MT6000 - wrong hardware country code

Routers
1

Issue with GL.iNet MT6000 (Flint) Region Settings: Ordered US, Received JP

I recently ordered the GL.iNet MT6000 (Flint) router from Amazon in the United States but received a device configured for the JP region. This has caused a few issues:

  • Wi-Fi Power: Limited to 100mW in the JP configuration (compared to 1000mW in the US), resulting in reduced range.
  • Channel 14 Enabled: This channel is allowed in Japan but is a potential FCC violation in the US.
  • Bark Parental Controls Unavailable: Bark services are region-locked and do not activate in the JP region.

Debugging the Region Settings

This isn’t my first experience with OpenWRT, so I started troubleshooting by checking how the region is configured. I found the following function in the startup file /lib/functions/gl_util.sh:

get_country_code() {
    uci -q get board_special.hardware.country_code || cat /proc/gl-hw-info/country_code
}

From what I’ve gathered:

  1. Option 1 (uci value): Defaults to blank if not manually set.
  2. Option 2 (/proc/gl-hw-info/country_code): Hardcoded and read-only. On my device, this is set to JP.

Since the /proc value is immutable, the only way to change the region is to set Option 1 (board_special.hardware.country_code) to 'US'.

My Temporary Fix

Here’s what I did to temporarily resolve the issue:

  1. SSH into the router:
  2. Check the current region settings:
uci -q get board_special.hardware.country_code
cat /proc/gl-hw-info/country_code
  • The first command was blank.
  • The second command returned JP.
  1. Set the board_special.hardware.country_code to US:
uci set board_special.hardware.country_code='US'
uci commit board_special

  1. Updated Wi-Fi region settings for both radios to US:

  2. Rebooted the router:

This resolved the issue temporarily. However, this change does not persist after a factory reset or a clean firmware update.

Seeking Advice

I’m looking for a permanent solution to ensure the router stays in the US region without having to reapply these fixes after every reset or update.

If there isn’t a straightforward way to make this change persistent, would you recommend:

  • Returning the router and replacing it with a proper US model?
  • Any other approaches?
2

Can you message me the mac address of the router, which is printed on the bottom label of the router? I want to check the production batch.

1 Like
4

Hi @alzhao,

I’d love to provide the MAC address for troubleshooting, but I can’t seem to find the option to direct message you on the forum. Could you let me know how I can securely share this information with you?

5

You are now allowed to send @alzhao a message :wink: Just hower over his name.

2 Likes
6

Done. Thank you!

7

A few hundreds of router was sent with the wrong country code.

We can send methods to flash the correct country code.

3 Likes
8

In the luci interface Netwok-> Wireless then edit the intefaces. In the middle of the displayed page the country can be choosed.
It's easyer than entering commands.

2 Likes
9

This is true for Wi-Fi country codes and will fix some issues. This post is regarding the hardware country code which is stored in EEPROM and not able to changed unless flashed.

One of the selling points for me was the bark integration, which is region locked based on the hardware. Changing Wi-Fi region alone will not enable this or any other region restricted features.

2 Likes
10

A wrong country -code can lead to huge problems with the authorities. You might be using an illegal transmitter on illegal frequencies.
In EU the user of a device is responsible to,that it behaves according to the legislation.

2 Likes
11

I know my mt6000 i bought from amazon au which was in the country shows a wifi country code of US and i cant even swap it to AU and get all wifi bands. How can i fix this?

12

A few replies up and read

13

yep, go to luci > network > wireless > pick your active wifi > Edit> advanced setup > select country .

image
image1675×1225 145 KB

15

Just to add another data point. I recently purchased two MT6000s from amazon ca (Canada) and am in the process of configuring the first one. Only after seeing this thread did I even think of checking its wifi country code, which was set to US. Thankfully I’m familiar with OpenWrt and LuCI, so it wasn’t an issue to change it. Given that it automatically detected my location and correctly set the timezone, there is no reason that it couldn’t do the same for the wifi country code.

1 Like
16

Just checked mine and it’s set to DE Germany, Im in the UK. Should I change it to UK or is DE ok?

Are there any differences between the two?

I did buy my Flint 2 directly from UK GL store online.

1 Like
17

I believe I readed somewhere DE is basicly for the full EU region, so it should be fine i guess, you could always set it inside luci.

1 Like
18

Good to know about the country code for the EU region, but the UK isn’t currently part of the EU. If I were @PoweredByVeg, I’d probably change it to UK, just to be safe.

2 Likes
19

I just used chatGPT to see what the difference was and they are the same so I will go ahead and change it to UK to be compliant.

As @lwbeam mentioned, we are not part of the EU.

1 Like
20

Even though you're not part of the EU anymore it makes sense, to use the right country code. If you want to know more:

On 5GHz there are differences!

1 Like
21

I found the same issue. I was using WiFiInfoView to see Wi-Fi SSID in my area, and noticed my GL router was showing Wi-Fi country code as US - and I’m in Australia! I followed the instructions above (Luci interface) and now I’m correctly set for AU. Thanks, everyone!

1 Like
22

Hi alzhao, can you please send me the methods to flash the correct country code. I bought my Flint 2 MT6000 router from Amazon AU and have just discovered after months of usage that is also has a country code of US. I’m in Australia and would love to change it to AU.