NETGEAR WNR3500L: OpenWrt Compatibility Report

The NETGEAR WNR3500L runs OpenWrt 25.12.2 on the bcm47xx/mips74k target, and has been supported since 14.07. Its WiFi 4 (N) wireless on the b43 driver rates limited for open-source driver support (0.35/1.0), installation is rated moderate, and it is no longer sold new. Its wireless does not work correctly under OpenWrt, so it is listed here for reference rather than as a recommendation.

Drivers: Limited (0.35) WiFi 4 (N) Install: moderate

Hardware data and retail listings last checked .

Known broken wireless support. This device's WiFi does not work properly on OpenWrt. It is listed here for reference; do not buy it expecting working wireless.
Discontinued. This model is no longer sold new, so this page is kept as a reference for people who already own one. See current alternatives.

Where to buy

We have no current retail listing for the NETGEAR WNR3500L, which is no longer sold new. See current alternatives for devices you can still buy today.

Specifications

SoC Broadcom BCM4718
CPU 1 core @ 480 MHz
RAM 64 MB
Flash 8 MB
Ethernet ports 5
USB 1x 2.0
WiFi generation WiFi 4 (N)
Radios 2.4GHz: b/g/n
WLAN hardware Broadcom BCM4718
WLAN driver b43
OpenWrt target bcm47xx / mips74k
Package architecture mipsel_74kc
Current release 25.12.2
Supported since 14.07
Install method see devicepage
Install difficulty moderate
Power supply 12 VDC, 1.5A via barrel
Device type Home router
Estimated throughput 60 Mbps
Availability discontinued

Installing OpenWrt on the WNR3500L

Installation on this device is rated moderate. Expect to use a recovery mode, TFTP or a vendor tool rather than a plain web upload. Documented methods: see devicepage.

Official OpenWrt device page for the WNR3500L

Flashing third-party firmware can brick a router and usually voids the warranty. Always check that the firmware image matches your exact hardware version.

Hardware versions

The WNR3500L ships in several hardware revisions with different chipsets. Match the version printed on your device label before flashing.

Version Target Current release WLAN hardware
V1 shown above bcm47xx/mips74k 25.12.2 Broadcom BCM4718
V2 bcm47xx/mips74k 24.10.4 Broadcom BCM47186B0

Still sold and well supported

GL.iNet GL-X300B (Collie)

WiFi 4 (N) Drivers: Excellent $126

KuWFi CPE830(D)

WiFi 4 (N) Drivers: Excellent

YunCore CPE830(D)

WiFi 4 (N) Drivers: Excellent

Not sure which fits? Take the 60-second quiz.