From DD-WRT Wiki

[edit] Hardware Specifications

[edit] Installation

 **WARNING**:  DO NOT PERFORM A 30/30/30 VIA RESET BUTTON ON ANY QUCALCOMM ATHEROS ROUTERS (ESPECIALLY TP-LINK), YOU WILL BRICK IT!!!
 **NOTE**:  SEE Where do I download firmware? for information on where to download firmware files.

[edit] Prerequisites:

 **NOTE**:  For V1 through V4, suggest using 33772 for initial flash. For V5, use 37837 for initial flash.

[edit] V1

 **NOTE**:  There are two different factory-to-ddwrt files:

• The factory-to-ddwrt-US.bin is for US market models;
• The factory-to-ddwrt.bin is for NON-US market models.

1. Download the applicable factory-to-ddwrt.bin file from the tplink_archer-c7-v1 folder.
2. Download the applicable tplink_archer-c7.bin file from the current release's tplink_archer-c7-v1 folder.

[edit] V2

 **NOTE**:  There are three different factory-to-ddwrt files:

• The factory-to-ddwrt-US.bin is for US market models;
• The factory-to-ddwrt-IL.bin is for International market models;
• The factory-to-ddwrt.bin is for all others.

 **NOTE**:  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 can be found at the following links:
  • 150304 Direct download link from TP-Link Website: here
  • 150427 Direct download link from TP-Link Website: click here
  • MSOENGINEER is hosting the 150427 file here
  • 150427 at Rebyte.Me Firmware for TP-LINK Archer C7
  • 150427 at Softpedia TP-Link Archer C7 v2 Router Firmware 150427

 **NOTE**:  Archer_C7_V2_150427 gives "Error code: 18005" trying to load DD-WRT builds prior to r28493. Recommend using 33772 for initial flash.

• See Links 2 and 3 under Notes below.

1. Download the applicable factory-to-ddwrt.bin file from the tplink_archer-c7-v2 folder.
2. Download the applicable tplink_archer-c7-v2.bin file from the current release's tplink_archer-c7-v2 folder.

[edit] V3

1. Download the factory-to-ddwrt.bin file from the tplink_archer-c7-v3 folder.
2. Download the tplink_archer-c7-v3.bin file from the current release's tplink_archer-c7-v3 folder.

[edit] V4

1. Download the factory-to-ddwrt.bin file from the tplink_archer-c7-v4 folder.
2. Download the tplink_archer-c7-v4.bin file from the current release's tplink_archer-c7-v4 folder.

[edit] V5

1. Download the factory-to-ddwrt.bin file from the tplink_archer-c7-v5 folder.
2. Download the tplink_archer-c7-v5.bin file from the current release's tplink_archer-c7-v5 folder.

[edit] Procedure

1. Connect your PC via Ethernet cable to one of the LAN ports (Yellow) on the back of your router.
2. Launch/open a web browser and enter http://tplinkwifi.net or http://192.168.0.1 in the address bar.
• A login page will display. Default login is admin/admin. It is recommended to reset your router to defaults.
3. Click on System Tools-Firmware Upgrade (or Firmware) / Advanced > System Tools > Firmware Upgrade.
• On New Logo devices, focus on the Manual Upgrade section.
4. Click on Browse/Choose File and select the previously downloaded factory-to-ddwrt.bin file and click Open.
5. Click Upgrade.

 **CAUTION**:  After you start the firmware update, do not try to go online, turn off the router, or do anything else to the router until it finishes restarting.

6. In your browser, go to http:/192.168.1.1
• You should be greeted by the password change page of the DD-WRT webUI.
7. Set username (optional, default username is root) and password (enter password twice, these *must* match and are case-sensitive).
• You should be greeted by the System Info page of the DD-WRT webUI
8. Click on Setup to begin configuration to your needs.
• You will be required to enter username and password previously set.
9. Click Save on each page (unless otherwise noted in a specific tutorial).
10. When finished, Click on Services or Administration tab and click Reboot.

[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 [1]

v4: No revert file exists, you need to follow the steps in this thread [2]

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 [3] 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 [4]

[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

TP-Link Archer C7 (ac1750) via Wayback Machine
TP-Link Archer C7 V2 (AC1750) Error Code: 18005
Flashing TP-Link Archer C7 V2