MX2000 velope meshnet (MX20WH). I downloaded firmware specific for it (requires snapshot version). And bricked router. Had to 'hold reset for 90 secs, with an unplug and plug each 30 secs to fix it'.
I reset router settings to factory default, then installed 'openwrt_factory' firmware file through Linksys manual setting. Router rebooted, blue light came on less than a second, then off. Tried a few times. Did I miss something?
Thanks!
oops! Forgot one important detail which was clearly my own doing (I have an extra brand new router so I didn't care). When installing the OpenWRT firmware, a message came up displaying that it wasn't compatible with my router, but I forced it anyway, by clicking 'yes'.
So, did I somehow download the wrong files? [crc's match]
Thanks. What information would I get by using 'serial console cable'?
Also, the error message was more like 'it's not the right version'. The message was from OpenWRT, I believe, and not from Linksys. I forced it because I thought maybe since it wasn't an official Linksys firmware, that's why it through the warning.
It would show the boot process, and show where it stops, and maybe why. Further it gives a possible mechanism to repair it.
There are more ways an install can fail than it can succeed. And so it's hard to say why it failed. It could be your router had a newer firmware which doesn't cope well with the factory image you used. The router could have a new hardware revision. Or somehow you could have used the wrong factory image.
Check the main MX2000 thread, specifically IPQ5018: Support for Linksys MX2000 Atlas 6 & MX5500 Atlas 6 Pro - #989 by georgem83
The snapshot from 2025-05-01 was broken. I believe today's build is working on the MX2000, but not positive.
The message you got about incompatibility was from the Linksys firmware, not OpenWRT. Fairly certain that's normal coming from stock.
Edit: Also have a read through Installing OpenWrt development snapshots if this is your first time with OpenWRT. The snapshots don't include the LuCI webUI unless you build it with the firmware selector, and I suspect you'll want that.
I don't have an MX2000 myself, but if it's anything like the MX5500, which it should be, you can switch to the other (still factory firmware) partition and try flashing it again.
Start with it powered off.
Turn it on for 3 seconds, then power it back off. Repeat 2 more times.
The next time you power it on, it will hopefully boot up the alternate partition and to the stock firmware.
thanks all for the help. i followed the instructions for my router, which is to simply hit the 'CA' link at the bottom right of the linksys screen and click manual add openwrt firmware. i use the exact firmware required. router reboots, quick light, then no light. (tried on brand new exact router as well).
im only saying this because if i cant install it using the openwrt instructions.. then thats as far as i can go. again thanks all for your help and i hope openwrt perhaps, updates the instructions to include all that hardware configuration if required.