Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[HotJuicyBurgers]

Hey all, been trying to flash my drive in linux, but my drive name is different than everyone elses. Anyone know what is up?

[root@8c4041fefc7c bin]# ./makemkvcon f -l
Found 1 drives(s)
00: dev_21:2, /dev/sr0, /dev/sr0
HL-DT-ST_BD-RE__WH14NS40_1.05_212005061444_KX1OC9E4345

Bumping this again just in case,

I was asking about the format of my drive name being different (dev_21:2) because when I try to flash my drive the operation never finishes, and I'm guessing it isn't finding the drive? Not sure if anyone has run into this.

When I run the command it accepts it, but then nothing ever happens essentially, but also the drive isn't bricked or anything, still works fine and is visible in makemkv.

[KingMope]

Hey all. So I bought this drive (LG WH16NS40) many years back, and until now I've only used it for regular BDs. Before I purchase my first UHD disc, I want to make sure I'll be able to rip it.

The drive was manufactured in April of 2017, has SVC NS50 on the label and meets all the other requirements specified in the first post. (See image below.)



I'm new to this process so apologies if my question is a stupid one. (I promise I searched various threads, but there are a lot of posts to sort through!) I know the OP says "All of these drives will need to be flashed to unlock UHD Reading/Ripping," but does this apply even if the drive is already on version 1.02? I just wanted to make sure flashing is still necessary before doing so (though it sounds like it's a good idea anyway if it fixes the sleep bug).

Thanks so much for your help, and to everyone who provided the tools and info to make this process simple for people like me!

[MartyMcNuts]

Hey all. So I bought this drive (LG WH16NS40) many years back, and until now I've only used it for regular BDs. Before I purchase my first UHD disc, I want to make sure I'll be able to rip it.

The drive was manufactured in April of 2017, has SVC NS50 on the label and meets all the other requirements specified in the first post. (See image below.)



I'm new to this process so apologies if my question is a stupid one. (I promise I searched various threads, but there are a lot of posts to sort through!) I know the OP says "All of these drives will need to be flashed to unlock UHD Reading/Ripping," but does this apply even if the drive is already on version 1.02? I just wanted to make sure flashing is still necessary before doing so (though it sounds like it's a good idea anyway if it fixes the sleep bug).

Thanks so much for your help, and to everyone who provided the tools and info to make this process simple for people like me!

Yes, that willl be able to rip UHD discs as is. No flashing required! Although you could flash it to WH16NS60 1.02-MK if you want to. It will then read a little faster and remove the sleep bug.

The sleep bug is only an issue if you insert a UHD disc and leave it idle/unattended for a few minutes without doing anything. If you insert the UHD disc and start ripping straight away, you are fine. If it is left idle and unattended for a few minutes, just open/close the tray again and you are good to go again!

[KingMope]

Yes, that willl be able to rip UHD discs as is. No flashing required! Although you could flash it to WH16NS60 1.02-MK if you want to. It will then read a little faster and remove the sleep bug.

The sleep bug is only an issue if you insert a UHD disc and leave it idle/unattended for a few minutes without doing anything. If you insert the UHD disc and start ripping straight away, you are fine. If it is left idle and unattended for a few minutes, just open/close the tray again and you are good to go again!

Heh, so I've been able to watch/rip UHD discs all this time without realizing it? I feel silly. Being paranoid and new to flashing I might keep it as is, but it's nice to know there's an option should I want to remove the bug or possibly increase the speed. Thanks so much for the help!

[ckbro]

Hey guys, I have a lg wh14ns40 I've been using for years to rip/play uhd disks but as of recently I have noticed trouble with it reading some uhd disks. might be the head going bad over the years but figured I would try to flash its firmware but not entirely sure if my drive is a proper candidate or not?

SVC-NS50
firmware-v1.02
MD-8/17

[blast7]

I am struggling to flash my Asus with encrypted firmware on Xubuntu 24.04:

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/sr0
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: BW-16D1HT
Revision: 3.11
Serial number: ...
Firmware date: 2120-12-01 17:59
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

I downloaded sdf.bin and the firmware package list from this post and ran the following command
makemkvcon f -d /dev/sr0 -f ~/Downloads/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i ~/Downloads/The\ all\ you\ need\ firmware\ pack/Asus\ 5.25\ BW-16D1HT/ASUS-BW-16D1HT-3.10-WM01601-211901041014.bin -t mtk1959

and received the following error:
No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin
Internal error 0x8d000000

I get this output regardless if I include '-t mtk1959' or not and also doesn't matter where I put that argument within the command. I also tried '-t mt1959' with the same results

Is it possible to flash this device from linux?

[2Close]

Hey Guys,

iam new to saving blurays and got a new verbatim 43888 from amazon:

Drive Information
OS device name: F:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: ...
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 36

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

I've read the Ultimate UHD Drive Falsing Guide 2025 and downloaded the firmware files but am unsure what are the correct files for enabling libredrive.
Thanks very much for your help

[MartyMcNuts]

Hey Guys,

iam new to saving blurays and got a new verbatim 43888 from amazon:

Drive Information
OS device name: F:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: ...
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 36

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

I've read the Ultimate UHD Drive Falsing Guide 2025 and downloaded the firmware files but am unsure what are the correct files for enabling libredrive.
Thanks very much for your help

Flash it to BU40N 1.03 MK. You can leave there and use it with MakeMKV/xReveal or you can flash it a second time, to BU40N 1.00 allowing you to use it with any good ripping software.

[Ryushin]

Just picked up a BDR-212V from Amazon. If I can get it to work, I'll order another three to replace all four of my LGs.

Coopervid or Billycar11 could I get a PM with the information on how to flash this drive. The firmware is before December 2022 even though the drive was manufactured in 2024.

Actually I'm hopefully the Pioneers will be able to read some troubled discs that the LGs can't get through without errors. Thanks much.

Drive Information
OS device name: I:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-212V
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: DGDL027672WL
Firmware date: 2022-05-31
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: Pioneer RS8F00
Firmware version: ID06

Edit:
Should I be able to rip Blu-rays (not UHD) with an unpatched drive? It reads the title name but it can't decrypt the disc. Though Cyberlink PowerDVD is able to play the movie so the drive must be good.

[2Close]

Hey Guys,

iam new to saving blurays and got a new verbatim 43888 from amazon:

Drive Information
OS device name: F:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: ...
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 36

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

I've read the Ultimate UHD Drive Falsing Guide 2025 and downloaded the firmware files but am unsure what are the correct files for enabling libredrive.
Thanks very much for your help

Flash it to BU40N 1.03 MK. You can leave there and use it with MakeMKV/xReveal or you can flash it a second time, to BU40N 1.00 allowing you to use it with any good ripping software.

Ist that the correct file?
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin
from The all you need firmware pack?

[zittrig]

Yes, try it.

[2Close]

Yes, try it.

It worked

Thank you so much @zittrig and @MartyMcNuts

[jatenk]

Hey Guys,

iam new to saving blurays and got a new verbatim 43888 from amazon:

Drive Information
OS device name: F:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: ...
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 36

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

I've read the Ultimate UHD Drive Falsing Guide 2025 and downloaded the firmware files but am unsure what are the correct files for enabling libredrive.
Thanks very much for your help

I just got the same drive with most information the same, except "Highest AACS version" saying 81 in my case (and I'm using macOS, so OS device name corresponds to that). I also can't find the mentioned file HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin in the current pack. What should I use? I'm sorry if this is supposed to be obvious.

[biosehnsucht]

I'm having trouble flashing a brand new WH14NS40 I just purchased.

I'm in Linux (Manjaro), and with anything more recent than 1.17.7, trying to flash just hangs with no output. Doesn't brick the drive, just nothing happens.

If I downgrade to 1.17.7 then the command starts, but fails saying there's a disc in the drive. There isn't a disc in the drive. I've rebooted, powercycled, etc.

I tried using the downgrade enabled firmware that was linked in the "Ultra h4xor guide" first, and tried crossflashing to the WH16NS60 as well as the WH14NS40 it already is.

i.e. ...

Code: Select all

❯ makemkvcon f -d dev_21:0 -f sdf.bin rawflash enc -i 'downgrade-firmware/DE_flash_HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_WH14NS40_1.02_NS50.bin'

Reading input file downgrade-firmware/DE_flash_HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_WH14NS40_1.02_NS50.bin
Flashing flags = 0x0 : 0 0 0 0 : ---- ---- ---- ----
Sending image in encrypted format
There is a disc in drive, please remove it and try again
DEBUG: Code 4278542595 at wfCw3OE9o6xoDD[;$ZOJdpeNgiQob2>_:29396644

Command produced error code 0xff056103

I'm still using the free beta license if it matters, but I would expect the error to be about the license being invalid if that was the case.

Using sudo vs not doesn't seem to matter. The only occurrences of this error I've been able to google legitimately were caused by having a disc in the drive.

Any idea why it would, across reboots / power cycles, think there's a disc in the drive when there's not ?

This is the drive's current firmware:

Code: Select all

❯ makemkvcon f -l
Found 1 drives(s)
00: dev_21:0, /dev/sr0, /dev/sr0
  HL-DT-ST_BD-RE__WH14NS40_1.05_212005061444_KLGP3FF3814

[biosehnsucht]

(my previous post is still sitting in moderation, but I'll assume it's approved before/when this one is)

TL;DR I've successfully flashed my WH14NS40 to WH16NS60, but I had to use some old hardware to bring up a Debian system and still needed to use 1.17.7 (anything newer hangs when trying to flash). Still no idea why I kept getting an error about the disc being in the drive when it was empty, even across reboots, on Manjaro.

However, it's a bit confusing as what to do. I thought I needed to flash the downgrade-enabled firmware first, to then flash the libredrive firmware. But trying to do that would give errors like:

Code: Select all

$ sudo makemkvcon f -d dev_21:2 -f sdf.bin rawflash enc -i 'downgrade-firmware/DE_flash_HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_WH14NS40_1.02_NS50.bin'

Reading input file downgrade-firmware/DE_flash_HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_WH14NS40_1.02_NS50.bin
Flashing flags = 0x0 : 0 0 0 0 : ---- ---- ---- ----
Sending image in encrypted format
Current Drive ID: HL-DT-ST_BD-RE__WH14NS40_1.05_212005061444_KLGP3FF3814
Ready to write drive flash memory.
Type "yes" to continue, "no" to abort
yes
Operation started: Sending flash image to drive
  98% .................................................
Write DRAM NG 05/26/03

Command produced error code 0x82052603

However flashing directly to the libredrive firmware worked!

Code: Select all

$ sudo makemkvcon f -d dev_21:2 -f sdf.bin rawflash enc -i 'firmware/LG 5.25 desktop/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin'

Reading input file firmware/LG 5.25 desktop/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin
Flashing flags = 0x0 : 0 0 0 0 : ---- ---- ---- ----
Sending image in encrypted format
Current Drive ID: HL-DT-ST_BD-RE__WH14NS40_1.05_212005061444_KLGP3FF3814
Ready to write drive flash memory.
Type "yes" to continue, "no" to abort
yes
Operation started: Sending flash image to drive
 100% Operation finished                                
Operation started: Programming flash
 100% Operation finished                                
Done successfully

Should I now flash a DE firmware to then flash something else? Or am I done?