[Guide] [VS985] Flash Back To Stock - KDZ Method

[annoyingduck]

Updated 2/3/16 Master Download Link Added at Bottom of This Post For All Old and Current KDZ's

This method is confirmed working 100% for devices running 10b/11c/12b/23abc regardless of root/unlock state. While the .tot method is also working on Windows 7, users with Windows 8.1 are having difficulty using that method. Myself and @autoprime obtained a 10b KDZ file that has solved the issue for +10b updaters that couldn't flash back to 10b, so please send him some love for his help and for hosting the file on Team Codefire's servers for all to download. A big shout out to @quangnhut123 for creating the super sweet modified LG KDZ Flash Tool 2014 that makes KDZ flashing an absolute breeze!! He deserves some love as the previous KDZ flashing methods were anything but fun - especially on Windows 8. And another shout out to @deathsquad737 for initially testing the method for our device.

-Please this post and second post FULLY before asking questions!
-First remove any of the .tot flashing tools/programs that you may have already installed as they will conflict with the KDZ flashing tool.
-Download and install the latest LG drivers for your phone here (FYI I am linking the LG site directly instead of the file to ensure that you download the current up-to-date drivers): http://www.lg.com/us/support-mobile/lg-VS985-Metallic-Black
-Download the VS985 10b KDZ: Downloads Located Below
-Download the LG Flash Tool 2014 from this thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2797190 and be sure to thank @quangnhut123 for his efforts. Also read that thread a bit so you understand how to fully use the tool exactly, but I will outline the process below.
-Extract the .zip folder to wherever you wish to keep it (desktop, downloads, etc).
-Copy the 10b KDZ file (or whatever KDZ your flashing) into the LG Flash Tool folder
-Power off your phone completely, hold volume up, plug in the usb cable, wait for any drivers to load, and you should then be in Download Mode
-Run LGFlashTool2014.exe (you may need to run as administer as its not an installed program, rather an executed one from wherever you saved the folder).
-You may need to install Visual C++ Runtime Library. If so, refer to the LG Flash Tool thread for more info on obtaining that.
-Select CDMA as your type
-Select Diag as your phone mode
-Select your KDZ file that you copied or pasted into the folder
-Choose the option of CSE Flash (this is a full wipe, you will lose your data). Do not choose Normal Flash when performing a downgrade, nothing good will come from doing that!! Another screen will open, just leave everything the way it is.
-Click the Start button and yet another window will appear showing a language selection screen. Just leave everything the way it is as Korean and hit OK. Don't worry, the tool is already set to flash in English.
-Wait until the Flash is done 100% and unplug/reboot... and that's it - now enjoy your corrected mistake and stop taking OTA's!!!

KDZ files rock, and are nice and easy to flash. No separate DLL files or changing ports either with the tool linked. If any other KDZ files become available in the future I will add them to this post along with any tool or flashing method changes. This thread will be solely kept for KDZ flashing for the VS985. I will also help as much as I can if you run into trouble, though I am not a Windows expert and actually only boot into it when I have to run programs like this....Linux MInt FTW!!

~KDZ Downloads~
-VS98510b_01.kdz: http://downloads.codefi.re/autoprime/LG/LG_G3/VS985 -Thanks to @autoprime
-Mirror for VS98510b_01.kdz (10b): https://mega.co.nz/#!7ERgXJbI!2KxATJt7q-HWvAPbTfVrT3wGuwPjWCw70N65MVlgfWg md5: d228ba692ef0c4704cba0b00fad8b8c
-VS98512b_00.kdz: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95916177934537134 -Thanks to @hokiealumnus for the AFH hosting
-Mirror for VS98512b_00.kdz (12b): https://mega.co.nz/#!7AwylQiZ!vK6rumjP0r1eP7lN37oeJ_cWLwal1DnriGDPUZGW1-0 md5: e8280b279d327b96689579a9eca22a3e

New download link to all KDZ files thanks to @roirraW "edor" ehT https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=35484

 

[annoyingduck]

-For reference, here's @ins5736 thread for restoring using the .tot method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-lg-g3/general/restore-verizon-to-stock-t2827878 .

-Also there are reports of the tool deleting the KDZ you copied to the Flash Tool folder after the flash. I cannot confirm this, as it did not happen to me, but to be safe make sure you copy the file to the folder instead of pasting it so that you don't have to re-download the file for future use.

-Please note that the KDZ file we have is build # 10B.01, while the .tot file available is build # 10b.03. The only difference between the 2 files is that the .03 build is the actual released build that shipped with the phone, while the .01 kdz build was obviously a pre-released build. Its most likely some minor last minute changes/bloat added. We can't find any noticeable differences between the 2 builds.

-OTA's WILL FAIL USING THE 10b KDZ FILE WE HAVE due to a signing error with it being a pre-release. The purpose here is to downgrade, unlock, and flash whatever you want. This is NOT to return to an official stock state. You'll need to use the .tot file or the official LG Flash Tool that downloads the current build automatically in order to be in an official "stock" state. The 12b kdz is official and will allow OTA's

*Error Update* So with this leaked LP image, I've been playing with kdz'ing quite a bit and with a new Windows install I got to experience a few of the issues being reported by others that I have never seen, along with trying to troubleshoot some others. Did I manage to fix them easily you ask?? Hell yeah!
USB Disconnected Issue: This is a driver issue. Very easy fix, just download the latest Verizon drivers from the link I posted above and install them without phone plugged in. Power off phone, hold up, plug into usb and WAIT for download mode drivers to install (as stated several times in this thread). Click the balloon to watch the progress, this took about 10min on an i5/ssd machine - be patient. This is the predominant issue I think people are having. The drivers while in download mode are:
-USB Composite Device
-LGE Android phone or LGE AndroidNet for VZW USB Serial Port COM5 (this is the important one)
-CDC Serial or LGE AndroidNet for VZW USB Modem (this will fail if you are on a rom with certain VZW items removed - not a problem, its not needed)
-CDC ECM LGE AndroidNet for VZW NDIS Ethernet Adapter
If driver install fails, manually update them by pointing windows to the driver file you downloaded. I am not going any further here, use Google.
??????'s In The Field: easy, don't change region or language from Korean as stated in the OP. Leave it alone, it will flash in English I promise you. Result = all fields readable in English while running
Connection To Server Failed: Simple, ignore the window. Just drag it away, but don't close it. This is an offline hack originally indented to run online, deal with the window!
Progress Bar: The tool will initially analyze the phone, then when flashing starts, pay attention to the phone screen which will now say COM5. The blue progress bar on the phone is the important one. At around 80% on the tool screen, the phone will reboot. The flash is over and the bar will continue to progress into the 99% while rebooting - then the program will crash. You can disconnect now, you've been successful.

 

[deathsquad737]

Thanks for the help and the new guide

WHATSAMATTA U ALUMNI

 

[droidiac13]

I'm getting a message saying "Path is too long or file problem" when adding the kdz. Any ideas?

 

[annoyingduck]

I'm getting a message saying "Path is too long or file problem" when adding the kdz. Any ideas?

Sounds like your linking the file path instead of directly copying the file right into the folder. Also try checking the file md5 with this one for the 10b kdz file: d228ba692ef0c4704cba0b00fad8b8ce

 

[droidiac13]

Don't Forget To Remove Previous LG FlashTool

When I first tried the method I was receiving a message "Path is too long or file problem". So I read through the instructions again. I failed to remove the previous LG FlashTool I was using. Once I uninstalled that program, everything went through without a problem. Thanks annoyingduck!!

 

[kreep22]

I keep getting this and I installed all drivers. Any ideas? Thanks

Sent from my VS985 4G using XDA Free mobile app

 

[annoyingduck]

I keep getting this and I installed all drivers. Any ideas? Thanks

Sent from my VS985 4G using XDA Free mobile app

Some basics to check first:
-Were you in download mode before executing the program?
-When you initialized download mode, did you wait to allow the download mode drivers to load before hitting start?
-Were all steps followed?
-Check cable, and try another one (this is very often the cause)
-Change usb port
-Don't use a 3.0 port, use a 2.0

 

[gatorstew]

Thanks for this excellent guide, Duck. Very simple to follow, well laid out, etc. I haven't actually done it yet, but I've got everything in place to do so (the flash tool, the KDZ file in the folder, etc.)

I assume once the downgrade is successful, just reroot with Stump, etc and wait for updates via the community?

Will future updates be available via this flash tool, or will they have to be flashed via TWRP? Sorry, I'm just now getting used to the LG G3 dev community, coming from an old GNEX.

Thanks!

 

[killian1212]

continued error when trying ota

I have a problem. I was originally rooted without a custom recovery. I decided to try the ota and got the error message when trying to install. I then flashed this method (kdz) and got back to stock. I rerooted via stump and tried the ota again, failure. I then rewiped and kdz again, this time I did not root. Tried the ota again, no dice.

Any thought? I can flash the kdz fine and get phone to factory 10b but once I try to install the ota I still get the error.

 

[annoyingduck]

I have a problem. I was originally rooted without a custom recovery. I decided to try the ota and got the error message when trying to install. I then flashed this method (kdz) and got back to stock. I rerooted via stump and tried the ota again, failure. I then rewiped and kdz again, this time I did not root. Tried the ota again, no dice.

Any thought? I can flash the kdz fine and get phone to factory 10b but once I try to install the ota I still get the error.

That's odd... You chose cse flash, not normal correct? Normal would not wipe your device and could definitely be the culprit for the ota failing. While cse mode is a complete wipe prior to flashing.

 

[killian1212]

Correct. I did cse, full wipe. I dont know what's going on. I tried atleast 10 times from scratch. I still cant get the ota to install.

 

[quadjacks]

I have a problem. I was originally rooted without a custom recovery. I decided to try the ota and got the error message when trying to install. I then flashed this method (kdz) and got back to stock. I rerooted via stump and tried the ota again, failure. I then rewiped and kdz again, this time I did not root. Tried the ota again, no dice.

Any thought? I can flash the kdz fine and get phone to factory 10b but once I try to install the ota I still get the error.

That's odd... You chose cse flash, not normal correct? Normal would not wipe your device and could definitely be the culprit for the ota failing. While cse mode is a complete wipe prior to flashing.

After using the method here to downgrade back to 10b and root. I too wasn't able to then S/W update to 11c using survival mode in SuperSU. I perform the OP procedures again and this time didn't root and still wasn't able to S/W update, kept getting error. So I used ---> [GUIDE][HOW TO][VS985] Restore Verizon to Stock to go all the way back. I'm now able to S/W update to 11c and keep root with survival mode set in SuperSU. I most humbly say that there may be a very slight issue with maybe the files here. I truly do appreciate the ability to return to 10b using this method after updating in the first place!

 

[killian1212]

Thanks, ill try the other method and report back. wish me luck. Either way, a huge thanks to duck for the easy way to rerturn. I just wish kdz worked for future ota. It may be a file issue allowing us to revert to 10b but not then allowing future updates.

 

[annoyingduck]

Use the kdz method then factory reset the device and see if that works.

 

[killian1212]

I tried that. No dice.

 

[quadjacks]

Use the kdz method then factory reset the device and see if that works.

I tried that as well.

 

[annoyingduck]

Thanks for this excellent guide, Duck. Very simple to follow, well laid out, etc. I haven't actually done it yet, but I've got everything in place to do so (the flash tool, the KDZ file in the folder, etc.)

I assume once the downgrade is successful, just reroot with Stump, etc and wait for updates via the community?

Will future updates be available via this flash tool, or will they have to be flashed via TWRP? Sorry, I'm just now getting used to the LG G3 dev community, coming from an old GNEX.

Thanks!

Sorry, I missed this question. Yes, any future kdz's that become available will be updated here, along with any changes in flashing methods. Though it's pretty hard to beat the current tool that's available.
And yes, the idea here is to downgrade to 10b and be able to root, unlock, and flash anything you want. Still unclear as to why some want to take the 11c ota, but that's for another thread. The kdz method here is working where the tot was failing for some, and I personally think it's faster and easier to do than the tot method.

 

[markfm]

The third step might be clarified. Do you mean something like, "Power off your phone completely, then turn power on while also holding the volume up button..."?

 

[annoyingduck]

The third step might be clarified. Do you mean something like, "Power off your phone completely, then turn power on while also holding the volume up button..."?

You should probably try it before trying to correct it.....
Nope, power off phone completely, hold volume up ONLY, plug in usb cable...it will auto power on into download mode