Flashing LG WH16NS40

[simon_lefisch]

Hey everyone,

First time poster here. Have used the software for some time but more now since RedFox went under.

I came across the threads in here about being able to flash certain drives. According to this thread here, the drive I have (LG WH16NS40) looks to be supported. However after I watch the flashing video in that thread, the drive platform is MT1939 but the manufacturer date is June of 2015. the MakeMKV info can be seen below.

Screenshot 2026-04-03 164159.png (11.82 KiB) Viewed 675 times

I've never update the firmware on this so its the same firmware that it came with when I originally purchased this a few years ago. Forgive the newbie question but I am just trying to make sure of I can or cannot flash this drive. I have looked around and I did see one where someone had a build date of 2014, but the thread I am referenceing says I MAY be able flash mine due to the 2015 buikd date. Any info anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated

[Billycar11]

Do not flash it
It will die

[MartyMcNuts]

Hey everyone,

First time poster here. Have used the software for some time but more now since RedFox went under.

I came across the threads in here about being able to flash certain drives. According to this thread here, the drive I have (LG WH16NS40) looks to be supported. However after I watch the flashing video in that thread, the drive platform is MT1939 but the manufacturer date is June of 2015. the MakeMKV info can be seen below.

Screenshot 2026-04-03 164159.png

I've never update the firmware on this so its the same firmware that it came with when I originally purchased this a few years ago. Forgive the newbie question but I am just trying to make sure of I can or cannot flash this drive. I have looked around and I did see one where someone had a build date of 2014, but the thread I am referenceing says I MAY be able flash mine due to the 2015 buikd date. Any info anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated

No, your drive is too old. It has 2013 firmware and is the old MT1939 drive platform. It will be bricked if you flash it.

[simon_lefisch]

@MartyMcNuts and @Billycar11

Thanks for the replies. Would this still be the case if I were to update the OEM firmware to a more recent one? I found this one the LG website, its from 2018 (v1.03). There's also a 2022 version (v1.05) If not then oh well, but figured I would ask and make sure.

[zittrig]

No! Don't flash it, as Billy and Marty wrote.

The newer firmware for the WH16NS40 is for the drives younger than 2015 and with platform MT1959. Not for the old platform MT1939.

[OneDay]

@MartyMcNuts and @Billycar11

Thanks for the replies. Would this still be the case if I were to update the OEM firmware to a more recent one? I found this one the LG website, its from 2018 (v1.03). There's also a 2022 version (v1.05) If not then oh well, but figured I would ask and make sure.

The main board and hardware are not the same. That is way your not able to flash to the MT1959.