Linksys WRT54G/GL/GS/GX

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[edit] Identifying Your Version

The first 4 digits in the serial number (look on the box or the underside of the router) represent the hardware revision:

CDF0 = WRT54G v1.0
CDF1 = WRT54G v1.0
CDF2 = WRT54G v1.1
CDF3 = WRT54G v1.1
CDF5 = WRT54G v2.0
CDF7 = WRT54G v2.2
CDF8 = WRT54G v3.0
CDF9 = WRT54G v3.1
CDFA = WRT54G v4.0
CDFB = WRT54G v5.0
CDFC = WRT54G v5.1
CDFD = WRT54G v6.0
CDFE = WRT54G v7.0
CDFF = WRT54G v8.0 (purchased 2007-6-4 New Jersey Best Buy)
CDFG = WRT54G v8.0 (purchased 7-16-2007 Hemet Staples)

CL7A = WRT54GL v1.0
CL7B = WRT54GL v1.1
CL7C = WRT54GL v1.1

CGN0 = WRT54GS v1.0
CGN1 = WRT54GS v1.0
CGN2 = WRT54GS v1.1
CGN3 = WRT54GS v2.0
CGN4 = WRT54GS v2.1
CGN5 = WRT54GS v3.0
CGN6 = WRT54GS v4.0
CGN7 = WRT54GS v5.0
CGN8 = WRT54GS v5.1
CGN9 = WRT54GS v6.0
CGNB = WRT54GS V7.0
CGNC = WRT54GS V7.0 (Hadley, MA Best Buy)

CJK0 = WRTSL54GS v1.0

CO61= WRT54G-TM v1.1 (T-Mobile HotSpots)

See more information on the LinksysInfo Autopsy page.

[edit] WRT54G

DD-WRT supports versions 1-6 of this router.

[edit] v1.0

[Comment --n8hfi: On a very old WRT54G v1.0, I found it necessary to upgrade with a newer Linksys firmware before I could load DD-WRT. The original firmware (Linksys v1.00.8 Dec 24 2002) gave a 'incorrect image file' error on on both the mini and standard DD-WRT v23 SP2 images. The sequence that worked was (all done with the web GUI and-ugh-IE):

  1. Restore factory defaults with the original firmware.
  2. Upgrade to Linksys firmware version 4.21.1. You can get it here. Read the fine print carefully, not all firmware versions work with all hardware versions.
  3. Then upgrade to DD-WRT v23sp2_mini_generic. I got the Continue page, but never got the DD-WRT GUI.
  4. Hold the reset button for 30 seconds (I didn't cycle power or anything else on the router.)
  5. Then I got the DD_WRT GUI. I reset it to factory defaults with the GUI, although this step may have been unnecessary, since I'd just flashed it.
  6. Then I upgraded to DD-WRT v23sp2_standard_generic. I selected the 'restore factory defaults after flashing' option while doing this.
  7. And everything worked after this.]

[edit] v2.0

I have been able to install the mini firmware without a problem by following the steps listed for similar routers. I've read where the flash memory is only 2MB, but I read another place that it was 4MB so I'm reluctant to try to go above the mini.

Comment MoT 11:01, 2 Jul 2007 (CEST) : I have been able to flash the VPN version on my V2.0, after flashing from the original Linksys firmware to the mini version first. I followed the V4 tutorial.
After flashing to the mini version, I couldn't flash to the VPN version at first, as I was immediately redirected to a blank page when trying to flash. This seemed to be a problem with IE7, with Firefox, it went fine.


Comment I Use Dial 13:54, 21 Jul 2007 (PDT) I installed mini to my v2.2 through Linksys GUI and had forgotten to reset factory defaults before uploading. I had same problem with blank screen loading but Firefox didn't help. Unplugged it, did a hard reset, unplugged it again, and everything was fine. Then uploaded latest stable version without issue. Don't know why the dude above thinks there is a problem with memory.

Comment Glc 19:00, 31 October 2007 (CET) v2.0 Installed mini generic over Linksys firmware using the web interface, followed by standard generic with web interface. Setting to PPPoE knocked out the WAN port, worked fine in DHCP. Flashed back to mini generic and everything works as advertised.

Comment : Installed mini, then standard generic. No problems except I can't overclock. I try 216 but when applying and restarting all router lights flash together periodically every few seconds. Hard resetting using button takes router back to factory settings and then it works fine. Tried twice on v23 sp2 and once on v24 RC5.

[edit] v4

WRT54G v4 Installation Tutorial

WARNING: Only DD-WRT v23 and newer will run on this model. If you use an older version, you will need to Recover from a Bad Flash.

The stock firmware from Linksys on the WRT54G v4 won't accept a firmware image over 3MB in size (you will get the error: "Upgrade are failed!" if you try) so you will need to flash the mini version of DD-WRT onto the router BEFORE flashing the std or voip versions. (Remember to hold reset button for 30 sec after flashing mini version.)

[edit] v5

Flash your WRT54G or WRT54GS v5 series (v5, v5.1, v6)

See this page: Version 5 And 6 Router Information

[edit] v6

See this page: Version 5 And 6 Router Information

[Comment --Whatrevolution: I've encountered ver.6 WRT54G (SN:CDFD*) & WRT54GS (SN:CGN9*) in which vxworks_prep_v03.bin is rejected by the "web gui" upgrade, with little/no relevant docs available. Where I have found reference to the problem, there are no sollutions. A perfect example is Sureshot's question, and TheScorpion's answer: "The upgrade fails because you aren't uploading a file that the GS will recognize as a valid firmware file."

[Comment --Thescorpion420 13:26, 2 Dec 2006 (CET): In the particular case above Sureshot was using a GS, and at the time I had only experience with the G because that is what I had. After several people asked about the GS, I revised the tutorial on how to upgrade a GS as well. More or less the same process with 1 different file.

[edit] v7

The WRT54G v7 uses an Atheros chip, has 2MB ROM, 8MB RAM and runs VxWorks. It is not supported by DD-WRT as the WRT54G v7 isn't Broadcom based. However, the crew is working on support for the WRT54GS v7 and the WRT54G v8.

Needs to be updated when these devices are officially supported

[edit] v8

DD-WRT v24 RC1 micro supports this router.

[DD-WRT v24 RC3] The the WRT54 Gv8 and WRT54GSv7 is now fully supported, but requires a special flashing procedure (which is simpler than the v5 and v6 vxworks killer procedure).

See http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20095

[DD-WRT v24 RC4] There are some issues with RC3 which are resolved in RC4. CFE update is critical if updating from RC3.

How_To_Flash_the_WRT54Gv8 from flashing.txt

[edit] WRT54GL

DD-WRT v23 and higher supports this router.

The stock firmware from Linksys on the WRT54GL v1 won't accept a firmware image over 3MB in size (you will get the error: "Upgrade are failed!"(sic) if you try) so you will need to flash the mini version of DD-WRT onto the router BEFORE flashing the std or voip versions. (Remember to hold reset button for 30 sec after flashing mini version.)

The WRT54GL Ver 1.1 stock firmware will accept a firmware image of at least 4MB in size; Flashed the memory with DD-WRT standard version (V23sp2). Did not see any success or fail message, however when completed got a blank page in IE. After rebooting Windows, was able to reach the new DD-WRT screen.

[Comment added 07/08/06 by Wayland] I found it best to start with factory settings before flashing WRT54GL for the first time.

[Comment added 23/09/06 by Ullapra]After flashing my WRT54GL to v23 SP2 I was unable to access the web administration page at first. It turned out that the httpd process was crashing every time I tried to access it. I found this workaround in the forums and it fixed the issue: 

nvram set language=english 
nvram commit 
reboot

After the reboot my httpd was back and running. I suspect that the initial error was caused because I hadn't explicitly reset to factory defaults (I assumed that the just-out-of-the-box router would already be at default). The original thread is HTTP device admin not responding

Note: This also fixed my WRT54Gv5 as well, which was responding to Telnet but the Web Interface was aborting.

[Comment added 11/11/07 by Demosthenes]

you may also need to do the following to get in from a browser: 

nvram set http_psswd=""
nvram commit

I found that the login credentials were not accepted on the webgui until i did this step. Mine is a 54GL v1.1 and I went straight to v23sp2_generic

[edit] v1.1

[Comment added 12/04/07 by mithrill]]

I've created some very detailed how-to instructions for flashing the VPN version (V23sp2) of the firmware on v1.1 of the wrt54gl on my site with lots of screen captures. I wanted to contribute to the dd-wrt community in some way in appreciation of everyone's hard work. Due to the extent of my directions, I couldn't post them on this site. Hopefully these instructions will provide help to less technical users in the community. Check them out at http://www.mandladventures.com/2007/04/12/how-to-flash-the-wrt54gl-with-dd-wrt-firmware/ but don't forget to read all of the other great stuff already included on this Wiki.


[Comment added 24/06/06 by msc_buff]]

I ran into serious port forward problems with my GL v1.1. I reread the flash procedure here and used the '30 second reset' with the button instead of the Web GUI and it fixed my problem. Not sure what the difference between a soft reset and a hard reset is but I will stick with what worked for me.


[Comment added 22/09/06 by ITBeast]]

I successfully flashed a WRT54GL Ver 1.1 loaded w/stock Linksys firmware with DD-WRT standard version (V23sp2)using the Installation Tutorial above. The only slight difference from my experience than the tutorial was I did not see any success or fail message, It came up with a "continue" button and when clicked got a blank screen in the IE browser. Rebooted the PC to clear the old IP out of PC's DNS and upon completed reboot was able to login to the new DD-WRT screen. The only other deviation was I bypassed the "Mini" version and went straight to the "Standard" (by accident) with no problems.


[Comment added 22/09/06 by Jagiboy]]

I flashed my WRT54GL Ver 1.1 as per the tutorial. Here are the major steps. (tutorail has detailed steps) 

 1. Reset the new router to Factory default
 2. Updated to the standard V23SP2 Firmware, no issues.
 3. Reset the router (30 sec. with the reset button) to access the 192.168.1.1 page with root/admin

I used my laptop to do the update. Windows XP SP2, IE 6.0 SP2.



[Comment added 04/01/07 by Euthenics]]

I flashed my WRT54GL Ver 1.1 with the Standard DD-WRT V23 SP2. Here's a brief steps I perform. 

 1. Reset the new router to Factory Default (both Soft and Hard Reset)
 2. Updated to the Standard V23 SP2 Firmware, no failed or success message except the "continue" button, 
    when clicked on it, got the blank screen in my IE 7 browser (Windows XP SP2). 
 3. Perform hard reset for 30 seconds and plug off and on again the router's power.
 4. Re-access the new DD-WRT screen and was successful this time.


[Comment added 08/01/07 by DannyColligan]]

I can confirm the previous comments about the only deviation from the main instructions being the aberration after pressing the "continue" button with version 1.1. With me (using IE7, Windows XP SP2) it brought up an authentication dialog with "root" as the name. The default password, "admin", did not work and after three failings I was redirected to a 401 page. Doing a reset of the router following http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Recover_from_a_Bad_Flash#WRT54G these instructions brought up the dd-wrt (mini) screen... I didn't need to reboot my PC as some others did. Flashing to the standard version brought no further problems.


--Lorus77 05:34, 22 Feb 2007 (CET)

Actually after hard and soft resets and flashing, I found that my login had become root and my password stayed as admin. You can telnet to the 192.168.1.1 and run the following commands:

nvram unset http_username nvram unset http_password

Worked for me.


[Comment added 07/02/07 by [Ulrich Prinz]

It is not needed to restart the PC after re-flashing or changing any IP related basic options. What you need to do is to check the arp-table for a correct entry: arp -a shows the content of the table and you'll find your relation between the Linksys box's MAC-address and its IP-address. Use arp -d 'box-ip' to remove the possibly wrong relation. Then ping again the IP-address of the box. After some 'unreachable' messages the ping succeeds. That's way faster than rebooting your pc all over again and again.

This works also for remote machines. So if you configure through a ssh/telnet system or via WDS, you need to update arp-table entries on the machine routing to the box. Worked for me on WRT54G v2, v2.2 and WRT54GL v1.1


[Comment added 07/03/01 [bo]]

I have v23 sp2, my problem is that my client machine loses and regains its IP. Furthermore, when I connect one client more to the RJ45 array I lose connection altogether even to the WRT54GL. Anybody have a list of things to do to pinpoint the problem? My router goes of and on while writing this.


[Comment added 16/03/07 [Mark Hamburger]]

The only change between the 1.0 and 1.1 WRT54GL is the change in factory firmware to allow for an image larger than 3MB in size to be flashed, so there in no need to flash it with the mini firmware first. The method that works best for me is: 

 1. Reset the router to factory defaults (hold reset button for 30 seconds)
 2. Flash with new firmware in web interface. (I got a success screen, you may not)
 3. Reset the router again. (reset button for 30 seconds again)
 4. Log into router at 192.168.1.1 with default user and password (U:root and P:admin)

Now everything should work. I went from the factory firmware straight to VPN and VoIP on two seperate routers with this method.


[Comment added 11/10/07 [gob]]

Bought a WRT54GL-DE today. serial on the router says it's a version 1.1. But it doesn't accept the standard image. Instead first flash the mini image and then use dd-wrt interface to flash standard version. Works like installing on v1.0 routers.

[edit] WRT54GS

DD-WRT supports versions 1 through 6 of the WRT54GS router. (Note that later versions have less flash memory and may require micro versions of DD-WRT.)

[edit] v3

[Comment added 05/03/06 by PhoneBoy]On my WRT54GSv3, I found that the device wouldn't take ANY firmware unless I reset it using the button rather than just factory reset from the web interface. Word of warning.

[edit] v4

The stock firmware from Linksys on the WRT54GS v4 won't accept a firmware image over 3MB in size (you will get the error: "Upgrade are failed!"(sic) if you try) so you will need to flash the mini version of DD-WRT onto the router BEFORE flashing the std or voip versions. (Remember to hold reset button for 30 sec after flashing mini version.)

[Comment added 10/07/07 by gatorback]V24 mini would not load: V23 mini wrt54gsv4.bin would load. After this success, V24 VPN generic (9/13/07) loaded successfully. Based on observations below, I recommend loading V23_mini_wrt54gsv4 first before loading the final target firmware.

[Comment added 11/01/06 by bigbloke of cownet.org]Today I purchased a 'GS V4 not having read this note previously. It flashed V23 standard perfectly first time from the specific file (dd-wrt.v23_wrt54gsv4.bin) therefore there may be some additional factors influencing this) - I hope this is useful feedback

[Comment added 12/01/06 by Mart]I just purchased a GS V4 too. After reading bigbloke's note, i decided to try skip the warning and directly flash V23 VPN from the (dd-wrt.v23_vpn_generic.bin) file without any problems too. I simply followed the "right way to flash" instructions step by step. Looks like the warning mentioned above does not apply with this version.

[Comment added 18/01/06 by Macks]I can second the above, just flashed a GSv4 from Linksys original and used dd-wrt.v23_vpn_wrt54gsv4.bin without problems, directly without going via the mini.

[Comment added 22/01/06 by JD]I can confirm the statement from Macks. Two days ago I bought also a 'GS v4' and I flashed it with the v23 standard without problems (directly without going via the mini)

[Comment added 19/02/06 by markusk]and i did it that way as well and after that got the weirdest behaviour of a router i've ever seen, mainly giving something like unstable wan-connection by going with high traffic over the router (be it via bittorrent, icq-filetransfers and similar).. unfortunately reflashing with mini and then a "big" one didn't help at all..

[Comment added 28/02/06 by mfb] Like Macks I flashed my 'GS v4' with v23 vpn direct, without mini first - working fine, no problems.

[Comment added 09/04/06 by zonk]I also can confirm the above statements of flashing two fresh bought WRT54GS v4 routers using the vpn version (v23) instead of the mini version. I used Firefox 1.5 and Opera 7.5 without any failed message. Both routers run stable.

[Comment added 04/06/06 by Yusuf Motiwala]I too can confirm that it can be upgraded directly to standard version. Even after reading this, I experimented upgrading my WRT54GSv4 directly with v23 SP1 standard image without any problem. May be stated limitation is firmware version dependent. At the time of upgrade, my linksys stock firmware version was 1.5.2.

[Comment added 13/09/07 by [hajj_3] DO NOT PUT FULL VERSION ON FIRST, i just did that and now my router is bricked:( make sure you do mini first guys!

[edit] v5 and v6

WRT54G(S) v5-v6 series have a vxworks-based firmware, and as such need special preparation before flashing. They are supported in v23 SP1 and above "micro" builds. See Flash_your_WRT54G_or_WRT54GS_v5_series_(v5,_v5.1,_v6)

Also see this page: Version 5 And 6 Router Information

[edit] v7

[DD-WRT v24 RC3] The WRT54GS v7 is now fully supported (if its not an intel chip - see important note below), but requires again a special flashing way, which is easier this time compared to the v5 and v6 vxworks killer.

WARNING: There are at least two types of flash chips that are used on the v7 router. Using this method with an INTEL-type flash chip will brick your router. There is not currently a solution for using vxworkskiller with the intel-chip v7 routers.

How_To_Flash_the_WRT54GS_v7 from flashing.txt

See also the forum relative teme

[edit] Clock Speed and Overclocking

The standard clock speed of a WRT54G(S) v2-v6 is 200 MHz. DD-WRT allows overclocking the device to up to 300 MHz for v2-v3 and up to 250mhz for v4-v6. It is also possible to underclock, which may be useful for troubleshooting crashes which may be caused by overheating. Newer Linksys firmware overclocks some models of the WRT54GS to 216 MHz, to prevent instability issues inherent in the 2.x versions.

The WRT54G(S) v4-v6 and WRT54GL v1.x have a BCM3302 v0.8 processor instead of a BCM3303 v0.7 with previous models.

WRT54GL v1.1 is stable when overclocked at 250MHz, with no extra cooling. Your mileage may vary.

For information on running a v4 series greater than the CFE imposed maximum of 250mhz, please see [Increased overclocking through CFE modifications] (technical).

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