here to make your life simpler.

With centralized cloud management, automated security updates, and a dashboard that anyone can master, we’ve got what it takes to upgrade your operation.

👉 Start your free 7-day trial now at mkcontroller.com — and see what effortless network control really looks like.