New Release EasyMesh Is Available When Wi-Fi Routers Work in AP Mode as A Controller
Exciting news!
We're thrilled to announce the rollout of new official firmware rolling out for multiple routers, including the BE, AX, and AC series, which introduces EasyMesh in AP Mode as a Controller. We invite you to upgrade and install this latest firmware version to try it out.
This Article Applies to:
Model & Hardware & Firmware |
Update Date |
|---|---|
Wi-Fi 7 Routers (BE Series) |
|
| Archer GE800_V1_1.2.1 Build 20250610 and newer versions | Jul 17, 2025 |
| Archer GE550_V1_1.0.6 Build 20250512 (Pre-release version) | May 9, 2025 |
| Archer GE650_V1/V1.6_1.1.0 Build 20250430 and newer versions | Jul 17, 2025 |
| Archer BE11000 Pro(US)_V1.6_1.1.0 Build 20240730 and newer versions | Sep 2, 2024 |
| Archer BE805_V1.0/V1.60_1.1.2 Build 20241210 and newer versions | Dec 3, 2024 |
| Archer BE800_V1_1.2.1 Build 20250108 and newer versions | Mar 26, 2025 |
| Archer BE700 Pro(US)_V1.6_1.1.0 Build 20240730 and newer versions | Sep 2, 2024 |
| Archer BE700_V1&V1.6_1.1.0 Build 20240926 and newer versions | Nov 18, 2024 |
| Archer BE550 Pro_V1&V1.6_1.1.0 Build 20240730 and newer versions | Sep 2, 2024 |
| Archer BE550_V1&V1.6_1.1.1 Build 20241230 and newer versions | Jan 16, 2025 |
| Archer BE400_V1&V1.6_1.0.2 Build 20240710 and newer versions | Dec 10, 2024 |
| Archer BE3600_V1_1.1.0 Build 20240729 and newer versions | Sep 2, 2024 |
| Archer BE230_V1&V1.6_1.1.0 Build 20240729 and newer versions | Sep 2, 2024 |
| Archer BE220_V1/V2_Latest Official version | Aug 18, 2025 |
Wi-Fi 6E/6 Routers (AX Series) |
|
| Archer AX80(EU/JP)_V1_1.3.1 Build 20250718 (Pre-release firmware) | Aug 6, 2025 |
| Archer AX72(US)_V2.0_1.3.1 Build 20241119 and newer versions | Mar 27, 2025 |
| Archer AX55(EN)_V1_1.3.3 Build 20240628 and newer versions | Sep 2, 2024 |
| Archer AX55(US/CA/TW)_V1_1.3.2 Build 20240325 and newer versions | Sep 2, 2024 |
| Archer AX53_V1_1.4.3 Build 20250314 and newer versions | Jun 5, 2025 |
| Archer AX58_V1_1.4.1_Build 20250213 (Pre-release Firmware) | Apr 14, 2025 |
Wi-Fi 5 Routers (AC Series) |
|
| Archer C80_V2.20/V2.26_1.14.0 Build 240617 and newer versions | Sep 2, 2024 |
| Archer C86_V1_1.14.0 Build 240617 and newer versions | Sep 2, 2024 |
| Archer A8_V2.20/V2.26_1.14.0 Build 240617 and newer versions | Sep 2, 2024 |
| Archer C6_V4_1.14.0 Build 240617 and newer versions | Sep 2, 2024 |
| Archer C64_V1_1.14.3 Build 241025 and newer versions | Jan 8, 2025 |
Some Customized Models & Hardware for the Local Market |
|
| Archer AX3000(JP)_V1_1.2.2 Build 20241118 | For Japanese Market |
Moderator Note:
1. The availability of EasyMesh in AP Mode may vary by region even for the same model. Please check your local website for more information.
2. The above list might not include all models and hardware versions. It is recommended to keep watching the firmware releases for your router, as all the newly supported features will be listed in the patch notes if/when it is added to your version.
User Scenarios:
Some users would prefer to, or are limited by their devices to, have their main modem router acting as the gateway and DHCP server in the network, which requires using the TP-Link Wi-Fi router in AP (Access Point) Mode to avoid the double-NAT issue. However, they also wish to utilize the EasyMesh feature of the TP-Link Wi-Fi router to create a mesh network with other EasyMesh routers or extenders.
The topology is roughly as follows (Topo 1):
Or as this one (Topo 2):
Note: In this topo, both the EasyMesh Wi-Fi router and the satellite router/extender must support EasyMesh Ethernet Backhaul.
You may also connect the EasyMesh Wi-Fi routers like below, it will also work (Topo 3):
Note: In this topo, the EasyMesh Wi-Fi router and the satellite router/extender must also support EasyMesh Ethernet Backhaul.
Comment below if you have any feedback or run into any issues — we’re here to help.
Related Articles:
[Wi-Fi Routers] AP Mode supports EasyMesh
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Hi @Kevin_Z,
Bug Report – Archer C6 v4 Beta Firmware
-
Model: Archer C6 v4
-
Firmware: Beta release (Archer C6_V4_1.14.0 Build 240617)
-
Issue: After disabling Smart Connect, saving, and then re-enabling it, the Wi-Fi speed on mesh nodes (AX23 v1.2 and AX53 v2) drops drastically (from ~500 Mbps down to 3–4 Mbps).
-
Reproduction steps:
-
Disable Smart Connect in the web interface and save.
-
Re-enable Smart Connect.
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Check Wi-Fi throughput on connected nodes.
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Expected result: Wi-Fi speed should remain stable (~500 Mbps).
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Actual result: Wi-Fi speed on nodes is limited to 3–4 Mbps.
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Workaround: Full reset of all network devices and complete reconfiguration of the Archer C6 v4 restores normal Wi-Fi performance until the issue is reproduced again.
Could you please check and fix this issue? Is there a newer fw for this device (C6 v4)?
Thanks!
Feriman
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I found a missing feature in the C6 v4 beta firmware. While the channel is configurable on other routers, such as the AX55, it is not configurable on the C6:
AX55 (screenshot from TP-Link emulator)
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Feriman wrote
Hi @Kevin_Z,
Bug Report – Archer C6 v4 Beta Firmware
Model: Archer C6 v4
Firmware: Beta release (Archer C6_V4_1.14.0 Build 240617)
Issue: After disabling Smart Connect, saving, and then re-enabling it, the Wi-Fi speed on mesh nodes (AX23 v1.2 and AX53 v2) drops drastically (from ~500 Mbps down to 3–4 Mbps).
Reproduction steps:
Disable Smart Connect in the web interface and save.
Re-enable Smart Connect.
Check Wi-Fi throughput on connected nodes.
Expected result: Wi-Fi speed should remain stable (~500 Mbps).
Actual result: Wi-Fi speed on nodes is limited to 3–4 Mbps.
Workaround: Full reset of all network devices and complete reconfiguration of the Archer C6 v4 restores normal Wi-Fi performance until the issue is reproduced again.
Could you please check and fix this issue? Is there a newer fw for this device (C6 v4)?
Thanks!
Feriman
@Feriman Thanks for reporting this unintended behavior in our community.
Could you please clarify where did you test the speed? On the mesh nodes (AX23 v1.2 and AX53 v2) or on the client devices that connect to the mesh nodes?
How are the AX23 and AX53 connected to the main C6?
After disabling Smart Connect, saving the changes, and re-enabling it, will rebooting the entire mesh network restore the normal speed?
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Feriman wrote
I found a missing feature in the C6 v4 beta firmware. While the channel is configurable on other routers, such as the AX55, it is not configurable on the C6:
AX55 (screenshot from TP-Link emulator)
@Feriman What if you navigate to Advanced > Wireless Settings? Will you see additional wireless settings?
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Hi @Kevin_Z,
There's no Advanced menu (as you can see on my screenshot above), or not even under the "System":
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Could you please clarify where did you test the speed? On the mesh nodes (AX23 v1.2 and AX53 v2) or on the client devices that connect to the mesh nodes?
How are the AX23 and AX53 connected to the main C6?
After disabling Smart Connect, saving the changes, and re-enabling it, will rebooting the entire mesh network restore the normal speed?
I was connected to the AX23 via WiFi.
All of them (AX23, AX53 and C6) are connected to a switch with cable.
I've figured out what's going on there. When SmartConnect is disabled, my phone connects to the 2.4 GHz network and doesn't switch to the 5 GHz network. This is why my bandwidth is low, sometimes really slow.
So the two bug reports are related: the configurable channel would be perfect when SmartConnect is enabled, as it is on the AX55.
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Bull*hit!!!
@Kevin_Z , ir AM sooo frustrated by this whole EasyMesh experience...
I have been suffering for two years trying to get the crap TPLink to work properly.
I got Archer A8 v2.20, C6 v4.0 and RE505X v2.0 and sh*tty A8 does not allow to enabled EasyMesh in AP mode.
Topology: ISP (Modem) -> Keenetic Skipper -> Archer A8 -> Dlink DXS-1210-16TC -> C6 & RE505X (each in seperate downlink ports)....
But nowhere it says that that crap A8 is only offering EasyMesh in Router mode!!!!!!!
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Hi,
That is weird. The Archer C6 V4.0 and the Archer A8 V2.20 use identical firmware. I mean literally. It's the same firmware file.
https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/697572
Can you please verify that you are running firmware version 1.14.0 on the Archer A8 V2.20?
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@Kevin_Z hmm. Well, I AM running latest available FW in Latvia. For A8 - 1.13.15 ; C6 - 1.13.6 ; RE505x - 1.10
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Hi,
Please read the first post of this thread. (link also in my previous post)
It tells you which firmware version is required for each router model to get "EasyMesh in AP mode as a Controller" and also provides links to where you can download the firmware.
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