I have an Archer C7 that was used on the SamKnows speed measurement project, which has been discontinued. I would like to load it with OpenWRT but I am unable to connect to the device via web browser, SSH, or FTP. It does respond to ping. I know many of the forum members participated in the project, so I wonder if anyone has successfully converted it to OpenWRT? Would I have any luck with the serial interface hack?
You need to enter their diagnostic mode to revert to default oem fw, involves connecting wan port to dhcp client and ssh-ing via freshy started wifi ap. They have documentation per device.
DHCP does assign an address but all attempts to login fail. I never receive a login prompt via desktop SSH or WiFi Ap. Either the router actively refuses or it fails to respond. This may be a unique case as the firmware is SamKnows and who knows what they have implemented. I'm looking for help from anyone that has actually flashed OpenWRT on Archer C7 v2.
Loop wan and lan, passwordless ap with passwordless telnet comes up. wdr3600, ymmv
None of the above solutions work. This thing is permanently bricked and headed for the trash unless I hear from someone that has actually revived a SamKnows version.
Have you tried the serial interface already?
https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer_c7#serial
AFAICR, I used recovery to reflash them and other SamKnows TP-Links in the past.
I have see reference to serial recovery, but not enough details found to actually try that.
OEM bootloader is same, you can even make half step going via OEM fw then openwrt.
Hold down the reset button while plugging the power in. Keep holding the button for about 20 seconds. If the WPS light comes on. your bootloader has TFTP recovery and you can replace the firmware via that route.
1 Like
Holding down the reset button for 20-30 seconds appears to put it into TFTP access mode; the WPS Light is flashing.
Configured TFTP server at 192.168.0.66 (it keeps changing back to local loopback) with renamed current openwrt v24.10.0. Named ArcherC7v2_tp_recovery.bin located in TFTP folder. I get the following in the log file, several times with different ports;
Connection received from 192.168.0.86 on port 1749 [17/02 13:36:24.602]
Read request for file <ArcherC7v2_tp_recovery.bin>. Mode octet [17/02 13:36:24.602]
OACK: <timeout=3,> [17/02 13:36:24.612]
Using local port 64708 [17/02 13:36:24.612]
<ArcherC7v2_tp_recovery.bin>: sent 12839 blks, 6573064 bytes in 2 s. 0 blk resent [17/02 13:36:26.951]
Nothing appears in main TFTP window. Time is not long enough to have flashed the new file.
No response after reboot from 192.168.1.1 (default) to SSH or Ping or HTTP:
I'm part way there, but not sure what to do next.
Use oem firmware initially. The "factory" OpenWrt may also work through TFTP.
Connect an unmanaged Ethernet switch between the router and your PC so the PC port does not go down while the router is rebooting.