How to fix a Bricked Linksys Router

How to fix a Bricked Linksys Router

The following simple solution explains how to fix a bricked Linksys router. Tested on a Linksys WRT54G router. Typically a router can become bricked if a firmware update was unsuccessful. Many people think that their Linksys router is no longer any good because they cannot access the Linksys admin panel after a failed firmware update. However, in most cases, a bricked Linksys router is completely repairable and simply requires a new means of flashing to get it back up and running again.

Fixing a Bricked Linksys Router:Note: If you have attempted a flash update and it failed, this tutorial is for you. Before proceeding, disable any wireless connections. We will be working via a wired port to communicate and repair the broken Linksys router. I have personally tested this tutorial on Linksys WRT54G and Linksys WRT600N routers.

1. Download known working firmware for your Linksys router. Rename the bin file to works.bin and move it to your desktop

2. Connect your PC to the broken Linksys router via an Ethernet cable

3. Navigate to Start->Control Panel->Network Connections and double click the Local Area Connection icon. Click the Properties button and double click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) from the list

4. Click the option to Use the following IP address: and set it up as follows and then click Ok:

IP address: 192.168.1.10 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 Default gateway: 192.168.1.15. Next, navigate to Start->Run and type cmd and click Ok6. Repeat step 4. You should now have two command windows open

7. From the first command window type cd Desktop and press enter. Next, type PING -t 192.168.1.1 but DO NOT PRESS enter yet

8. From the Second command windows type cd Desktop and press enter. Next, type tftp -i 192.168.1.1 PUT works.bin but DO NOT PRESS enter yet

9. From the first command window press enter. Immediately following, press enter from the second command window

10. After the firmware has been uploaded, you should be able to reset your Linksys router and log into the Linksys admin panel

Additional notes: The upload needs to occur within a five second window, so you may not be successful the first time! Sometimes it takes multiple tries before you get the router to accept the upload. http://www.lancelhoff.com/how-to-fix-a-bricked-linksys-router/How to Unbrick A Linksys Router

http://www.savemondo.com/2008/11/21/how-to-unbrick-a-linksys-router/Im sure many of you have network routers at home for your DSL or Cable internet connections. Some of you may have even went ahead and did a firmware update to get the latest drivers for it. Its a smart move to upgrade the firmware, especially when the update will give you new updates or improve security. There is always the rare case of a router not working after an upgrade. Its happened to me once.

I have a linksys router, and during the firmware update, something went wrong. The update failed and it become what is known as a brick. The term means that its as useful as a brick, it wont do a thing. I had the unfortunate experience of having the router become unresponsive, with a blinking power light, that could not be pinged.

I did some searching online for solutions. Most of the solutions didnt work, or recommended doing things that would void the warranty; to me this was not an option. After a few hours, I stumbled upon by accident a trick to get the router into what is known as Firmware Management Recovery Mode. Ive have not heard of this before, and everything I read made no mention of this feature. When the router is in Firmware Management Recovery Mode, it is responsive and you can access a specialized control panel. It wont function as a router, but it is accessible to make what changes you need to make to correct the problem and get it back to functional status. I have done this on two seperate linksys routers, and they both worked. The admin password was still intact on one of them.

Here are the steps I did:

Hold down the reset button for at least 30 seconds.

While still holding down the reset button, unplug the device.

While still holding down the reset button, leave the unit unplugged for at least 5 seconds.

While still holding down the reset button, plug the power cord back into the router.

After 5 seconds, you can stop holding down the reset button.

Go to the webpage of the router. Its usually http://192.168.1.1/ or http://192.168.2.1/

You should see the Special Maintenance Mode.

Upload the firmware you were trying to load up, or try resetting it.

Follow the remainder of the instructions on the admin screens and thats it.

This should get your router back to working mode, and you didnt have to call anyone or spend money to fix it.

Happy Saving.