TP Link Archer C7

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Contents

[edit] Introduction

Note: There are several versions of the TP-LINK Archer C7:
V1 FCCID TE7C7 - supported since r26424 (No 5GHz)
V2 FCCID TE7C7V2 - supported since r24118
V3 FCCID TE7C7V3 - supported since r31533
V4 FCCID TE7C7V4 - supported since r33492
V5 FCCID TE7C7V5 - supported since r37837

[edit] Installing DD-WRT on TP-Link Archer C7 (AC1750)

Firmware files can be found here: Where do I download firmware?

!!!DO NOT PERFORM A 30/30/30 ON ANY QCA CPU/CHIPSET ROUTERS (ESPECIALLY TP-LINK), YOU WILL BRICK IT !!!

[edit] Prerequisites:

  • V2 only
    • Archer_C7_V2_131217 gives "Error code: -1" trying to load any DD-WRT firmware. Make sure to upgrade to
      TP link 150304 or 150427 first. These files is no longer available on the TP-Link website via download link on
      the firmware downloads page, but can be found at the following links:
    • Archer_C7_V2_150427 gives "Error code: 18005" trying to load DD-WRT builds prior to r28493.
      • See Links 2 and 3 under Notes below.

[edit] Installation:

  1. Navigate to TP-Link Stock Firmware WebUI IP: 192.168.0.1
  2. Reset to TP-Link factory defaults
  3. Download the factory-to-ddwrt file from the appropriate hardware version folder, Archer C7 v1, v2, v3, v4 or v5. SEE Where Do I Download Firmware?
  4. Navigate to the DD-WRT Default WebUI IP: 192.168.1.1 (you will be asked to set a new router username & password)
  5. Reset DD-WRT running firmware to factory defaults first to clear out the NVRAM.
  6. Configure the router as desired

Most of this info is from this post [1]

!!!DO NOT PERFORM A 30/30/30 ON ANY QCA CPU/CHIPSET ROUTERS (ESPECIALLY TP-LINK), YOU WILL BRICK IT !!!

[edit] Upgrading DD-WRT

Use the file named tplink_archer-c7-XX.bin (where XX is the version number). Do not use this to go from Stock to DD-WRT. Firmware files can be found here: Where do I download firmware?

Upgrading can usually be done via the dd-wrt web interface. Reset to defaults is recommended if you are upgrading from a very old build (> 6 months). Do not restore a backup from one version to another version of DD-WRT.

[edit] Revert to Factory Firmware

v2: A reversion file to go back to factory firmware is in this thread [2]

v4: No revert file exists, you need to follow the steps in this thread [3]

v5: Normal TFTP rules apply

[edit] AC Channel allocations

A graph of AC channel allocations is here

A discussion of AC frequencies and setup of them is here [4] The 5Ghz AC radio will work at the default AUTO settings but this may NOT be optimal for your environment and you may not get the highest wifi speed on your clients. Information on this radio is here [5]

[edit] 5GHz Support on v1 (not supported)

Dd-wrt does not support the 5ghz card on the archer c7 hardware version v1.1. For old versions of dd-wrt after installing dd-wrt you must turn off the router and remove the 5ghz card or the router will brick. The 5Ghz radio works fine in hardware version 2 of this router. It is possible to remove the 5Ghz card from an old broken laptop and install it in the hardware version 1 of this device.

[edit] Recovery Information

Most TP-Link routers have a built-in TFTP client looking for a specific file name served by a TFTP server on 192.168.0.66

See:
TFTP Recovery de-bricking
and
Installation or restore with TFTP

[edit] Notes

Device Forum Thread
TP-Link Archer C7 V2 (AC1750) Error Code: 18005
Flashing TP-Link Archer C7 V2