How to Install/Flash a KDZ Firmware on LG Devices

Stock firmwares for LG devices come in KDZ (and sometimes TOT) format. You can flash these firmwares using the LG Flashtool on a Windows PC to either restore a device stock firmware or downgrade from an updated release.

Below is a guide on how to flash KDZ firmwares on LG devices, follow the instructions carefully and to the point.

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download LG Flashtool

Instructions
  1. Extract/Unzip the LG Flash Tool 2014 .zip file that you downloaded above on your PC. You’ll get a bunch of files required to run the program.
  2. Double-click/Run LGFlashTool2014.exe file to Open LG Flash Tool.
    └ If it doesn’t open, install Visual C++ Runtime Library from here and then try again.
  3. Boot your LG device into Download Mode:
    • Power off your LG device.
    • Press and hold Volume Up button.
    • Connect your device to PC with a USB cable while holding the Volume Up button.
    • You’ll boot into download mode with “Firmware Update” written on top of the screen.
  4. Now load the .kdz firmware file into LG Flash Tool window on your PC. Click the browse button at the end of the “Select KDZ file” line. Leave every other option as is on the LG Flash Tool window.
  5. Once you’ve selected .kdz firmware file, click “CSE Flash” button to proceed on flashing the .KDZ firmware to your LG device.
    └ FYI, the “Normal Flash” button doesn’t wipe data and the “CSE Flash” button wipes data. If you’re upgrading from a stock firmware, then “Normal Flash” might do.
  6. You’ll get a “Read Phone Information” window, it will be blank for the most part. Just hit the START button and proceed.
  7. You’ll be asked for administrator permissions for some LG program on your PC, accept it.
  8. Now you’ll see “Select Country & Language” window. Select “Different” from the country list and then “English” from the language list. And remember to NOT tick the Smartphone upgrade checkbox, it’s for Windows Mobile phones not your LG device running on Android.
  9. To finally begin firmware flashing process, hit the “OK” button.
  10. You’ll see a progress bar now. Just wait until it’s 100%, after which you might get an error “Connection to server failed”. This is okay. DON’T disconnect your phone at this point.
  11. Watch your phone closely, you’ll see some activity going on the screen with “COM” written in green text. Once that happens click OK to the “Connection to server failed” error.
  12. Now watch the firmware update progress bar on your phone. Once it’s complete, your phone will automatically reboot. And then you can disconnect your phone from PC and close the LG Flash Tool utility as well.

That’s all. Happy Androiding!

Posted by
Shivam Malani

Shivam is our resident designer and web developer who also enjoys writing. He loves to meditate, drive on the freeways and hunt for snipers during his Call Of Duty playtime. Email: [email protected]

141 Comments

  1. I keep getting a connection to network failed error. Even though that pops up, it’s still upgrading. Then, the upgrades stops under 10%, and i get a new screen that says upgrade stopped due to an error. No matter what i do, it just fails and fails.

    1. make sure your using the original LG data cable as well. sometimes it removes any chances of issues while flashing.

    2. I got the error “Connection to server failed”. After looking it up, I read to disregard this message:- “This is okay. DON’T disconnect your phone at this point.” So i left the phone plugged in. There was no sign of activity whatsoever on the phone – Suddenly like 15 minutes later the phone came on and the firmware had been flashed!

  2. I keep getting a connection to network failed error. Even though that pops up, it’s still upgrading. Then, the upgrades stops under 10%, and i get a new screen that says upgrade stopped due to an error. No matter what i do, it just fails and fails.

    1. make sure your using the original LG data cable as well. sometimes it removes any chances of issues while flashing.

    2. I got the error “Connection to server failed”. After looking it up, I read to disregard this message:- “This is okay. DON’T disconnect your phone at this point.” So i left the phone plugged in. There was no sign of activity whatsoever on the phone – Suddenly like 15 minutes later the phone came on and the firmware had been flashed!

  3. I keep getting a “The phone is disconnected from PC” I have tried multiple PCs using Windows 7, and still nothing.

    1. install lg usb drive on ur pc and u will be fine

    2. install lg usb drive on ur pc and u will be fine 🙂

    3. also my problem

  4. I keep getting a “The phone is disconnected from PC” I have tried multiple PCs using Windows 7, and still nothing.

    1. install lg usb drive on ur pc and u will be fine

    2. install lg usb drive on ur pc and u will be fine 🙂

    3. also my problem

  5. Hey I have a question that I am looking for answers to… Okay so it has been a week going on two weeks now since I was playing around with my LG Optimus G Pro, and It’s been so long now I can’t recall exactly what I had tried to do…. Anyways everytime I try to Boot Up my phone it Automatically goes straight to Fastboot mode. Is there anyway to fix this issue without causing any further losses?

    1. i can help u

  6. Hey I have a question that I am looking for answers to… Okay so it has been a week going on two weeks now since I was playing around with my LG Optimus G Pro, and It’s been so long now I can’t recall exactly what I had tried to do…. Anyways everytime I try to Boot Up my phone it Automatically goes straight to Fastboot mode. Is there anyway to fix this issue without causing any further losses?

    1. i can help u

  7. I keep on getting Error 495 whenever I install/update an app, I tried following the available fix for 495 in the internet can’t fix. TIA for any suggestion!

  8. I keep on getting Error 495 whenever I install/update an app, I tried following the available fix for 495 in the internet can’t fix. TIA for any suggestion!

  9. why is it stop until 79% and connection to server failed appear? what seems to be the problem here?

  10. why is it stop until 79% and connection to server failed appear? what seems to be the problem here?

  11. Hey the download link is damaged.

    I can’t seem to extract it.

    1. Fixed. Thanks for letting us know 🙂

  12. Hey the download link is damaged.

    I can’t seem to extract it.

    1. Fixed. Thanks for letting us know 🙂

  13. Try downloading & installing LG support tool.

  14. Try downloading & installing LG support tool.

  15. when i try the pc says : LGUserCSTool LGMobile Application has stopped working. I think it is a problem of the computer instead of the phone. Probably because i downloaded the latest version of the lg flash tool for windows 8, because it does not exist a version for windows 10. Can someone help me?

  16. when i try the pc says : LGUserCSTool LGMobile Application has stopped working. I think it is a problem of the computer instead of the phone. Probably because i downloaded the latest version of the lg flash tool for windows 8, because it does not exist a version for windows 10. Can someone help me?

  17. I have Problem. I can not connect firmware mode. but can connect portable mode. How can I do?
    Plz Reply

  18. I have Problem. I can not connect firmware mode. but can connect portable mode. How can I do?
    Plz Reply

  19. My phone kept restarting by it self often without showing the home screen. Is this a software problem or an hardware problem?

  20. My phone kept restarting by it self often without showing the home screen. Is this a software problem or an hardware problem?

  21. Firmware for LG g3 855 European stops down loading just over halfway to my computer before I can even try to open. Tried two different download managers but still get same message of transfered to other server and nothing happens after

  22. Firmware for LG g3 855 European stops down loading just over halfway to my computer before I can even try to open. Tried two different download managers but still get same message of transfered to other server and nothing happens after

  23. Hy i have a problem i have lg f200s and i am having some problem with OS can anybody tell me where to donwload lg optimus f200s firmware it will be a great help!

  24. Hy i have a problem i have lg f200s and i am having some problem with OS can anybody tell me where to donwload lg optimus f200s firmware it will be a great help!

  25. after the error “connection to server failed”, anything happend… i’ve been waiting like a hour and still the same ….what do i do?

    1. then what u did about this? i am facing same problem…i have been waiting more than a hour

  26. after the error “connection to server failed”, anything happend… i’ve been waiting like a hour and still the same ….what do i do?

    1. then what u did about this? i am facing same problem…i have been waiting more than a hour

  27. The process keeps stopping at 60%. Even with the phone disconnected from the PC error it still got to 60% percent and now has stalled! Is there a fix for this?

    1. @david @viviana @ron
      before you were flashing a custom recovery onto your phone you removed a file “laf.img”.
      Now, put it back (It worked for me, I hope you ‘ve made a backup.) and you ´ll get the right screen with “firmware update” in big letters and a usb-symbol. If you ´re missing the laf.img try flashing your stock rom backup (which still should have the laf).
      take a look at:
      http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-lg-g3/general/how-to-boot-lg-g3-fastboot-mode-t3087445

      adb shell
      su
      dd if=/your_place_containig_the_file/laf.img of=/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/laf
      exit
      adb reboot

  28. The process keeps stopping at 60%. Even with the phone disconnected from the PC error it still got to 60% percent and now has stalled! Is there a fix for this?

    1. @david @viviana @ron
      before you were flashing a custom recovery onto your phone you removed a file “laf.img”.
      Now, put it back (It worked for me, I hope you ‘ve made a backup.) and you ´ll get the right screen with “firmware update” in big letters and a usb-symbol. If you ´re missing the laf.img try flashing your stock rom backup (which still should have the laf).
      take a look at:
      http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-lg-g3/general/how-to-boot-lg-g3-fastboot-mode-t3087445

      adb shell
      su
      dd if=/your_place_containig_the_file/laf.img of=/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/laf
      exit
      adb reboot

  29. Does LG Flash tool work on Windows 10?

  30. Does LG Flash tool work on Windows 10?

  31. u’re sure to hold ‘vol-UP’ button? coz in my p990 is hold ‘vol-DOWN’ button then connect to pc usb to go download mode (lg usb restore mode in device manage,sometimes u’ll go to nvdia usb driver. u’ll go to apx if hold vol-up+vol-down.). what lg series u test? please give the right information. u just copy-paste an information from google or do it your self?

  32. u’re sure to hold ‘vol-UP’ button? coz in my p990 is hold ‘vol-DOWN’ button then connect to pc usb to go download mode (lg usb restore mode in device manage,sometimes u’ll go to nvdia usb driver. u’ll go to apx if hold vol-up+vol-down.). what lg series u test? please give the right information. u just copy-paste an information from google or do it your self?

  33. u’re sure to hold ‘vol-UP’ button? coz in my p990 is hold ‘vol-DOWN’ button then connect to pc usb to go download mode (lg usb restore mode in device manage,sometimes u’ll go to nvdia usb driver. u’ll go to apx if hold vol-up+vol-down.). what lg series u test? please give the right information. u just copy-paste an information from google or do it your self?

  34. u’re sure to hold ‘vol-UP’ button? coz in my p990 is hold ‘vol-DOWN’ button then connect to pc usb to go download mode (lg usb restore mode in device manage,sometimes u’ll go to nvdia usb driver. u’ll go to apx if hold vol-up+vol-down.). what lg series u test? please give the right information. u just copy-paste an information from google or do it your self?

  35. COM not displayed on phone and nothing happens on my vuf100 screen…what to do?

  36. COM not displayed on phone and nothing happens on my vuf100 screen…what to do?

  37. COM not displayed on phone and nothing happens on my vuf100 screen…what to do?

  38. COM not displayed on phone and nothing happens on my vuf100 screen…what to do?

  39. is it necessary to use lg cable while flashing ?

    1. no. it doesn’t need to be LG brand, but use a cable that you know is working without issues

  40. is it necessary to use lg cable while flashing ?

    1. no. it doesn’t need to be LG brand, but use a cable that you know is working without issues

  41. is it necessary to use lg cable while flashing ?

  42. is it necessary to use lg cable while flashing ?

  43. I got the error “Connection to server failed”. After looking it up, I read to disregard this message:- “This is okay. DON’T disconnect your phone at this point.” So i left the phone plugged in. There was no sign of activity whatsoever on the phone – Suddenly like 15 minutes later the phone came on and the firmware had been flashed!

  44. I got the error “Connection to server failed”. After looking it up, I read to disregard this message:- “This is okay. DON’T disconnect your phone at this point.” So i left the phone plugged in. There was no sign of activity whatsoever on the phone – Suddenly like 15 minutes later the phone came on and the firmware had been flashed!

  45. I got the error “Connection to server failed”. After looking it up, I read to disregard this message:- “This is okay. DON’T disconnect your phone at this point.” So i left the phone plugged in. There was no sign of activity whatsoever on the phone – Suddenly like 15 minutes later the phone came on and the firmware had been flashed!

  46. I got the error “Connection to server failed”. After looking it up, I read to disregard this message:- “This is okay. DON’T disconnect your phone at this point.” So i left the phone plugged in. There was no sign of activity whatsoever on the phone – Suddenly like 15 minutes later the phone came on and the firmware had been flashed!

  47. I got the error “Connection to server failed”. After looking it up, I read to disregard this message:- “This is okay. DON’T disconnect your phone at this point.” So i left the phone plugged in. There was no sign of activity whatsoever on the phone – Suddenly like 1 hour later and still no sign of activity help me guys my device is LG G3 D855.

    1. then what u did about this? i am facing same problem…i have been waiting more than a hour

  48. I got the error “Connection to server failed”. After looking it up, I read to disregard this message:- “This is okay. DON’T disconnect your phone at this point.” So i left the phone plugged in. There was no sign of activity whatsoever on the phone – Suddenly like 1 hour later and still no sign of activity help me guys my device is LG G3 D855.

    1. then what u did about this? i am facing same problem…i have been waiting more than a hour

  49. I got the error “Connection to server failed”. After looking it up, I read to disregard this message:- “This is okay. DON’T disconnect your phone at this point.” So i left the phone plugged in. There was no sign of activity whatsoever on the phone – Suddenly like 1 hour later and still no sign of activity help me guys my device is LG G3 D855.

  50. I got the error “Connection to server failed”. After looking it up, I read to disregard this message:- “This is okay. DON’T disconnect your phone at this point.” So i left the phone plugged in. There was no sign of activity whatsoever on the phone – Suddenly like 1 hour later and still no sign of activity help me guys my device is LG G3 D855.

  51. Can the stock rom be flashed if my phone has been rooted and flashed with a custom rom? Using an LG G3 D850.

  52. Can the stock rom be flashed if my phone has been rooted and flashed with a custom rom? Using an LG G3 D850.

  53. Can the stock rom be flashed if my phone has been rooted and flashed with a custom rom? Using an LG G3 D850.

  54. hi trying to down grade from marshmellow to lollipop on my g3 d855 and it stops at 9% and says upgrade stopped due to error ? any ideas,

  55. hi trying to down grade from marshmellow to lollipop on my g3 d855 and it stops at 9% and says upgrade stopped due to error ? any ideas,

  56. hi trying to down grade from marshmellow to lollipop on my g3 d855 and it stops at 9% and says upgrade stopped due to error ? any ideas,

  57. Can the stock rom be flashed if my phone has been rooted and flashed with a custom rom? Using an LG G3 D850.

  58. hi trying to down grade from marshmellow to lollipop on my g3 d855 and it stops at 9% and says upgrade stopped due to error ? any ideas,

  59. Plz I tried to search for my LG E970 I can’t find it ,assist me if any have

  60. Plz I tried to search for my LG E970 I can’t find it ,assist me if any have

  61. Plz I tried to search for my LG E970 I can’t find it ,assist me if any have

  62. Plz I tried to search for my LG E970 I can’t find it ,assist me if any have

  63. Well at LG L460 you need to hold both up and down button and then it finds the phone the only think you get in the screen is the LG logo and bellow a small message Download mode affter the error even if you leave it for hours i will do nothing (i have give admin rights to the program) + (full battery) + (lg cable) + (all settings corectly)…but nothign…btw in the program i only see ?????????? when the progres bar is loading is that normal too ? 🙂

  64. Well at LG L460 you need to hold both up and down button and then it finds the phone the only think you get in the screen is the LG logo and bellow a small message Download mode affter the error even if you leave it for hours i will do nothing (i have give admin rights to the program) + (full battery) + (lg cable) + (all settings corectly)…but nothign…btw in the program i only see ?????????? when the progres bar is loading is that normal too ? 🙂

  65. Well at LG L460 you need to hold both up and down button and then it finds the phone the only think you get in the screen is the LG logo and bellow a small message Download mode affter the error even if you leave it for hours i will do nothing (i have give admin rights to the program) + (full battery) + (lg cable) + (all settings corectly)…but nothign…btw in the program i only see ?????????? when the progres bar is loading is that normal too ? 🙂

  66. Well at LG L460 you need to hold both up and down button and then it finds the phone the only think you get in the screen is the LG logo and bellow a small message Download mode affter the error even if you leave it for hours i will do nothing (i have give admin rights to the program) + (full battery) + (lg cable) + (all settings corectly)…but nothign…btw in the program i only see ?????????? when the progres bar is loading is that normal too ? 🙂

  67. Mine just gets stuck at 60% for a really long time and i afraid to unplug it. What should I do?

  68. Mine just gets stuck at 60% for a really long time and i afraid to unplug it. What should I do?

  69. Mine just gets stuck at 60% for a really long time and i afraid to unplug it. What should I do?

  70. Mine just gets stuck at 60% for a really long time and i afraid to unplug it. What should I do?

  71. Please what is the name of the driver in device manager?

  72. Please what is the name of the driver in device manager?

  73. Please what is the name of the driver in device manager?

  74. Please what is the name of the driver in device manager?

  75. i can”t see different languages

  76. i can”t see different languages

  77. i can”t see different languages

  78. i can”t see different languages

  79. nice sharing thanks’

  80. nice sharing thanks’

  81. nice sharing thanks’

  82. nice sharing thanks’

  83. It also shown me connection lost to server and after 2-3 mins it shows upgrade stopped due to an error on my lg g2 vs980

  84. It also shown me connection lost to server and after 2-3 mins it shows upgrade stopped due to an error on my lg g2 vs980

  85. It also shown me connection lost to server and after 2-3 mins it shows upgrade stopped due to an error on my lg g2 vs980

  86. It also shown me connection lost to server and after 2-3 mins it shows upgrade stopped due to an error on my lg g2 vs980

  87. My computer recognizes my lg v10 but when I make an attempt to use the lg tool software it doesn’t see the phone, how can I fix this?

  88. My computer recognizes my lg v10 but when I make an attempt to use the lg tool software it doesn’t see the phone, how can I fix this?

  89. My computer recognizes my lg v10 but when I make an attempt to use the lg tool software it doesn’t see the phone, how can I fix this?

  90. My computer recognizes my lg v10 but when I make an attempt to use the lg tool software it doesn’t see the phone, how can I fix this?

  91. hi
    unable to select language

  92. hi
    unable to select language

  93. can help anyone here plz
    unable to select language while loading.kdx file on flashtool window

  94. can help anyone here plz
    unable to select language while loading.kdx file on flashtool window

  95. hi
    unable to select language

  96. can help anyone here plz
    unable to select language while loading.kdx file on flashtool window

  97. worked perfectly for d855. thanks!

  98. worked perfectly for d855. thanks!

  99. Hello and thanks for this guide, it worked for me! For the others who say that they don’t see any activity on their phone screen, move the “Failed to connect to the server” window away and you’ll see does it work actually, I moved it away and found out that software was still installing my Android 🙂

  100. Hello and thanks for this guide, it worked for me! For the others who say that they don’t see any activity on their phone screen, move the “Failed to connect to the server” window away and you’ll see does it work actually, I moved it away and found out that software was still installing my Android 🙂

  101. i have cracked my phone thank you fuckers, all i wanted is to instal 5.0 android on e988 there was some problems but phone was on download mode, suddenly program says that cannot do it cause of error, phone screen got black and cant run back again, this is my old phone, if it was my lg v10 i will destroy this page for my damage. beware of this kind of moves

    1. Dude wtf? Why didnt you use the LG Support tool from their website? This flash tool is a last resort / advenced users stuff.

      Plus how could you install Android L in the optimus G using a official firmware when theres none for that phone with that version of android, it only reached kitkat.

      The only way to update your phone above kitkat is using custom ROMs.

  102. i have cracked my phone thank you fuckers, all i wanted is to instal 5.0 android on e988 there was some problems but phone was on download mode, suddenly program says that cannot do it cause of error, phone screen got black and cant run back again, this is my old phone, if it was my lg v10 i will destroy this page for my damage. beware of this kind of moves

    1. Dude wtf? Why didnt you use the LG Support tool from their website? This flash tool is a last resort / advenced users stuff.

      Plus how could you install Android L in the optimus G using a official firmware when theres none for that phone with that version of android, it only reached kitkat.

      The only way to update your phone above kitkat is using custom ROMs.

  103. Whether this is necessary internet connection

  104. Whether this is necessary internet connection

  105. do you wish to cancel th lg mobile phone s/w upgrade hatası alınıyo

  106. keeps coming with contact system administrator

  107. no activity going on the screen with “COM” written in green text, 23 MINUTES HAD PASSED.
    PLEASE HELP

  108. keeps coming with contact system administrator

  109. do you wish to cancel th lg mobile phone s/w upgrade hatası alınıyo

  110. Whether this is necessary internet connection

  111. i have cracked my phone thank you fuckers, all i wanted is to instal 5.0 android on e988 there was some problems but phone was on download mode, suddenly program says that cannot do it cause of error, phone screen got black and cant run back again, this is my old phone, if it was my lg v10 i will destroy this page for my damage. beware of this kind of moves

    1. Lame fucker. You are that guy that downloads a weigher application and actually stands on top of the phone in order to get his weight. Pathetic.

    2. Dude wtf? Why didnt you use the LG Support tool from their website? This flash tool is a last resort / advenced users stuff.

      Plus how could you install Android L in the optimus G using a official firmware when theres none for that phone with that version of android, it only reached kitkat.

      The only way to update your phone above kitkat is using custom ROMs.

  112. Hello and thanks for this guide, it worked for me! For the others who say that they don’t see any activity on their phone screen, move the “Failed to connect to the server” window away and you’ll see does it work actually, I moved it away and found out that software was still installing my Android 🙂

  113. worked perfectly for d855. thanks!

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