TP-Link RE200 V3 refuses to install OpenWrt

[fabay]

Hi, I'm trying to install OpenWrt ona TP-Link repeater RE200 v3 using the repeater web ui, but is not working, the UI directly refuses to upload the image. A second after click the upgrade button the UI shows the error "Unable to upgrade."

Regarding the RE200:

**Firmware Version**: 1.1.3 Build 20210128 Rel. 60944(6582)
**Hardware Version**:  RE200 v3.0

An i'm taking the OpenWrt version from:
Factory version from https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/?version=21.02.0&target=ramips%2Fmt76x8&id=tplink_re200-v3

Also, looking a bit under the hood, when i press the Upgrade button I see the UI is doing a POST to:

http://192.168.10.245/cgi-bin/luci/;stok=d70afc039e6ddeb7498704b8b8ec51a7/admin/firmware?form=upgrade

And the response from the repeater is a json:

{"errorcode":"err_failed","success":false}

with no other relevant information on the response headers.

So, i have no clue about why this is happening. looks like the repeater is refusing to upload a "non official firmware", which is weird when the're using opwnwrt and their UI is even using luci...

I also tried with a couple of versions of openwrt, and also upgraded the stock firmware to the same version (the only one available on tp-link website) with a different zone, but after try the install again the result was the same.

Do anyone saw something similar or have any recommendation?

Thanks in advance!!

[ulmwind]

@fabay

https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/?version=21.02.0&target=ramips%2Fmt76x8&id=tplink_re200-v3

TP-Link RE200

This also makes the following impossible:

flash OpenWrt
revert to stock
flash OpenWrt again (fails because the firmware already has the version used by this image)

[fabay]

Hi @ulmwind , thanks for answer!
In my case I couldn't flash it with OpenWrt neither once, but i upgraded the stock image. So you think that upgrade is now stopping me of flash it with openwrt?

[ulmwind]

No, I do not know. There are differences between hardware versions, so please, make sure, you have correct version of hardware, and firmware.

[dsouza]

Warning: 5Ghz radio on RE200 is broken (at least
In v2, probably also in v3 and v4).

More details at TP-Link RE200 Wi-Fi Broken

[fabay]

Thanks dsouza!

I think this device needs a hardware improvement. IMHO It's a pity, as it's cheap, small, compact and in general looks good to be used at auxiliary tasks avoiding external power supplies, cables, etc. On my case i was only trying to using it to connect an eth device to my 5Ghz network.

[jeffangelion]

Just bought TP-Link RE200 v3 (RU) and flashed w/ OpenWRT
Steps to reproduce:

1. Install OEM firmware v1.1.0 (v1.1.2 out-of-box which refused to upload -factory.bin)
2. Install -factory.bin via Web interface
3. Wait

Note: wireless interfaces were disabled by default so I used network cable after flashing to access LuCI

[tmomas]

@fabay Can you downgrade from v 1.1.3 to v1.1.0 and then try again to install OpenWrt?

[fabay]

Hi, ok i'll try that tomorrow and let you know. Thanks!

[Pablomagno]

In my case, that worked. Thanks!