Bricked ArcherC7v5 - recovery

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Bricked ArcherC7v5 - recovery

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
Bricked ArcherC7v5 - recovery
Bricked ArcherC7v5 - recovery
2023-01-24 23:18:24
Tags: #Firmware Update #bricked
Model: Archer C7  
Hardware Version: V5
Firmware Version: OpenWRT

If you bricked your Archer C7 v5 with OpenWRT, here's how to recover it - spend a while to figure this out, so thought to share with you all an updated manual.

(The old thread https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/81462 was not working in all aspects, ran into several problems - unfortunately it is locked, so I cannot add my post to there - hope enough people find this one)

 

Steps to take:

- Download TFTP client (the ancient klever "pumpKIN" works better than TFTP, it has less options to set). 
- All Windows Firewalls need to be off, or it fails
- Set IP to 192.168.0.66 (do not get confused by the .86 showing up in TFTP- .66 is right)
- Rename firmware file you want to upload to ArcherC7v5_tp_recovery.bin, set up TFTP to use this directory. You can use any firmware, it does not have to be the original TP-Link one. What seems to be important: The file size should be smaller than the last working firmware - if it stops halfway, use an old OpenWRT or similar version with less filesize. You can upgrade to a bigger one again once the router is de-bricked.
- Switch off, hold reset button 5 sec (second LED lights up). Be patient. The transfer starts only several seconds after you let the reset button go.
- The file transfers automatically. Wait until it reboots fully. Do not unplug! - be patient.

- Enjoy the de-bricked router and that you avoided unnecessary resource waste!

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