TP-Link

– Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

-To flash the recovery image, start a TFTP server from the IP address
192.168.0.66 and serve the recovery image named
ArcherC2V1_tp_recovery.bin.
-Connect your device to the LAN port, then press the WPS/Reset button
and power it up. Keep pressing the WPS/Reset button for 10 seconds.
It will try to download the recovery image and flash it.

It can take up to 20-25 minutes to finish. When it reaches 100%, the
router will reboot itself.

Upload hotspotos-ath79-generic-tplink_archer-c2-v3-squashfs-factory.bin
via the router Web interface and flash as normal firmware update.

– Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

– Place tp_recovery.bin in root directory of TFTP server and listen on 192.168.0.66/24.
– Connect the router LAN port with your computer and power up the router while pressing the reset button.
– The router will download the image via TFTP and after 1 minute reboot into HotspotOS.

– Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

– Place ArcherC20V1_tp_recovery.bin in tftp server directory.
– Connect PC with one of LAN ports, press the reset button, power up
the router and keep button pressed for around 6-7 seconds, until
device starts downloading the file.
– Router will download file from server, write it to flash and reboot.

* WAN LED in this devices is a dual-color, dual-leads type which isn’t
(fully) supported by gpio-leds driver. This type of LED requires both
GPIOs state change at the same time to select color or turn it off.
For now, we support/use only the blue part of the LED.
* MT7610EN ac chip isn’t not supported by HotspotOS. Therefore 5Ghz won’t
work.

The only way to flash HotspotOS image in ArcherC20v4 is to use tftp recovery mode in U-Boot:

– Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

-Rename “hotspotos-ramips-mt76x8-tplink_c20-v4-squashfs-tftp-recovery.bin”
to “tp_recovery.bin” and place it in tftp server directory.
– Connect PC with one of LAN ports, press the reset button, power up
the router and keep button pressed for around 6-7 seconds, until
device starts downloading the file.
– Router will download file from server, write it to flash and reboot.

On Version 1.1 of this device, the factory default username and password doesn’t work. Hence the need to use TFTP to load HotspotOS. Reset to admin/admin reported working if reset button held down while switching on the device.

The only way to flash HotspotOS image in ArcherC50v3 is to use TFTP recovery mode in U-Boot:

– Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

– Rename “hotspotos-ramips-mt76x8-tplink_c50-v3-squashfs-tftp-recovery.bin”
to “tp_recovery.bin” and place it in tftp server directory.
– Connect PC with one of LAN ports, press the reset button, power up
the router and keep button pressed for around 6-7 seconds, until
the device starts downloading the file.
– Router will download file from server, write it to flash and reboot.

– Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

-Place tp_recovery.bin in root directory of TFTP server and listen on 192.168.0.66/24.
-Connect router LAN ports with your computer and power up the router while pressing the reset button. The router will download the image via tftp and after ~1 Minute reboot into HotspotOS.

Use “factory” image directly in vendor GUI.

Recovery method:

– Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

– Download hotspotos-ath79-generic-archer-c58-v1-squashfs-factory.bin
and rename it to tp_recovery.bin
– Start a TFTP server with the file “tp_recovery.bin” in its root
directory.
– Turn off the router.
– Press and hold the Reset button.
– Turn on the router with the reset button pressed and wait ~15 seconds.
– Release the reset button and after a short time, the tp_recovery.bin should
be transferred from the TFTP server.
– Wait ~30 seconds to complete recovery.

Flash instruction under U-Boot, using UART:

tftp 0x81000000 hotspotos-ath79-…-sysupgrade.bin
erase 0x9f020000 +$filesize
cp.b $fileaddr 0x9f020000 $filesize
reset

– Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

– Download hotspotos-ath79-generic-archer-cXX-v1-squashfs-factory.bin
and rename it to tp_recovery.bin
– Start a TFTP server with the file tp_recovery.bin in its root directory
– Turn off the router
– Press and hold Reset button
– Turn on router with the reset button pressed and wait ~15 seconds
– Release the reset button and after a short time
the tp_recovery.bin should be transferred from the TFTP server
– Wait ~30 seconds to complete recovery.

Flash instruction under U-Boot, using UART:

1. tftp 0x81000000 hotspotos-ath79-…-sysupgrade.bin
2. erase 0x9f020000 +$filesize
3. cp.b $fileaddr 0x9f020000 $filesize
4. reset

Currently not working:
– Port LAN1 on C59, LAN4 on C60
– WiFi 5GHz (missing ath10k firmware for QCA9886 chip)
– Update from oficial web interface ( tplink-saveloader not support “product-info”)

Upload hotspotos-ath79-generic-tplink_archer-c6-v2-squashfs-factory.bin
via the router Web interface.

Note:
Depending on the OEM firmware version, different versions of HotspotOS can be installed through the OEM web interface:

1.0.X and 1.1.X – accepted by OEM web interface – flash HotspotOS
1.2.0 and 1.2.1 – master fails “invalid type” (It is possible to bypass this check by flashing via the bootloader’s TFTP recovery mode)

Flash instruction using TFTP recovery:

– Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

– Start a TFTP server with the HotspotOS factory image in the
TFTP root directory renamed to ArcherC6v2_tp_recovery.bin
– Connect the power cable to router, press and hold the reset
button and turn the router on
– Keep the reset button pressed until the WPS LED lights up
– Wait ~150 seconds to complete flashing

According to the GPL source the non-EU variant has different
GPIOs assigned to some of the LEDs and buttons. The flash
layout might be different as well. The wikidevi entry for
Archer A6/C6 assumes they are identical.

1.-Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

2. Download hotspotos-ath79-generic-archer-cXX-v1-squashfs-factory.bin
and rename it to tp_recovery.bin
3. Start a TFTP server with the file tp_recovery.bin in its root directory
4. Turn off the router
5. Press and hold the Reset button
6. Turn on the router with the reset button pressed and wait ~15 seconds
7. Release the reset button and after a short time
the firmware should be transferred from the TFTP server
8. Wait ~30 seconds to complete recovery.

Flash instruction under U-Boot, using UART:

1. tftp 0x81000000 hotspotos-ath79-…-sysupgrade.bin
2. erase 0x9f020000 +$filesize
3. cp.b $fileaddr 0x9f020000 $filesize
4. reset

Currently not working:
– Port LAN1 on C59, LAN4 on C60
– WiFi 5GHz (missing ath10k firmware for QCA9886 chip)
– Update from oficial web interface ( tplink-saveloader not support “product-info”)

1. -Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

2. Download hotspotos-ath79-generic-archer-cXX-v1-squashfs-factory.bin
and rename it to tp_recovery.bin
3. Start a TFTP server with the file tp_recovery.bin in its root
directory
4. Turn off the router
5. Press and hold the reset button
6. Turn on router with the reset button pressed and wait ~15 seconds
7. Release the reset button and after a short time the firmware should
be transferred from the tftp server
8. Wait ~30 second to complete recovery

Flash instruction (under U-Boot, using UART):
tftp 0x81000000 hotspotos-ath79-…-sysupgrade.bin
erase 0x9f030000 +$filesize
cp.b $fileaddr 0x9f030000 $filesize
reset

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

2. Download *-factory.bin image and rename it to tp_recovery.bin
3. Start a tftp server with the file tp_recovery.bin in its root
directory
4. Turn off the router
5. Press and hold reset button
6. Turn on router with the reset button pressed and wait ~15 seconds
7. Release the reset button and after a short time the firmware should
be transferred from the tftp server
8. Wait ~30 second to complete recovery

Upload hotspotos-ath79-generic-tplink_archer-c6-v2-us-squashfs-factory.bin
via the router Web interface.

Flash instruction using TFTP recovery:

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

2. Start a TFTP server with the HotspotOS factory image in the
TFTP root directory renamed to ArcherA7v5_tp_recovery.bin.
3. Connect the power cable to router, press and hold the
reset button and turn the router on
4. Keep the reset button pressed until the WPS LED lights up
5. Wait ~150 seconds to complete flashing

Upload hotspotos-ath79-generic-archer-c7-v4-squashfs-factory.bin via Web interface

Flash instruction using TFTP recovery:
1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

2. Download hotspotos-ath79-generic-archer-c7-v4-squashfs-factory.bin
and rename it to ArcherC7v4_tp_recovery.bin
3. Start a TFTP server with the file tp_recovery.bin in its root directory
4. Turn off the router
5. Press and hold Reset button
6. Turn on router with the reset button pressed and wait ~15 seconds
7. Release the reset button and after a short time
the firmware should be transferred from the TFTP server
8. Wait ~30 seconds to complete recovery.

Flash instruction under U-Boot, using UART:

1. tftp 0x81000000 hotspotos-ath79-…-sysupgrade.bin
2. erase 0x9f040000 +$filesize
3. cp.b $fileaddr 0x9f040000 $filesize
4. reset

Upload hotspotos-ath79-generic-archer-c7-v5-squashfs-factory.bin via Web interface

Flash instruction using TFTP recovery:
1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

2. Download hotspotos-ath79-generic-archer-c7-v5-squashfs-factory.bin
and rename it to ArcherC7v5_tp_recovery.bin
3. Start a tftp server with the file tp_recovery.bin in its root directory
4. Turn off the router
5. Press and hold Reset button
6. Turn on router with the reset button pressed and wait ~15 seconds
7. Release the reset button and after a short time
the firmware should be transferred from the tftp server
8. Wait ~30 seconds to complete recovery.

Flash instruction under U-Boot, using UART:

tftpboot 0x81000000 hotspotos-ath79-generic-tplink_archer-d50-v1-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin

Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

Turn on the device while pushing the WPS button until the WPS light turns on.
At that point, the bootloaders integrated tftp client with the ip address of 192.168.1.1,
tries to connect to a tftp server running at address 192.168.0.66 and getting the file
named ArcherC2V1_tp_recovery.bin. so you need to be running a tftp server with
the ip/netmask of 192.168.0.66/23 and connect it to lan port1.

NOTE:
It is highly recommended to update the stock firmware to the latest version before replacing it as it also includes updates for integrated LTE modem.
After upgrade, keep this file safe as you’re gonna need it to revert back to the stock firmware.

Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.10 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.10
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

Open your browser, go to https://192.168.0.254 and accept the invalid certificate
Log in with user “admin” and password “admin”, change the password in the next step
Go to the “System” tab and upload the OpenWrt firmware in the “Firmware Update” section and select “Restore” in the dialog promted

Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.10 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.10
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

Open your browser, go to https://192.168.0.254 and accept the invalid certificate
Log in with user “admin” and password “admin”, change the password in the next step
Go to the “System” tab and upload the OpenWrt firmware in the “Firmware Update” section and select “Restore” in the dialog promted

Install HotspotOSthrough stock firmware WEB UI or TFTP
To get to TFTP recovery just hold reset button while powering
on for around 4-5 seconds and release.
Rename factory image to recovery.bin
Stock TFTP server IP:192.168.0.100
Stock device TFTP adress:192.168.0.254

Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.10 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.10
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

Open your browser, go to https://192.168.0.254 and accept the invalid certificate
Log in with user “admin” and password “admin”, change the password in the next step
Go to the “System” tab and upload the OpenWrt firmware in the “Firmware Update” section and select “Restore” in the dialog promted

Installation:
Flash factory image through stock firmware WEB UI
or through TFTP
To get to TFTP recovery just hold reset button while powering on for
around 4-5 seconds and release.
Rename factory image to recovery.bin
Stock TFTP server IP:192.168.0.100
Stock device TFTP adress:192.168.0.254

Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.10 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.10
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

Open your browser, go to https://192.168.0.254 and accept the invalid certificate
Log in with user “admin” and password “admin”, change the password in the next step
Go to the “System” tab and upload the HotspotOS firmware in the “Firmware Update” section and select “Restore” in the dialog prompted
the filename is limited to a length of 68 characters (as of: “1.3.0 Build 20150612 Rel. 50997”, the real limit seems to be 80 characters – including the implicite prefix “C:\fakepath\”)

Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.10 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.10
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

Open your browser, go to https://192.168.0.254 and accept the invalid certificate
Log in with user “admin” and password “admin”, change the password in the next step
Go to the “System” tab and upload the HotspotOS firmware in the “Firmware Update” section and select “Restore” in the dialog prompted
the filename is limited to a length of 68 characters (as of: “1.3.0 Build 20150612 Rel. 50997”, the real limit seems to be 80 characters – including the implicite prefix “C:\fakepath\”)

Flash factory image through stock firmware WEB UI or through TFTP
To get to TFTP recovery just hold reset button while powering on for around 4-5 seconds and release.
Rename factory image to recovery.bin
Stock TFTP server IP:192.168.0.100
Stock device TFTP adress:192.168.0.254

1. ssh into target device with recent (>= v1.6.0) firmware
2. run `cliclientd stopcs` on target device
3. upload factory image via web interface

Installation using the web interface
1. Upgrade the firmware to version v5.0.3, which fixes a bug that may cause the EAP to reboot abnormally during firmware upgrading and cause the device to brick
2. Enable the SSH-Server via the web interface
3. SSH into the target device and run `cliclientd stopcs`
4. Upload the factory image via the web interface

Installation using the web interface
1. Upgrade the firmware to version v5.0.3, which fixes a bug that may cause the EAP to reboot abnormally during firmware upgrading and cause the device to brick
2. Enable the SSH-Server via the web interface
3. SSH into the target device and run `cliclientd stopcs`
4. Upload the factory image via the web interface

1. Upgrade the device to firmware v1.4.0 if necessary
2. Exploit the user management page in the web interface to start telnetd by changing the username to `;/usr/sbin/telnetd -l/bin/sh&`.
3. Immediately change the malformed username back to something valid (e.g. ‘admin’) to make ssh work again.
4. Use the root shell via telnet to make /tmp world writeable (chmod 777)
5. Extract /usr/bin/uclited from the device via ssh and apply the binary patch listed below. The patch is required to prevent `uclited -u` in the last step from crashing.
6. Copy the patched uclited programme back to the device at /tmp/uclited (via ssh)
7. Upload the factory image to /tmp/upgrade.bin (via ssh)
8. Run `chmod +x /tmp/uclited && /tmp/uclited -u` to install HospotOS.

Use HotspotOS image directly in vendor GUI (default IP: 192.168.0.254,
default credentials: admin/admin).

Apply HotspotOS image in OEM firmware web-gui

The only way to flash the image in TL-MR3020 v3 is to use TFTP recovery mode in U-Boot:

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 1192.168.0.225 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.225
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

2. Rename “hotspotos-ramips-mt76x8-tplink_tl-mr3020-v3-squashfs-tftp-recovery.bin” to “tp_recovery.bin” and place it in TFTP server directory.
3. Connect PC with the LAN port, press the reset button, power up the router and keep the button pressed for around 6-7 seconds until the device starts downloading the file.
4. The router will download file from the server, write it to flash and reboot.

The only way to flash HotspotOS image in mr3420v5 is to use TFTP recovery mode in U-Boot:

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.225 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.225
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

2. Rename “hotspotos-ramips-mt76x8-tplink_tl-mr3420-v5-squashfs-tftp recovery.bin” to “tp_recovery.bin” and place it in TFTP server directory.
3. Connect PC with one of LAN ports, press the reset button, power up
the router and keep button pressed for around 6-7 seconds, until
the device starts downloading the file.
4. The router will download file from the server, write it to flash and reboot.

Ensure that LAN interface in original firmware’s web-ui is NOT set to address from 192.168.0.0/24

Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

Serve factory image as mr6400_tp_recovery.bin via TFTP server
Power on the device while holding the reset button pressed
Keep holding the reset button at least for 5 seconds
The device should flash itself and reboot to new firmware after flashing is complete

Note: If you have troubles with ethernet negotiation (e.g. you are not even receiving any ARP packets for 192.168.0.66) you can put any dumb switch between your NIC and MR6400 to work around this.

The only way to flash the image in TL-WR802N v4 is to use TFTP recovery mode in U-Boot:

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.225 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.225
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.
2. Rename “hotspotos-ramips-mt76x8-tplink_tl-wr802n-v4-squashfs-tftp-recovery.bin” to “tp_recovery.bin” and place it in tftp server directory.
3. Connect PC with the LAN port, press the reset button, power up the router and keep the button pressed for around 10 seconds until the device starts downloading the file.
4. The router will download file from the server, write it to flash and reboot.

The only way to flash
HotspotOS image in these devices is to use TFTP recovery mode in U-Boot:

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

2. Rename “hotspotos-ramips-mt76x8-tl-wr84…-squashfs-tftp-recovery.bin”
to “tp_recovery.bin” and place it in TFTP server directory.
3. Connect PC with one of LAN ports, press the reset button, power up
the router and keep button pressed for around 6-7 seconds, until
the device starts downloading the file.
4. The router will download file from the server, write it to flash and reboot.

The only way to flash
HotspotOS image in these devices is to use TFTP recovery mode in U-Boot:

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.

2. Rename “hotspotos-ramips-mt76x8-tl-wr84…-squashfs-tftp-recovery.bin”
to “tp_recovery.bin” and place it in tftp server directory.
3. Connect PC with one of LAN ports, press the reset button, power up
the router, and keep the button pressed for around 6-7 seconds until
the device starts downloading the file.
4. The router will download file from the server, write it to flash and reboot.

The only way to flash HotspotOS image in wr842nv5 is to use TFTP recovery mode in U-Boot:

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.225 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.225
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.
2. Rename “hotspotos-ramips-mt76x8-tplink_tl-wr842n-v5-squashfs-tftp-recovery.bin” to “tp_recovery.bin” and place it in tftp server directory.
3. Connect PC with one of LAN ports, press the reset button, power up the router and keep the button pressed for around 6-7 seconds until the device starts downloading the file.

TL-WR849 v4.0 (BR) is identical as TL-WR841N v13.
TP-Link TL-WR840N v4 and TL-WR841N v13 are simple N300 routers with 5-port FE switch and non-detachable antennas. Both are very similar and are based on MediaTek MT7628NN (aka MT7628N) WiSoC.

The difference between these two models is in the number of available LEDs, buttons and power input switch.

The only way to flash
HotspotOS image in these devices is to use TFTP recovery mode in U-Boot:

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.
2. Rename “hotspotos-ramips-mt76x8-tl-wr84…-squashfs-tftp-recovery.bin”
to “tp_recovery.bin” and place it in tftp server directory.
3. Connect PC with one of LAN ports, press the reset button, power up
the router and keep the button pressed for around 6-7 seconds until
the device starts downloading the file.
4. The router will download file from the server, write it to flash and reboot.

Installation using the integrated TFTP capability of the router:
1. Turn off the router.
2. Connect pc to one of the router LAN ports.
3. Set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.
4. Run any TFTP server on the PC.
5. Put the tplink_tl-wr850n-v2 on the root directory of TFTP server
and name the file tp_recovery.bin
6. Start the router by pressing power button while holding the
WPS/Reset button (or both WPS/Reset and WIFI buttons)
7. Router connects to your PC with IPv4 address 192.168.0.2,
downloads the firmware, installs it and reboots. LEDs are
flashing. Now you have HotspotOS installed.
8. Use DHCP for PC IPv4 address, to get an address from your HotspotOS router.

Use “factory” image under vendor GUI.

Recovery instructions:

This device contains TFTP recovery mode inside U-Boot. You can use it to
flash HotspotOS (use “factory” image) or vendor firmware.

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.
2. Rename “hotspotos-ar71xx-generic-tl-wr902ac-v1-squashfs-factory.bin”
to “wr902acv1_un_tp_recovery.bin” and place it in tftp server dir.
3. Connect PC with LAN port, press the reset button, power up the router
and keep the button pressed until WPS LED lights up.
4. The router will download file from the server, write it to flash and reboot.

Root access over the serial line in vendor firmware: root/sohoadmin.

The only way to flash HotspotOS image in TL-WR902AC v3 is to use TFTP recovery mode in U-Boot:

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.
2. Rename “hotspotos-ramips-mt76x8-tplink_tl-wr902ac-v3-squashfs-tftp-recovery.bin” to “tp_recovery.bin” and place it in TFTP server directory.
3. Connect PC with the LAN port, press the reset button, power up the router and keep the button pressed for around 6-7 seconds until device starts downloading the file.
4. Router will download file from the server, write it to flash and reboot.

* MT7650 ac chip isn’t not supported by HotspotOS at the moment.
Therefore 5Ghz won’t work.

Under vendor GUI:

1. Download “hotspotos-ar71xx-generic-tl-wr942n-v1-squashfs-factory.bin“.
2. Go to the Web interface and perform the usual firmware upgrade.

Flash instruction under U-Boot recovery mode (doesn’t work in beta firmware):

1. Connect laptop to the TP-Link and set static IP address 192.168.0.66 on your computer network card (NIC).
To do that go to the Windows Control Panel – Network and Sharing Center.
Click on the Change adapter settings link.
Right-click on NIC and select Properties from the menu.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click Use the following IP address radio button and set:
IP address:192.168.0.66
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway blank
When the Static IP address is set continue with configuration.
2. Change “*-factory” image filename to “WR942v1_recovery.bin” and make it available to download from your TFTP server.
3. Press the “reset” button and power up the router, wait till “WPS” LED turns on.

Flash instruction under U-Boot, using UART (can be done only with preinstalled UART-enabled U-Boot version!):

1. Use “tpl” to stop autobooting and obtain U-Boot CLI access.
2. Setup ip addresses for U-Boot and your tftp server.
3. Issue below commands:
tftp 0x81000000 hotspotos-ar71xx-generic-tl-wr942n-v1-sysupgrade.bin
erase 0x9f020000 +$filesize
cp.b 0x81000000 0x9f020000 $filesize
reset

Currently not working:

1. USB1 and USB2 LEDs if UART RX and TX pins are assigned to their GPIOs
by some U-Boot versions.