From DD-WRT Wiki

[edit] Hardware Specifications

The Archer C1900 is identical.

[edit] Installation

• NOTE: Do NOT upgrade the firmware via wireless connection unless the TP-Link device only has wireless connection.

[edit] TP-Link Archer C9 v1

[edit] Prerequisites

1. Ensure you are on firmware version 161008 from TP-Link (direct download link)
   • NOTE: If you are on firmware version 180125 or newer, it will block installation of DD-WRT or any other third party firmware.
   • Refer to Working Solution to Archer C9 V1 - software only, no serial on how to downgrade.
2. Download factory-to-ddwrt.bin from the tplink_archer-c9v1 directory from one of the links here.
   • E.g. build 04-05-2016-r29409 factory-to-ddwrt.bin
   • Optional: Download archer-c9v1-webflash.bin from the current release directory if you used the above file for initial flash.
   • See "Upgrading DD-WRT" for upgrade procedure.
   • Pro Tip: Read New Build and model-specific threads to determine the stability of a given build.

[edit] Procedure

1. Connect your PC to one of the LAN ports on your router with an ethernet cable.
2. Open a browser and go to http://tplinkwifi.net (or http://192.168.0.1 if you have not changed default IP).
3. Go to Advanced -> System Tools -> Firmware Upgrade
4. Under Local Upgrade click Browse and locate the previously downloaded factory-to-ddwrt.bin file and click Open.
5. Click the Upgrade button. The device will reboot automatically after the upgrading has been finished. Please wait about 3-5 minutes.
   • NOTE: Do NOT turn off the power or disconnect the Ethernet cable during upgrade process.
6. Once the router has rebooted completely, ensure your PC has an IP address in the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet range.
7. In your browser, go to http://192.168.1.1 where you should be greeted by the DD-WRT password change page in the WebUI.
8. Set a simple password for now, click on Change Password.
9. Do a normal reset or nvram erase via telnet/ssh (Do not 30/30/30 an ARM router!)
10. Once the router has rebooted completely after resetting, in your browser, go to http://192.168.1.1 where you should be greeted by the DD-WRT password change page in the WebUI.
11. Set username and/or password and click Change Password.
12. Configure router to your needs.
    • NOTE: You will be required to enter username and password to navigate away from the information page in the DD-WRT WebUI.

[edit] TP-Link Archer C9 v2

[edit] Prerequisites

1. Ensure you have the latest firmware from TP-Link (tested with Archer C9(UN)_V2_160517)
2. Download factory-to-ddwrt.bin from the tplink_archer-c9v2 directory from one of the links here.
   • • E.g. build 04-05-2016-r29409 factory-to-ddwrt.bin
   • Optional: Download archer-c9v2-webflash.bin from the current release directory if you used the above file for initial flash.
   • See "Upgrading DD-WRT" for upgrade procedure.
   • Pro Tip: Read New Build and model-specific threads to determine the stability of a given build.

[edit] Procedure

1. Connect your PC to one of the LAN ports on your router with an ethernet cable.
2. Open a browser and go to http://tplinkwifi.net (or http://192.168.0.1 if you have not changed default IP).
3. Go to Advanced -> System Tools -> Firmware Upgrade
4. Under Local Upgrade click Browse and locate the previously downloaded factory-to-ddwrt.bin file and click Open.
5. Click the Upgrade button. The device will reboot automatically after the upgrading has been finished. Please wait about 3-5 minutes.
   • NOTE: Do NOT turn off the power or disconnect the Ethernet cable during upgrade process.
6. Once the router has rebooted completely, ensure your PC has an IP address in the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet range.
7. In your browser, go to http://192.168.1.1 where you should be greeted by the DD-WRT password change page in the WebUI.
8. Set a simple password for now, click on Change Password.
9. Do a normal reset or nvram erase via telnet/ssh (Do not 30/30/30 an ARM router!)
10. Once the router has rebooted completely after resetting, in your browser, go to http://192.168.1.1 where you should be greeted by the DD-WRT password change page in the WebUI.
11. Set username and/or password and click Change Password.
12. Configure router to your needs.
    • NOTE: You will be required to enter username and password to navigate away from the information page in the DD-WRT WebUI.

[edit] TP-Link Archer C9 v3, v4 (EU)

[edit] Prerequisites

• NOTE: Due to recurring issues flashing the current factory-to-ddwrt.bin since 34080 (fixed after 35452, but still randomly occurs), it is recommended to use 33772 for initial flash.
• NOTE: There is a US-only version of the v4 that is not yet supported - Archer C9 V4 Unable to install firmware
• WARNING: Enabling JFFS bricks the router: "That seems to nuke all the way up to 0xFEFFFF in the SPI flash."

1. Ensure you have the latest firmware from v3 OR v4 page
2. Download 33772 factory-to-ddwrt.bin from the tplink_archer-c9v3 or tplink_archer-c9v4 directory as applicable.
   • See Where Do I Download Firmware?. (direct link for v3) (direct link for v4)
3. Download a recent archer-c9v3-webflash.bin or archer-c9v4-webflash.bin from the tplink_archer-c9v3 or tplink_archer-c9v4 directory as applicable.
   • See Where Do I Download Firmware?.
   • See "Upgrading DD-WRT" section below for updating after initial flash.

[edit] Procedure

1. Connect your PC to one of the LAN ports on your router with an ethernet cable.
2. Open a browser and go to http://tplinkwifi.net (or http://192.168.0.1 if you have not changed default IP).
3. Go to Advanced -> System Tools -> Firmware Upgrade
4. Under Local Upgrade click Browse and locate the previously downloaded factory-to-ddwrt.bin file and click Open.
5. Click the Upgrade button. The device will reboot automatically after the upgrading has been finished. Please wait about 3-5 minutes.
   • NOTE: Do NOT turn off the power or disconnect the Ethernet cable during upgrade process.
6. Once the router has rebooted completely, ensure your PC has an IP address in the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet range.
7. In your browser, go to http://192.168.1.1 where you should be greeted by the DD-WRT password change page in the WebUI.
8. Set a simple password for now, click on Change Password.
9. Do a normal reset or nvram erase via telnet/ssh (Do not 30/30/30 an ARM router!)
10. Once the router has rebooted completely after resetting, in your browser, go to http://192.168.1.1 where you should be greeted by the DD-WRT password change page in the WebUI.
11. Set username and/or password and click Change Password.
12. Configure router to your needs.
    • NOTE: You will be required to enter username and password to navigate away from the information page in the DD-WRT WebUI.

[edit] TP-Link Archer C9 v4 (US)

There has been a US-only model version identified. Still currently a W.I.P. to determine if porting is possible.

[edit] TP-Link Archer C9 v5

NOTE: This version is NOT currently supported. Doesn't look as if it will be anytime soon, either:

TP-Link Archer C9 (EU) V5 DD-WRT Support (NO GO)
a bit of a question about Archer C9 v5...
TPLINK Archer C9 v5 unlock the protection
TP-Link Archer C9 v5 config backup decryption key

[edit] Upgrading DD-WRT

[edit] Prerequisites

1. Download the archer-c9v1-webflash.bin, archer-c9v2-webflash.bin, archer-c9v3-webflash.bin, or archer-c9v4-webflash.bin file
   from the tplink_archer-c9v1, tplink_archer-c9v2, tplink_archer-c9v3, or tplink_archer-c9v4 folder as applicable.
   • See Where Do I Download Firmare? for more info.

[edit] Procedure

1. Set a static IP of 192.168.1.10 (or similar IP address within your configured subnet) on the PC you are using to upgrade firmware.
2. Connect PC to one of the router's LAN ports with an ethernet cable.
3. Open a browser to http://192.168.1.1 (or whatever you've set your router IP to).
4. Go to Administration -> Firmware Upgrade tab.
5. Click on "Browse", locate and select previously downloaded archer-c9v1-webflash.bin, archer-c9v2-webflash.bin, archer-c9v3-webflash.bin, or archer-c9v4-webflash.bin file as applicable.
6. Click on the "Upgrade" button.
   • Please allow up to 10 minutes for the firmware upgrade process to complete. Do not disconnect your PC or power cycle your router during this process.
7. Once the router has rebooted, click on "Continue" (if the Setup -> Basic Setup tab has not returned automatically) or point
   your browser to http://192.168.1.1 if you end up with a "Connection reset or other navigation error page in your browser.
8. At this point, check in the webUI that the version of DD-WRT is the version you intended to upgrade to.
   • Please report in the Broadcom sub-forum successful flash reports or any other issues in the appropriate build thread for your firmware version.

[edit] Troubleshooting/Recovery

[edit] "Normal" Bricked Router

Symptoms: all the LEDs are ON, and you can't access to UI

1. Download the applicable stock firmware for your device
   • From the official v1-page, v2-page, v3-page, OR v4-page.
2. * Rename the downloaded firmware with the following name: archerc9v1_tp_recovery.bin, archerc9v2_tp_recovery.bin, archerc9v3_tp_recovery.bin, OR archerc9v4_tp_recovery.bin as applicable.
   • NOTE: v3 and v4 are untested, but should work; they should have a built-in Webpage Firmware Recovery mode (see link below).
3. Download and extract TFTPD32 4.52 Portable
   • Configure TFTP server to use the following IP: 192.168.0.66
   • Configure anticipation window of 1024 or 2048 bytes
4. Switch on the router, holding the RESET button for 2-4 seconds
   • The firmware will be automatically downloaded and installed by the router.

[edit] MACs Changed After Flashing DD-WRT

Symptoms: after the dd-wrt installation the MACs are changed!

• TP-Link Archer C9 Thread - page 24
• TP-Link Archer C9 Brick Fix (Revert To Stock Possibly) - page 10

v3/v4 (EU) specific:

• TP-Link Archer C9 v3? (EU) - page 7
• TheDoc's fix for bricked v3/v4 is here; original (deprecated) fix is here.
• Easier-to-read v4 de-brick thread is here
• The v3 CFE has a built-in Webpage Firmware Recovery mode for bricked routers: See TP-Link article.
  

[edit] Links / Notes / Further Reading

• Archer C9 v1/v2 Device Forum Thread
  
• TP-Link Archer C9 v3? (EU)
  
• (Solved) Help please, bricked router after installing... v4 (EU) info
• Help for reflashing/reprogramming CFE onto Archer C9 V4 EU
• Archer C9 V4 Unable to install firmware There is a separate US market version that has been verified