How to Choose Firmware for TFTP Recovery

When using TFTP to recover your router, choosing the correct firmware is the first step to success. This page explains how to identify, confirm, and select the right firmware.

Before downloading firmware, you need to understand the different types of firmware files:

Factory firmware is the original firmware that came with your router:

• Contains full verification info: Usually has signatures or checksums
• Suitable for fresh installation: From factory to factory
• Filenames often include region codes: Like “CH”, “US”, “EU” suffixes
• Lowest risk: Specifically designed for that model

Use case: First-time flashing or restoring official system

Sysupgrade is the officially recommended upgrade method for OpenWrt/ImmortalWrt:

• Does not include bootloader: Only upgrades the system itself
• Suitable for existing OpenWrt systems: Upgrading from OpenWrt to OpenWrt
• Preserves configuration: Can check “keep settings” option
• Typical filename: openwrt-xxx-sysupgrade.bin

Use case: Upgrading within OpenWrt system

Router recovery firmware is the official OpenWrt/ImmortalWrt firmware specifically for TFTP recovery, with file type flag KERNEL:

• Filename example: openwrt-23.05.6-ath79-generic-xiaomi_mi-router-4q-initramfs-kernel.bin
• Flashed via TFTP mode: Router automatically downloads after entering TFTP recovery mode
• Temporarily boots into system: After flashing, it boots into a temporary system first
• Then flash sysupgrade to complete recovery: Once in system, flash the sysupgrade firmware to finish recovery

Use case: When system is damaged and needs TFTP recovery, use this firmware to boot first, then flash the actual firmware to complete

Open source router firmware:

• Fully open source: Transparent code, freely customizable
• Rich features: Supports many plugins and functions
• Requires correct architecture: Such as ramips, x86, armv7l
• Different flashing method: Usually uses sysupgrade

Use case: Users who want to use the OpenWrt ecosystem

The first step in choosing firmware is correctly confirming your device model:

The router's bottom or back usually has a label with:

• Model: Such as “Mi Router AX3600”
• Hardware version: Such as “V1”, “V2”, “V3”
• MAC address: Part of the serial number
• Power specs: Such as “12V/1A”

Important: Different hardware versions may use different firmware!

• Visit Firmware Selector
• Enter your router model to search
• View recovery methods and recommended firmware for that model

• Don't judge model by appearance alone: Same series may look identical
• Don't mix firmware from different hardware versions: V1 firmware cannot be used on V2
• Don't use firmware from unknown sources: May cause brick

Important: Be sure to download firmware from official or trusted sources!

• Download: https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/
• Mirrors (China):
  • USTC Mirror: https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/openwrt/releases/
  • Tsinghua Mirror: https://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/openwrt/releases/
  • SJTU Mirror: https://mirror.sjtu.edu.cn/openwrt/releases/

• Download: https://downloads.immortalwrt.org/releases/

• TP-Link: https://www.tp-link.com/
• Netgear: https://www.netgear.com/
• ASUS: https://www.asus.com/
• Xiaomi: https://www.mi.com/

If you plan to use OpenWrt or ImmortalWrt:

• Beginners should consider ImmortalWrt: Better optimized for Chinese users
• Choose LTS versions: Such as 21.02, 23.05 long-term support versions
• Confirm architecture match: Select correct CPU architecture on firmware download page

Use this platform's firmware selector:

• OpenWrt Firmware Selector — Download OpenWrt official firmware
• ImmortalWrt Firmware Selector — Download ImmortalWrt firmware

• Default IP is usually 192.168.1.1
• Default username: root, no password (set on first login)
• Recommend enabling SSH and firewall

• Non-matching model firmware: Never mix
• Firmware from unknown sources: May be tampered
• Outdated firmware: May have security vulnerabilities
• Architecture mismatched firmware: Such as x86 firmware for ARM devices
• Beta firmware (non-Stable): No stability guarantee

• Flashing firmware has risks, backup important data before operation
• Wrong firmware may brick your device, carefully verify model and hardware version
• If unsure, search your device on this platform first
• Some devices may lose official warranty after flashing
• Flashing means you agree to bear the risk, this platform is not responsible

• TFTP Recovery — Universal TFTP recovery method
• Web Recovery — Web interface recovery method
• NMRP Recovery — Netgear-specific recovery tool
• TTL Serial Recovery — Advanced recovery method
• OpenWrt Firmware — OpenWrt introduction
• ImmortalWrt Firmware — ImmortalWrt introduction
• OpenWrt Firmware Selector — Download OpenWrt firmware
• ImmortalWrt Firmware Selector — Download ImmortalWrt firmware