Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 11:35 Post subject: TP-Link C9 v3 1900 Brick?
Hi,
I recently bought the c9 v3 1900 router and attempted to flash the dd-wrt firmware. I first upgraded my firmware from the manufacturer to the latest (Archer_C9(US)_V3_161018_1479887048164h). Then i followed the guide from https://dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/TP_Link_Archer_C9 and downloaded the factory-to-ddwrt.bin (10-17-2017-r33525) which flashed successfully.
I was able to get into the GUI of DD_WRT and set the admin pass etc. I then updated to the latest ddwrt firmware (archer-c9v3-webflash). This is when things went left. Now when the router boots it just sits at the WPS light only. No other lights are on the router (the light looks like two arrows going up and down).
I tried to follow the TFTP server directions (restarted the router while holding the reset/wps buttons for 5secs or so) and installed the TFTP server and modified the config ini with a directory and the listening network of 192.168.0.66 (i also commented it out and have it listening on all interfaces). Looking at the log file of the tftp server (OpenTFTPServerMTInstallerV1.64) I do not see any connections and it doesn't look like the router is attempting to download the bin file in the directory i have setup.
Joined: 18 Mar 2014 Posts: 12837 Location: Netherlands
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 13:41 Post subject:
I assume the default IP address of the TP link is 192.168.0.66?
First set your IP address of your PC manually to 192.168.0.9 gateway 192.168.0.66 DNS 192.168.0.66
Open command prompt and ping continously to 192.168.0.66, start router and see what is happening
If you get ping response then you know the router is listening, but it only listens a very limited amount of time.
So if there is a response, repeat the procedure but with first starting tftp instead of ping and then start the router.
EGC,
thanks for the reply. I must have read the guide wrong from https://dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/TP_Link_Archer_C9, it must mean my pc is the client at 192.168.0.66 not the router. I remember when the router first powered on the gateway was 192.168.0.1 and change to 192.168.1.1 when flashing ddwrt. I tried 1.1 then 0.1 and the router responds on 0.1 and I was also able to get to the web interface where it just has a TP link header and a statement that says "System error. The router cannot startup normally, please upgrade the router, you can download the router firmware from tp-link.com."
It also has a browse button to locate the firmware you would like to restore. Problem is, I am not able to get the firmware to flash properly. Each time it states: "Firmware failed, this firmware is not compatible with your c9 router". I have tried the original ddwrt firmware from https://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/other-downloads?path=betas%2F (factory-to-ddwrt.bin as well as the archer-c9v3-webflash.bin, and even both flash files from TP links website).
Any other ideas to get the firmware to take successfully?
-Thanks
Edit:
So i tried a couple different ddwrt files in the v3 family between 10/17 - 12/29, and all the the archer-c9v3-webflash.bin files give a "Upgrade failed. This file is invalid"
VS.
all the factory-to-ddwrt.bin files give "Firmware failed, this firmware is not compatible with your c9 router"
I was successfully able to get the router to download the firmware from the tftp server, but I am still only having the wps light on, with the same message on the webpage for http://192.168.0.1 ""System error. The router cannot startup normally, please upgrade the router, you can download the router firmware from tp-link.com."
Thanks for the update guys, I would stay away from the 12-29-2017-r34311 version i guess.
I was upgrading from my older ac66u router, as this has a dual core proc which i wanted to see if it could run my pia vpn on the router which would save alot of headaches with other peoples download activity in this household lol.
Has anyone tried getting back to OEM FW if you can get the router to respond via tftp services? Might see if going back to OEM FW can get the router back to OEM working defaults.
Has anyone tried getting back to OEM FW if you can get the router to respond via tftp services? Might see if going back to OEM FW can get the router back to OEM working defaults.
Yep, tried that, didn't work. Specifically, the TFTP does transfer the file, but it doesn't process it or otherwise get the router out of the bricked state.
Just FYI i got my replacement router (TP-Link c9 v3 1900)loaded it with the factory-to-ddwrt.bin (11-16-2017-r33772) and everything is fine so far. I will stay on this ver for a wile until someone is able to verify the other December versions.