Netgear WNDR4300

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World Wide (WW): ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2014/02-04-2014-r23503/netgear-wndr4300/wndr4300-factory.img World Wide (WW): ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2014/02-04-2014-r23503/netgear-wndr4300/wndr4300-factory.img
-Web Flash BIN: ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2016/01-02-2016-r28647/netgear-wndr4300/wndr4300-webflash.bin+Web Flash BIN: ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2019/02-04-2019-r38570/netgear-wndr4300/wndr4300-webflash.bin
 +Do not consider these build recommendations, check New Build threads for recommendations.
 +
 +See [[Index:FAQ#Where_do_I_download_firmware.3F|Where do I download firmware?]] for links.
'''Note''': <font color=red>If you try to install DD-WRT '''later than''' r23503 on v1 with initial factory firmware, the update will eventually fail with "CGI timeout error" Work-around for this problem is to first flash to DD-WRT using the r23503 build factory file provided above, then upgrading to the latest DD-WRT using the webflash from within DD-WRT GUI.</font> '''Note''': <font color=red>If you try to install DD-WRT '''later than''' r23503 on v1 with initial factory firmware, the update will eventually fail with "CGI timeout error" Work-around for this problem is to first flash to DD-WRT using the r23503 build factory file provided above, then upgrading to the latest DD-WRT using the webflash from within DD-WRT GUI.</font>
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! Max TX Power (2.4/5 GHz) ! Max TX Power (2.4/5 GHz)
| 26 dBm / 24 dBm | 26 dBm / 24 dBm
-| ?? TODO +| ??/?? TODO
|} |}
-Max TX Power assumes 40 MHz channel width (HT40) and regulatory domain of Canada/USA. Under 20 MHz (HT20) operation 2.4 GHz '''may''' have higher TX power due to reduced channel width.+Max TX Power assumes used regulatory domain is Canada/USA/Haiti. Others may or may not allow higher TX powers (up to 30 dBm).
- +
==FAQ== ==FAQ==
-'''Q: After flashing DD-WRT, the LAN LEDs are now green for all speeds 10/100/1000M?'''+See [[Firmware_FAQ|Firmware FAQ]] first before posting a question in the forums.
 + 
 +'''Q: After flashing DD-WRT, the LAN LEDs are now green for 10/100M and orange 1000M? (v1/v2 only)'''
-''A: Currently an unfixed bug, previously they were all orange for all 3 speeds.+''A: This is an intentional change by the DD-WRT developers, Netgear had the colors backwards as gigabit is usually orange (check any other NIC!).
'' ''
---- ----
-'''Q: My wireless performance dropped after installing DD-WRT?'''+'''Q: I heard some WNDR3700 radios were dying shortly after flashing DD-WRT? Does the firmware damage routers?'''
-''A: Refer to the [http://dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/QCA_wireless_settings Qualcomm Atheros wireless settings wiki page], you are probably using default or incorrect settings such as WEP.''+''A: No DD-WRT does not damage routers, there is also reports as said above, of WNDR3700's having weak wireless even when DD-WRT was never put on it. It is a faulty hardware issue.''
---- ----
-'''Q: What is the default username and password for DD-WRT?'''+'''Q: Is there going to be a special version of DD-WRT for this router?'''
-''A: Username is "root" and password is "admin".''+''A: No, there are no special versions anymore except for Buffalo routers.
- +''
-----+
- +
-'''Q: With stock firmware I was able to setup a guest AP or virtual AP, can I do this as well with DD-WRT?+
-'''+
- +
-''A: Absolutely, and much more!''+
-----+
- +
-'''Q: How come I cannot get 802.11n 300 Mbps speeds with a 300 Mbps client?+
-'''+
- +
-''A: You '''must''' use HT40 channel width & WPA2 AES when encrypting your wireless connection, otherwise the router will fallback to 802.11a/g speeds since WPA2 AES is a mandatory requirement of 802.11n specification as WPA2 AES is the only approved encryption method in the 802.11n standard.''+
---- ----

Revision as of 08:03, 6 February 2019

Contents

Versions

The Netgear WNDR4300 is a powerful consumer simultaneous dual band 802.11 a/b/g/n router, sporting a fast Qualcomm Atheros (v1 & v2), good routing performance and transmit power capability, and a USB 2.0 port. To date there are 2 hardware revisions of this router, v1 & v2. v2 is not supported and there is no ETA, both of which requires its own firmware build, whether you use stock firmware or DD-WRT. Installation of DD-WRT is very simple and can be done in a few steps.


Note: factory.img is for worldwide (ALL!) units flashing from NETGEAR firmware to DD-WRT, or recovering from TFTP mode. Webflash is from upgrading an existing DD-WRT firmware to a newer build via update firmware option.


v1

v1 units are not labeled at all and are just called "WNDR4300".

Download DD-WRT for the WNDR4300 v1 from here:

World Wide (WW): ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2014/02-04-2014-r23503/netgear-wndr4300/wndr4300-factory.img

Web Flash BIN: ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2019/02-04-2019-r38570/netgear-wndr4300/wndr4300-webflash.bin

Do not consider these build recommendations, check New Build threads for recommendations.

See Where do I download firmware? for links.

Note: If you try to install DD-WRT later than r23503 on v1 with initial factory firmware, the update will eventually fail with "CGI timeout error" Work-around for this problem is to first flash to DD-WRT using the r23503 build factory file provided above, then upgrading to the latest DD-WRT using the webflash from within DD-WRT GUI.


v2

v2 units are labeled on the side of the box, in firmware, & under the router as "WNDR4300v2". Further info is TODO.

If you have a WNDR4300 v2, download from here following the same flashing steps:

World Wide (WW): TODO

Web Flash BIN: TODO


DD-WRT Installation

  • Flashing: Make sure you are connected to the router with an Ethernet cable. (Do not flash over a wireless connection.) Then upgrade to DD-WRT firmware through the router's Web interface. The process will take a few minutes. Do not interrupt the upgrade process -- wait at least 1 minute after 100% is reached.
  • Checking: Wait while the router reboots. The lights should flash, and eventually the status light should go solid green. Then open http://192.168.1.1 in a Web browser, and if a DD-WRT screen appears, flashing is complete and successful.
  • 30/30/30 Reset:
    • Press and hold the Reset button for 30 seconds. Do not release it.
    • While still holding the reset button, unplug the router and leave it unplugged for 30 more seconds.
    • Still holding the reset button, plug the router back in and wait yet another 30 seconds.
    • Unplug the router again and release the reset button
    • Plug it back in and wait at least 1 minute. This is critical as the router is building NVRAM settings.


To restore from the brick TFTP the stock firmware or a known working build of DD-WRT back from it (-factory.img file). To upgrade to a newer build of DD-WRT, use the web interface and selecting the "wndr4300-webflash.bin" file instead. Also, if you do partially brick your router, use this page or see the very last FAQ question at the bottom of this page, to unbrick it.


Now that DD-WRT is fully installed and NVRAM is cleared, ensure your PC does not have any internal static IP then point your browser to 192.168.1.1, this is the DD-WRT default IP and can be changed to any IP you like. You should be at the username and password screen, set them accordingly then proceed to setting up DD-WRT.


Specifications

Feature v1 v2
CPU Atheros AR9344 560 MHz Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 750 MHz
RAM 128 MB 128 MB
Flash 128 MB 128 MB
Switch Atheros AR8327 Qualcomm Atheros QCA8337N
Radios (2.4/5 GHz) Atheros AR9344 / Atheros AR9580 Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 / Atheros AR9580
Max TX Power (2.4/5 GHz) 26 dBm / 24 dBm  ??/?? TODO

Max TX Power assumes used regulatory domain is Canada/USA/Haiti. Others may or may not allow higher TX powers (up to 30 dBm).

FAQ

See Firmware FAQ first before posting a question in the forums.

Q: After flashing DD-WRT, the LAN LEDs are now green for 10/100M and orange 1000M? (v1/v2 only)

A: This is an intentional change by the DD-WRT developers, Netgear had the colors backwards as gigabit is usually orange (check any other NIC!).


Q: I heard some WNDR3700 radios were dying shortly after flashing DD-WRT? Does the firmware damage routers?

A: No DD-WRT does not damage routers, there is also reports as said above, of WNDR3700's having weak wireless even when DD-WRT was never put on it. It is a faulty hardware issue.


Q: Is there going to be a special version of DD-WRT for this router?

A: No, there are no special versions anymore except for Buffalo routers.


Q: Is it possible to restore the factory or stock firmware that came with my router?

A: Yes. Refer to WNDR3700: Restore Factory Firmware in Five Easy Steps. This also works the same for WNDR4300, just be using the proper WNDR4300 files instead & make sure to have the ethernet cable plugged into the router & PC BEFORE putting it into TFTP or it WILL NOT WORK.

Unbricking

See Reinstall the firmware on a router without the setup CD recovery tool