@JaidaRose 

I understand that you recently updated your Deco Mesh firmware and are now being asked to pay for parental control features that were previously free. You'd like to know how to downgrade to a previous firmware version, especially since your attempt to do so online resulted in an error.

Here’s what you need to know and try:

1. Firmware Downgrade Availability:
• Deco Mesh systems generally do not officially support firmware downgrades, but in some cases, it is possible to manually revert to an earlier version using the web interface.

2. Manual Firmware Downgrade Steps:
• Download the previous firmware version for your Deco Mesh model from https://www.tp-link.com/support/download/.
• Access the Deco web management page at http://tplinkdeco.net.
• Try uploading the downloaded firmware file to downgrade.

3. Troubleshooting Downgrade Errors:
• Ensure the firmware file exactly matches your Deco Mesh hardware version. Using the wrong version will cause upgrade or downgrade failures.
• Reboot all Deco units before attempting the downgrade again.
• If you continue to see error messages or the process gets stuck, it may mean that the firmware you are trying to install is not compatible or that downgrading is restricted for your specific model or firmware version.

Important Notes:
• Not all firmware versions can be downgraded, and TP-Link generally does not recommend downgrading unless absolutely necessary.
• You cannot update or downgrade firmware when the Deco Mesh is in factory default state; it must be set up first.
• If you are unable to downgrade and need further assistance, please contact TP-Link support directly for additional help.

If you have any other questions or need step-by-step guidance, please let us know.