HPR2332: Installing DD-WRT on ASUS RT-N66U

Notes

• This worked for me, but it’s no guarantee it’ll work for you
• It’s been a couple weeks and I’m doing this from memory with the help of the resources I used, so I may have missed or misremembered a step
• Read the relevant documentation for yourself
  • Peacock Thread
  • ASUS RT-N66U Specific Page
• DO NOT use the router database to determine the firmware version to use

Resetting and Clearing

• Recovery Mode (use Reset Button):
  • With router unplugged, press reset button
  • Plug in power
  • Hold reset button for ~10 seconds until the power LED is blinking slowly
• Clear the NVRAM (use WPS Button):
  • With router unplugged, press WPS button
  • Plug in power
  • Hold WPS button for ~10 seconds
  • Note: NVRAM is where the settings for the router are stored
• 30-30-30 Reset
  • Push reset button with the router powered on for 30 seconds
  • Pull the power cord for 30 seconds while holding the reset button
  • Plug the power cord in for 30 seconds, while holding the reset button

Upload via Web GUI

• Tried using the Web GUI method, but ASUS firmware checks to see if it’s an official version (i.e. signed by ASUS), and will only install it if it is
• DD-WRT isn’t an official version, obviously, but not all is lost, uploading via recovery utility works

Upload via Recovery Utility

• Download router firmware: dd-wrt.v24-26138_NEWD-2_K3.x-big-RT-N6UU.trx
  • big version includes more tools than mega version
• Make the following network config information on the computer you’ll upload the firmware from:
  • IP = 192.168.1.12
  • Subnet = 255.255.255.0
  • Default Gateway = 192.168.1.1
• Perform 30-30-30 Reset
• Perform Clear NVRAM
• Perform Recovery Mode
• Navigate to 192.168.1.1 and follow screen directions to upload DD-WRT firmware
• It may take up to 10 minutes to reboot (don’t think it took that long, but I waited that long)
• Perform Recovery Mode
• Navigate to 192.168.1.1 and select Reset NVRAM
• Navigate to https://192.168.1.1/do.htm?cmd=nvram+commit, and then select reboot and wait ~10 minutes
• Perform 30-30-30 Reset
• Navigating to 192.168.1.1 should now bring you to your new DD-WRT installation
  • Remember to secure it
• Note: installing mini version (referenced in online directions) isn’t necessary prior to installing the big/mega version

Resources

• Steps to take if you think you have a bricked router
• Should use recovery mode and K3.x version
• Non-official firmware is blocked

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