Factory image won't install on TP Link RE650 v2.0

Hi,

I got a new TP Link RE655 ( aka RE650 v2.0 ). Build# 1.0.0 Build 20210302 Rel. 81179

I did a factory reset, connected with a cable (not wifi), and tried to flash it with the factory image, but it threw an error:
"Unable to upgrade"
The image was: openwrt-23.05.5-ramips-mt7621-tplink_re650-v2-squashfs-factory

https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/?version=23.05.5&target=ramips%2Fmt7621&id=tplink_re650-v2

Is the TP Link RE655 still supported?

Try an older version of openwrt first and upgrade from there. It seems that this device's supported from 22.03 onward: https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/22.03.0/targets/ramips/mt7621/openwrt-22.03.0-ramips-mt7621-tplink_re650-v2-squashfs-factory.bin

It's just a guess but could be that either the 8MB flash is an issue with the newer version or maybe TPlink updated the bootloader to require signed images.

Can you show a page were you can download OEM fw upgrade for your device? It is 655 not 650, very likely completely different device albeit with similar outside parameters.

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> Can you show a page were you can download OEM fw upgrade for your device? It is 655 not 650, very likely completely different device albeit with similar outside parameters.

I do not understand this bit. The router is not connected to the Internet, and never will be.

It is a TP655 v2.0

22.03

I tried with this version and it failed.

brada4 is right. You own a RE655 v2.0. It's a different device than RE650 v2.0 so it doesn't work, simple as that.

RE655 is unsupported.

I am going to try and flash the OEM RE650 v2 firmware onto the RE655 and see what happens.

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Hi...

Reading about...
You need to use
https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/23.05.5/targets/ramips/mt7621/openwrt-23.05.5-ramips-mt7621-tplink_re650-v2-initramfs-kernel.bin
" Linux kernel with minimal file system. Useful for first installation or recovery. "

The file that you select
" .... tplink_re650-v2-squashfs-factory.bin "
Is only when you already have openwrt running
Use a Factory image to flash a router with OpenWrt for the first time. You normally do this via the web interface of the original firmware.

But... I can be wrong...

No that won't work

Right, general update.

I am giving away a brand new TP655 v2.

All you have to do is pay for shipping, or local pickup.

I am in Belgium.

That's incorrect. Initramfs images aren't for installation, they run from RAM and are typically loaded from serial+TFTP but are wiped out when you turn off the device. Basically, you sometimes need to load an initramfs image as a first step then install a factory image from there to bypass stock firmware limitations.

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Is loading the initramfs via tftp going to work on a RE655 when it is unsupported by OpenWrt? I suspect a rhetorical question.

I believe it would work because it's the same hardware (supposedly - that's what a quick search tells me). I never tried though.

OK. I have not got a serial cable or serial interface. Not sure how to do this.

Might be simpler and easier if I just bought a new RE 650 v2.

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Well, be very careful with that kind of devices if you're not used to messing with electricity mains voltage. Since it's a "smart plug" it has an internal 230V AC side on the power supply unlike usual routers with an external AC->DC transformer.
But yeah, the easy way is to get a supported device.

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Search yields abandoned effort at the device with some internal pictures.

EDIT: it is 128/8 device, i.e very small flash, already on final life support in 24.10

Check your nearby store with this in hand, note the HW versions, get a supported one.
https://openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_available_16128_ax-wifi

Check your nearby store

Rofl. I am not in the US or UK, mate :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

The shops we have got here that sell routers is amazon.de or amazon.fr.

High street shops only sell clothes, alcohol, food, bikes, low quality DIY, and mostly overpriced furniture. Everything else is online and far away. I have to order most of my books from amazon.

I will buy a RE650 v2 from amazon. It is to use as a swap in replacement for my existing RE650 v2 models that I have got around my building. I will flash and then import the config. When the current RE650s break, I pull out a replacement. Reduces downtime.

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