this is so extremely helpful. upgraded last night to a new firmware and after walking through these steps i was able to restore. I was nervous. thanks for making these videos.
Aw man this saved my life today. We lost some power and the cloudkey went offline a while back but couldn't be bothered to investigate. I couldn't find from Ubiquiti themselves how to restore from that file. Thanks man!
Oh Man, what a time saver. I've been staring at my config page and the Manual, wondering where my controller settings page went too! Thanks a million. And yes a power outage ages ago.
Thanks for your help. It was easy restoring my key after watching this video :) My autobackup was on monthly, the default settings, now it is on daily :)
We have around 75-ish CKs...had 5 or 6 tank in the past month, prior to that they were pretty good until back last year when a bunch were tanking. Anyways...all the ones in the past month were still accessible via Putty SSH..jam in and run the --repair command against the mongodb and they all came back. Since many are remote it's a long drive to do the paperclip poke, and the SSH trick is done in a minute or three. The same --repair command usually fixes it if it's a CK, a Raspberri based controller, I've even had to use it 2 or 3 times on a linux based cloud controller. Mongo does not like dirty shutdowns. I wish they'd put a GUI button to run it in the local Cloud Key web admin. The ones I've had..it has been available locally.
I have 20 remote cloud keys and have had a few do this. Have fixed it remotlly using vpn logging into the cloud key via the IP. Go to manage and power down then restore from your last backup. Then reboot cloud key using the gui. Should bring it back up
Thanks a lot for all your content, that you share, I just lost my Cloud key, after upgrading it did not restart, so a reset, and a older version installed. Also did my first SSH to my system, something to be spending more time on in the future. Thanks you :o)
Strangely this exact same thing happened to me. The backup saved my bacon. It was odd however, the reset allowed the device to be discovered again and then the restore was fine. I did increase the backups to hourly vs the once per day at 2AM which appeared to be the default.
I've had this happen several times and I've had luck with logging into the cloud key via SSH and rebooting when in this state. When it comes back up, it seems that the Unifi service has come back and the light goes blue.
Thanks for your videos! They have been very helpful as I've been working at familiarizing myself with Unifi. I do have an unrelated question, though. What screen recorder software are you using? I do training videos periodically and I don't have a great setup right now.
Have a site with a Cloud Key is sitting on a UPS protected switch (installed after having to recover by backup from this situation). Anyway, its in a hotel adjacent to one guest room and the owner is upset with the UPS beeping during power outages. The answer I've come up with is to install a USB power bank to supply power to the micro-usb on the bottom of the cloud key. When power is up, the Cloud Key should happily run from PoE, when there is a power outage the power bank should keep the Cloud Key happily talking to itself until the network comes back. I guess I could always remove the buzzer from the UPS, but its a new one, don't want to have any issues should I need warranty support.
Thanks for this but what happens when it remains on permanent white? Automatic upgrade happened December 2nd and has hosed my cloud key. Is it the same recovery process?
So, the root file system which is mounted from /dev/mmcblk0p7 has developed some errors. I can't find any way to recover it. as it can't be repaired while mounted, and even changing kernel boot args to force a fsck don't repair it. Seems like a bootable SD card image would be required, have you delved that far into recovery on these?
I am stuck with RESTORE-MODE. Yesterday I bought it and tested at home network. It worked fine. Then I pressed reset button. Since then I am stuck with RESTORE-MODE. In that mode restore factory settings is not working. I am so disappointed in Unifi support and I can not find anything helpful on net. I regret buying this device.
I know this is an old video so maybe you don't reply but I have a client that lost power and now I cannot access their controller (service keeps starting then stopping and repeating). I can access the Cloud Key though. Will restoring from a backup possibly correct this? Also, while restoring, will all of their AP's, USG, etc go down at any point or will this all happen behind the scenes with no downtime? Finally, will I have to re-adopt all of the devices? Great, helpful video by the way!
I had this issue when I moved my churches rack to a new room. Now my UAP-AC-HD says disconnected. Do I have a bad cable. The POE lights but the green light does not.
How do I recover the cloud key if you are unable o get to it through the interface at first. Is there a way to force the connection maybe by a direct connection. I really like my Ubiquity stuff however right know I am extremely frustrated with it. Any help would be greatly appreciated
How about a video on fixing a cloud key that does not recognize your user nam and password in the web interface, but does via ssh. There seems to be a rasher of cloud keys getting stuck in that mode. Great video about auto backup.
5 years late but posting in case anyone (like me) still has a CK1 that just gave this issue. I followed the video and these steps worked perfectly for resolving this issue. I have a new UDM Pro but I wanted to get my CK1 up to confirm some settings before migrating.
What UniFi systems are you setting up that take you 20-30-40-50 hours just to configure. We can configure a 90-100 ap UniFi system with two people in just a few hours. It takes us longer to unblock them than to configure them. Just wondering how you go about the config in your process
Willie Howe I got you. Yes I am talking a complete system. There’s really nothing to configure for APs once the basic config is done, adopting is just a click. We will normally just script out equipment. UniFi is great on the cheap and it’s sufficed for us when the client is in a budget. Even though we have used them in k-12 with150-180 APs. It works pretty well for what it is. The first Time a cloud key locks up we install a dedicated terminal.
All you need is a Micro USB phone charger. As it has one built in port for it. Hold the reset button while you power it backup. Wallah. It will pull the latest Backup off the SD card...
What color should the LED show when you do it this way? I've got a situation where I can't ping or SSH into the CK or get into recovery mode. Is it possible to reload the firmware from SD without network access using this method?
That is one use for the Micro USB port. In case you brick it...The other is just plug it into a USB port on the router. To power it. If you do not have a PoE powered port..
Great stuff, thx a lot. Now, I ran into a strange issue: after updating controller and the firmware (boy, won‘t never do this sequence again, the new firmware came with a backlevel controller release (st least that is what the cloudkey Url (accessible) welcome says (manage/configure). The light went steady white but that‘s it. I can‘t login anymore - neither my own id/password does work nor any of the factory defaults (root/ubnt or ubnt/ubnt). So I can‘t ssh into cloudkey. Ever happened to you?
I have Correct Username & Password for Cloud key and Controller, but always saying wrong password for even Cloud key and controller. And also Discovery tool will not show any device. But from the IP address I can see login page for Cloud as well as Controller. Any suggestions? Thank you.
im currently trying to install a cloud key and ive followed all guides i could, the computer has a static ip, i reset the key but the computer still cant find it? what am i doing wrong? can anyone help?
this is so extremely helpful. upgraded last night to a new firmware and after walking through these steps i was able to restore. I was nervous. thanks for making these videos.
Aw man this saved my life today. We lost some power and the cloudkey went offline a while back but couldn't be bothered to investigate. I couldn't find from Ubiquiti themselves how to restore from that file. Thanks man!
Oh Man, what a time saver. I've been staring at my config page and the Manual, wondering where my controller settings page went too! Thanks a million. And yes a power outage ages ago.
Thanks for your help. It was easy restoring my key after watching this video :)
My autobackup was on monthly, the default settings, now it is on daily :)
We have around 75-ish CKs...had 5 or 6 tank in the past month, prior to that they were pretty good until back last year when a bunch were tanking. Anyways...all the ones in the past month were still accessible via Putty SSH..jam in and run the --repair command against the mongodb and they all came back. Since many are remote it's a long drive to do the paperclip poke, and the SSH trick is done in a minute or three. The same --repair command usually fixes it if it's a CK, a Raspberri based controller, I've even had to use it 2 or 3 times on a linux based cloud controller. Mongo does not like dirty shutdowns. I wish they'd put a GUI button to run it in the local Cloud Key web admin. The ones I've had..it has been available locally.
Unifi’s default auto backup setting is every month on the first at midnight UTC.
I have 20 remote cloud keys and have had a few do this. Have fixed it remotlly using vpn logging into the cloud key via the IP. Go to manage and power down then restore from your last backup. Then reboot cloud key using the gui. Should bring it back up
Thanks man, It’s good to know I’m not alone when this happens to a few CKs out in the field.
Great job Willie.... I got my cloud key back online with your video.
Thank you for these type of videos Willie! A real help!!
Thanks for the Video. I had this problem this morning after replacing the UPS on my rack.
Perfect timing! The exact same thing happened to me after a power outage last night!
Thanks a lot for all your content, that you share, I just lost my Cloud key, after upgrading it did not restart, so a reset, and a older version installed. Also did my first SSH to my system, something to be spending more time on in the future. Thanks you :o)
You're a gooddamn hero. Fuck Ubiquiti and their CloudKeys. I've had nothing but issues with it.
So what do you do when the discovery tool won't find a brand new cloud key?
Strangely this exact same thing happened to me. The backup saved my bacon. It was odd however, the reset allowed the device to be discovered again and then the restore was fine. I did increase the backups to hourly vs the once per day at 2AM which appeared to be the default.
I've had this happen several times and I've had luck with logging into the cloud key via SSH and rebooting when in this state. When it comes back up, it seems that the Unifi service has come back and the light goes blue.
Thanks for your videos! They have been very helpful as I've been working at familiarizing myself with Unifi.
I do have an unrelated question, though. What screen recorder software are you using? I do training videos periodically and I don't have a great setup right now.
it is monthly by default for the auto backup without changes.
Have a site with a Cloud Key is sitting on a UPS protected switch (installed after having to recover by backup from this situation).
Anyway, its in a hotel adjacent to one guest room and the owner is upset with the UPS beeping during power outages.
The answer I've come up with is to install a USB power bank to supply power to the micro-usb on the bottom of the cloud key.
When power is up, the Cloud Key should happily run from PoE, when there is a power outage the power bank should keep the Cloud Key happily talking to itself until the network comes back.
I guess I could always remove the buzzer from the UPS, but its a new one, don't want to have any issues should I need warranty support.
What if the light is solid blue, but it just isn't showing up in the cloud key list?
When you restore the backup, does it restore the old login password as well ?
Thanks for this but what happens when it remains on permanent white? Automatic upgrade happened December 2nd and has hosed my cloud key. Is it the same recovery process?
Absolutely ridiculous that this thing can't handle an unexpected power fault.
So, the root file system which is mounted from /dev/mmcblk0p7 has developed some errors. I can't find any way to recover it. as it can't be repaired while mounted, and even changing kernel boot args to force a fsck don't repair it. Seems like a bootable SD card image would be required, have you delved that far into recovery on these?
I am stuck with RESTORE-MODE. Yesterday I bought it and tested at home network. It worked fine. Then I pressed reset button. Since then I am stuck with RESTORE-MODE. In that mode restore factory settings is not working. I am so disappointed in Unifi support and I can not find anything helpful on net. I regret buying this device.
Nice as always Willie Howe
Is it Okay to update Firmware of the CLoudkey, before restoring from Backup??
Cant find new cloudkey after suggested firmware update!
What to do?
Solid white light...
I know this is an old video so maybe you don't reply but I have a client that lost power and now I cannot access their controller (service keeps starting then stopping and repeating). I can access the Cloud Key though. Will restoring from a backup possibly correct this? Also, while restoring, will all of their AP's, USG, etc go down at any point or will this all happen behind the scenes with no downtime? Finally, will I have to re-adopt all of the devices? Great, helpful video by the way!
Thanks for the very quick reply! Do I need factory reset the Cloud Key before restoring from a backup?
I had this issue when I moved my churches rack to a new room. Now my UAP-AC-HD says disconnected. Do I have a bad cable. The POE lights but the green light does not.
Hi Willie, do you know of a way to keep the CK from going into this boot state?
How do I recover the cloud key if you are unable o get to it through the interface at first. Is there a way to force the connection maybe by a direct connection.
I really like my Ubiquity stuff however right know I am extremely frustrated with it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
How about a video on fixing a cloud key that does not recognize your user nam and password in the web interface, but does via ssh. There seems to be a rasher of cloud keys getting stuck in that mode.
Great video about auto backup.
5 years late but posting in case anyone (like me) still has a CK1 that just gave this issue. I followed the video and these steps worked perfectly for resolving this issue. I have a new UDM Pro but I wanted to get my CK1 up to confirm some settings before migrating.
I’ve had this happen twice, both times it was simply resolved by unplugging the ethernet cable, waiting 10 seconds and plugging back in.
What software did you use? I can't find the find my cloud key.
Everything comes fine except my left two bubbles are orange. WTF with this cloud key
What UniFi systems are you setting up that take you 20-30-40-50 hours just to configure. We can configure a 90-100 ap UniFi system with two people in just a few hours. It takes us longer to unblock them than to configure them. Just wondering how you go about the config in your process
Willie Howe I got you. Yes I am talking a complete system. There’s really nothing to configure for APs once the basic config is done, adopting is just a click. We will normally just script out equipment. UniFi is great on the cheap and it’s sufficed for us when the client is in a budget. Even though we have used them in k-12 with150-180 APs. It works pretty well for what it is. The first Time a cloud key locks up we install a dedicated terminal.
This is very helpful
All you need is a Micro USB phone charger. As it has one built in port for it. Hold the reset button while you power it backup. Wallah. It will pull the latest Backup off the SD card...
What color should the LED show when you do it this way? I've got a situation where I can't ping or SSH into the CK or get into recovery mode. Is it possible to reload the firmware from SD without network access using this method?
IT WORKS!!! I followed the USB method and now it's working!
That is one use for the Micro USB port. In case you brick it...The other is just plug it into a USB port on the router. To power it. If you do not have a PoE powered port..
Great stuff, thx a lot.
Now, I ran into a strange issue: after updating controller and the firmware (boy, won‘t never do this sequence again, the new firmware came with a backlevel controller release (st least that is what the cloudkey Url (accessible) welcome says (manage/configure).
The light went steady white but that‘s it.
I can‘t login anymore - neither my own id/password does work nor any of the factory defaults (root/ubnt or ubnt/ubnt).
So I can‘t ssh into cloudkey.
Ever happened to you?
It has been 2 years but did you manage to sove this?
I have Correct Username & Password for Cloud key and Controller, but always saying wrong password for even Cloud key and controller. And also Discovery tool will not show any device. But from the IP address I can see login page for Cloud as well as Controller. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Cloud keys can't take a simple power outage? Jeeze
What if device discovery could not found my cloudkey?
Use something like advanced ip scanner to find it on your network, this worked for me
i just want to know something . Does the reset delete the contents of the micro sd card?
No
im currently trying to install a cloud key and ive followed all guides i could, the computer has a static ip, i reset the key but the computer still cant find it? what am i doing wrong? can anyone help?
Thank you! Life saver!
what do you do when ubnt/ubnt doesn't work?! I'm f*ckin stuck here man!
@@WillieHowe Thanks but did that several times...
Another horrible ubiquiti design. For all the good they do, there’s so many poor decisions.