How to unbrick your Nexus 7 (or just return it to its original stock factory state)

So, you’ve got a Nexus 7 and you’ve somehow managed to turn it into a brick. Even though this is a pretty unlikely scenario, we know there’s nothing on the face of this possible that can be deemed impossible. Perhaps you’ve just been flashing custom ROM’s or need to send your tablet in for repairs and want to it to its original, stunning factory state.

Whatever the case, you’re in luck. A few months back, XDA Member chris.wueste posted a guide on how to bring the Nexus 7 back from the dead. As a new (and extremely pleased) owner of the device, I figured it’d be a good idea to share this with our readers, especially considering there will probably be an influx of N7 sales in the next few days, with the included $25 Google Play Store credit promotion ending on the 30th of this month.

We take no credit for this guide, nor do we take any responsibility for anything that happens to your Nexus 7 in the process. This is certainly “use at your own risk” type of stuff. That being said, let’s take a look at Chris’s guide, shall we?

1. Download the factory image for the Nexus 7 here
2. Extract the factory image into the same directory as your ADB and Fastboot executibles (e.g. “\android-sdk\platform-tools”)
3. Plug in your device. If you are booted into Android, open a command prompt to your ADB and Fastboot directory, then type “adb reboot bootloader“

If your device is powered off, press and hold both volume keys and the power button simultaneously. After holding all three buttons for a couple of seconds, your bootloader should launch. This should reboot you into the bootloader.

1. Type “fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-grouper-3.34.img“
2. Next type “fastboot reboot-bootloader“
3. Now type “fastboot -w update image-nakasi-jro03d.zip“
4. Optional: If you would like to relock your bootloader for warranty or security purpouses, make sure you are in your bootloader screen again and type “fastboot oem lock“
5. If your tablet hasn’t already rebooted automatically, type “fastboot reboot“

That should do it. You should now be on stock Android 4.1 and ready to send in your tablet for warranty purposes if you so desire.

Thanks a ton, Chris. Without you and people like you, this wonderful community wouldn’t be nearly as awesome as it is. I hope you found this guide helpful. Be sure to stop back and let us know how it worked for you.

Source: XDA-Developers