How do I switch Firewalla Gold Plus to router mode?

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D Moor

• January 12, 2026 03:35
• Edited

With my Comcast XB8 in regular mode I tried to change the Firewalla Gold Plus to router mode.  It hung.

Changed the XB8 to bridge mode.  Reset the FW.  Tried to set router mode.  Failed with an error message that disappeared before I could read it.

It then took me to the Wan connection page and asked for the IP address.  Since the Comcast modem is now in bridge mode I can't connect to it to get the IP address.

What is the best way to change from bridge to router mode with the XB8?  Change the Firewalla first to router, change the XB8 to bridge, .,.. ?

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  Michael Bierman

  • January 12, 2026 02:02

  I’m not sure how each box is configured right now. Also important, is what are you planning to use for Wi-Fi? That changes which configurations you can use.

  There are two ways to accomplish this that will work equally well.

  If xb8 is in router mode, configure Firewalla in router mode first. Then connect a device directly to xb8 and change it to bridge mode and restart xb8 and then Firewalla.

  If Xb8 is already in bridge mode, you should be able to connect Firewalla in router mode after restarting it. If not, try a factory reset of xb8 which will restore to router mode and then you can start from there.

  Note, if you want Firewalla in router mode, you need something other than xb8 for Wi-Fi.

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  D Moor

  • January 12, 2026 05:46

  Thanks.  My configuration is XB8 > Firewalla > (TP-Liink GE800, Netgear Switch).

  Think that is what I did but will try it again tomorrow since I need my network tonight. I have to have XFinity change it back from bridge mode if it doesn't work.

   

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  Michael Bierman

  • January 12, 2026 06:56

  That should work fine. 

  xb8 {bridge mode > Firewalla WAN {router mode} 
  Firewalla LAN > TP-Link {access point mode} 

  The instructions earlier should work. Here's a more specific version given what you have: 

  1. Put XB8 in router mode, connect firewalla and configure in router mode. If you have any trouble, reset XB8 and confirm it is working by connecting one of your devices to it.
  2. Connect TP-Link to Firewalla, and configure it in Access Point mode see  tp-link.com/us/support/faq/3774
  3. Connect device directly to XB8, over Ethernet if possible and configure Xb8 in Bridge mode.
  4. Power off Firewalla, XB8, and tp-link for a couple of minutes and then turn on XB8, then Firewalla, and then TP-link. 

  You should be able to use Ethernet or Wi-Fi connections through tp-link or firewalla and all devices should get IP addresses from Firewalla. XB8 will be working basically as a modem.

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  D Moor

  • January 12, 2026 23:09

  Thanks everyone.  It's working!  My mistake was not power cycling the devices.  So as you recommended:

  1.  Placed Firewall Gold Plus in router mode.

  2.  While still had access to XB8 changed via the web to bridge mode.  Note: once in bridge mode it becomes inaccessible from either the web or the XFinity app.

  3.  Power off everything - XB8, FGP, TP-Link GE800

  4. Power sequentially, making sure device is on and working before moving on to the next one, in the order XB8, FGP, GE800.

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