How to Boot your SonicWALL to Safe Mode

There are a number of reasons why you would want to boot your SonicWALL into safe mode.

When Should You Use Safe Mode?

• Firmware update failures
• Corrupted system files
• Inaccessible web interface
• Configuration errors causing system instability
• If for some reason you have not registered your product, you can update the Firmware on a SonicWALL firewall simply by starting the SonicWALL into Safe mode.
• You can run SonicWALL system diagnostics troubleshooting.
• If you have lost or forgotten your password and have a backup of your settings. Booting into safe mode will allow you to restore the SonicWALL and apply the backup config as a quick way to restore operations.

Follow the below steps to restart your SonicWALL into Safe Mode

Step 1 – Assign static IP address to PC

Your first step will be to assign a static IP address to the PC connected to the SonicWALL.

1. Click “Start” on the Windows taskbar, type “network and sharing” in the Search box and press “Enter.” Select the “Change adapter settings” link in the left pane.
2. Right-click on the “Local Area Connection” icon and select “Properties.” Respond appropriately to any request for credentials. In the LAN Properties dialogue, select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click the “Properties” button.
3. Click the “Use the following IP address:” button and enter “192.168.168.20” for the IP address and “255.255.255.0” for the Subnet mask. Click “OK” and “Close” to close the LAN settings dialogue boxes.

Step 2 – Reset the SonicWALL

Follow these steps carefully to access Safe Mode:

1. Power Cycle the Device
   • Unplug the power cable from the SonicWALL device.
   • Wait about 10 seconds.
   • Plug the power cable back in.
2. Hold the Reset Button
   • As soon as you reapply power, press and hold the reset button located on the back of the device.
   • Use a paperclip or similar tool to press the button.
   • Hold it for about 10 seconds or until the Test/Diag LED starts blinking.
3. Connect to the Device
   • Connect a computer directly to the LAN port using an Ethernet cable.
   • Set your computer to a static IP address in the 192.168.168.x range (e.g., 192.168.168.20).
4. Access the Safe Mode Interface
   • Open a browser and go to: http://192.168.168.168
   • You should now see the Safe Mode management page.

What You Can Do in Safe Mode

• Upload Firmware: Install a new or previous version of firmware.
• Import Configuration: Restore a saved configuration file.
• Factory Reset: Revert the device to factory default settings.
• Reboot Normally: Exit Safe Mode and boot into the regular operational state.

Tips for Safe Mode

• Ensure the firmware file is downloaded beforehand.
• Always back up configurations regularly.
• Do not power off the device during firmware updates.

Final Thoughts

Booting your SonicWALL to Safe Mode can be a lifesaver in critical network situations. Whether you’re recovering from a failed update or addressing configuration issues, understanding how to access and use Safe Mode effectively ensures minimal downtime and quick restoration of services.

With this knowledge in hand, you’re well-prepared to tackle common SonicWALL issues and maintain a robust, resilient network infrastructure.