apex stuck in bootloader mode, display is dark

[lastlight]

i disconnected my perfectly operating apex and was going to give it to my buddy to use but we had issues at his place. i took it home and reconnected it and now i'm having the same problems too.

the eb8 is flashing orange (bootloader)

i downloaded the apex flash utility. it does not detect my controller on the network unless i restart it while the search is underway.

then i attempt the firmware update and it fails. only if i reboot the unit a few times while it is retrying to perform the update can i get the update to work. even after updating, the eb8 flashes orange.

i'm logged into my telus modem and i can see all connected devices. the apex never appears in that list no matter what i do.

can anyone please help me?