# Archer C7 v4 support **URL:** \ **Category:** For Developers\ **Created:** [May 24, 2017, 11:33am UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924 "2017-05-24T11:33:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![miceline](https://forum.openwrt.org/letter_avatar/miceline/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@miceline](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/miceline)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 11:33am UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/1 "2017-05-24T11:33:54Z")
Just bought a US version of Archer C7 v4 and was wondering what can be done to flash this hardware with LEDE. ---
**Author:** ![Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/pilot6/32/4125_2.png) [@Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/Pilot6)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 5:13pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/2 "2017-05-24T17:13:51Z")
It should be supported by the v2 image. I saw posts where people tested it. It is 100% that v3 is supported. And only one feedback about v4. If I could have a boot log, I could tell it for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/pilot6/32/4125_2.png) [@Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/Pilot6)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/3 "2017-05-24T17:20:55Z")
I was wrong. I see that it has a 8MB flash. That means that the v2 image won't go. The question is what switch is there... Everything else looks similar. ---
**Author:** ![Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/pilot6/32/4125_2.png) [@Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/Pilot6)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/4 "2017-05-24T17:23:23Z")
[https://wikidevi.com/wiki/TP-LINK\_Archer\_C7\_v4.x](https://wikidevi.com/wiki/TP-LINK_Archer_C7_v4.x) If this is correct, then the difference is only in flash size. ---
**Author:** ![miceline](https://forum.openwrt.org/letter_avatar/miceline/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@miceline](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/miceline)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 5:38pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/5 "2017-05-24T17:38:52Z")
Is there a bin I can try for 8MB flash size ? ---
**Author:** ![Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/pilot6/32/4125_2.png) [@Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/Pilot6)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/6 "2017-05-24T17:54:21Z")
There is a very good chance that this [https://downloads.lede-project.org/releases/17.01.1/targets/ar71xx/generic/lede-17.01.1-ar71xx-generic-tl-wdr7500-v3-squashfs-factory.bin](https://downloads.lede-project.org/releases/17.01.1/targets/ar71xx/generic/lede-17.01.1-ar71xx-generic-tl-wdr7500-v3-squashfs-factory.bin) will work. It is for a Chinese version of this device. Hardware versions look to be one in front in China. But with the US firmware may have a block for custom firmware. For Archer C7 v2-3 with 16MB flash there are images with the unblocking included. In your case you will need to build it yourself. And there is no guarantee that Tp-link did not change the flash layout, but this is unlikely. Beware that you can brick the device. A serial cable will be needed to unbrick. Another way is to solder a 16MB flash to get a C7 v3. ---
**Author:** ![soc](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/soc/32/971_2.png) [@soc](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/soc)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/7 "2017-05-24T20:42:51Z")
Doesn't look like Wikidev is currently correct for Archer C7 US v4. The flash chip is 16MB. Flash: gd25q128c WI1 chip1: Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 WI2 chip1: Qualcomm Atheros QCA9880 Switch: Atheros AR8337N ![](https://forum.openwrt.org/uploads/default/original/1X/5e81af813d9040aa977cf7b7611c5899e9864c6d.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![soc](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/soc/32/971_2.png) [@soc](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/soc)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/8 "2017-05-24T20:59:53Z")
Part of the bootlog: ![](https://forum.openwrt.org/uploads/default/original/1X/629e0d89a8bfe2c471aa10eb36e957609e95784d.png) ---
**Author:** ![Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/pilot6/32/4125_2.png) [@Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/Pilot6)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 6:37am UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/9 "2017-05-25T06:37:22Z")
In this case there is a perfect chance that the V2 firmware should just work. But ART looks to be in a different place. ---
**Author:** ![pepe2k](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/pepe2k/32/47_2.png) [@pepe2k](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/pepe2k)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 9:39am UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/10 "2017-05-26T09:39:04Z")
> [@Pilot6](#): > > In this case there is a perfect chance that the V2 firmware should just work. v2 is QCA955x based and this one (v4), based on photos, is QCA956x, so image for v2 won't work. ---
**Author:** ![Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/pilot6/32/4125_2.png) [@Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/Pilot6)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 9:53am UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/11 "2017-05-26T09:53:11Z")
Oops. I did not see it on the photo. It looks like Tp-Link is making a mess with these revisions. I get reports about different hardware on the same revisions. Maybe v4 for EU and US have it different. But it makes no sense. ---
**Author:** ![soc](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/soc/32/971_2.png) [@soc](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/soc)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 3:03pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/12 "2017-05-26T15:03:29Z")
I only have the US version board, but I've downloaded the EU source code and it seems to confirm that it is also based on the QCA956x. [http://static.tp-link.com/resources/gpl/ArcherC7V4\_1\_0\_2.tar.bz2](http://static.tp-link.com/resources/gpl/ArcherC7V4_1_0_2.tar.bz2) ArcherC7V4\_1\_0\_2/Archer\_C7\_V4/openwrt/qca/src/linux/arch/mips/ath79/Kconfig > config ATH79\_MACH\_ARCHER\_C7\_V4 > bool "TP-LINK ARCHER C7 v4 support" > select SOC\_QCA956X > select ATH79\_DEV\_GPIO\_BUTTONS > select ATH79\_DEV\_LEDS\_GPIO > select ATH79\_DEV\_SPI > select ATH79\_DEV\_USB > select ATH79\_DEV\_WMAC > select ATH79\_DEV\_ETH > select ATH79\_DEV\_M25P80 > help > Say 'Y' here if you want your kernel to support the > Atheros AP152-Archer\_C7\_V4 reference board. ---
**Author:** ![Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/pilot6/32/4125_2.png) [@Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/Pilot6)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/13 "2017-05-26T15:23:57Z")
Where did you get this Kconfig? ---
**Author:** ![Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/pilot6/32/4125_2.png) [@Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/Pilot6)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/14 "2017-05-26T15:37:37Z")
Well you can add this config to target/linux/ar71xx/files/arch/mips/ath79/Kconfig.openwrt of LEDE source and build. Also you will need to update tp-link.mk for modules and probably the unlock. ---
**Author:** ![soc](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/soc/32/971_2.png) [@soc](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/soc)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/15 "2017-05-26T17:25:28Z")
I've tried writing new firmware with tft and oem webupgrade methods. (using US image) - Tft method result: wrong size - Oem webupgrade result: wrong filetype I can read the serial output but cant write to the serial port. I think Rx may be physically disconnected. ---
**Author:** ![Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/pilot6/32/4125_2.png) [@Pilot6](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/Pilot6)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/16 "2017-05-26T17:32:51Z")
Did you use mktplinkfw factory -C US ---
**Author:** ![soc](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/soc/32/971_2.png) [@soc](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/soc)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/17 "2017-05-26T17:49:51Z")
I didnt use that command directly but I had defined an Archer C7 v4 device in tp-link.mk and used the resulting firmware with US in the name. I dont have the router right now . I cant do any more tests right now. I'm also new to the build system and probably dont know what im doing. ---
**Author:** ![brisalta](https://forum.openwrt.org/letter_avatar/brisalta/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@brisalta](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/brisalta)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 5:35am UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/18 "2017-06-05T05:35:40Z")
[https://wikidevi.com/wiki/TP-LINK\_Archer\_C7\_v4.x](https://wikidevi.com/wiki/TP-LINK_Archer_C7_v4.x) Has been updated with corrected information. ---
**Author:** ![coderonmars](https://forum.openwrt.org/letter_avatar/coderonmars/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@coderonmars](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/coderonmars)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 7:19am UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/19 "2017-06-22T07:19:14Z")
HI all, I also get a new C7 v4. According to this thread and checking the menuconfig, could I say the v4 is still not support so far? Mars ---
**Author:** ![kanedias](https://forum.openwrt.org/user_avatar/forum.openwrt.org/kanedias/32/1080_2.png) [@kanedias](https://forum.openwrt.org/u/kanedias)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2017, 8:50pm UTC](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924/20 "2017-06-29T20:50:44Z")
Hi. I have Archer C7 V4 at hand and can help in making it working with LEDE. So far I know it expects ArcherC7v4\_tp\_recovery.bin with TFTP. LEDE firmware for V2 doesn't work with this. What can I do? Can I compile LEDE for it from source? [Next page](https://forum.openwrt.org/t/archer-c7-v4-support/3924.md?page=2)