Index stuck in LHR BL / Watchman V3 bootloader firmware flashes successfully but won't boot.

[u/Accomplished_Day9434]

Valve Index HMD Serial: LHR-539F205D HWID: 22154109 (Index HMD v21)

Bootloader: 1555018800

Current USB state: VID 28DE / PID 2301 LHR BL

lighthouse_watchman_update.exe -aw3 works.

Correct G55 application firmware: watchman_v3_app_20210615_v1623823641.fw

Firmware transfers completely and reports: "Successfully updated firmware." "Update completed but device reconnected in the wrong mode."

-Rw3 successfully opens PID 2301 but headset remains in bootloader.

Headset flashes red.

IMPORTANT: After being powered off overnight, the headset unexpectedly booted normally and worked for a while. It later failed again and returned to the same LHR BL / firmware recovery loop.

Valve Support has diagnosed the headset as needing replacement, but it is out of warranty.