Netgate 6100 - ERROR: cannot open /boot/lua/loader.lua: no such file or directory. After Update from 22.05

[stbellcom]

Recently I have had two routers fail to boot after upgrading from 22.05. They will update fine but the package manager will break and then if you reboot the unit will no longer start. The console output when booting is as follows in attachment:

pfsense update.txt

ERROR: cannot open /boot/lua/loader.lua: no such file or directory.

Type '?' for a list of commands, 'help' for more detailed help.
OK

Reloading 23.03 from USB seems to fix the issue just I have a few units remote which I rather do the updates remotely.

Another odd issue is after the update from 22.05, when you check the update branch it shows the following options:

This was after updating from 22.05 to 23.01 using the normal update path from the web interface.

Any suggestions on how to remote upgrade these units safely ?

[SteveITS]

@stbellcom 23.09.1 is current. (There was no 23.03). As I recall one must go to 23.01 then upgrade again to the later version. What version is it actually on at the point of the screenshot?

[stephenw10]

Mmm, you have to go through 23.01 if you're on any version earlier than that as the update system changed in that version. Subsequent upgrades are offered to the two previous versions so from there you would need to upgrade to 23.09 and then 23.09.1. Or wait for 24.03.

[stbellcom]

@SteveITS The screenshot is on 23.09.1 and I made a mistake with the version in the original post, I'll confirm which version it was and fix the post.

[stbellcom]

@stephenw10 I don't remember the web GUI giving me any other options besides the latest, but I'll see if I can step though the updates with the lab test unit.

[stephenw10]

Hmm, you were on 23.09.1 and it doesn't show 23.09.1 as an available branch? I don't think I've seen that happen before.