As it comes, Netgear's AC1450 router is quite lousy, with buggy firmware, lots of crashes and limited throughput. However the internet figured out that the actual hardware is identical to the more expensive, better performing R6300v2 (AC 1750) router. It is possible to simply convert the router and use the R6300v2 router's firmware.
But we'll do even better and install DD-WRT's firmware, giving this inexpensive router better functionality than one costing several times more. If you want a DD-WRT router, this is an excellent choice. It's a dual band, dual network, 802.11ac router supporting 450Mbps (2.4Ghz) + 1300 Mbps (5Ghz) speeds (both 3x3 receiver-transmitter antennas), with two USB ports, one of them USB 3.0, 4+1 gigabit ethernet ports, a fast dual-core 800Mhz (ARM v7) processor, 128MB flash and 256MB RAM. You can find it new or refurbished on Amazon*.
Although hard to find, the steps to open up the capabilities couldn't be easier. Here's the summary:
1) Download the two files from ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2017/*/netgear-ac1450/, where * is a release that seems to work well according to users of the dd-wrt forums (I used 09-28-2015-r27858 and did not see issues -- Update: I would now recommend a more recent build like 09-29-2016-r30709 for security improvements.)
2) If the router is not new, reset first by holding down the red button on the back for 10 seconds. From the stock firmware web GUI choose manual (advanced) setup, and login with the admin user/password printed on the bottom of the router. Then choose router update. Select the factory-to-dd-wrt.chk file and flash. (Continue anyway if it says it's installing the same version). Whenever flashing, be patient and be sure that the power remains connected. It should boot back up automatically after some delay.
3) The router will reboot and open the DD-WRT web GUI. Don't set this up (apart from the mandatory username/password). Just go to Administration -> Firmware Upgrade. Select the second file, netgear-ac1450-webflash.bin and flash with reset to default settings.
DONE! After rebooting, you now have a great, fast full-featured DD-WRT router. More information about DD-WRT and how to set it up for your needs is available on the DD-WRT Wiki page.
* Really appreciate if you purchase via these links as I'll get a small commission at no cost to you.
I tried using your steps and installed dd-wrt on my ac1450 but the wireless speeds have gone down. I have tried making changes to the configurations, but no use.
ReplyDeleteIs there any way to go back to the stock firmware of this router? Can I install it via the web gui?
That's surprising. If I were you I'd first try the latest stable kong build to see if that's faster for you: http://desipro.de/ddwrt/K3-AC-Arm/dd-wrt.K3_AC1450.chk
DeleteFailing that, you should be able to flash the stock firmware from within DD-WRT's gui: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Netgear_R6300v2#Return_to_Stock
I believe you'd need the R6300v2 stock firmware. Don't forget to set your router IP to 192.168.1.1 before flashing, and reset the router after. I've never done this before though (no warranty!). Let us know how it goes.
Worked great on a used AC1450 from eBay. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI installed the chk file and am now in bootloop. I can't find anything on what to do to salvage it.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you're having trouble. I've never heard of bootloops with this router, but I won't claim to know everything that can happen. I'd make sure you're using a wired ethernet connection for the config, and also note that the new firmware will default to 192.168.1.1, no matter what you had set it to previously. You can also try to telnet or ssh into the router and work from there if the GUI is somehow not working. There is a wealth of information on installing here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation and on troubleshooting here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=51486 (in particular the section about doing a 30-30-30 reset, and the one on checking for a bricked router). Note that not everything in these links is totally current unfortunately.
DeleteMy AC 1450 didn't work either now it sees I have a big hunk of plastic. Can't configure modem at all and can't reset.
DeleteAny ideas?
Not sure where things might have gone wrong for you. But I'd try the steps I mentioned in the other comment of May 28. There is virtually always a way to recover. But it depends what is going on. Those links above might help.
DeleteThis worked for me as I bricked my AC1450 Monday, got the USB to TTL serial cable today, and followed these instructions...
Deletehttp://midnightme.com/2015/03/16/how-to-unbrick-or-fix-a-netgear-ac1450-router/#comment-5456
Good to hear of a solution for recovering from a dreaded solid yellow light. I've never had any issues with flashing the two AC1450s I have, but good to know this is out there in case of trouble!
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