UnBrick your Linksys router – WRT54GS v7
By Valiant on Feb 2, 2008 in Hardware, Linksys, Netwoking, Tutorial
New page for this post was created here:
New page for this post was created here:
Last 5 posts by Valiant
- UnBrick your Linksys router – WRT54GS v7 - February 7th, 2010
- XBOX 360 2009Update - November 10th, 2009
- Google Wave Invites - October 24th, 2009
Very good procedures:) My friend has the same model and it got disconnected whenever there re more than 2 connections. I had sent him this url to unbrick his router..:)
YoYo | Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
This post only for those router which is unusable. I think for your friends case, he need to restore his router setting to factory setting to see if such problem still happen.
I recommend him to upgrade to DD-WRT firmware, but make sure he choose the correct version or else he will brick his router, thus, he need to refer to this post.
What is the correct version of the DD-WRT firmware that he should be using?
Yoyo | Feb 8, 2008 | Reply
The Brand of the wireless router, hardware version, and processor type. As for me, I’m using Linksys WRT54GS, v7, Broadcom. He can find the info usually at the back of the router.
Hello i’m from the netherlands and i have tried everyting to get my router unbrickt. I even have the ups return label from the helpdesk of linksys to send my router back to them.
I tried it for the last time with your tutorial and it works. Thank you very very much.
Misluct | Mar 1, 2008 | Reply
I’m glad that the tutorial helped. There’s one more tutorial that I have yet to post if the steps above didn’t work. Will try to post it soon.
Hey, on the “choose advance tab” then go “speed & Duplex.” Im having a problem with that because mine doesn’t have that. Any clues for me?
yeng | Mar 10, 2008 | Reply
Hi Yeng,
All network card should have that option except for Wireless Network Connection. Can you please provide me more info?
Thanks
Well, the power light blinks constantly and there is no connectivity going on. Is it because my router is bricked?
yeng | Mar 11, 2008 | Reply
Hi Yeng,
I need more precise info. For instance, what is your Linksys model & version? Once you start your Linksys, take a note on your LED power light, DMZ, and Ethernet. You need to find out which LED lit first, how long, and which LED lit after that, and how long. Aparts from your Linksys really is dead (due to hardware failure), it might also cause by defective bootloader, kernel, or NVRAM (due to power spike or firmware upgrade).
Please do e-mail me personally at valiant[at]rim3y.net if you need further assistance.
Thanks.
Hey Valiant,
Thanks for your asistance in fixing my router but i called the linksys company and we made arrangements to replace my router already. Thanks for helping though.
Yeng | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
Hi,
Its ok, at least they can help out fixing your router.
THANK YOU GOD FOR THIS SITE:… or better not God is to thank but YOU!!!
You just saved me 72EURO !
you rule !
Domen | Mar 14, 2008 | Reply
Hi Domen,
Glad it help you!
I have a Linksys WRT54GS v7 with:
-2MB Flash Memory
-DD-WRT v24 RC5 (11/22/07) micro – build 8420 that’s 1.7MB in size
Do you guys know which DD-WRT firmware version can I use to turn my WRT54GS v7 into a VoIP router?
Richard | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
Please help me with LINSYS WRT54GS V7 i bricked it all Wlan and Intenet light Lid up solid . can`t ping . follow instruction and still no ping trough.
Please help
paul | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
I have the same router (WRT54GS V7) and when I plug it in all of the lights come on solid green (1,2,3,4 and internet)
I tried your method, but as soon as I plug in the power the lights are solid green.
I’ve been looking for a way to short pin 15 and 16, but there is no intel chip in this router and I can’t find anything on the internet relating to this for the 54gs v7 router.
If you have any ideas… Please help.
Thank you,
Mark
Mark | Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
i have the same problem with paul, all ethernet lights are up and the internet light… pls help us valiant if you know something about our router problem.
thnx in advance
jEi | Mar 31, 2008 | Reply
Richard:
I haven’t done anything about VOIP especially on DD-WRT, except Asterisk – which is completely different story. You can research the official DD-WRT site here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php?title=DD-WRT_Docu_(EN)
Paul, Mark, jEi:
I never encounter such problem before. So far there is either flashing light or sudden faint on the power light. I recommend you to double check again with steps: Prerequisite & Prepare Your Test Computer.
On steps: Let the UN-Brick begins
Follow steps 1 until 8, and DONT release the reset button. Instead, open up your browser and go to http://192.168.1.1; this is called “Management Mode”. From there upload either original Linksys or the correct DD-WRT firmware for your router.
For WRT54GS v5-7, you need to upload vsworks*Killer***.bin (depending your linksys version) first, which is available from DD-WRT, if you want to upload DD-WRT firmware. Please bear in mind that, you only have a small window of opportunity to do this, meaning you need to do it as fast as possible.
On how to ground the pin, you can go to this website:
http://www.thenorth.com/apblog4.nsf/0/668D65A56B02BB4B852570A400535F16
Wish you luck!
sir valiant, about the power light its kinda dimmer.
jEi | Apr 2, 2008 | Reply
jEi,
I’ve unbricked 2 linksys recently:
1/ v6 – flashing light, no other lid lights up
2/ v7 – faint light on power, the rest light up
Linksys 1:
Its original linksys firmware, somehow got screwup during power spike. What I did is that upload vsworks*Killer***.bin specifically for Linksys v6 from “Management Mode”, then after it reboot, I use same method. But this time I use tftp to upload DD-WRT firmware specifically for that Linksys.
Linksys 2:
It got bricked because of wrong firmware version. Since its been flash with DD-WRT firmware before, so I just upload using tftp.
Again, I would like to remind you, you need to this as quick as possible because you dont want it to load from NVRAM.
I also check with Reason22 that if all lid lights up as soon as you power-up your Linksys, the chances are that hardware already toast. Some people did try to ground the pin or using jTag cable.
ouch.. maybe your right my hardware already toast.. nyway thanks sir Valiant for your replies. more power. c”,
jEi | Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
this is the status of my wrt54gs v7
- flashing pwr led
- all ports 1-4 lights up when powered on
- able to ping the router ip
- get “timeout occurred” when tftp-ing the bin file
i would very much like some assistance.
thanks.
tommy | Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
hi tommy,
just a quick question, have you ever flash that router with dd-wrt before?
I recently just tried to upgrade my linksys wrt54g router and now long story short i believed i have bricked it. I can ping it but i am not able to access the gui interface. When i plug it in the 4 ethernet ports flash and the power light does not come on. I have tried all other options and i don’t know what to do now. Any help at all would be very greatly appreciated. Thnx in advance!
hjdgkhwf | May 5, 2008 | Reply
hi,
you still can ping, which is a good sign. try to follow the steps mention above, and let me know on which step you got stuck.
just for info, make sure you are using the “correct” firmware for your router. each firmware is specifically for each router, including the version.
Hi,
I have a problem with a Linksys WRT54GS v5.1
Facts:
1. I still can ping the router on 192.168.1.1
2. Power LED is blinking all the time
3. I tried to follow your steps..but still not working..
4. no WebGUI login possible to configure the router
Any help would be wonderfull;)
Francisco | May 5, 2008 | Reply
hi everyone,
there are alot of questions regarding this topic. i’m going to create another tutorial specifically for version 5 tonight. i’ll give a link once i publish the tutorial. thanks for the feedback!
Hi Valiant,
thanks a lot. I have tried everything you recommended on your article, none worked. Mainly due to no ping.
Then I looked into the comments and your links showing how to ground pin16 worked instantly !!!
So I am happy to review your new tutorial when ready, and make sure to detail the pin16-gound option as it works after having spent a few hours trying to short circuit pin 15-16 as described on many other sources but which failed miserably.
DD-wrt is up and running !
Boris
Boris | May 8, 2008 | Reply
finally a managed to get the router working again. I used all the time the wrong firmware from dd-wrt. The WRT54GS v5.1 only works with DD WRT 23 SP 1 (ONE)! and only with the micro generic firmware. DO NOT USE firmware called like dd-wrt.v23_micro_wrt54gs.bin, only dd-wrt.v23_micro_generic.bin!!!
man… that was a big peace of **** … I was confused, because I have another WRT54GS Router with different chipset and more RAM. This one could use DD WRT 23 SP2 and for example the VPN firmware. I did not remember the difference…..
Hope this will help others….bye
Francisco | May 9, 2008 | Reply
Hi,
Glad for your finding Francisco, I emphasize it in my 2nd part of the tutorial.
Boris, I’m glad that the link helps. I sent you an e-mail for your success on pin 16.
As for everyone, I finally published the long overdue part 2 of my tutorial:
http://blog.rim3y.net/zero/?p=1143
Cheers!
Hello Valiant,
I have a Linksys WRT54-G router and I’m trying to install a Linksys WVC54GCA Internet camera. I’m being told by Linksys that I need to pay $33.00 for them to instruct me on how to unlock a port on my router so I can access the camera from a remote location. Will your process of “un-bricking” correct my problem?
Thanks, Zac
Zac | May 29, 2008 | Reply
Hey,
I have a question. Is really hard for me I can’t seem to do the last part with the command prompts, can you please help me out with this one, i would really appreciate it.
Jean Luis | Jun 3, 2008 | Reply
Vista users have to enable TFTP Client.
Go to uninstall programs click turn windows features on or off, then click on when prompted then scroll down to the box TFTP Client, check it and the click ok.
Thanks for the page, but I was going crazy because i did not know i had to do that.
Jean Luis | Jun 4, 2008 | Reply
OK, I just got my router yesterday and managed to brick it
. It’s the WRT54G with 2MB flash and 8 MB RAM and I successfully uploaded DD-WRT v24 (Micro). Even with hours spent in tweaking, my internet kept dying when using bittorrent, mostly because of the small RAM. I read somewhere that Broadcom-based chips may have a 32Mb RAM chip which is limited to 8 by default, but can be enabled with a command to modify the NVRAM. As you may have guessed, I did that and now all I see are 5 lights – Ethernet 1-4 and Internet, turning on instantly as I plug in the power.
Nothing worked. It’s dead. I imagine it needs to be opened up and flash the NVRAM somehow, which would obviously void the warranty.
So I am just going to exchange it for a WRT54GL which comes with more RAM and bigger flash.
Just thought I would let others know, and hopefully they can avoid the same mistake.
Yavor | Jun 29, 2008 | Reply
Well, it looks like I can’t unbrick my WRT54GS V7
I tried everything through Linksys and here.
It was used and got it off of ebay. I updated the stock Firmware with no problem. Then I thought that maybe I could get more speed somehow by using a 3rd party firmware. That’s where I made my mistake.
It’s a good thing my wife a daughter are in Oregon for a week checking out Reed Collage.
That gives me just enough time to buy one right away on ebay a get it shipped here before the get back and wonder why my Mac has internet and theirs doesn’t.
Thanks for the effort, but I really killed mine.
From now on, no hacks or tweaks for me. I am still holding out on that dream of waking up in the morning next to two hot young French chicks.
hockpooh | Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
I have a linksys wrt54g v.2 for years now.
And after flash with newest dd-wrt firmware i got a brick. I tried every option on the internet and it did not work.
The funny thing though is that the tftp program gave a positive result and that the linksys firmware was properly flashed. The powerled kept on blinking green light and the dmz light was on.
I read somewhere on the internet that the power could be broken. So i borrowed a 12V 1A powersupply (the same specifications as the linksys had) and then the green light was on all the time!
Janenalleman | Aug 7, 2008 | Reply
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
After noodling with this router after a failed firmware upgrade and taking steps I now regret, your post COMPLETELY solved my problem! I was able to load the new firmware successfully and got my router resurrected!
Thank you again! I can’t tell you how appreciative I am and what a great post this was!
Mike | Sep 10, 2008 | Reply
Thank You this works perfectly for vista after you install tftp client from add/ remove programs and you turn off the firewall. I unbricked a wrt54gl but you have to use the lynksys manufacturers firmware from their site first using the same procedure. Thanks God Bless you!.
gnulogic | Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
works for wrt54gl ver1 and v1.1 with firmware from lynksys for v1.
gnulogic | Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Hi guys!
First and foremost… glad that this post help you out with your router. Second of all, thanks for the e-mails and comments. I do check and read it, but since I got alot of e-mails (and day job), I can’t really reply to all.
So I would like to give a shout to all of you out there… THANKS!!! Please distribute / link / print this post and give it to whoever needs it. You don’t have to give me credit or anything… as long as it can help others…
Keep the comment and e-mail coming…
Cheers!
WORKED FLAWLESSLY!!! DeBricked 2 WRT54G Version 8’s. Did not have to JTAG! I will try some other versions, and if they work as good as this configuration, you need some Paypal money. Thank you very much.
Smitty | Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
Hi, i have a linksys WRT54G2 router which i succesfully upgraded to dd-wrt, then i found that dd-wrt is far to complex for a beginner like me, so i tried to go back to the standard linksys firmware. Then everything stopped working, when i plug it in only the light on the front that looks like a circle with a ring around it (kinda like saturn) comes on, not even the power light comes on. But it does recognize when i plug a cable into one of the ethernet ports on the back. can you help me fix this?
james | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
Hi all,
Valiant is swarm with projects (day job) at the moment and have to works at various datacenters.
To James:
If you browse the comment you might read Valiant comment on management page
—–quote—–
Follow steps 1 until 8, and DONT release the reset button. Instead, open up your browser and go to http://192.168.1.1; this is called “Management Mode”. From there upload either original Linksys or the correct DD-WRT firmware for your router.
For WRT54GS v5-7, you need to upload vsworks*Killer***.bin (depending your linksys version) first, which is available from DD-WRT, if you want to upload DD-WRT firmware. Please bear in mind that, you only have a small window of opportunity to do this, meaning you need to do it as fast as possible.
———-
If DD-WRT is difficult, you can try Tomato:
http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato
But Tomato only support some hardware, please have a read whether your wireless is supported or not.
Valiant did mention about Tomato on one of his post, and he suppose to write up the long overdue article about Tomato (he uses moded Tomato Firmware btw).
Using method 1, I can now at least ping it. However, when i run tftp i get a “service unknown” message.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Larry L | Jan 1, 2009 | Reply
First of all thanks for the great tutorial!!
I was finally able to ping my router using this even after trying all the help on the Linksys support site.
I wasn’t able to upload the latest firmware for my router (v7.0) however using TFTP. I kept getting a ‘connection failed’ message.
However when I went to http://192.168.1.1 (my normal router admin page) I was presented with a web interface to upload the firmware. When I used this the firmware uploaded fine!
Anyway thanks for your help again. I’ve listed my setup below in case people are having similar problems.
O/S – Vista
Router – WRT54GS v7.0
Firmware uploaded – 7.5 (NB this firmware was only available after I registered with the Linksys site. Before this I was only presented with v6.0)
Mark | Jan 6, 2009 | Reply
i updated my router with new linksys firmware but im still not geeting the router page
Ali | Jan 7, 2009 | Reply
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!…just unbricked my LINKSYS
Sunny | Jan 30, 2009 | Reply
Thanks a lot – it works!
)
Mythos | Feb 9, 2009 | Reply
It works, thank you!
Matej | Feb 17, 2009 | Reply
You are a LIFE SAVER. I had a few issues because there were people posting that WRT54GS v7 needed the vxworkskillerGSv7-v3.bin but that did not work. the dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin file worked. Thanks alot for your help. I’ve had this router for about almost 2 years just sitting in my closet because I couldn’t get it fixed!
Allen Park | Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
Yay great instuctions they work i bricked my router by accdient and this helped a a lot in the same day thx
Supermegaman | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Hi man, from Colombia. I’m so glad because of your post. Nothing more that say just THANKS YOU.
German | Mar 2, 2009 | Reply
I tried all the wrt54g revival information and your procedure is the only one that WORKS!!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!!
Mike | Mar 25, 2009 | Reply
I LOADED THE VW KILLER AND IT SAID LOAD COMPLETE I CLICKED CONTINUE AND IT TIMED OUT , I NOW HAVE NO POWER LIGHT AND ONLY LAN 1 LIGHT. WHERE TO NOW OR AM I BRICKED?
GEORGERANGER | Apr 4, 2009 | Reply
how about un-brick 3g modem router Option GlobeSurfer II.
any advice will light up my life
tx
denysabri | Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
i have the same thing with GEORGERANGER..can you tell me what to do>>
jason | May 7, 2009 | Reply
WOW! Great job! I’ve unbricked my router before but this time I couldn’t get my wrt54gs back up and running. I thought I had to purchase a new router but being stubborn I searched the internet for a resolution. Yours is the only one which had great instructions and worked perfectly. I was unable to flash the linksys firmware so I did have to install dd-wrt.v24-11296_NEWD_micro.bin but it’s working out well. Great job and thanks so much!!!
Erich | May 17, 2009 | Reply
Thank you! Worked
Tilli | May 19, 2009 | Reply
You are the best, the router turn on the power led following the firt part of your instructions.
Thanks a lot.
Felix | Jun 18, 2009 | Reply
Hello!
I’ve got a wrts54gs v7 router. I tried to flash it. But i made a misstake. No i have only 5 lighting leds. (Lan 1-4 and Wan) No more blinking. Nothing. I can’t ping and use tftp. What can i do now?
Thanks
Lion | Jun 24, 2009 | Reply
I think I have the same problem as GEORGERANGER and Jason, though the power light is on, but very dim. I’m using a linux box to try and fix it, if that helps.
acm321 | Jun 24, 2009 | Reply
Now i try to connect with paralel port. After i’ll write what happend.
Lion | Jun 25, 2009 | Reply
Many thanks for this page.
I killed my router earlier, or I thought I did and this helped me retrieve and update it.
Very much appreciated.
Dave | Jun 25, 2009 | Reply
I have a CGNB type flash. I try to use a jtag. I donloaded dd wrt website. It can read correct the flash type, but i can’t erase flash, write ect… What should i do?
THX
Lion | Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
you need to download ttfp for vista or do it on xp vista sucks
Hunter | Jun 27, 2009 | Reply
Your tutorial saved ma ass. thanks alot!! now i unbricked my router and have the custom linux firmware. Thanks a million!
Nick | Jun 28, 2009 | Reply
This worked awesome for me. I was able to flash the stock firmware to my wrt54gl 1.1 to un-brick it and start over. Thank you!
jshski | Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
My router WRT54GL has only power LED on. No LAN LED light. Is it dead, can’t be unbricked? I have followed the step but does not work since my PC can’t ping the router ( no LAN light).
Jordan | Jul 16, 2009 | Reply
Part 2 of brick fix not loading..
Jay Mitch | Jul 21, 2009 | Reply
3 minutes for read tour how-to and now my wrt54gs is resort
thank you very, very much
pigio | Jul 22, 2009 | Reply
Thank You, Hope you Become An Billionaire (After Me) Nah For Real, Dude i Thought i Would Have Had To Purchase Another Router. Thx Man
Algiers | Jul 22, 2009 | Reply
THANKS SO MUCH!!! Your instructions were so simple I could not believe it would work at first. I was sure I would end up dissecting my router, but ALAS! IT WORKED!!!
I’M SO GLAD I FOUND THIS BLOG!
Worked on my WRT54G V2.2!
Carlo | Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
Im having a problem getting through the following steps:
Through your command prompt, go to the location where you put your firmware.
Then type tftp -i 192.168.1.1 put
e.g. tftp -i 192.168.1.1 put dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin
It will not go through and reboot it says something like:
tftp: can’t read from local file ‘dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin’
What do i need to do?
Timothy | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
Hi Timothy,
Please make sure in the command prompt, you are at the location where “dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin” is. And also, make sure you downloaded the correct firmware that correspond to your router and the downloaded file is not corrupted.
how to i get to the file location through command prompt? Ive tried to figure it out but cant????
Timothy | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
please check your e-mail, thanks.
Hi!
I’m trying to bring back to life my WRT54GS V7 , I tried your 1st methos here, I do get a ping and I can flash the firmware but the wrt is still not ok, where is the 2nd part of yur instuctions http://blog.rim3y.net/zero/?p=1143 shows nothing. Best regards!
Miran | Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
hi man i gest brick my linksys wrt54gl v1.1.i do what is writed here but nothing.biside jtag cable do you have any ideea? like the song only light ill see is not the moon but the gren intermitentlight of power. no dmz ever. only the internet light and wan.
gabicincu | Nov 25, 2009 | Reply
HI I’VE WRT110. THERE IS ONE PROBLEM. POWER LED IS BLINKING. WHEN I TURN ON LOCAL AREA IS CONNECTED THEN UNPLUGGED ITSELF AFTER FEW SECONDS. AND AFTER FEW SECOND IT CONNECTED AGAIN
WHAT IS GOING ON….
PLEASE HELP ME……
Nano | Nov 29, 2009 | Reply
This worked great with my WRT54G2 version 1.0. The power was not showing up and now it is plus i was able to image it to dd-wrt. Thanks!
yuvilio | Dec 6, 2009 | Reply
I tryed using your method at the top and i cant get it to work i also read a lot of the post on here and i think i have the same problem as another guy. When i power my router on it has solid green lights internet and all 4 ports. I have a wrt54gs v7 and i cant get it to respond to anything any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
Marcus
Marcus | Dec 16, 2009 | Reply
It worked just as you described. Thank You Very Much.
Mike | Dec 17, 2009 | Reply
I tried all the above methods and even tried the method using the chipset pins. I don’t have an intel chip though I have the broadcom with samsung on wrt54gs v7. Do you know what chip is in it and how it can be unbricked. I have the 4 solid ethernet lights and solid internet light.
Jay | Dec 18, 2009 | Reply
Wow, tftp workaround really worked, http://tftpd32.jounin.net/index.html , this tftp client really put the new mini dd-wrt into router bricked software, best regards!
Luksz | Dec 24, 2009 | Reply
Looking for part 2 link. I followed all items above and I get a response from the router but when I try to tftp then the response is a timeout occurred. Help, please?
Alan | Jan 11, 2010 | Reply
Worked great for my BEFW11S4. My firmware upgrade “bricked” my router. I followed your instruction to bring the ole gal back to life. One side note in case someone else runs into the same problem I did. It would not take the : type tftp -i 192.168.1.1 put ……. command without my router password. I immediately ran the tftp.exe program using the latest firmware bin file(right from my desktop, not command line) The tftp.exe file I am talking about used to be included in the firmware update zip files from linksys. Just do a search on the linksys forums for the tftp.exe file to find it. Worked like a charm.
Thanks again for this excellent info,
LJ
LJ | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Just to clarify the above. I still had to input my password when I ran the tftp.exe program. There was never a password prompt from the command line window.
LJ
LJ | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
“Please refer Part 2 for if this part didn’t work”
This a joke?
Palin Bush | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Worked for me! Thank you very much
Allen | Jan 19, 2010 | Reply
how do i get to file location through command prompt?
thank you!
prophy | Jan 19, 2010 | Reply
Due to the high request from this page, we going to create a dedicated page for this post which is included in our maintenance phase. At the mean time, all comment to this post is disable. If you have any comment please e-mail us. Thanks.