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.
- Download known working firmware for your Linksys router. Rename the bin file to works.bin and move it to your desktop
- Connect your PC to the broken Linksys router via an Ethernet cable
- 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
- 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: 192.168.1.1
- Next, navigate to Start->Run and type cmd and click Ok
- Repeat step 4. You should now have two command windows open
- 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
- 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
- From the first command window press enter. Immediately following, press enter from the second command window
- 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.
