EG18EAPAR01A13M4G stuck in CFUN:5 / QRFTESTMODE:1 after downgrade from 01.300.01.300

Hello.

I have a Quectel EG18-EA module installed in a MikroTik ATL LTE18.

Originally it came with firmware:

EG18EAPAR01A13M4G_01.300.01.300

This firmware could detect Russian operators but could not register to any network (likely regional restriction).

I downgraded the module to an older firmware branch (first A12, later to EG18EAPAR01A13M4G_01.001.01.001) using QFirehose under Debian Linux.

The flashing process completed successfully without errors.

Current firmware:

ATI
Quectel
EG18
Revision: EG18EAPAR01A13M4G

AT+QGMR
EG18EAPAR01A13M4G_01.001.01.001

The module is now stuck in Factory Test Mode.

AT+CFUN?
+CFUN: 5

AT+QRFTESTMODE?
+QRFTESTMODE: 1

AT+QRFTEST=“mode”
+QRFTEST: 1

SIM card is detected correctly:

AT+CPIN?
+CPIN: READY

AT+QSIMSTAT?
+QSIMSTAT: 0,1

Attempts to leave FTM fail:

AT+CFUN=1
+CME ERROR: phone failure

AT+QRFTEST=“mode”,0
+CME ERROR: phone failure

AT&F
OK

ATZ
OK

The same behaviour occurs:

  • inside MikroTik RouterOS
  • under Debian Linux via USB adapter

Therefore this is not a RouterOS issue.

I have NOT used QFirehose with the -e (erase) option.

Questions:

  1. Is this expected after downgrading from 01.300.01.300 to firmware below the 01.200 branch?

  2. Is there any AT command or recovery procedure to leave FTM?

  3. Could you please provide the recommended recovery firmware (01.201.01.201 or newer) for EG18EAPAR01A13M4G?

  4. If this state indicates corrupted NV/QCN, what is the official recovery procedure?

Thank you.

hi @Magnetic
The issue is still debugging. Will keep you posted.