Reinstalling Openwrt on a bricked router?

Installing and Using OpenWrt
1

Hello guys, a new forum member. This is a bit of a long shot, I'd like to explain my situation if I may. I bought a router with openwrt on it some time ago (roughly over 3 ½ years ago). It worked great for what I needed but a guy told me that my version was outdated and I (stupidly) agreed to his steps to update it. Unfortunately his steps I believe killed the router. The router powers on but nothing appears for WiFi to connect to it. I also tried a reset with the button on the back.

I tried contacting the original seller but because I bought it a long time ago they didn't want help. As I said this is a long shot but I've attached some photos of the router motherboard in hopes that there is a possible way of reflashing a newer openwrt firmware.

Model = ZBT-WE2426-C V05

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I would greatly appreciate if someone could help. Or to even let me know if it's possible to reflash the device. Thanks alot guys.

2

we2426 does not appear to be an officially supported OpenWrt device, so I'm afraid you may be out of luck?
OpenWrt ToH

3

Thanks for your reply Bill. That's unfortunate. I assume they used a fork of Openwrt :sob:. Maybe it's time for the bin. Thanks

4

Assuming that it did run some kind of OpenWrt and that your upgrade resulted in a bootable firmware.

Then resetting it would turn off WiFi, so maybe try plugging something into one of the LAN ports and see if you get a connection.

5

Hi I really appreciate your reply. Upon further investigation it had firmware version 19.7.03. I followed a guide here on the forum to access a web gui (which is in Chinese) but translates "firmware recovery mode". From there I was able to backup the EEPROM file. In the same area there is an option to recover the firmware but it then asks me for what I assume is a firmware file to reflash. Not sure where to go from there.

P.s the router was only used as an access point. I tried connecting it to my isp router and then using another ethernet to my pc but I cannot access the web gui or LuCa interface that was there before.

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6

Your best bet is to contact the manufacturer to see if they have a firmware to give you.

But maybe it'd be less of a hassle to just buy a new AP that has official OpenWrt support if you wish to use OpenWrt.

1 Like
7

I agree. I will look at buying something new that supports openwrt. Thanks for your replies anyhow. It's much appreciated :smiling_face:

8

Seems the chip inside is MT7628AN. MTK/Ralink. That's the mediatek chip I think. Alot of routers have that chip and some I believe have openwrt support.

I've had one last attemp at messaging the company I bought from in hopes they have a firmware file to reflash.

Fingers crossed. As I know this isn't supported I do appreciate the replies. Thanks again guys.

9

Hey guys a quick update. Hit things sorted. Reflashed and up and running. Thread can be closed. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Appreciated