Radios mysteriously disappearing (TP-Link EAP615 Wall v1)

Installing and Using OpenWrt
1

I have two TP-Link EAP615-Wall V1 access points (bought at the same time). One is running OpenWrt as a dump AP as it should but from the other the radios mysteriously disappeared. I have configured both radios a couple of weeks ago but first they disappeared with a similar message in the log (PHY is undefined for device 'radio1') and, although visible in Luci, no way to configure them.

Since I have re-installed OpenWrt 23.05.4 (openwrt-23.05.4-ramips-mt7621-tplink_eap615-wall-v1-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin) there is no mention at all of any radio0/ radio1 anymore (and Luci doesn't show Wireless under Network)...

There is a bug report dating from Oct 2023 (link) but the solution provided (add missing package kmod-mt7915-firmware) is present.

Are the radios (permanently) dead or can I try something else.

2

Check lspci , they are pci devices even soldered on PCB. Maye there is some timing issue holding them back.

3

Maybe try reverting to TP-Link firmware to see if they re-appear ?

4

lspci doesn't report anything (also not after a reboot):

root@OpenWrt:~# lspci -vvv
root@OpenWrt:~#

Unless I get another suggestion soon I'll try to revert to the TP-Link firmware.

5

Try to reset config to default via luci or failsafe mode, it will re-detect wifi adapters if any.

6

No luck (radios) again. Trying to restore the TP-Link firmware next.

7

After re-installing TP-link firmware (EAP615-WALLv1_1.1.6_[20230330-rel73999]_up_signed.bin) it looks like I can configure the radios but the configured SSIDs remain unresponsive/invisible to several devices I tried. So I guess my EAP615 radios are really dead?

Any other suggestions?

Note for others who want to re-install stock firmware ... the instructions (rescue_firmware_partition) are not entirely correct for TP-Link EAP615 Wall v1. These are the correct steps (note the revised IP address to get the webpage to load the firmware):

  • unplug poe cable from eap615
  • set pc ip 192.168.0.2, netmask 255.255.255.0
  • plug ethernet cable in lan1 port (at the bottom of the EAP615)
  • keep reset button pressed, plug poe cable, when led on turns on release reset button (takes about 10sec)
  • browse to 192.168.0.254, upload (renamed file) factory.bin
    Instructions thanks to @ed8 .
8

Wifi access point needs to connect to a bridge where it should reach dhcp server +/-

9

By default (out of the box) the EAP615 broadcasts on 2 predefined networks (TP-Link_2.4GHz_xxxxxx and TP-Link_5GHz_yyyyyy). I have not been able to make these visible in any of the devices I tried (desktop, telephone, tablet). Therefor I conclude the radios do not operate as they should anymore or am I missing something?

10

Yes, they do not operate at all. Open the box, check for deformed/burnd capacitors.

11

Thanks for all the help and advice. The AP is still under warranty and I will contact the seller for a replacement.