Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[Ludamus]

Guys,

hope you can help, scored an LG drive from ebay and installed in a vantex gx 2 caddy, all seems to be working well backing up UHD discs (although took just over an 1hr 30 ish vartying fro 3x to 5.5x speed.

question though, should i keep with this firmware or patch it to WH16NS50 1.0.2 firmware?, are the any pros/cons? or as it works keep as is, better the devil you know ?
Also MK DE versions? (ps i have scourded the archieves, but just want to be sure)

TIA.


SVC = NS50 ,
Rom = 1.02
WH14NS40
Manufactured August 2017



Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH14NS40
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: ************
Firmware date: 2117-03-10 16:55
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 70

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

[MartyMcNuts]

Quick update in case this helps anyone else with a WP50NB40 NB52 drive:

I successfully flashed mine using the BP firmware path instead of the WP firmware path.

Process was:

Flash to:
DE_LG_BP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin
Then crossflash to:
DE_LG_BU40N_1.00.bin

Everything completed successfully with no issues. Drive now reads UHD discs properly in MakeMKV.

WP/BP, it doesn't really matter. The process is the same.

Bricked LG WP50NB40 drive - please treat me like I'm in 5th grade
Model: LG WP50NB40
Mgr Date: Jan 2026
SVC Code: NB52

Procedure:
1. Attach/power drive, insert blu ray disc (not UHD disc), verify windows 11 can read and play the disc – confirmed.
2. Eject disk, close tray, and open Make MKV 1.18.3 (w/paid registration)
3. Open SDFTool Flasher.exe (version 1.3.6)
4. Flash drive (normal mode) to:
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070917.bin
Successful: The Flasher tool now has red X by encryption and Libre shows up in MakeMKV.
5. Flash drive in recovery mode to enable UHD reading:
Choose recovery mode in the SDFTool Flasher (opens file-selection dialog)
Choose same BIN file after clicking on recovery mode as done in step 4
Choose below firmware to cross flash in recovery mode:
BP50NB40-NB40-1.00-Clean.bin
6. Hex error code presented. After this the drive will not operate. Tray will not eject. Drive gone. I’m requesting a replacement drive (probably 1 time only allowed) to make 2nd attempt.
I think I may have chosen the wrong firmware in step 5 but not sure as there are so many on different threads.
Did i go wrong on step 5 by choosing the wrong BIN file?

You f**ked up big time!!!! What on earth would possess you to flash that old BP50NB40 NB40 1.00 clean firmware? Did you not read the post?? That firmware is for idiots who f**k up and flash BP50NB40 NB50 firmware to an old BP50NB40 NB40.

As for your steps, step 2, MakeMKV should never be open when flashing.
Step 5, that second firmware file should have been BU40N 1.00 or BU40N 1.03-MK.

all of the info, tools and firmware you need is in the first post of the SDFtool flasher thread, inclusing a gif showing the exact process. It is child proof!

[Billycar11]

added boot codes and recovery info to the guide

LG BP60NB10 "MT1959 Boot BUP5"
LG WH14/16NS40/WH16NS60/Asus BW161HT NS50/60 "MT1959 Boot JB8 "
LG BU40N "MT1959 Boot BU5 "
LG WH16NS40/Asus BW12B1st NS40 "MT1939 Boot Code"
LG BP50NB40 NB40 "MT1959 Boot BUP1"
LG BP50NB40 NB52 "MT1959 Boot BP32"
LG BP50NB40 NB50 "MT1959 Boot BUP3"
LG BP60NB10 NB12 "MT1959 Boot BP52"

how to use to cross flash a bp50 NB52

Code: Select all

makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d "your drive letter here Example" D: rawflash enc -i  "path to your firmware Example": C:\Users\BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK.bin

makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d "your drive letter here Example" D: rawflash "main,nowait,nocheck,boot=MT1959 Boot BUP3" -i "path to your firmware Example": C:\Users\DE_LG_BU40N_1.00.bin

how to recover a 5.25 crossflashed to a slim

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makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d "your drive letter here Example" D: rawflash nocheck,boot="MT1959 Boot BUP3" -i "path to your firmware Example" C:\bp50-to-wh16-recovery\WH16NS60-1.02-MK.bin
makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d "your drive letter here Example" D: rawflash nocheck -i "path to your firmware Example" C:\bp50-to-wh16-recovery\WH16NS60-1.02-MK.bin
makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d "your drive letter here Example" D: rawflash nocheck -i "path to your firmware Example" C:\bp50-to-wh16-recovery\DE_LG-WH16NS60_1.00.bin

[Sayaka]

added boot codes and recovery info to the guide

Hello, and thank you very much for this ! I had been hoping we would get this info for some time.

Quick question : I believe the boot code needed for the LG BP55EB40 NB50 is also "MT1959 Boot BUP3", and therefore, this would be the boot code needed to crossflash a BP55EB40 EB52 (after the first "enc" flash to HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP55EB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070924.bin has been done). Could anyone please confirm this ?

C:\Users\DE_LG_BU40N_1.00.bin

I trust that we can safely replace the firmware within this command with DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK.bin if we so choose, yes ? Personally I've had much better luck with DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK.bin for my BP55EB40.

[Billycar11]

added boot codes and recovery info to the guide

Hello, and thank you very much for this ! I had been hoping we would get this info for some time.

Quick question : I believe the boot code needed for the LG BP55EB40 NB50 is also "MT1959 Boot BUP3", and therefore, this would be the boot code needed to crossflash a BP55EB40 EB52 (after the first "enc" flash to HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP55EB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070924.bin has been done). Could anyone please confirm this ?

C:\Users\DE_LG_BU40N_1.00.bin

I trust that we can safely replace the firmware within this command with DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK.bin if we so choose, yes ? Personally I've had much better luck with DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK.bin for my BP55EB40.

yeah should be the same for the ero model

sure you can use bp60 instead

[Sayaka]

Thank you for the confirmation ! I may acquire two more BP55EB40s soon, so if I do get them I'll be sure to try it !

[1jsimonso]

WP/BP, it doesn't really matter. The process is the same.

Bricked LG WP50NB40 drive - please treat me like I'm in 5th grade
Model: LG WP50NB40
Mgr Date: Jan 2026
SVC Code: NB52

Procedure:
1. Attach/power drive, insert blu ray disc (not UHD disc), verify windows 11 can read and play the disc – confirmed.
2. Eject disk, close tray, and open Make MKV 1.18.3 (w/paid registration)
3. Open SDFTool Flasher.exe (version 1.3.6)
4. Flash drive (normal mode) to:
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070917.bin
Successful: The Flasher tool now has red X by encryption and Libre shows up in MakeMKV.
5. Flash drive in recovery mode to enable UHD reading:
Choose recovery mode in the SDFTool Flasher (opens file-selection dialog)
Choose same BIN file after clicking on recovery mode as done in step 4
Choose below firmware to cross flash in recovery mode:
BP50NB40-NB40-1.00-Clean.bin
6. Hex error code presented. After this the drive will not operate. Tray will not eject. Drive gone. I’m requesting a replacement drive (probably 1 time only allowed) to make 2nd attempt.
I think I may have chosen the wrong firmware in step 5 but not sure as there are so many on different threads.
Did i go wrong on step 5 by choosing the wrong BIN file?

You f**ked up big time!!!! What on earth would possess you to flash that old BP50NB40 NB40 1.00 clean firmware? Did you not read the post?? That firmware is for idiots who f**k up and flash BP50NB40 NB50 firmware to an old BP50NB40 NB40.

As for your steps, step 2, MakeMKV should never be open when flashing.
Step 5, that second firmware file should have been BU40N 1.00 or BU40N 1.03-MK.

all of the info, tools and firmware you need is in the first post of the SDFtool flasher thread, inclusing a gif showing the exact process. It is child proof!

LOL - thank you for the lashing - I deserve it. I've located the correct firmware for step 5 and will re-attempt as you've suggested inclusive of not having MakeMKV running during flash cycle.

[1jsimonso]

Duma$$ got it right this time. Thanks everyone who helped me figure this out.

[KoritoPrime]

hello, i wanted to know if my drive could be flashed to rip UHDs

Drive Information
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209D
Revision: 1.34
Serial number: QGDL154419WL
Firmware date: 2016-04-25
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8600
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-209
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.34/ID61
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

[Billycar11]

hello, i wanted to know if my drive could be flashed to rip UHDs

Drive Information
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209D
Revision: 1.34
Serial number: QGDL154419WL
Firmware date: 2016-04-25
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8600
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-209
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.34/ID61
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

sure email me that info
and all others email me no need to post your info here publicly just reach out to me directly
see below for email

[thommykay]

Hi all,
first: thanks a lot for this great thread and all the efforts that was put into this topic!!

I just want to share my experience to get my Verbatim "Ultra HD 4K External Slimline Blu-ray Writer" up and running, to also read my worst experience, in this case, trying to backup my "Lord of the Rings - 4K UHD Extended Version" disks...
My setup in the end:
- Verbatim "Ultra HD 4K External Slimline Blu-ray Writer"
- was on Firmware version "HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BU40N_1.05_212404231347_MO4P33B4346"
- flashed to HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.02-NM01201-211711301218 from this source https://www.mediafire.com/file/mezq26ac ... 9.zip/file (posted in viewtopic.php?f=16&t=18933, the link with headline = EDIT (22.05.2020):)
- the file can be found in folder "mk-firmware-pack-20200720/MK/old/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.02-NM01201-211711301218.bin"
- makeMKV is free now, just google for "makmkv key" or visit viewtopic.php?t=1053
- flashed without enabled option "Ecncrypted Firmware"

Hope this helps others with the same UHD drive to come to a fast solution

Cheers

[Flash]

Thank you to information

I m from Spain. I love Músic in CD and Vinyl

[babayaga]

Thank you to information

I m from Spain. I love Músic in CD and Vinyl

for Music and CDs/Vinyl's I'm not sure you're in the right forum! ;D

[csdesigns]

Code: Select all

Drive Information

Manufacturer: 
HL-DT-ST

Product: BD-RE BU40N

Revision: 1.03
Firmware date: 2118-10-24 19:34

Bus encryption flags: 17

Highest AACS version: 77



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

Thanks to the excellent and seemingly tireless work of the fine folks in this forum, I've been able to backup my UHD discs for some time now. But with the recent news about OmniDrive, including its ability to maintain UHD compatibility with MakeMKV, I got excited that I could finally also backup my extensive console gaming collection.

So I went about flashing this drive to OmniDrive 1.0.2 fw today. While the flash process seems to have succeeded successfully, I am no longer able to backup UHD-BDs. I now see a "Firmware type: Original (unpatched)" message under LibreDrive Information. I'm on macOS 12.7.6, and have tried rebooting, unplugging, and both the current 1.8.3 MakeMKV as well as older 1.17.7 version. I even re-flashed the drive using the 'enc' parameter in the command line, but this did not improve anything. I did find one other vague user report about enabling the boot loader option during the flash for UHD-BD ripping to be successful, but there's scant additional information regarding this, so I haven't attempted that yet.

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Drive Information
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: 904HS006730
Firmware date: 2116-12-20 15:28
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.00
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. For the time being, I will just re-flash to 1.03MK fw, as UHD-BD support is more crucial to me. But given that all other reports stated that this should not be an issue, I'm curious as to what could be going on here.

FYI, for more context, the disc I am attempting to rip is Man of Steel. This disc ripped fine with the 1.03MK fw. But now when I try to rip the disc, MakeMKV reports the following on startup:

Optical drive "BD-RE HL-DT-ST BD-RE BU40N 1.00 904HS006730d" opened in OS access mode.
DEBUG: Code 4278534144 at W-m_ypm2!BLd9$XPx:121264878

And the following after attempting to access the disc itself:

Error 'Scsi error - ILLEGAL REQUEST:COPY PROTECTION KEY EXCHANGE FAILURE - KEY NOT PRESENT' occurred while issuing SCSI command A40..002000800 to device 'IoKit:/IOBDServices/30D13CE8'
Error 'Scsi error - ILLEGAL REQUEST:COPY PROTECTION KEY EXCHANGE FAILURE - KEY NOT ESTABLISHED' occurred while issuing SCSI command AD010..080002400 to device 'IoKit:/IOBDServices/30D13CE8'
DEBUG: Code 0 at /fs0,Aq.KciJ;3#wL^:121264395
DEBUG: Code 4 at /fs0,Aq.KciJ;3#wL^:213130789
Can't read AACS VID from disc - most likely current AACS host certificate is revoked by your drive
Saved AACS dump file as /Users/user/Library/MakeMKV/MKB20_v61_Man_of_Steel_229B.tgz
LibreDrive compatible drive is required to open this disc - video can't be decrypted.
DEBUG: Code 0 at %M!4q~O6b%|'mQ/\:213132721
DEBUG: Code 0 at %M!4q~O6b%|'mQ/\:213131341
Failed to open disc

[Lilspartan]

Hi, I've flashed my BP50NB40 to enable LibreDrive for UHD ripping but I'm getting a Code 1 failure when trying to open any 4K disc.

Drive info shows LibreDrive as enabled:

Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Firmware date: 2120-05-07 09:17
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 72
LibreDrive Status: Enabled
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Drive platform: MT1959
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

But MakeMKV debug log shows:

DEBUG: Code 3 at tNjYHe^Zv]scO1k:ka77Z}$W:29395310
SDF v0a5: HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP50NB40_1.03_212005070917_K0EG3OA1600
DEBUG: Code 1 at #+V1>t#n4>odtqcWW#e[D:121265062
Failed to open disc

This happens with multiple 4K UHD discs. Regular Blu-ray and DVD discs are detected and read fine. I'm running MakeMKV v1.18.3 on Windows 11 as Administrator.

Did I use the wrong firmware file, or is there something else I need to do to get LibreDrive actually working? Any help appreciated.