Programmer Software

When a router is completely bricked and cannot be recovered by other methods, a Flash chip programmer is needed to directly read/write the chip.

CH341A Programmer

1. Cheap (~$20)
2. Supports common SPI Flash
3. Software is free
4. Good for beginners

TL866II Plus

1. Supports more chips
2. Offline programming
3. More stable
4. For professional use

1. Connect Flash chip via SOIC8/SOP8 clip
2. Or use adapter socket for direct insertion
3. USB connects to computer
4. No external power needed

AsProgrammer (recommended, free): https://github.com/nofelet/AsProgrammer/releases

CH341A Programming Software: https://www.kitspare.com/ch341a-software/

1. Connect programmer and open software
2. Select chip model (or auto-detect)
3. Click “Read” to read chip contents
4. Save as .bin file as backup
5. Click “Write” to burn new firmware

1. Ensure clip contact is good
2. Do not reverse chip orientation
3. Do not disconnect power during read/write

Common SPI Flash models:

1. Winbond: W25Q32, W25Q64, W25Q128
2. GigaDevice: GD25Q32, GD25Q64, GD25Q128
3. Macronix: MX25L3206, MX25L6406, MX25L12836
4. ESMT: F25L008, F25L016

1. Select chip manufacturer
2. Select specific model
3. Auto-detect function
4. Buffer editor
5. Chip statistics

MiniPro: https://www.autoelectric.cn/en/tl866/

1. Use original USB cable
2. Avoid hot-swapping chips
3. Confirm chip pin alignment

# Using AsProgrammer:
1. Select correct chip model
2. Click "Read" button
3. Wait for reading to complete (~1-5 minutes)
4. Click "Save" to save as .bin file
5. Record chip model and backup date

# Using AsProgrammer:
1. Open backed up .bin file or new firmware
2. Ensure data is correct
3. Click "Write" button
4. Wait for writing to complete
5. Verify if successful

1. Backup all partitions (u-boot, kernel, rootfs, nvram, art)
2. Record start address and size of each partition
3. Some routers need complete ART data backup

1. Check if chip pins are oxidized
2. Clean chip pins
3. Confirm programmer supports the chip
4. Try lowering programming speed

1. Check if clip contact is good
2. Confirm chip voltage is correct (usually 3.3V)
3. Do not move clip during read/write

1. Confirm firmware file is complete and correct
2. Check if partition is correct
3. Try clearing chip and rewriting
4. Flash chip may be damaged

1. CH341A is usually fast
2. Lowering programming speed may improve stability
3. Confirm USB port is USB 2.0

1. Keep stable during read/write, do not disconnect power
2. Static protection, avoid damaging chips
3. Confirm chip voltage matches (3.3V vs 1.8V)
4. Use advanced programmers with voltage protection

1. TTL Serial Unbrick
2. Firmware Basics
3. TFTP Tools