UNBRICK-Recovery TP-Link Archer C9 Router (Version 1) Step-By-Step Guide Using Serial-USB Connection

[@CameronLewis1]

You seriously rock Richard. Many of these steps are available on the internet, but not all of them. You added ALL the steps needed, and with a thorough walkthrough to make sure even the dumbest among us can figure it out. Thanks a million for saving my router. :)

[@richardlloydusa]

You are most welcome. I aim to be thorough, complete and for the most part as straight forward as possible. I am very glad to hear I helped you save your router. Thank you very much for the feedback, watching and the kind comments.

[@stargazer_100]

The first time I tried this on my C9 6 months ago, I had a defective CP2101 interface and I couldn't get any kind of a connection. I wasn't sure it was defective so I bought a PL2303 based serial interface off of ebay cheap. It came from China so it took quite awhile, but I wasn't in a hurry because I didn't really think it was going to work. I plugged the PL2303 in after verifying the correct pins and it worked likity-split. Thanks for this process. You can chock one more saved router up on your victory list. Appreciated!!

[@richardlloydusa]

You are most welcome. Thank you for watching, commenting and the kind words. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.

[@MerrickvilleONT]

I was about to pull my hair out, but then on video replay, you mention to 'disconnect/connect the ground'. That was the trick for me. It simply would not connect until I fidgeted with the ground wire. Great tutorial, thanks. Saved me a new router purchase.

[@richardlloydusa]

You are most welcome. Glad I could help. I am still using my rescued C9 and love it. Thank you for watching, commenting and the kind words. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.

[@dekartzow]

Thank you so much! the router is now alive again, the only detail is that we had to turn on the router and then connect to the usb because it didnt turn on with it thanks again!!

[@bryanwmills]

Richard you saved my router, thanks for this video, couldn't have done it without you

[@jerrystevenson5535]

Thank you SO MUCH for putting this together! The only thing I'd add (and beat my head against the wall until I tried), was that the default Windows 10 (64-bit) drivers that auto-installed when I plugged in my CP2102 did not work. While it showed that it did in device manager, I'd get a lot of gibberish text when connecting over Putty. I tried a million things, but ultimately when I uninstalled the default drivers Windows used and manually installed the driver from Silicon Labs, that fixed the gibberish text problem and I was able to follow the rest of the instructions.

[@se7zer]

Hi! You just helped me unbrick my C9 V1. The mac address got differente but I dont mind. I didnt have a solder iron with me, so I just used black eletrical tape. At first, nothing happened in the putty console. Then I accidentally put my finger in the wires and it showed some output. Then with one hand I held the tape, and the other I typed the commands. It worked, thank you very much. You should put a ¨buy me a beer¨ link somewhere so we can donate.

[@davidli6830]

Hi Richard Lloyd, thanks for making useful videos. I still have problem to use the cp2102 USB serial programmer for the routers. The problem is the commands for the most routers, no for a specific model router. If my bricked router is different from yours, how can I fix it with the USB serial programmer? My problem is at the commands lines. Do you have a tutorial for the general use for most routers? Thanks again.

[@richardlloydusa]

Unfortunately the rescue procedure is unique to every router. My suggestion to you is to search forums like Open WRT for a guide to fixing yours. Thank you so much for commenting, watching and the very kind words. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.👍😀

[@imranulbari]

You saved one of my favorite router. Nice router hack and solid step by step demonstration. Keep up the good work :)

[@marcelhartman]

Wow, thanks again for all your effort in making this great tut!!!!! You saved my router

[@richardlloydusa]

You are most welcome. Thanks for watching and the kind comments.

[@MrTinker357]

Nicely done Richard, a very helpful video especially for guys like me who "know what they are doing" lol

[@richardlloydusa]

You are most welcome. Glad I could help. Thank you for watching, commenting and the kind words. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.👍😀

[@katerynaturchyna5199]

Thank you, Richard! I finally worked for me! Thanks for your very detailed manual. You saved my router. The first time I connected it to PuttY it did not respond to Ctrl + C, but I was able to see the router's output. I re-soldered all the connections on the router and finally it worked!

[@richardlloydusa]

You are most welcome. Thank your very much for commenting, watching and the kind words. All the best.

[@Jlim2k2]

Thank you so much! I tried the no serial method that you made but it did not work because of a bootloop or recurrent resetting. so i tried this tutorial with serial attached and it work. I did to play around with the ground though as you mentioned.

[@richardlloydusa]

You're most welcome. I'm glad and happy to know I could help you. Thank you for watching, commenting and the very kind words. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.👍😀

[@irvinson3148]

I got this to work on my Archer C8!! I seriously doubted that it would work at all because the C8 is a different model, and I had a steady indicator lights rather than repeating bootloop light. At the step where you power on while holding ctrl-c in Putty, I initially got nothing in the Putty window. Almost gave up but then just for kicks I tried the tftp recovery procedure again and uploaded the recovery file. That seemed to spur some invisible activity on the router. When I happened to hit ctrl-c in Putty again, surprise surprise I got the CFE> prompt. From there I did the 2 flash commands. I didn't see any boot up activity in Putty on powering up again, but the router seemed to fire up with just the power light on. I was still sceptical, but tried connecting to the router via the browser and it worked. Wireless worked after setting up again. The only issues so far are the wireless and internet indicator lights don't come on anymore, but it seems to work fine otherwise. It's probably not perfect running C9 firmware on a C8, but a slightly imperfect router is better than a dead router anyday. Thanks again.

[@richardlloydusa]

You are most welcome. Which firmware are you using? Thanks

[@irvinson3148]

I used the 2 files that you linked to. My router is a bit weird now because the firmware thinks the hardware is the C9 model. The indicator lights don't work properly, but at least the router works. I could try to reflash it back to the C8 firmware, but hesitant to try now that the router is working again (albeit with the firmware mismatch)

[@derzandino]

Hey, I'm also doing this on my Archer C8 that I badly flashed a year ago and planned to revive it this time. What version is your c8? And before you did the process, do you still remember which icon is lighting up in the router? For mine it's just wps over and over in a boot loop. All other lights are off. Only WPS light goes on and off.

[@rudibeltful]

Thanks, I was stuck with an -5533 error when trying to update firmware after recovery procedure. This worked the first time.

[@LeonardoCaldasxlx]

Thank you so much for this video. It was essential to save a router that I thought was useless. By the way, to the people trying to flash DD-WRT once recovering the custom TP-Link build I must warn that apparently if any build posterior to r46446 (2021.04.24) is used the loop issue returns. Unfortunately I found it the hard way, by trial and error...

[@richardlloydusa]

You're most welcome.👍😀 I have obviously messed one of these router up in just about every way possible (sometimes even on purpose to make a video on how to save it). So far I have always been able to bring it back to life. I always refer back to my own videos to make sure I get it right! This is one of my top favorite routers and I will be making a video including it as one of the best dual band routers available (in a budget price range). I still use one (I have two) 24/7 as part of my network and it just keeps on going. Comments like this make my DAY! 😁️ I'm glad to know I could help you and that you got value from my work here. Thank you for watching, commenting and the very kind words. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.👍😀

[@FlavioMaurox]

Thank you, thank you very much for saving my C9 with this spetacular walkthrough.

[@richardlloydusa]

You are most welcome. I am happy to hear I helped you save your C9. Thank you very much for watching and the kind comments.

[@HassanLatifMughal]

Thanks for the video. For me putty is loading the garbage only. No clean interface like yours. What could be the reason and how I can fix this issue?

[@richardlloydusa]

Usually that means that the solder points are not well established, you have bad connection wires or the board is not correctly connected. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.

[@pan9765]

I wonder, is it possible to do firmware upgrade using serial-USB.. Because My Archer C1200 cannot upgrade to certain firmware that i want it to upgrade.

[@martinpro9773]

Hi Richard, do you have the procedure for the Archer AX6000? My router stopped working and the LAN ports are blocked, they don't give link. The router turns on but does not load the firmware.

[@richardlloydusa]

Try this procedure: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXLWcnaFdrJneq8 Thank you so much for commenting and watching. I appreciate it greatly. Subscribe, Click The Bell and stay tuned! All the best.👍😀

[@mscir]

Brilliant. Do you have a fix for the c8?

[@patrickbohm8664]

Tank you very much for this tutorial! In my case i had to connect the GND 2-3 seconds after power on the router. Then it worked :)))

[@cellularexpress1619]

I had to disconnect the ground momentarily as you mentioned, and was able to load the software.

[@richardlloydusa]

Great! I am glad I was able to help. All the best.

[@sfratify]

Richard, first of all thanks for sharing, I am using a different router which is the Tenda AC18, the two routers share the same CFE version and the same chipset, so I am curious to know if this method could work on mine too, my question is: what do you have modified in the stock bin files?

[@irvinson3148]

Hey Richard, great video! I am going to attempt this on my bricked Archer C8 v1.0. Any idea where I can find the equivalent stock firmware files for the C8? The firmware on the tp-link site is a single bin file, and in your video you said it has to be 2 files: "12.bin" and "mtd3.bin". I searched but couldn't find such files for the C8. Also, do you think the firmware you used for the C9 will work on a C8? Thanks

[@skrolasturkinas]

For me on C8 not work 5G wifi

[@sowhat-e2u]

Wow Richard! I'm glad this video is here--I just hope I never have to use it!

[@edydiazma]

Hi Richard thanks for all videos, I´ve a problem with my PC, the router has a serial connection, working correct, but can't stop the loop with CTRL & C, have any solution or reason? thanks for you help !

[@jeh5c]

good day I have c9 would this be same steps for non bricked c9 . I do have ddwrt on the router. but when ever try to do firmware upgrade on page just brings me back to ddwrt home page.

[@richardlloydusa]

I have a video on how to install DD-WRT on this router here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJK6iZljmZhmhs0 Thanks.

[@carolyngeiges1003]

How to change MAC addresses? I tried 'nvram set wl1_hwaddr=...' but it has no effect. I can see that nvram values are changed in flash memory, but after boot they are again 14:CC... The strange thing is that WAN MAC 14-CC-20-D1-DC-AB is not even in nvram. Obviously these MAC addresses are saved somewhere else.

[@richardlloydusa]

I'm guessing you are using a third party firmware, search their forum. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.👍😀

[@carolyngeiges1003]

@@richardlloydusa No, I am using the firmware you provided with the links. The LAN MAC address 14:CC:20:D1:DC:AA is at the offset 0xe00008 in 12.bin. The other addresses at the offset 0xe50138. I changed these values with with a hex editor and now I have my original MAC addresses back.

[@richardlloydusa]

Very cool! I will have to look into that with my C9's. Thank you so much for commenting. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.👍😀

[@YouTob.]

Does this procedure work on the D9? thanks.

[@richardlloydusa]

I can't confirm that as I don't own a TP-Link D9. You could try it and see. If your router is already bricked you don't have a lot to lose. Thanks.

[@sandrorocha790]

Good Morning. Would you have the scheme, step by step or the firmware to do the recovery on the Archer C2 AC750? I made an error when installing a firmware via tftpd32 and now it turns on only the power led and tftpd32 is unable to install the correct firmware. The router is unable to assign an IP address to the computer as well.

[@gsstratton]

Hi Richard, I've tried the TFTP route with my C9 V1 and it pulls the file from tftp but it just sits in recovery (I've let it sit for an hour and it just stays in recovery. If I reboot it, it just keeps the USB lights, WPS light and Ethernet lights on. It doesn't respond to DHCP request, if I manually set the IP and gateway to the defaults on the computer, it still doesnt respond to pings in default startup, also obviously no Wifi network advertisements. I can get it back into recovery and it'll pull the file again, and responds to pings on 192.168.0.86, but just sits there again in recovery. If I do this method will it correctly restore the MAC addresses to what my unit is, or do i need to edit something in the extracted bins?

[@vkytb24]

Thanks for such detailed video! By any chance you know what the command for wrt54g2 router would be or how to find it out?

[@richardlloydusa]

I am not familiar with the wrt54g2 and if it has this capability. You could try the procedure and see if it works. Thanks.

[@stefandandar1219]

will this work with classic com port? or do i need the usb adaptor? thanks!

[@alexandrebarelli9165]

hello ... There´s another link to stock firmware download ? Thanks. This process is compatible with V3 hardware ?

[@richardlloydusa]

As far as I know it's only compatible with V1 and V2. Thanks.

[@theblockk]

Hi richard, im a old follower of your channel, since the first repair of the WDR4300 using serial port. Now i have a problem, i just erase the bootloader by mistake, now the serial console stay blank. i have an archer c9 v3. can you help me? please. i was reading that i have the last alternative, JTAG.

[@richardlloydusa]

I have not used the JTAG connector so I have no clue on that. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.

[@sergiobellinati9991]

Hello Richard Many Thanks foe your explanation. I´m Facing this problem in a Archer C8. Did you Know where I can find The 2 files stock firmware for My router. I have the rev 1 Hardware.

[@richardlloydusa]

You can find the stock firmware here www.tp-link.us/download/Archer-C8.html#Firmware make sure you download the correct firmware for your region (see the note and link on the support tab/page) Thanks.

[@marine1718]

I have v2 and don't know how but I install de version 1 firmware and now I can't change to another one help

[@markhyland500]

Will this work for my Archer c9 as I have tried to recover using the other method using TFTP? It uploads the recovery bin and looks complete but when the router reboots, it stuck on the DD-WRT Control Panel and doesn't go any further. cant flash the second file from DD-WRT and now won't recover to TP-Links Firmware

[@richardlloydusa]

It worked on my Archer C9 V1 so if yours is the same I don't see any reason why it would not work. If you look at the comments you will see that many other people have had success with this method. Thanks.

[@markhyland500]

Ill give it a go and post back.. Thanks

[@markhyland500]

Will the cp2104 usb converter work or does it have to be the cp2102?

[@richardlloydusa]

I can't say for sure but it will probably work but why take a chance? Amazon still sells the CP2012 here: amzn.to/1u7Pmd8 and I know it works. Thanks.

[@lehmejoun]

Hi, is it possible to get the ssh credentials using serial? or at least change the credentials through usb? i'm trying to ssh to my C9 v1 but i can't find the password anywhere online. thank you.

[@richardlloydusa]

It should be the same user name and password combination you use to log into your router when you are using the web interface. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.👍😀

[@lehmejoun]

@@richardlloydusa after a lot of searching i finally found out that tp link has disabled all ssh access to the router other than for their official tether app, I even tried extracting the firmware to obtain it but there was nothing available. Guess my friend was right to flash a third party firmware. Thank you!

[@maharaniteknikservicependi252]

May work to gepon ont huawei router bro?

[@richardlloydusa]

This procedure applies to a TP-Link Archer C9 router only. I would strongly recommend that you do NOT try this procedure on any other router. google your router and see if you find any solutions specifically for your router. Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.👍😀

[@skrolasturkinas]

Where can i found C8 stock firmware? Because for me not working 5G wifi :(

[@leonardotassoni]

Hello friend, I tried the steps but the router does not connect in the putty. Do you know what it can be? thank you

[@richardlloydusa]

Check your com settings in putty. I show that at the 26:11 mark in the video. Make sure you have it connected correctly 13:00 mark in the video. Make sure you are making contact with the connectors. if all else fails reverse the Tx and Rx lines and try again. Thanks

[@gibramsanchezlaines4615]

stock firmware Archer c7 v2??? saludos desde México

[@richardlloydusa]

Look for it on the TP-Link website under support. Thank you for watching, commenting and the kind words. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.

[@THETOMASSBUSINESSCAJ--]

Tengo un wr841n y mis luces parpadean, el router prende y apaga continuamente por lo que no pedo usar bien PUTTY o HyperTerminal ¿que solución existe?

Hello, When I turn my router on, I get all lights on. I'm able to send the recovery file using TFTP but the router do nothing. I'll try the serial method in this video. Mine is v2- - What are download links for v2? - Also, why two images (12.bin and mtd3.bin)? Thank you!

[@klaboem0]

did you manage to fix this for v2?

[@alanarmstrong2323]

I have a netgear night hawk r 7000 ,stuck in a boot loop

[@jand3rs0n]

Nice Tutorial

[@mohsenansary5145]

Everything is fine about thid video (I've done them all) Except, I need bin files for Archer C9 "Version 3"....

[@shad7pk]

Hi Friend My Router TP Link TL-WR842ND V1 Damage Due to Rong software i need Full flash file i mean Dump file for TL-WR842ND V1

[@richardlloydusa]

I do not have access to those files. Check Open-wrt forum or others like DD-WRT for a source. Thank you so much for commenting and watching. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.👍😀

[@sandro-silva]

You saved ny router too. As many thanks is not good enough

[@richardlloydusa]

You are most welcome. Thank you for watching, commenting and the kind words. I appreciate it greatly. All the best.

[@iamkiwi2714]

has anyone had success doing this to a c9 v2 tp-link?