How to flash/update/reset Nokia Lumia phones using Lumia Software Recovery Tool
Update (2016) – Lumia Software Recovery Tool (LSRT) described in this older post has now been updated to Windows Device Recovery Tool (WDRT). WDRT supports all old Nokia Lumia phones (WP 7/7.5/7.8/8/8.1) and new Microsoft Lumia devices (WP 8.1 and Windows 10). Despite the name change, WDRT essentially serves the same purpose as LSRT i.e. reset/restore/update a Lumia phone. So please refer to this updated post which describes the use of Windows Device Recovery Tool.
Lumia Software Recovery Tool (LSRT) is an official mobile service software by Microsoft. LSRT has been created to help average Nokia mobile users to solve common firmware related problems at home using their Windows PC. This saves them from the hassle of visiting a service center and also saves money if the mobile is out of warranty. Indirectly it also reduces the workload on authorized service centers (Nokia Care).
With LSRT you can –
Reset a Nokia phone to original settings by re-installing phone-software
Update the phone-software to latest available version
Recover a dead/bricked Nokia phone
LSRT can solve most bricked-mobile issues like boot-loop issue (phone is restarting again and again), phone is stuck at Nokia logo/white screen on boot, persistent spinning cog-wheels at boot or during update, BSOD, phone only vibrates on pressing power button and nothing happens then etc. Some common reasons of a bricked-phone are –
An interrupted flashing/update process due to computer related issues (power failure, restart, hangs/freeze etc)
Connection interruption during flashing/update process
Corruption/deletion of system files, virus/malware infection
Flashing the phone with an incompatible or corrupt custom firmware
How to use Lumia Software Recovery Tool (LSRT) to flash/update a Nokia phone?
Unlike Phoenix and other complicated flashing apps, LSRT is quite simple to use. Lets take a look how it can be used to get your bricked phone back to life (or update it to the latest firmware) –
Supported devices – Despite the Lumia branding, LSRT currently supports all Nokia mobiles (Symbian, S40, S30, Asha, Nokia X OS and Windows Phone 7/8/8.1)
Requirements
A computer running Windows (7 or later)
Lumia Software Recovery Tool (not available now as it has been replaced by Windows Device Recovery Tool)
A USB data cable to connect the phone with computer
5-10 GB free space in Windows installation drive (usually C drive)
WARNING – before jumping into action, beware of the fact that phone flashing is not a fun and casual process intended for novices thus –
you must know exactly what you are doing
follow the below given instructions very carefully
make sure that phone’s battery is charged to at least 3/4th of the full, however if the phone is dead and the battery status is not known then do not use the phone charger/wireless charger to charge the phone as it may heat-up and damage the battery
Recovery process will delete everything in phone memory so if possible, take a backup of your important phone data
Be patient and DO NOT touch or disconnect USB data cable before the whole process completes as interruption in flashing may render your phone irreparable.
As this process may takes quite some time, make sure that your computer is not set to go into standby/sleep mode when left unattended for long period as it will interrupt the flashing process
Ready to go? – follow the steps given below
1. Install Lumia Software Recovery Tool (LSRT) in your computer – it will take some time as many components will be installed
2. After installation, launch LSRT – you must be online to use it (a fast internet connection is recommended)
3. Now there are two scenarios
A. If you have a phone in working condition and want to reset/update it
Connect the phone with computer using a supported USB data cable (make sure to select connection type as “Nokia Suite/PC Suite” in phone) and wait for a while – do not click “My phone does not start up or respond” – LSRT will detect the phone and check for the latest available software for it – after a while LSRT will show you the phone details as shown below
Now click “Install” button – LSRT will forward to next step – check the box “I understand and want to continue” and click “Continue” button – wait as LSRT will download phone firmware files (download time depends upon phone model and your internet connection) and then flash the phone with them – wait for the process to complete, LSRT will notify you when successfully done!
B. If the phone is dead/bricked and you want to recover it (Recovery mode or dead-phone flashing) – only applicable for Lumia Windows Phone 8 mobiles
Note – According to Microsoft, LSRT Recovery-mode supports only Lumia (WP8 or later) phones. For other Nokia phones it will give “Phone is not supported” error
If your Lumia phone is having problems booting up due to whatever reason (except hardware issues), then do not connect it with computer when LSRT launches, instead click on “My phone does not start up or respond” button – LSRT will forward to another window as shown below
Follow the instructions at LSRT and connect your phone with computer when prompted (phone should be in switched off condition while connecting) – in Lumia phones, press and hold Volume Down and Power button simultaneously for a few seconds – phone will vibrate and LSRT will detect it – LSRT will check for the latest software available for the phone and start downloading it – now all you have to do is wait, wait and wait as downloading over 1GB data (varies depending upon phone model) and then flashing process will take quite some time. LSRT will notify you once the process completes, done! There you have it! back to life your Nokia phone.