[NotShige]

Hello everyone! Young newbie here.

So I just installed DD-WRT on this router only to find out that the build number was a known bad build. Wi-Fi would also drop after a couple of hours. (Shouldn't have installed the one on the router database after all...)

Now I tried to upgrade the firmware via the Web GUI, but it would just hang. Couple of minutes later I unplugged it with no changes at all, so I resorted to installing via telnet. I followed the instructions only to be greeted with a bootloop. Nice...

After this, I tried to reflash the original firmware on this via emergency mode, but it didn't work! I've also tried other firmware revisions and none of them worked as well...

After knowing that it wasn't gonna work, I took a look inside my router to see if I could find a specific firmware version here, and I did. It's AT20100920A1/5.10B09. Now, there is a FW version 5.10B09, but it didn't work. The release date also didn't match the string that I found on the router's board.

So, is my router screwed? Would appreciate any help!

[Wildlion]

My DIR-615 E3 died somewhat like that a while ago, the flash did not take and the recovery mode did not take anything. You might be able to try TFTP but the router may be dead. Have you tried any serial connections or are you past that state?

[ian5142]

I have recovered both E3 and C1 versions using the Serial / TFTP method. Just TFTP never works for me. I end up starting the TFTP request via serial. Then I can tell what the router is doing.

This page is helpful: https://openwrt.org/toh/d-link/dir-615

Also, note this from the old wiki (Browser issues): https://oldwiki.archive.openwrt.org/toh/d-link/dir-615#rev_c1_and_e4
I used Firefox Portable 13 and it did work via the GUI. I still had serial hooked up because I like to see what the router is doing.

Always go back to D-Link firmware first, then flash a dd-wrt build (make sure the factory ddwrt build will fit, <4000 bytes) There were some factory to ddwrt builds in 2019 and 2020 that will instantly brick the router (too big). No need to do a reset on either the factory or dd-wrt firmware. I did not and both of mine came up fine with my previous settings once I was back to DD-WRT.

[NotShige]

Thanks for the really big help guys, but turns out I didn't need to use TFTP or Serial at all! All I did was fire up an XP VM, then I flashed the firmware from there with the last compatible Firefox ESR. Now it's working properly!

Hopefully I can reinstall DD-WRT after this ordeal. Phew.

[ian5142]

The latest version of DD-WRT should fit on the device (factory to ddwrt file).

Start there. If it bricks again, find an older ddwrt build with a smaller factory to ddwrt file.

[NotShige]

Yup, the latest version bootlooped my router. Any stable build recommendations?

[NotShige]

Hello guys! Just wanna update ya:

So after I got back to the original firmware, every time I install DD-WRT the router would bootloop. Even trying the newst version, the "botched" version, and some others in between. But, OpenWRT did work, so I'm gonna use this from now on.

Again, thanks to you guys who helped me. You rock!

[ian5142]

Try this old version: ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2016/02-09-2016-r29059/

It worked on my C1 and E3s, factory to dd-wrt. Then upgrade to latest.

Or just give up on DD-WRT and switch to OpenWRT.

[farhanshoukath]

which version of the initial bin worked? I have tried quite a few old builds as the latest one is >6MB. Tried old ones till 31899 but with no success.

Btw, my OEM firmware was at 5.13 which I got down to 5.10. But, still has no success to DD-WRT.
Tried all browser and tried Firefox Portable 13.

[NotShige]

The one on the Router Database worked, but it did cause problems for me. My FW version was 5.10 but I upgraded it to the latest one on D-Link Taiwan's website. After that I put the firmware on the Router Database on HxD and matched the string on the ends of the files.

Hopefully you'll get it working as well!

[NotShige]

Just wanted to return to this thread to say that 29059 did work, but after flashing the latest version it bootlooped by router. So there's that. I'm gonna be staying on OpenWRT for now since my only purpose for this is to use it as a wireless repeater. Cheers!

[ian5142]

I had 2 DIR-615 E3's that I tried to upgrade back in Aug. They bricked. I ended up leaving a 2019 build on them. I tried some builds from 2020 (randomly mainly).

E3 and E4 are identical.

I am not sure if I have access to an E3 at the moment?

If you want, I can get the current working firmware version for you from it.

[Rocket222]

[ian5142]

It sounds like he used the D-Link Recovery Room which has a broken HTTP webpage.

It requires using an old Firefox version (Firefox Portable 13 is known to work).

When plugging in the router, hold the reset button for about 10 seconds, until the power light changes colour.

Recovery Room is on 192.168.0.1
You will need to set a static IP on your LAN connection. Also, LAN only, no wifi. Upload a D-Link factory firmware image or the factory to dd-wrt image for build 29059 (2016 build).

Then try a webupgrade from the DD-WRT GUI using the non-factory to ddwrt file from a 2020 build. The factory file from most of the builds in 2020 are too big.

[NotShige]

Hello again!
Yup, ian5142's procedure is how I did it as well. Also, I had to go back to DD-WRT since OpenWRT would disconnect my AP once I lost connection to my main router. I flashed the 2016 version first, then to 40900 (as some people say it's a pretty stable build from browsing the forums), which is what I'm currently using now. It's been rock-solid ever since!

EDIT: Also, if you can't connect to the Emergency Room interface, just unplug it and try it a couple of times more 'til it shows up.