How to use firmware recovery if the Deco become brick

You can go to http://tftpd32.jounin.net/tftpd32_download.html to download the TFTP tool and install it.

Step 1

Go to the TP-Link official website to download the latest new firmware and extract the firmware zip file on the desktop, then connect a Windows computer wired to the LAN port of a Deco unit. (It’s suggested to use a new and better quality Ethernet cable otherwise you will not see any info under log viewer page). Please change the bin file name to M5v1_tp_recovery.bin or P7v1_tp_recovery.bin, If your bin file name is incorrect (for example, I entered the name as M5 1.0_tp_recovery), you will see the error message on the tftpd64 page like this:

Step 2

Set up a static IP address on the Windows computer:

Firstly, find the PC icon at the bottom right of the Desktop, right click the icon and choose Open Network and Sharing Center, choose Local Area Connection (or Ethernet).

Secondly, click Properties, double click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), choose Use the following IP address, then input the IP address as 192.168.0.66, and the Subnet as 255.255.255.0. Click OK (two OK options).

Step 3

Search and download the tftp software for your windows PC. If you are using 64bit please install the tftpd64 application and launch it. Click Browse and choose the Deco M5 or P7’s firmware folder. Then switch to the Log Viewer window.

Step 4

With the PC still plugged into the Deco with a cable, power off the Deco unit, press and hold the RESET button on the back panel firstly, then power on the unit while still holding the RESET button. Wait for about 10 seconds until a file transferring process occurs in the Log Viewer window. Then release the RESET button.

Step 5

The LED will be blinking green-blue, just wait for about 2 minutes until the unit recovers to solid green, which indicates it has successfully updated the latest firmware.

Step 6

Just connect the computer wired to another Deco unit, then repeat the above steps until all the units are upgraded to the new firmware.

Note: The upgrade will not require re-setup of your Deco system. You can install the new firmware one by one in different orders, but it’s recommended to upgrade the main Deco at first, then the second, and then the third one.

Community link: https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/stories/detail/672

1. Things to prepare:

The Deco unit which needs firmware recovery;

One ethernet cable;

One PC with ethernet port;

A Pin to press the reset button;

2. Steps to enter firmware recovery mode and perform firmware upgrade:

1. Download the latest firmware of your Deco unit here: https://www.tp-link.com/support/download/
2. Do not power on the Deco unit, connect the PC directly into one of the ethernet port of the Deco unit.
3. Set a static IP address of 192.168.0.2/255.255.255.0 on the PC’s ethernet adapter.

(no need for setting gateway or dns, refer to this FAQ to set static IP on PC: https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/14/ )

4. Use the pin to press and hold the reset button, plug the power cable in the Deco unit after that, you would be able to see the LED changes, refer to the sheet below.
5. On the PC, open a browser, access http://192.168.0.1, you would be able to see the firmware recovery page, you may upload the firmware and start the firmware upgrade, the webpage will tell you once the upgrade is finished.
6. Some models require a manual reboot (disconnect and reconnect the power cable) after firmware recovery, please refer to the sheet below.

LED changes reference is listed below:

A normal firmware recovery page: