Hello everybody!
In this video, I’m going to tell you how to flash a Wi-Fi router, why people do it,
and when a router should be flashed.
We will also find out where and how to download the latest firmware for a particular router
model, how to flash standard and third-party firmware, and how to recover a bricked router.
Every day, the Internet is becoming a more and more indispensable part of our lives.
That is why high-quality and fast Internet connection becomes a key to success.
It is common knowledge that when connecting to the Internet you might face all kinds of
issues that seem to disagree with the paramount goal of having fast and reliable connection.
One of such issues can be related to errors in the router’s firmware.
When faced with such problem, most users tend to contact a service center; however, you
can just as well flash the router without leaving your place.
I will show you how to do it with the example of a TP-Link router.
However, as most routers have similar functionality, this tutorial will help you in dealing with
other models, regardless of the actual manufacturer.
The only thing that may really differ is the interface of the settings menu.
When you buy a router from a shop, don't be too confident about its having the latest
software onboard.
You may not know when exactly it was produced and how much time it spent lying on the shelf.
Routers supplied with older versions of their built-in software usually have security vulnerabilities.
What is router firmware?
Firmware is a piece of microcode stored in the nonvolatile (permanent) memory of a computer,
tablet PC, smartphone, GPS navigation system or any other digital device.
In other words, it is a kind of an operating system which is made up of a huge number of
small applications.
This microcode (firmware) is stored in the permanent memory of a device, and the process
of its upgrading is known as reflashing.
Why flash a router?
You should flash a router only when it is really necessary.
As most experts say, “If it ain't broke, don't fix it” (there’s no need to repair
what works properly).
Yet it is recommended to upgrade the router firmware when you notice failures or freezes,
when Wi-Fi turns on and off completely on its own, or when Internet connection gets
lost all the time.
Besides, it makes sense to upgrade the microcode if newer versions feature certain technical
changes which you need for fine-tuning your router, or if they introduce support for some
new standards.
If there is a new version of the firmware fixing an important security issue, for example,
in the Wi-Fi protocol, or your router has its interface in English or other language
only, and you would like to change the interface language.
You may also need new firmware to unlock your router or unbind it from a certain service
provider.
Often, people install alternative firmware which comes supplemented with new drivers
and applications (IPTV, Voip, Proxy, torrent clients, webcams, modem support etc).
But as long as your router works without any serious issues and new firmware versions don’t
contain any CONSIDERABLE changes, there is little sense in upgrading it.
By the way, if you notice that your router provides a weak Wi-Fi signal in a wireless
network, it doesn’t mean that it needs reflashing.
The router may be positioned in the wrong way, or other factors may affect the level
of signal.
What you should know before flashing and looking for a compatible firmware version
First of all, it should be understood that possible mistakes when upgrading your device
may deprive you of your warranty and make the device inoperable - without any hope to
repair it.
To begin with, you should know the device model and its hardware version.
The easiest way to learn them is to have a look at the sticker on the bottom side of
the device.
You can see the model, address, hardware version and other information.
For example, my router’s hardware version is 9.1.
When you know the model and hardware version, it’s time to look for compatible firmware.
To do it, go to the official website of the router manufacturer.
Look for a tab with the name “Support” and give the router model in the search field.
Then click the “Support” link and select the hardware version, then click on the tab
“Firmware” below.
Look for the latest firmware version with the language you prefer and click “Download”.
After that, extract the file to any convenient directory.
That’s all - the only thing left to do is to install it onto the router.
Flashing the router Before you start flashing the router, disconnect
it from the provider and the network so that there is no interference.
Then connect the router to the computer with a network cable which usually comes supplied
with the device.
It is not recommended to flash a router by Wi-Fi.
The network cable should be plugged into the LAN/Ethernet port of the router.
Now you should enter the web interface of the device.
To do it, use your computer to open any browser and type in the router’s IP address which
you’ve just found on the sticker; usually, it’s like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 and
so on.
In the window that opens enter the login and the password to access the settings: by default,
these are “admin” and “admin,” and you can see it on the same sticker.
After you opened the router settings, it’s time to create a restore point.
Go to the tab “System Tools” and look for “Backup&Restore.”
Click on the “Backup” button and specify the path where you want to save the file containing
the settings.
Here’s an important piece of advice!
No matter what you are trying to do with the router software, it is recommended to create
a restore point for the settings.
It should be done to have a chance of recovering the current settings in case anything goes
wrong.
This simple precaution can save not only your time and mental health, but also your money
which you would have to spend on paying the ISP engineers for bringing your router back
to life.
Finally, the flashing process itself.
Go to the tab “System Tools” and look for “Firmware Upgrade.”
Click on it to select the firmware file you have downloaded, then click “Upgrade.”
You will have to wait until the process is over.
Here is one more important thing.
While the router is being flashed, you shouldn’t do anything with it.
If you do, it can trigger a failure when the old firmware is removed, and the new version
is not installed yet.
If it happens, there are very little chances to recover the device at home.
When the flashing operation is complete, the router will reboot and wait for setup operations
- but now with the new firmware.
Restoring router settings.
When the router has been upgraded successfully, you can restore the settings it had before.
And this is when the file you have created before the flashing operation comes in handy.
Go to the tab “System Tools” / “Backup&Restore.”
Click on “Choose File.”
Give the path to the previously created file and click “Restore.”
That’s all, the flashing procedure is over, and you can see that it’s quite simple and
quick.
However, it requires all your attention, because a single step taken wrong can break down the
device.
If flashing was performed properly, the device should work quickly and reliably without any
failures and providing the quality of signal as guaranteed by the manufacturer.
Third-party router firmware You can also install third-party firmware
for your router, for example, DD-WRT.
DD-WRT is a free alternative firmware for wireless routers.
It includes special functions which are not available in original firmware versions.
These include “Kai network”, daemon-based services, IPv6, Wireless Distribution System,
RADIUS, supercharge options and hardware modification support for SD cards.
The official website of my router manufacturer says that official firmware can be replaced
with third-party stuff, for example, with DD-WRT.
However, the company will not undertake to provide service or technical support for a
device with third-party software and cannot guarantee its reliability.
The damage done to the device as a result of using third-party applications will cancel
the warranty.
Why would you need third-party router firmware?
If you feel you can’t get enough from the functions offered by the standard web interface
of your router, you can install third-party software.
Yet if you don’t know why this kind of firmware is necessary, it is a clear sign you don’t
actually need it.
DD-WRT firmware is a Linux-based operating system.
Even with default settings, it has a very wide functionality that cannot be compared
to the factory-supplied firmware.
It features such components as an FTP server, Samba, WOL and many other things.
With a web interface you can access detailed statistics and see the traffic load for the
local network, wireless network, and the primary Internet connection, as well as the load on
the router’s processor and memory.
If you configure the router for installation of additional packages, you can turn your
router into a home media server.
Connect a hard disk with a torrent client installed on it, and enable HTTP-based IPTV
broadcasts that you can watch by Wi-Fi.
If you have a television supporting DLNA standard, you can connect it to the router and watch
IPTV, as well as watch films from the hard disk.
Flashing third-party firmware follows the same steps as in the case with the standard
software for your router.
Start with downloading the firmware.
To do it, visit the official website and click on “Download.”
Type your router model in the search field and download the firmware that corresponds
to the hardware version of your device.
You will see three files.
The first and the last file are what you need to flash your router.
The second file will be required to roll the router back to the standard firmware.
After the download is over, open a browser, enter the web interface of the router, go
to the tab “System Tools” / “Firmware Upgrade.”
Select the first downloaded file and click “Upgrade.”
Wait for the process to finish, and enter the web interface again; the address for accessing
the router may change into 192.168.1.1.
Enter the login and the password: “admin” and “admin.”
Then switch to the tab “Administration” / “Firmware Upgrade.”
Again, click “Choose File” and specify the path to the second file.
Wait until the flashing process is complete.
The job is done; the third-party firmware is now installed.
As you can see, this firmware offers a wider range of functions.
This kind of software can even boost Wi-Fi signal to the maximal level that your router
can support.
If you want to do it, go to the tab “Wireless” and check the box “Advanced Settings.”
In the line “TX Power,” you can see the output rating of 20dbn.
For the standard firmware, this value is maximal, but with the new software you can set it even
higher.
This way, you can improve Wi-Fi signal for some routers.
To change the interface language, just go to the tab “Administration” / “Management,”
scroll down and choose the required option in the line “Language.”
By contrast with the standard firmware, you don’t have to look for software with particular
language options.
Recovering a router after a bad flash The easiest way is to reset the device to
factory settings.
However, in most cases it is not going to help you if you tried to install incompatible
software.
If this is the case, you will have to use an alternative method.
It doesn’t work for every model, and success is not guaranteed, so use it on your own responsibility.
To use this particular method, you will need the factory-supplied firmware (with your hardware
version and localization) and an application called “Tftpd.”
This is a free utility, and you will find the download link in the description below
this video.
Extract the archive and rename the file, at first specifying the hardware version and
model of your device.
You can see an example on the screen.
V5: wr840ndv5_tp_recovery.bin и wr841ndv5_tp_recovery.bin Version, model, recovery bin.
It is also important to specify the hardware version.
When you do it, place the renamed file into the folder containing the “Tftpd” application.
After all these steps, you should change only one router value - refresh its IP address.
For a Windows 10 computer, open Settings / Network & Internet / Network and Sharing Center.
Click on your network, select Properties and open Ipv4.
Type in the following IP address: 192.168.1.66, and for some models, it can be different:
192.168.0.66.
If both addresses failed, try using 192.168.0.86 Set the mask as 255.255.255.0 and return to
working with the “Tftpd” application and the firmware file.
Make sure that the router is connected to a computer or laptop with an Ethernet cable
within a local network.
Run the “Tftpd” application with administrator rights.
In the window that opens, you will see a field entitled “Server Interface” where you
should select the IP you have given in the network settings before.
When you select it, click on the button “Show Dir.”
There must be the renamed firmware file that you have placed into the same folder with
the “Tftpd” application.
If you do everything right, it is time to power up your router, then press and hold
the button “WPS/Reset.”
At this stage, the upgrading process is displayed on the screen.
If it isn't happening, turn off the router, hold the “WPS/Reset” button and turn the
router on again.
You are almost done - just wait until the upgrade process is complete and the router
reboots automatically.
When the process is over, you should be able to access the device settings again.
If everything worked fine, don’t forget to open the local network settings and change
the option “Use the following IP address” back to “Obtain an IP address automatically.”
That’s all for now!
I hope you find this video useful.
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Thank you for watching.
Good luck.