I got this device and tried to install OpenWrt 24.10.1 twice and I'm still on OEM firmware, what could be going on? The LED is blinking rapidly in case it's a sign of something.
You followed https://git.openwrt.org/?p=openwrt/openwrt.git;a=commit;h=31b49f02ca8a82a36f920d4b29626f2845e9eb50, when you said you flashed it twice, right ?
I followed the instructions on the Wiki for this device. I paid attention to the phrase The “factory” openwrt image can be flashed directly from OEM stock firmware. After the flash the router will reboot automatically. However, due to the dual boot system, the first installation could fail.. I installed the factory file on the OEM firmware twice but OpenWrt won't boot.
A couple of years ago I had troubles for installing OpenWrt on the EA7300v2 (you read correctly EA7300). Some threads here let me think that the EA7500 behave in the same way. So I suggest you to have a look at the EA7300 wiki for infos. Long story short, you must install OpenWrt on partition 1 and proceed to a tweak in etc/rc.local
This is what I see partially in http://192.168.1.1/sysinfo.cgi:
page generated on Sat Jun 21 18:20:43 UTC 2025
UpTime:
18:20:43 up 15 min, load average: 1.13, 1.56, 1.33
Firmware Version: 2.0.8.194281
Firmware Builddate: 2019-04-30 01:14
Product.type: production
Linux: Linux version 2.6.36 (root@build-vm) (gcc version 4.6.3 (Buildroot 2012.11.1) ) #81 SMP Mon Apr 29 17:41:44 PDT 2019
Board: focus
-----U-Boot Data-----
fw_printenv bootdelay: bootdelay=5
fw_printenv mtdparts:
fw_printenv bootcmd: bootcmd=tftp
fw_printenv boot_part: boot_part=1
fw_printenv auto_recovery: auto_recovery=yes
fw_printenv mtdparts_version:
All fw_printenv:
bootargs=console=ttyS1,115200n8 root=/dev/mtdblock6 ro rootfstype=jffs2 init=/sbin/init
bootcmd=tftp
auto_recovery=yes
bootdelay=5
baudrate=115200
ethaddr="00:AA:BB:CC:DD:10"
ipaddr=192.168.1.1
serverip=192.168.1.180
bootfile=atlanta.img
Image1Stable=0
Image1Try=0
boot_part_ready=3
stdin=serial
stdout=serial
stderr=serial
boot_part=1
-----Boot Data-----
cat /proc/cmdline: console=ttyS1,115200n8 root=/dev/mtdblock6 ro rootfstype=jffs2 init=/sbin/init
cat /proc/mtd: dev: size erasesize name
mtd0: 07f80000 00020000 "ALL"
mtd1: 00080000 00020000 "boot"
mtd2: 00040000 00020000 "u_env"
mtd3: 00040000 00020000 "Factory"
mtd4: 00040000 00020000 "s_env"
mtd5: 00040000 00020000 "devinfo"
mtd6: 02800000 00020000 "kernel"
mtd7: 02400000 00020000 "rootfs"
mtd8: 02800000 00020000 "alt_kernel"
mtd9: 02400000 00020000 "alt_rootfs"
mtd10: 00100000 00020000 "sysdiag"
mtd11: 02d00000 00020000 "syscfg"
----EPROM Manufacturer Data-----
mfg_data_version = 1
modelNumber = EA7500
hw_version = 0.3
Hi.
So you are booting Linksys from partition 1. I assumed you have already flashed OpenWrt, so it landed on partition 2. This is not a valid install and can't be booted, that's why the device still boots from partition 1. You must flash again Linksys in order to be installed and booted from partition 2. Than you will be able to flash OpenWrt on partition 1.
Problem is : Linksys doesn't provide the firmware anymore, at least easily. Using info from EA8300 and the firmware release in your message ... I have found it !
https://downloads.linksys.com/support/assets/firmware/FW_EA7500v2_2.0.8.194281_prod.img
That's right. I got the device with the original firmware. I also tried installing the FW_EA7500v2_2.0.8.194281_prod.img file downloaded from the Linksys website, but it won't accept it. I get an error in the OEM web interface. Is that what you mean by "flash again Linksys"?
Yes.
Lol, you have found the same link. Weird that you can't flash again.
Have you tried : go to “Troubleshooting” → “Diagnostics” and click on “Restore previous firmware”.
I pressed that button, but it's still in the same place. I don't see any difference compared to before I pressed the button.
I keep seeing that it appears to boot from partition 1. I also see that the LED keeps blinking.
page generated on Sat Jun 21 20:28:01 UTC 2025
UpTime:
20:28:01 up 3 min, load average: 0.74, 1.18, 0.53
Firmware Version: 2.0.8.194281
Firmware Builddate: 2019-04-30 01:14
Product.type: production
Linux: Linux version 2.6.36 (root@build-vm) (gcc version 4.6.3 (Buildroot 2012.11.1) ) #81 SMP Mon Apr 29 17:41:44 PDT 2019
Board: focus
-----U-Boot Data-----
fw_printenv bootdelay: bootdelay=5
fw_printenv mtdparts:
fw_printenv bootcmd: bootcmd=tftp
fw_printenv boot_part: boot_part=1
The device may have tried to boot from partition 2, messed up the boot, and still reboot on partition 1. My only idea is to flash Linksys firmware to partition 2. Have you tried TFTP ? using serial console to interrupt the boot ?
Well, after following the step you told me about pressing the button to restore the previous firmware, I tried to install the OEM file again and it took me and after restarting it tells me that it was completed and in http://192.168.1.1/sysinfo.cgi it tells me that it booted from partition 2:
page generated on Sat Jun 21 20:29:03 UTC 2025
UpTime:
20:29:03 up 4 min, load average: 0.53, 1.13, 0.56
Firmware Version: 2.0.8.194281
Firmware Builddate: 2019-04-30 01:14
Product.type: production
Linux: Linux version 2.6.36 (root@build-vm) (gcc version 4.6.3 (Buildroot 2012.11.1) ) #81 SMP Mon Apr 29 17:41:44 PDT 2019
Board: focus
-----U-Boot Data-----
fw_printenv bootdelay: bootdelay=5
fw_printenv mtdparts:
fw_printenv bootcmd: bootcmd=tftp
fw_printenv boot_part: boot_part=2
fw_printenv auto_recovery: auto_recovery=yes
fw_printenv mtdparts_version:
Now I should install the OpenWrt factory?
Great news. You may proceed with the OpenWrt factory image. Assuming the device reboots with OpenWrt, manually reboot it again 4 times. If the device finally reboot to Linksys, than you have to apply the boot tweak (see EA7300v2 wiki).
I tried installing OpenWrt and it already booted with OpenWrt. What do you mean by rebooting four times? Is rebooting from LuCI enough?
Once OpenWrt is installed on partition 1, it boots, nevertheless the boot is declared as invalid. On the 4th boot, the bootloader will switch to Linksys on partition 2. So reboot willingly 4 times. If the system still reboots on OpenWrt, it is fine. If not, you need to reflash OpenWrt (it will land on partition 1) and apply the bootloader tweak into etc/rc.local. Read the end of this chapter.
Yes rebooting from Luci is enough.
I've already rebooted it more than four times and I'm still on OpenWrt. Now, regarding the OpenWrt upgrade, there's a contradiction in the Wiki. The instructions for Flashing unsuccessfully, router booting to OEM firmware (step 4) say I have to use sysupgrade, but Upgrading OpenWrt doesn't. Which one should I follow?
Without the bootloader tweak? You may have reach stablility.
Regarding upgrading, I would recommend not to use sysupgrade. Flash will be done on partition 2, and will not succeed to boot. Backup settings, use advanced reboot to return to Linksys. Flash a newer factory image. Restore settings. This is how I do on the EA7300v2.