TP-LINK AX23 v1.2(US) having issues with web recovery and TFTP

x3riv · August 30, 2024, 4:30am

Hi, First time OpenWRT user here.
I have bought an used TP-LINK AX23(US) v1.2 for cheap as i saw it being sold for cheap.

Steps taken to attempt to install OpenWRT

Factory reset specs
Firmware Version:1.0.6 Build 20220420 Rel. 54926(5347)
Hardware Version: Archer AX23 v1.20

Factory reset with reset button at the back of AX23
Tried to use TP-LINK web UI to upload 23.05.4 factory.bin (link)
Shown Invalid File Type error
Tried Tftp64 method guide https://radix007.github.io/OpenWrt-Tp-Link-C6/#installing-openwrt-using-tftpd-method-b-
had renamed the factory.bin to "ArchAX23v1_tp_recovery.bin" (i'm really not sure if this is correct)
i do not get any logs appearing at all with the "Log viewer" tab

I'm lost and can't figure it out. Any help would be appreciated

frollic · August 30, 2024, 4:42am

No activity usually means firewall on TFTP host.

x3riv · August 30, 2024, 5:03am

i have also tried turning off my windows firewall and the tplink SPI firewall to no avail

psherman · August 30, 2024, 5:11am

Are you talking about the AX23's SPI firewall? Or some other router?

When you're in tftp mode, there should be no firewall active on the AX23 since it is part of the bootloader (not the main firmware).

frollic · August 30, 2024, 5:25am

TFTP only works if you have serial...

x3riv · August 30, 2024, 6:37am

i see, thanks for that. so in this case, how should i proceed then without the serial?

my ax23 should be bought in singapore, so i am not sure if the "SG" region identifier has been accounted for.

frollic · August 30, 2024, 6:39am

if you can't get it to flash using the web recovery, nor stock webui, you'll need serial, after all.

please post the bottom side sticker, mask the MAC addresses, serial nu, and other identifiable info.

x3riv · August 30, 2024, 7:07am

Here it is

frollic · August 30, 2024, 7:08am

so it's US, after all ...

frollic · August 30, 2024, 7:14am

kind of risky, but you could try to downgrade the fw, if the AX will let you:

x3riv · August 30, 2024, 7:51am

issit possible my special id is not included in the list of products in the factory.bin? how can i check the special ID?

frollic · August 30, 2024, 7:52am

running stock fw, you probably can't, unless you connect using serial.

x3riv · August 30, 2024, 7:59am

i am residing in singapore, so would that affect the firmware in any way, if it was bought in singapore retail shops?

frollic · August 30, 2024, 8:01am

sticker says US, shouldn't really matter where you bought it.