Archer C7 v5 is emitting a hidden network
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Hello,
my Archer C7 v5 is emitting a hidden wifi network that I can't explain.
According to a wifi network analyzer, it's MAC address is identical to the MAC addresses of the 2.4 and 5 GHz network, except that the first 6 entries are AA:DA:C4 instead of the TP-link associated 98:DA:C4. The hidden network has same maxium speed of 216.7 Mbps as the 2.4 Ghz network and allows authentication via WPA2 PSK-CCMP.
The hidden network exists independent of the operation mode (Acess Point or Router) and also if both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks are disabled.
Any ideas what that is?
Best,
Frederik
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Interesting...
I checked my Archer C8 and noted that the prefix for all of my SSID MACs including guest networks are prefixed "c4:e9:84" which is assigned to TP-Link. I could not see the hidden SSIDs with the Apple IOS tool I am using. I will need a different tool for that.
I used the following tool (there are several) to check the MAC address as the first six digits is the OUI. - https://www.adminsub.net/mac-address-finder/c4:e9:84
The tool did not identify the hidden ID prefix.
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Same problem here. This firmware is all screwed up.
I already reported several bugs of this firmware, open this link below.
https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/168148?page=2
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I downgraded to version 1.0.4 Build 20180425 rel.72768(5553) and don't have this problem.
But I can't use version 1.0.4 Build 20180425 rel.72768 (5553), because QoS and country control no longer works after I upgraded to version 1.0.11 Build 20190726 rel.57101, it's no use downgrading, because several features do not work as they did before. I am suing TP-Link in court.
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Hi @Aquafox and all,
The hidden wireless network is not a bug, instead, it is used to build up the mesh wireless network system.
Like the exsiting Deco mesh package products, the specific hidden network with high-intensity random password can guarantee the security of the network.
May it help and have a good day.
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Thanks for the explanation. It would be great if there's a way to disable this feature when we don't use any mesh device. I hope your engineering team can consider this for future firmware upgrade.
Thanks! 
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@Aquafox I have exactly the same issue with this router and confirm the hidden network is caused by the router.
I'm considering returning this router unless a solution is provided. It is causung patchy audio streaming. didn't have any issues with my old, cheap router.
Alex Guzman
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Hello Alex, per I said before, the hidden wireless network is not a bug, instead, it is used to build up the mesh wireless network system.
Like the exsiting Deco mesh package products, the specific hidden network with high-intensity random password can guarantee the security of the network.
And it won't affect the actual performance of the wireless conenction.
Best regards.
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@Kevin_Z what exactly is a "high intensity random password"? Is it hard-coded into the router? How do other devices that connect to the router via the hidden network know the password?
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