TP-Link RE 305 V1 Keeps Factory Resetting

[fshahin90]

hi all,
I'm trying to Configure. my TP-Link RE 305 as a Wi-Fi extender,
but every time I reboot the system or unplug and replug the device all the configurations will be erased, and the device will be in the first state when flashed Open-WRT.

I have tried to reflash the image using the sys-upgrade file but that didn't work.

when i flashed the Open-WRT the first time I had to flash the 22.03.5 version fist then sys upgrade to 23.05.0 becuase the link provided in the website is broken

[psherman]

@fshahin90

I had to flash the 22.03.5 version fist then sys upgrade to 23.05.0 becuase the link provided in the website is broken

Which link are you referring to that is broken?
You should upgrade to 23.05.2 since that is available, but before you do...

Let's see the output of the following:

ubus call system board
df- h
mount

[fshahin90]

Thanks for your reply.

@psherman

Which link are you referring to that is broken?

the factory firmware 404 Not Found (openwrt.org) its missing the guys forgot to upload it.

for the commands below is the outputs for each one:

ubus call system board

{
        "kernel": "5.15.134",
        "hostname": "OpenWrt",
        "system": "MediaTek MT7628AN ver:1 eco:2",
        "model": "TP-Link RE305 v1",
        "board_name": "tplink,re305-v1",
        "rootfs_type": "squashfs",
        "release": {
                "distribution": "OpenWrt",
                "version": "23.05.0",
                "revision": "r23497-6637af95aa",
                "target": "ramips/mt76x8",
                "description": "OpenWrt 23.05.0 r23497-6637af95aa"
        }
}

df -h

Filesystem                Size      Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/root                 3.5M      3.5M         0 100% /rom
tmpfs                    28.0M     72.0K     27.9M   0% /tmp
tmpfs                    28.0M     80.0K     27.9M   0% /tmp/root
overlayfs:/tmp/root      28.0M     80.0K     27.9M   0% /
tmpfs                   512.0K         0    512.0K   0% /dev

mount

/dev/root on /rom type squashfs (ro,relatime,errors=continue)
proc on /proc type proc (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime)
cgroup2 on /sys/fs/cgroup type cgroup2 (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,nsdelegate)
tmpfs on /tmp type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noatime)
tmpfs on /tmp/root type tmpfs (rw,noatime,mode=755)
overlayfs:/tmp/root on / type overlay (rw,noatime,lowerdir=/,upperdir=/tmp/root/upper,workdir=/tmp/root/work)
tmpfs on /dev type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,noexec,noatime,size=512k,mode=755)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,nosuid,noexec,noatime,mode=600,ptmxmode=000)
debugfs on /sys/kernel/debug type debugfs (rw,noatime)
bpffs on /sys/fs/bpf type bpf (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,mode=700)

@psherman

You should upgrade to 23.05.2 since that is available.

I can't find the file if you can provide me with the link or it will be available in couple of days or something.

[psherman]

https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/?version=23.05.2&target=ramips%2Fmt76x8&id=tplink_re305-v1

When you run the update, be sure to not keep settings by unchecking the keep settings checkbox.

[fshahin90]

Thanks for the link I will test it and let you know if it fixed the issue

[fshahin90]

I have flashed the new firmware but still the same issue when i did a system reboot it factory rest the device

[fshahin90]

Hi all:
as an update I found a workaround based on this answer in the forum

Tp-Link RE305V1 save doesn't work. Reboot, and they're gone

[Solved] I have found the problem, and a 'sort-of' work-around. The problem is that the latest version of openwrt does not work with the REL305V1. It only appears to work, but the ability to save settings does not work. Power bump, and it's back to being a door stop. The process to sort this out: Install pogo pins to the serial console connections on the TP-Link RE305V1 motherboard. Install minicom and tftp-server on a Linux box. Bring up minicom, and tftp server on the Linux box. Power on …

I downgraded to version 21.02.7 which solved my problem.
but after that I tried to upgrade to the latest and my stupid brain forgot to uncheck the keep settings check box which led that the device is power on but the lan interface got no IP or its not mapped correctly

[fshahin90]

So i finally Solved my Problems below is the solutions:

1. The device doesnt save configuration the only solution is to downgrade to version 21.02.7 aperantly after this version something changed that prevented the device from saving the configuration or resetting the configuration after each reboot or powering the device I hope a solution is found to solve this issue.
2. The Device didnt presest the IP address after the upgrade, what happened aperently is the new configuration location for network configuration didn't get the assigned IP and it didnt revert to the original IP 192.168.1.1 the solution for it is factory resetting the device using the fail safe mode

hope that this will help anyone

[lleachii]

@fshahin90

aperantly after this version something changed that prevented the device from saving the configuration or resetting the configuration after each reboot or powering the device I hope a solution is found to solve this issue.

Did you file a bug/issue report?

[fshahin90]

Thank you for reminding me I just did.