TP Link Archer C7

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== Revert to Factory Firmware == == Revert to Factory Firmware ==
-v2:A reversion file to go back to factory firmware is in this thread [https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=936939#936939]+v2: A reversion file to go back to factory firmware is in this thread [https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=936939#936939]
v4: No revert file exists, you need to follow the steps in this thread [https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1224073#1224073] v4: No revert file exists, you need to follow the steps in this thread [https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1224073#1224073]

Revision as of 01:50, 1 September 2021

Contents

Introduction

Note: There are several versions of the TP-LINK Archer C7. Versions 1 (No 5GHz), 2, 3 and 4 are currently supported. V5 is now supported, as of late 2018.

Installing DD-WRT on TP-Link Archer C7 V2, V3, V4, or V5 (AC1750)

Firmware files can be found here: Where do I download firmware?

!!!DO NOT PERFORM A 30/30/30 ON ANY QCA CPU/CHIPSET ROUTERS (ESPECIALLY TP-LINK), YOU WILL BRICK IT !!!

Prerequisites:

  • V2 only - Upgrade from TP-Link Archer_C7_V2_131217 firmware to Archer_C7_V2_150427 (or downgrade from newer firmware)
    • Archer_C7_V2_131217 gives "Error code: -1" trying to load any DD-WRT firmware. Make sure to upgrade to TP link 150427 first
    • This file is no longer available on the TP-Link website via download link on the firmware downloads page, but can be found at the following links:
    • You may alternatively be able to use the 150304 firmware that can be downloaded here

Installation:

  1. Navigate to TP-Link Stock Firmware WebUI IP: 192.168.0.1
  2. Reset to TP-Link factory defaults
  3. Download the factory-to-ddwrt file from the appropriate hardware version folder, Archer C7 v2, v3, v4 or v5. SEE Where Do I Download Firmware?
  4. Navigate to the DD-WRT Default WebUI IP: 192.168.1.1 (you will be asked to set a new router username & password)
  5. Reset DD-WRT running firmware to factory defaults first to clear out the NVRAM.
  6. Configure the router as desired

Most of this info is from this post [1]

!!!DO NOT PERFORM A 30/30/30 ON ANY QCA CPU/CHIPSET ROUTERS (ESPECIALLY TP-LINK), YOU WILL BRICK IT !!!

Upgrading DD-WRT

Use the file named tplink_archer-c7-XX.bin (where XX is the version number). Do not use this to go from Stock to DD-WRT. Firmware files can be found here: Where do I download firmware?

Upgrading can usually be done via the dd-wrt web interface. Reset to defaults is recommended if you are upgrading from a very old build (> 6 months). Do not restore a backup from one version to another version of DD-WRT.

Revert to Factory Firmware

v2: A reversion file to go back to factory firmware is in this thread [2]

v4: No revert file exists, you need to follow the steps in this thread [3]

v5: Normal TFTP rules apply

AC Channel allocations

A graph of AC channel allocations is here [4]

A discussion of AC frequencies and setup of them is here [5] The 5Ghz AC radio will work at the default AUTO settings but this may NOT be optimal for your environment and you may not get the highest wifi speed on your clients. Information on this radio is here [6]

5GHz Support on v1 (not supported)

Dd-wrt does not support the 5ghz card on the archer c7 hardware version v1.1. For old versions of dd-wrt after installing dd-wrt you must turn off the router and remove the 5ghz card or the router will brick. The 5Ghz radio works fine in hardware version 2 of this router. It is possible to remove the 5Ghz card from an old broken laptop and install it in the hardware version 1 of this device.

Recovery Information

Most TP-Link routers have a built-in TFTP client looking for a specific file name served by a TFTP server on 192.168.0.66

See: TFTP Recovery de-bricking