Cisco 3850 Boot Loop

[DanielDieckmann]

Running into an issue with a Cisco 3850 in a boot loop after upgrading to IOS XE 16.9.5. Appeared that the switch was starting a boot loader install, received a failed message and is now stuck in the following boot loop:

▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒BOOT=flash:packages.conf
BSI=0
CFG_MODEL_NUM=WS-C3850-48T-S
CLEI_CODE_NUMBER=IPMVD00BRB
ECI_CODE_NUMBER=465442
LINUX_COREMASK=15
MAC_ADDR=0C:68:03:45:4A:80
MANUAL_BOOT=no
MODEL_NUM=WS-C3850-48T
MODEL_REVISION_NUM=A0
MOTHERBOARD_ASSEMBLY_NUM=73-14444-05
MOTHERBOARD_REVISION_NUM=A1
MOTHERBOARD_SERIAL_NUM=FOC172219AS
RECOVERY_BUNDLE=sda9:cat3k_caa-recovery.bin
STKPWR_ASSEMBLY_NUM=73-11956-08
STKPWR_REVISION_NUM=A0
STKPWR_SERIAL_NUM=FOC17207ZJF
SYSTEM_SERIAL_NUM=FOC1722V1CG
TAN_NUM=800-37552-01
TAN_REVISION_NUMBER=B0
TEMPLATE=advanced
TERMLINES=0
USB_ASSEMBLY_NUM=73-12923-05
USB_REVISION_NUM=A0
USB_SERIAL_NUM=FOC17214S5T
VERSION_ID=V02
BAUD=9600
SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=0
SWITCH_NUMBER=1
RANDOM_NUM=847265263
ABNORMAL_RESET_COUNT=2
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒0 ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒,▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
BSI=0
CFG_MODEL_NUM=WS-C3850-48T-S
CLEI_CODE_NUMBER=IPMVD00BRB
ECI_CODE_NUMBER=465442
LINUX_COREMASK=15
MAC_ADDR=0C:68:03:45:4A:80
MANUAL_BOOT=no
MODEL_NUM=WS-C3850-48T
MODEL_REVISION_NUM=A0
MOTHERBOARD_ASSEMBLY_NUM=73-14444-05
MOTHERBOARD_REVISION_NUM=A1
MOTHERBOARD_SERIAL_NUM=FOC172219AS
RECOVERY_BUNDLE=sda9:cat3k_caa-recovery.bin
STKPWR_ASSEMBLY_NUM=73-11956-08
STKPWR_REVISION_NUM=A0
STKPWR_SERIAL_NUM=FOC17207ZJF
SYSTEM_SERIAL_NUM=FOC1722V1CG
TAN_NUM=800-37552-01
TAN_REVISION_NUMBER=B0
TEMPLATE=advanced
TERMLINES=0
USB_ASSEMBLY_NUM=73-12923-05
USB_REVISION_NUM=A0
USB_SERIAL_NUM=FOC17214S5T
VERSION_ID=V02
BAUD=9600
SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=0
SWITCH_NUMBER=1
RANDOM_NUM=847265263
ABNORMAL_RESET_COUNT=2
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒0 ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒

When powering on, I have attempted to break into Rommon Mode via the mode button but the switch does not respond.

Any other tricks to get into Rommon mode to resolve this?

[marce1000]

 - Check if this procedure can help  in re-installing a working release (for instance) :

        https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/117552-technote-cat3850-00.html#anc20

 M.

[balaji.bandi]

3850 do support USB, so copy the IOS image to USB. 

Power of the Device - Connect the USB

you can use the Mode button on the front of the switch in order to break the cycle: hold the button for approximately ten seconds, and the switch breaks the cycle and stops at the switch: prompt.

switch:  boot usbflash0:cat3k_caa-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.bin (replace the image with the correct name here)

[DanielDieckmann]

Appreciate the response, all of the methods I know to break into Rommon failed to work. I ended up RMA-ing the switch through TAC. My personal opinion is the IOS XE version had a compatibility issue with the Hardware Revision of the switch. The replacement switch I received, as well as several other later hardware revision devices did not have the same issues. 

[Bastian-Uz]

Hello,

did you find an solution for this problem?

best regards,

Bastian

[DanielDieckmann]

I was unable to resolve the issue with that device, sent it back for an RMA. Did some additional research and I believe it was an issue with the IOS XE version being incompatible with an older Hardware Revision of Switch. 

[Bastian-Uz]

Hi Daniel,

thank you for this information!

best regards,

Bastian

[Hazem.hussain]

hi i have same problem

https://community.cisco.com/t5/switching/cisco-ws-c3850-24s-p-abnormal/m-p/4265159 

[Ignat Sitnikov]

I just went through this with TAC. To properly upgrade to the latest version if you are coming from 03.xx.xx release, you must include "new" and "force" optional arguments in your software install command.

software install file flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.09.01.SPA.bin new force

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3850/software/release/16-9/release_notes/ol-16-9-3850.html

If "new" and "force" is missing, switch will get stuck in boot loop with no ROMMON access. RMA is the only way to get your switches back online.

[Bastian-Uz]

Hi,

first thanks for your answer! Thats good to know for future.

The bad thing in our case is that Cisco will not RMA the 3850 without an active subscription.

--->
Life time warranty is only applicable to hardware failure, we would be able to replace it if there was any hardware issues that prevented the device from functioning but the only technical assistance that can be provided without coverage is at the Cisco Support Community https://supportforums.cisco.com

<---

In our case, the two 3850-X are for the dustbin now very very bad...