GoKawiilRouters keep working after firmware support ends, but security risk grows
A router will continue to function normally after a manufacturer stops issuing firmware updates, as there is no mechanism that disables the device once support ends. However, without updates, any newly discovered security flaws in the router go unpatched indefinitely, leaving it exposed to potential exploitation.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Attackers often scan for vulnerable routers in bulk to relay malicious traffic or add them to botnets, so an unpatched device could quietly become part of a larger compromise without the owner noticing. This suggests owners of older routers should disable features like remote administration and start planning a replacement, since the range of potential vulnerabilities is likely to expand the longer the device goes unsupported.
- A router without firmware updates keeps working until hardware failure, with no automatic shutoff.
- Unpatched security flaws leave routers increasingly vulnerable to being hijacked for malicious traffic.
- Disabling remote administration and planning a replacement can reduce risk in the meantime.
TP-Link Archer AX55 WiFi 6 Router — If your current router has stopped receiving firmware updates, it's a good time to upgrade to a model with active security support like the Archer AX55. It offers modern WiFi 6 performance and ongoing manufacturer support, reducing the risk of unpatched vulnerabilities lingering on your network. A fresh router also gives you a clean slate to properly configure security settings like disabling remote administration.
See TP-Link Archer AX55 WiFi 6 Router on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Thomas Godwin, 2026-09-29
Published there as: “Can you still use your router if it doesn't get firmware updates?”
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