TPlink Archer C7 v5 beta firmware invalid file

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SecureOverAll
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 13 May 2020
Posts: 12

PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:19    Post subject: Reply with quote
blkt wrote:
Sorry, I misread OP and thought had already installed DD-WRT and only a case of failing to upgrade.

Downgrade to the earliest Canadian C7 V5 firmware you can find, then try with stock Web GUI or TFTP.

Reset, then load factory-to-ddwrt.bin again. However...your router has been updated to 11/20/2020. Sad

TP-Link is locking things down according to this page. Older download links have been removed too.

"Note: You will be unable to downgrade to the previous firmware version after updating this firmware."

Looked around on web.archive.org and found this one (copy paste into address bar if it does not work).

https://static.tp-link.com/2019/201909/20190905/Archer%20C7%28CA%29_V5_190814.zip

Something I noticed was both CA and US files are offered on the Canadian download page.


Nice find thank you. I have time right now to mess around. WML
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SecureOverAll
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 13 May 2020
Posts: 12

PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:23    Post subject: Reply with quote
msoengineer wrote:
See if you can downgrade to this old 2018 stock firmware on the C7v5 US version:

https://web.archive.org/web/20190227003945/https://static.tp-link.com/2018/201803/20180327/Archer%20C7(US)_V5_180308.zip

You'll need to copy and paste that whole link as the last bit gets cut off by the forum software.

Then try to update using the downgraded stock gui and the facotry-to-dd-wrt file using build 44715.

If you still can't, that means that TP-link has locked down the firmware and you need to invest in a USB-to-serial adapter and get ready for some "hacking."


Ha alright, got my ts100 ready to go. I'll start after breakfast and let everyone know how it turned out. Thank you all Wink
SecureOverAll
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 13 May 2020
Posts: 12

PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:44    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bad news, invalid file type. Also tried changing the file name to 201221 and recovery. What about hex editing *which I don't know where to start on that*? I'll try updating to US older version supplied by tplink then downgrade but most likely locked as you guys mentioned.

Edit: Okay this is weird. Can't downgrade at all, even supplied by tplink link as I used to with the same versions which now are changed from Archer C7(CA)_V5_201030.bin to the long line below

Archer C7(CA)_V5_201030 and Archer C7(US)_V5_201030 both are US versions.
c7v5_us-up-ver1-0-16-P1[20201030-rel55736]_2020-10-30_15.32.02.bin

Edit: Tplink does not have a special file, right off the bat he said no but I mentioned I was on the phone for hours and was told there was a special file to unlock it. First time he ever heard that so was quick to say probably because he wanted me to end the long call. Wanted a name or reference number so he took the time to check and talk to others. After an hour he came up with nothing but they only do upgrading now. He confirmed it without knowing himself...I should of upgraded months ago like I wanted to Sad

Edit: I'm ready to start "hacking", 99wc
Anthony9846
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 13 Jan 2023
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2023 19:42    Post subject: Reply with quote
I was also continually running into the "invalid file type" error when attempting to install dd-wrt onto my TP-Link Archer C7 (AC1750)

Using these instructions: https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/TP_Link_Archer_C7

For some reason, I was under the impression that I needed to load the old version first.

It was not until I downloaded the latest Beta from the "Other Downloads" that I could upgrade.

1) Open https://dd-wrt.com/support/other-downloads/?path=betas%2F
2) Open the latest year,
3) Open the latest release,
4) Open "tplink_archer-c7-v5"

The best part!

The latest TP-Link firmware could only manage about 500 Mbps on a 1Gig Telus plan.
The latest dd-wrt firmware consistently hits 900 Mbps on exactly the same hardware.

I have upgraded two routers with the exact same results.

Thank you very much.
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