Depending on the Wi-Fi router model, installing OpenWrt firmware could be as simple as using the Wi-Fi router's stock firmware upgrade web page and uploading the OpenWrt firmware, or as complex as disassembling Wi-Fi router to access the mainboard to flash OpenWrt firmware using serial or JTAG port.
Before buying a Wi-Fi router, review the instructions for installing OpenWrt to check the difficulty level and confirm you are comfortable with the level of difficulty involved.
- Beginners are recommended to select a Wi-Fi router that supports installing OpenWrt by using the Wi-Fi router's stock firmware upgrade web page, as that is the simplest installation method.
- Advanced users can choose a Wi-Fi router that support installing OpenWrt via a command line interface to connect to the Wi-Fi router bootloader via wired ethernet connection, and setting up a TFTP server to transfer OpenWrt firmware.
The below Wi-Fi routers are affordable and have good OpenWrt support as of 2023:
- Dynalink DL-WRX36 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 3600 Mbps max
- Linksys E8450/Belkin RT3200 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 3200 Mbps max
- Netgear R7800 Nighthawk X4S Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) 2600 Mbps max
- TP-Link TGR1900 (Google OnHub) Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) 1900 Mbps max
The instructions below were tested on OpenWrt 22.03 release.
- Download the
factory.binOpenWrt firmware for your Wi-Fi router. - Flash your Wi-Fi router with the downloaded
factory.binOpenWrt firmware.
For detailed instructions, see https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-quick-start/factory_installation.
To log into your router and change settings, temporarily connect a wired ethernet cable from your computer to the LAN ethernet port (not the Internet/WAN port) on your router. Then in a web browser on your computer, navigate to http://192.168.1.1/ or http://openwrt.lan/ address to view the OpenWrt admin web site.
You should see a login page like this:
You'll see a reminder that no password is set by default. root is the default username for the administrator account in OpenWrt. You can set a password for the root account after you login. Login with username root and no password.
Now you should see the OpenWrt main status page that displays overview of router status.
The next step is to set a password for the root administrator account. Go to to System → Administration page.
Enter a strong password in the "Password" field and repeat it in the "Confirmation" field, then select "Save" button to finalize changes. The next time you login to the Wi-Fi router, you'll need to enter this password.
For more detailed instructions, see openwrt.org instructions
Before configuring Wi-Fi network settings, first verify OpenWrt can connect to the Internet. Connect the wired ethernet cable from your internet modem or gateway to the WAN port of your OpenWrt Wi-Fi router. OpenWrt by default creates a LAN internal wired network and bridges that network to the WAN internet behind a firewall.
Temporarily connect a wired ethernet cable from your computer to the LAN ethernet port on your router, and open a web browser and verify your computer can access the Internet through OpenWrt.
For more detailed troubleshooting steps, see openwrt.org Internet troubleshooting
After you've successfully installed OpenWrt firmware on a Wi-Fi router and verified internet connectivity, the next step is: Configuring a Wi-Fi network in OpenWrt