Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[Coopervid]

Well. Linux guys seem to be masochistic. You need to flash to an UHD firmware. Described here. Install a VM and do so.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896&hilit=sdftool

[jmanlinux]

Hello,
I have a BU40N that is currently on 1.02 and looking to flash to 1.03. My MKV details are below. I downloaded the all you need firmware file and the gui sdf tool. However after selecting the drive and proper file I click start however nothing happens. I tried on two computers and same result. It did work when I updated an internal drive LG WH16NS40,. So for the BU40N is there any known issue or additional steps other than using the tool selecting drive and file ad clicking start? If tool is an issue would cmd commands work?

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/sr0
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: MO9P5694026
Firmware date: 2120-12-01 17:16
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 76

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw data read: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw metadata read: Possible (with patched firmware)
Unrestricted read speed: Possible (with patched firmware)

No disc inserted

[nicholfd]

Hello,
I have a BU40N that is currently on 1.02 and looking to flash to 1.03. My MKV details are below. I downloaded the all you need firmware file and the gui sdf tool. However after selecting the drive and proper file I click start however nothing happens. I tried on two computers and same result. It did work when I updated an internal drive LG WH16NS40,. So for the BU40N is there any known issue or additional steps other than using the tool selecting drive and file ad clicking start? If tool is an issue would cmd commands work?

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/sr0
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: MO9P5694026
Firmware date: 2120-12-01 17:16
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 76

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw data read: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw metadata read: Possible (with patched firmware)
Unrestricted read speed: Possible (with patched firmware)

No disc inserted

What is the brand/Mfg of the chassis the drive came in? If it's Archgon, the chassis is junk and flashing doesn't work with that chassis. The drive can be removed and flashed with an adapter or in another chassis.

Thanks,
Frank

[jmanlinux]

Yes it is archgon case thanks for providing the reason it would not flash. Will look at other case etc.

[nicholfd]

Yes it is archgon case thanks for providing the reason it would not flash. Will look at other case etc.

I purchased this drive from Amazon, removed the included drive & swapped in the drive from the archgon unit. Paid about $18 USD:
External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop, DVD Burner CD Reader for Laptop, 8-in-1 USB 3.0 Portable CD Players with SD/TF Ports, External Disk Drive Optical for MacBook Windows 11 10 PC Linux OS

Thanks,
Frank

[Prime]

LG 16NS40. Successfully flashed to HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin using the GUI flash tool. Here are the current reads on the drive from MakeMKV.

Screenshot 2026-03-01 133603.jpg (29.52 KiB) Viewed 7421 times

However, when I put a 4K disc in it just chugs for 10 minutes and then goes back to "No disc inserted."

Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks.

[nicholfd]

LG 16NS40. Successfully flashed to HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin using the GUI flash tool. Here are the current reads on the drive from MakeMKV.

Screenshot 2026-03-01 133603.jpg

However, when I put a 4K disc in it just chugs for 10 minutes and then goes back to "No disc inserted."

Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks.

Make sure you have completely powered off/disconnected the drive after flashing (not just rebooting computer).

Make sure the disc is clean, even if it is new and/or looks clean. I've had fresh out of the box new releases that I needed to clean before I could rip them.

Thanks,
Frank

[MartyMcNuts]

LG 16NS40. Successfully flashed to HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin using the GUI flash tool. Here are the current reads on the drive from MakeMKV.

Screenshot 2026-03-01 133603.jpg

However, when I put a 4K disc in it just chugs for 10 minutes and then goes back to "No disc inserted."

Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks.

What was the MakeMKV drive info and libredrive info sections before you flashed it?

Is it an older, pre 2016 model? If so, it's probably the older, incompatible MT1939 drive platform.

[Prime]

LG 16NS40. Successfully flashed to HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin using the GUI flash tool. Here are the current reads on the drive from MakeMKV.

Screenshot 2026-03-01 133603.jpg

However, when I put a 4K disc in it just chugs for 10 minutes and then goes back to "No disc inserted."

Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks.

What was the MakeMKV drive info and libredrive info sections before you flashed it?

Is it an older, pre 2016 model? If so, it's probably the older, incompatible MT1939 drive platform.

It said MT1959 before I flashed it. It was on base 1.0 factory firmware. I did a full power cycle on the drive (which is in an external enclosure). The flash executed perfectly and updated to the information I posted.

[Prime]

I didn't have the thought to screenshot the before info. But LibreDrive was all good, it lined up with everything that the tutorial said I needed to have and have ripped many of my 1080p Blu-Ray discs with this setup.

[MartyMcNuts]

LG 16NS40. Successfully flashed to HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin using the GUI flash tool. Here are the current reads on the drive from MakeMKV.

Screenshot 2026-03-01 133603.jpg

However, when I put a 4K disc in it just chugs for 10 minutes and then goes back to "No disc inserted."

Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks.

What was the MakeMKV drive info and libredrive info sections before you flashed it?

Is it an older, pre 2016 model? If so, it's probably the older, incompatible MT1939 drive platform.

It said MT1959 before I flashed it. It was on base 1.0 factory firmware. I did a full power cycle on the drive (which is in an external enclosure). The flash executed perfectly and updated to the information I posted.

Can it still rip standard blu-ray discs?

If it is manufactured after Oct 2015 (check the label on top of the drive) and MT1959 drive platform and was on an original firmware v1.02 or lower, it would already have been libredrive enabled and UHD compatible without the need for flashing.

[Prime]

Okay. So that sucks.

PXL_20260302_155807460.jpg

Womp Womp. Found the problem. I've got another one of these drives that's newer in another machine. Flashed it directly to 1.02MK today and it worked perfectly. Thanks for the help!

[jeffpriz]

I recently received a new LG Slim - WP50NB40 - Manufactured Jan 2026
I read the first post in this thread that indicated to go to > BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK then to > BP60NB10 1.02MK or 1.00MK

So I was able to flash first (using the SDFtoolFlasher GUI tool) to the 1.03, it then showed no longer encrypted.. and then to the BP60 1.02

Libre Info now shows
Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: SIK01Q18D5259
Firmware date: 2120-05-07 09:17
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 68

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes


When I insert a 4k disc.. no luck, spins and ends with "No disc inserted"

am I missing a step? I'm interested that I used the tool to write the BP60NB10 1.02 from the All You Need firmware pack... however in the LibreDrive is still says 1.03? is that expected? Any help?

[nicholfd]

I recently received a new LG Slim - WP50NB40 - Manufactured Jan 2026
I read the first post in this thread that indicated to go to > BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK then to > BP60NB10 1.02MK or 1.00MK

So I was able to flash first (using the SDFtoolFlasher GUI tool) to the 1.03, it then showed no longer encrypted.. and then to the BP60 1.02

Libre Info now shows
Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: SIK01Q18D5259
Firmware date: 2120-05-07 09:17
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 68

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes


When I insert a 4k disc.. no luck, spins and ends with "No disc inserted"

am I missing a step? I'm interested that I used the tool to write the BP60NB10 1.02 from the All You Need firmware pack... however in the LibreDrive is still says 1.03? is that expected? Any help?

Carefully follow the animated GIF/video on the first page of SDFtool Flasher thread. You must select a firmware three times. Pay attention to the animated GIF & when/where a firmware is chosen, and what firmware is chosen. You probably selected the wrong firmware in the recovery step (I've done this in the past).

Thanks,
Frank

[babayaga]

I am hoping someone can explain what I might have done wrong. I have a LG Slim Portable Bluray (model WP50NB40), manufactured January 2025 with ROM Version 1.03.

I run Debian Linux and had MakeMKV 1.18.1 and 1.17.3 on my machine, following the guides linux instructions pointed me at the following:

• All You Need Firmware
  sdf.bin

I extracted out the All you need firmware and under 'Slim External Drives' I found the firmware: DE_LG_WP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin I copied this and sdf.bin to /tmp
I confirmed via MakeMKV I had Drive platform: MT1959. Running the following command:

Code: Select all

/opt/makeMKV/makemkv-bin-1.17.3/bin/amd64/makemkvcon f -l
Found 1 drives(s)
00: dev_21:0, /dev/sr0, /dev/sr0
 HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_WP50NB40_1.03_212005070929_SIM03P1ED4008

Allowed me to then come up with this command:

Code: Select all

/opt/makeMKV/makemkv-bin-1.17.3/bin/amd64/makemkvcon f -d 'dev_21:0' -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash main -i /tmp/DE_LG_WP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin
Reading input file /tmp/DE_LG_WP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin
Flashing flags = 0x0 : 0 0 0 0 : ---- ---- ---- ----
Current Drive ID: HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_WP50NB40_1.03_212005070929_SIM03P1ED4008
DEBUG: Code 117637252 at WE.XL2l#sw!$NUIlW7VJ4r~ Qxq02oRB:213132261
Desktop drive handshake failed with error=0x07030084, trying slim drive handshake...
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

I have 4 different 4k Bluray films (bought at various times with the standard Bluray), inserting the standard Bluray, makemkv is able to see and rip from the disc, inserting any 4k BluRay results in the disc being spun and restarted multiple times until no disc has been found.
MakeMKV is telling me the firmware is installed:

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/sr0
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: SIM03P1ED4008
Firmware date: 2120-05-07 09:29
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted

I've read through the instructions and noticed the post above saying I'm at the half way point, but after the linux instructions it goes to troubleshooting for errors I am not seeing. I also tried watching a few of the videos but I can't see what I have done wrong.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm not sure, but was or wasn't your firmware encrypted to begin with?

not sure this works better, but maybe

Code: Select all

/opt/makeMKV/makemkv-bin-1.17.3/bin/amd64/makemkvcon f -d /dev/sr0 -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /tmp/DE_LG_WP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin