Debrick/unbrick TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 WiFi router using TFTP with serial console
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
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In this video we will debrick TP-Link AC1750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router Archer C7 using TFTP server, however to undestand what is going on, we solder serial console interface to monitor its boot log.
The router was bricked by flashing wrong firmware version.
I got some feedback from clients that even OpenWrt is supported but sometime router still got brick flashing OpenWrt
If your router has this flahing pattern, you can follow this guide to unbrick/debrick it.
First step is to download Tp-Link C7 firmware, and find debrick guide from the Internet
My router is Archer C7 V2 so I will choose Download for Archer C7 V2 then Firmware
I will download Archer C7 V2 firmware to my PC
Then I will extract the firmware to a folder
Now we will learn how to debrick my C7 router
You can find it by search for tplink c7 debrick
Follow this guide we will change flash file name to ArcherC7v2_tp_recovery.bin and PC's IP to 192.168.0.66 (SubnetMask /24 = 255.255.255.0)
To activate TFTP Recovery press and hold WPS/Reset Button during powering on until WPS LED turns on
Now we will follow the guide change my flash file to ArcherC7v2_tp_recovery.bin
Then we will disable my wireless and change LAN IP to 192.168.0.66 /24
Now start TFTP server and make sure 192.168.0.66 is in server interfaces option
Browse Current Directory and point it to the folder you store flash file
We can choose Show Dir to check the file name
To activate TFTP Recovery I will press and hold WPS/Reset Button during powering on until WPS LED turns on
I solder serial console interface for my TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 so we can see what is going on when we press and release the button
The router is boot up, set it own IP to 192.168.0.86 and downloading firmware file from 192.168.0.66 TFTP server
Flash chip is erasing before copying firmware
Now firmware is copying to flash chip
Now my router is reboot
Now we can access TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 GUI Interface via 192.168.0.1
My router is working now
Thank you for watching. If your router is bricked, you can follow my guide or send to us to get it unbricked
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More information:
TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 WiFi router
Dual Band (concurrent) and Gigabit Ethernet. Advertised as 1750 Mbps. It has simultaneous Triple-Stream (3x3) radios on both 2.4GHz and 5 GHz Bands. It supports 802.11n in 2.4GHz for 450Mbps throughput and IEEE 802.11ac (draft) for 1300Mbps throughput in 5GHz.
TFTP Recovery (De-Bricking)
The serial-less TFTP recovery method for the TP-Link TL-WDR4300 also works for the Archer C7 (confirmed on v1.1 and v2) and the Archer C5 (v1.20).
For firmware revisions before 3.14.1 (140929), the router looks for an IP address of 192.168.1.66 and a file named ArcherC7v2_tp_recovery.bin. Firmware 3.14.1 updates the bootloader to look for an IP address of 192.168.0.66 and a file named ArcherC7v3_tp_recovery.bin even on hardware v2 units. Some v1.1 units may also look for ArcherC7v1_tp_recovery.bin. The model Archer C5 looks for the file ArcherC5v1_tp_recovery.bin.
To activate TFTP Recovery press and hold WPS/Reset Button during powering on until WPS LED turns on. Setup your computer to 192.168.0.66 (SubnetMask /24 = 255.255.255.0) and connect it to LAN1. Start TFTP server and provide recovery file with it.
For de-bricking with an OpenWrt image use the factory.bin image. :!: In case you are flashing back original firmware, make sure original firmware image name does not contain word boot → return_to_factory_firmware.
TFTP de-brick Alternative
Use the Cut file above and rename it ArcherC7v2_tp_recovery.bin
Change your Ethernet adapter to IP 192.168.0.66, subnet 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.0.1
Download Tftpd32 by Ph. Jounin at tftpd32.jounin.....
Browse to the directory that hold ArcherC7v2_tp_recovery.bin file.
Choose 192.168.0.66 for your "server interfaces"
Choose Tftp server tap
Activate TFTP Recovery press and hold WPS/Reset Button during powering on
Recovery using serial connection
Connect to your router via serial, power it up, then type "tpl" until the boot process is halted and you should be at the console. Set up a TFTP server with your firmware at 192.168.1.100, then run the following commands:
V1
The V1 is different because it only has 8mb flash not 16mb that the other version do.
tftp 0x81000000 [name of your firmware file].bin
erase 0x9f020000 +7b0000
cp.b 0x81000000 0x9f020000 0x7b0000
reset
V2
tftp 0x81000000 [name of your firmware file].bin
erase 0x9f020000 +f80000
cp.b 0x81000000 0x9f020000 0xf80000
reset
Hi, I cant unbrick my archer c7 v2 following you process, and i didnt have na serial adapter, do you have any idea whats happen?
PS: I just can do the tftp using the ip 192.168.1.66 thanks for you bideo and attention!
This method, we use TFTP. The serial here is just to show you what is going on within the router.
This process not work with me, after the firmware application, how much time I have to wait to finish this process... I saw in the tftpd32 the firmware finish in 85% it's normal? thanks again for your attention
I bricked my Archer C7 v2 and this video helped me unbrick it. Thank you!
You saved my day, I connected to port 2, turned on the way you showed and it downloaded the firmware and WORKED!! thanks a lot.
Thanks! I was failing on my own, but your video pointed out that i needed to call file V3 even though I have a V2 router. I missed that on my own and you saved my brick.
Na pressa, coloquei o firmware (EU) no meu Archer C7 v2 (US), esse tutorial ajudou demais 😄🙏
You have saved my Tp-Link C7 1750 v1.1
Life saver THANK YOU
Works also with a different lights pattern. Great
I can confirm this works for the C7 Version 5. Just change filenames accordingly.
thanks, thanks, thanks! will try
Worked perfectly! thanks for the clear and easy video
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I used your method on the archer C9
I installed openwrt and didn't find it interesting. So I decided to go back with the OEM firmware and used the openwrt interface and was not successful. I don't know, I think I used the firmware file I used to get out of the ddwrt downloaded from the website itself. I tried to do the recovery by tftp, where it shows to be loaded up to 100%. But, the firmware did not enter not in the router. What could have happened?
Hi! Happened the same here. Openwrt bricked my C7 1750 and after TFTP download it does not start. Did you get fix yours?
Hi, thanks for those great instructions. Now, it all worked except for the fact that instead of the C7 v5 firmware, I have C20 firmware on the router. I have checked a few times if I downloaded the wrong zip file but the filenames, zip-package names are all correct. Anybody else with this issue?
You saved my ass. Would buy a cup of coffee/choice of drink for you. THANKS!!!
when I try to upload the file, I get "timeout error" in Tfpd's console. The progress bar shows that 81% of the file has been uploaded. however, entire file didn't upload.
when I reset the device, I don't see any log in the tfpd. is there any suggestion?
Good tutorial, but showing the serial console output (while nice information) may make the video a bit confusing for less-technical users.
worked very well in the first try. thanks very much
Thanks man, this video helped me to fix my brick.
feel great this video can help you
Thank you so much! It worked!
saved my life thanks man
Hi, thanks for the video. Could you tell me where did you solder the serial adapter on the board ? I can't find the where to to connect it.
Big thanks!
Good Video, iT works, thank you
You just saved my ass. Thank you!
I want to install USA firmware to korean firmware, don't I need a binary file that cut off bootloader?
Hello, I have the TL-WDR3600, do you know if I can use the same process? or could you make a video for this model? Thank you for your attention.
Thanks, it worked also for me : Archer C7 v2
Only I needed to rename the file to v3 even i have a v2, like: ArcherC7v3_tp_recovery.bin
Thankyou so much brother, you saved me =D
If the c60 v3 port lan can't ping ip
What flash with tftpd
Please answer
Thank you! It worked!
Should my router be connected with an ethernet cable i dont get it
or should i have i connected to my pc
thanks man, you saved my life...
you are welcome
Thank you very much);
I can't activate TFPTP Mode, the leds don`t turn on :(
Greath! worked thank you!!
Seems like the a7's don't support serial connections.
Thanks.
CAN EXTRACT THE ROUTER FIRMWARE TO THE PC?
THE FILE tp_recovery.biN THAT IS ON THE ROUTER TRANSFER IT TO THE PC?
Hello thank you for showing us, but when I hold reset button, it looks like nothing is happening. I usually wait 5-10 minutes before trying again.
hold for about 3 secs and then release it.
Doesnt work for me .
Mine is in a loop, every 30 seconds he reboots himself, loosing all
connections and not working at all.
When i start the recovery process it works until that reboot. So he
completely downloads the data via ftp, but then after a short time the
30 seconds are reached and he reboots again, not installing the new
firmware i guess. All LED´s go on for a second, and then he just looks
like booting up again.
Any ideas?
Try another firmware, and maybe your router is locked by provider, in that case, see my other video where I un-locked router
Hi there and thank you for your answer. I tried almost every Firmware i could get for the Router, from the 3 original ones of Dlink, to the stripped versions you could get in the internet, to old / new dd-wrt versions.
None is working. He does the download and then nothing else happens, expect for the constant reboots.
I will try with a serial cable today, to get information about whats happening. Will answer here again if i got the informations.
yes, or maybe you can copy whole chip from running one to yours
I dont have a second one, neither do i know how to copy the whole chip unfortunately :(
Well gonna wait what it says, will give an update later
are you a solution i have a same problem ?
any idea how to do TD-W8961ND? Thanks.
thanks ;)
thx you save my life :)
Hi does it also work for Archer MR400?
Fuck !! What is that backing track....so cool! ??Tell me please...
Great soundtrack from Earth??
If could not use tftp, use my method rewrite whole flash chip
Windows users don't forget to turn off firewall!
What if my reset button doest do anyting?
If your u-boot is damaged as well, can copy full flash from another router and flash to it. If 2 routers must be in 1 LAN, you have to change MAC address of your router.
tl-wr840n ka kasy ho ga
Why my computer don't detect the router ? It says Cable not connect :(
your router is bricked so it will connect with PC temporary using tftp that is why you need to set IP manually
My computer don't detect the router :/
I can't use the TFTP :/
Your computer cannot detect because the router is bricked already.
No worries, I have a request to change the router, I get one tomorrow!
ah good for you, still under warranty.