Hey Everyone,

 

 

[EDIT: Wireguard Functionality Has Officially been added to the 1.0 and 1.6 versions of the Archer AX55. If you are still using the beta, please update your firmware to the most recent official release to take advantage of the optimizations made to the feature since testing.] Please See this Forum Post for the Release Notes

 

We are thrilled to announce that we now have a WireGuard VPN firmware for Archer AX55 V1 available for trial, we have heard that many of our community members request the functionality over the last few months. Please refer to the following link to access this firmware. Below, are additional features that are being tested such as an IoT Network, and a web GUI for HomeShield.

 

 

WireGuard VPN Firmware for Archer AX55 V1.0

 

Notes:

1. You can still upgrade to the official firmware if there is any.

2. Beta Firmware is used at your own risk as we cannot guarantee the functionality of features or devices.

3. This beta firmware can be applied to all versions (EU/US/JP/TW/etc.).

4. Some new features may be disabled when using AP or Access Point Mode

 

 

How to Configure WireGuard VPN Client on Archer AX55

 

Please follow the steps below to set up and configure the WireGuard VPN Client on the Archer AX55:

 

Step 1 Please download the configuration file from your VPN provider.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Step 2 We currently support some basic parameters of the WireGuard configuration file as Pic 1. If the configuration file you are using includes IPv6 address, MTU or many more (example as Pic 2), please edit the file and delete those parameters, then save the file.

Step 3 Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. Go to Advanced > VPN Client.

Step 4 Enable VPN Client, then save the settings.

Step 5 Click Add button in the up-right of the Server List, specify a description for the VPN and choose WireGuard as the VPN type, click BROWSE to import the configuration file provided by your VPN provider, then click SAVE.

Step 5 Check and enable the WireGuard in the Server List, add and enable the VPN Access for the devices that will use the VPN function.

 

Note: It's NOT suggested to use the same configuration file on multiple VPN Clients simultaneously. You could import the configuration file into your mobile phones as well as the router, but you are not allowed to connect to the VPN server simultaneously based on WireGuard protocols.

 

How to Set up Archer AX55 as a WireGuard VPN Server

 

Step 1 On the Web GUI of Archer AX55, go to Advanced > VPN Server, check and enable WireGuard.

 

Step 2 Click Add button in the upper-right of the Account List to add the profile, then save it.

 

Note: Each profile can be only used for one device at the same time. If you want to connect 2 devices to the WireGuard VPN server, please create 2 profiles for them accordingly.

 

Step 3 Export the configuration file on the devices that you want to connect to the WireGuard VPN Server.

a. For smartphones, you can scan the QR Code directly on your WireGuard App.

 

 

b. For computers, you can click Export button to export the configuration file, and import it into your WireGuard client.

 

 

Other New Features/Enhancements:

 

1. Added IoT Network.

This allows you to create a dedicated wireless network for the IoT smart devices. You can find it under Advanced > Wireless > IoT Network.

 

2. Support configuring HomeShield features on Web GUI.

 

3. Support configuring local DNS servers on WAN/Internet page.

Some users would like to build their own DNS servers within the local network, which was only achievable on the router's DHCP Server settings. Now you can configure it on the WAN/Internet page.

 

4. Added Access Control feature in AP mode (Security > Access Control).

 

5. Support retrieving the PPPoE dial-up settings from the old router.

There are cases that you are replacing your old Wi-Fi router with this Archer AX55, and it could be troublesome to set up the internet if you no longer remember your PPPoE username and password. Now this won't be an issue. You can retrieve the PPPoE settings easily from the old router by following the two steps as shown below:

 

More features and enhancements are waiting for you to explore:

• Added Flow Control ON/OFF switch (Advanced > Network > LAN > Flow Controller).
• Optimized the Web GUI in AP mode.
• Optimized IPv6 feature.
• Optimized UI for USB sharing.
• Optimized Port Forwarding function.
• Optimized VPN Client function.
• Optimized UI for configuring IPTV/VLAN.

 

 

Some of our community users may find we are providing another early-release version of firmware for Archer AX55 which adds EasyMesh HERE, and you may wonder if these two are the same. The answer is no, they are different versions. The early release EasyMesh firmware is a pre-released version prior to the official release, and it mainly adds EasyMesh feature. This WireGuard VPN firmware would be a beta version and there may be errors or inaccuracies or unforeseen issues since it has not been through the full testing process. 

 

As this version of firmware is a beta release, we welcome any and all feedback on the quality and usability of the software to help us identify issues, and fix them to further improve the firmware for production release.

 

 

TP-Link may offer beta or Pre-Release firmware to our community forums. This allows our team to gauge interest and receive real-world feedback. Please be aware that Beta Firmware is for use at your own risk, as it has not yet completed the development and testing process and is still being evaluated by our teams. It may often contain errors or inaccuracies; please back up any device settings before installing beta firmware.

As a result, any functionality listed in Patch Notes or is expected for default operation cannot be guaranteed, nor should it be expected. If after upgrading to a Beta Firmware, unexpected behavior or issues arise please connect with the support team and other community members by replying to the firmware posting.

Support Members do not often have access to resources to provide additional support for beta firmware. Our teams will try our best to forward concerns and involve the development team, but please do not expect support for beta firmware. If there are issues with device functionality after upgrading to a beta version, it is recommended to downgrade the firmware to the official release when possible.