• Router firmware - adding new features. TP-Link TL WR Router Firmware - How to Download and Update Yourself

    A router (another name is a router) is a device for organizing Internet access from several computers. Today, many people use routers in everyday life. As a rule, if a device works properly and distributes the Internet without problems, few people strive to understand in detail the mechanisms of its operation. However, if Wi-Fi suddenly disappears, you may need to reflash the router.

    What is router firmware

    Firmware is the software that runs the router. It is written into the device’s memory when it is manufactured. If this software malfunctions over time, it must be updated. This process is called flashing. To make it easier to understand, imagine that the Windows operating system on your home computer or laptop has stopped functioning normally. In this case, it is often necessary to reinstall it. The software on the router is reinstalled in much the same way.

    The router's firmware version is often indicated on its case along with the serial number and MAC address

    Why do you need to update the firmware?

    Periodic firmware updates are necessary mainly to ensure reliable operation of the device. Any software initially has built-in errors, which multiply and accumulate during the operation of the device, leading to a slowdown in its operation. In particularly advanced cases, the router may stop working altogether. Manufacturers are constantly working on the software they install in their devices. Errors found are corrected, algorithms are improved, technologies change, drivers are updated and a new version of the software is released, which, in turn, also has certain errors. These errors will be eliminated in the next version of the software and so on in a circle. That is why it is important to update the firmware periodically until one day you decide to update the device itself and replace it with a more advanced device.

    In practice, a firmware update is necessary in the following cases:

    • the router freezes or works intermittently (the network is lost, the Internet disappears);
    • The new version of the software adds functions that are essential for you to fine-tune your device.

    Sequence of actions for flashing the router

    The flashing procedure is almost the same for devices from different manufacturers. Only the names of menu items or buttons on the device can change.

    Preparatory operations

    Before you can start the flashing process, you need to perform some preliminary steps:

    1. Prepare a LAN cable (you can buy it online or at any computer store).

      You need to prepare a cable that will connect the router to the computer

    2. Make sure that the router has at least one free LAN port (such ports are highlighted in yellow), and insert one of the cable connectors into any free LAN port.

      If all the router ports are busy, you can free any of them during the flashing process

    3. Connect the other cable connector to the computer’s network card into the appropriate port.
    4. Check that the indicator on the router lights up, confirming the successful connection via the LAN cable.

      The indicator LED of the LAN port to which the computer is connected should be lit

    5. Disconnect the WAN cable from the router, through which the router receives Internet access from the provider. On the device, the corresponding connector is visually separated from the LAN connectors and is labeled WAN.

      The cable connected to the WAN port (usually this port is marked blue) must be disconnected from the router

    6. Turn off Wi-Fi on your computer. To do this, in the lower right corner of the computer screen, right-click on the wireless network icon and in the menu that opens, select “Open Network and Internet Settings” (screenshots and menu item names are given for Windows 10. Depending on the version of the operating system installed on your computer Point naming systems may change; it is necessary to focus on their general meaning).
    7. In the menu that opens, select Wi-Fi, and then on the right side of the screen, move the corresponding slider to the “Off” position.

      To disable or enable Wi-Fi, move the slider to the desired position

    You can turn off Wi-Fi on a laptop with literally one click; for this there is a special key combination Fn+F2.

    You can quickly turn Wi-Fi on or off on a laptop using a special key combination

    It is important that the router remains turned on throughout the system update process.

    How to find out what firmware is needed and where to look for it

    You can find the latest firmware on the router manufacturer’s website if you know the specific model of the device (this information is on a sticker on the back of the router). Enter the details of your router on the manufacturer’s website and download the proposed file. You should not experiment with programs from third-party sites or router models different from yours. These experiments may damage the device.

    On the back of the router case there is information necessary for its setup and operation.

    After the installation file is found, it must be downloaded to your computer. Most often, this file will be presented in the form of an archive, which must be opened with any standard archiver, for example, WinRAR (it can be downloaded for free from the official website). The next step is to enter the router settings.

    One day I had to look for software for a router that was no longer in production. I couldn’t find the required file on the manufacturer’s website on my own, so I had to contact technical support for help. After some time, the file was found, and a link to it was sent to me in messages on the site.

    Entering the router settings and updating the firmware

    Here are step-by-step instructions for updating the firmware using the example of a TP-Link device:


    Once the process is complete, the router will automatically reboot. Now, the next time you try to enter the settings, you will again be prompted to enter your username and password. When flashing, all default settings are reset to factory settings, so to log in you will need to enter the combination admin/admin.

    For other manufacturers, menu items may be named slightly differently. For example, in D-Link devices these are, respectively, Maintenance and Firmware Update (“Maintenance” and “Firmware Update”), and in Russian versions of ASUS - “Firmware Update”. However, understanding the logic of the process described above, even by the modified names of menu items and buttons, it is easy to guess what needs to be done.

    On my home router, I never change the factory passwords, since strangers do not have access to it. But I always set a non-standard password for the Wi-Fi network so that neighbors, mothers bored on the playground, or taxi drivers relaxing in their cars under the windows cannot connect to my wireless Internet.

    Saving previous device settings

    When upgrading, all user settings are canceled and standard factory values ​​are set instead, so if you have any special wishes for the operation of the device, you will have to do additional fine-tuning of the system. However, there is a way that will allow you to save your settings for future use:


    I rarely save files in the default locations offered by the system. To store service files, I always use a separately created folder, in which I regularly clean and delete unnecessary files. In addition, I try to give the files names that will allow me to easily remember their content and purpose of creation a year later.

    Restoring previous settings

    After updating the firmware, to restore previously saved settings, you must:


    After the process of restoring settings is completed, the router will automatically reboot and all previous settings (connection type, login and password for accessing Wi-Fi) will again become relevant, but in the router with the updated software.

    Video: how to flash a Wi-Fi router

    Firmware flashing a router is a simple procedure that, if provided with instructions, even a user with minimal experience in interacting with computer equipment can handle. At the same time, regular flashing will allow the router to work as quickly and efficiently as possible, and the user will be saved from unpleasant surprises with suddenly missing Internet.

    Firmware for the TP-LINK TL-WR841N router is of interest to many users, since the TP-LINK TL-WR841N router is one of the most popular. Firmware for TP-LINK TL-WR841N does not take much time and is within the power of every user.

    In order to flash a TP-LINK router, you will need:

    1. Router (prepared for firmware)
    2. Availability of firmware (must be downloaded)

    Before flashing a TP-LINK router, you need to prepare it:

    • First of all, you should look at and save your Internet connection settings, wireless network settings (name and password)
    • Disable all active Internet users (both cable and wireless users)
    • Connect to the router using a LAN cable to one of the LAN ports
    • You can find out the firmware version on the back of the router. Turn the router over and look at the sticker. Please note Ver. In our case Ver. 8.2

    This means that the hardware firmware version is 8.

    When you have completed all the preparatory work, it's time to flash the router. How to flash a Wi-Fi router:

    1. Go to the address http://192.168.0.1 (or http://192.168.1.1), find the login and password fields, enter the appropriate data (admin/admin by default)
    2. In the admin panel, select the section “System tools” - “Firmware update”
    3. All you have to do is select the firmware file (which you previously downloaded and unzipped) and click on the “Update” button

    If everything was done correctly, the update procedure will begin, during which it is strictly forbidden to turn off the power to the router or disconnect the network cable! Otherwise, you risk turning your router into a useless brick. After the update, the router will reboot. After rebooting, the router will lose all its settings. You will need to reconfigure your Internet connection, if necessary, change the name of the WI-FI connection and the password to the router itself.

    Now you know how to reflash a TP-LINK router and you can do it yourself, without the help of specialists.

    You can download the firmware for TP-LINK TL-WR841N on the official website. To download the firmware for the TP-LINK TL-WR841N router:


    Wait until the download is complete, then unpack the downloaded archive and extract the file in .bin format. This is the firmware file.

    Start of article:

    As strange as it may sound, flashing your router with alternative OpenWRT firmware is no worse than flashing your router with updated official firmware from the website of your device manufacturer. The same errors and/or random, unpredictable events may occur here as when updating the software version from the manufacturer's website.

    You downloaded the wrong firmware, i.e. not for your device. It may happen that during the firmware, your lights will be turned off, etc. But I hope that you do everything correctly and you will not have any unexpected surprises with electricity.

    Flash the router with the latest firmware from the manufacturer’s website

    Important. Before flashing your router with alternative firmware, you must download and install the latest firmware from the website of the manufacturer of your device. When I first flashed my router, I didn’t do this, and then for a long time I couldn’t understand why, after flashing the alternative firmware, I couldn’t log into the router’s web interface. The router pinged 192.168.1.1, but there was no web interface (the firmware definitely had a built-in web interface). Dancing with a tambourine solved this problem, but we don’t want this to happen to you. So, first, be sure to update to the latest official firmware from the website of your equipment manufacturer.

    Important. The connection when flashing the firmware must be via a network cable, and not via Wi-Fi.
    Later, after updating the router’s firmware to an alternative one, you will be able to access your devices via Wi-Fi without any problems, after setting up the router appropriately. But to install the firmware, you need to communicate with the router via the network cord! Otherwise, your router will most likely turn into a “Brick”.

    So, go to the website of the manufacturer of your router and download the latest firmware. Here, too, it is important not to make a mistake with the model and revision of the device.

    For TP-L ink TL-WR1043ND ver.1.8 latest firmware from the manufacturer’s website can be downloaded here. The firmware is in the archive - unzip it first.

    We go to the web interface of the “Experimental” router along the path “System tools”, “Firmware update” and click the “Browse” button.

    In the window that appears, indicate the path to the latest official firmware of your router and click the “Open” button.

    And then the “Update” button.

    A warning window will appear where you will be asked if you really want to update the firmware - we agree.

    The firmware process will begin, wait for it to finish. The process lasts about 3 minutes. After updating with the factory firmware from TP-Link, you can log into the router’s web interface at 192.168.1.1 with the login “admin” and password “admin”.

    Download alternative OpenWRT firmware for your router

    Important. Depending on the model of your router and its hardware, in particular, due to the small amount of memory for the firmware, it may happen that the alternative OpenWRT firmware may not have a web interface. Therefore, before downloading and flashing your router, find out on the forums whether your OpenWRT firmware has a built-in web interface. Of course, for firmware without a web interface, when mounting an external USB drive, a web interface is created. But this is a different case, requiring a more in-depth understanding of the process, knowledge of special commands, the use of appropriate programs, and this is no longer included in the example we are considering. For the TP-Link TL-WR1043ND router, the OpenWRT firmware has a built-in web interface. And further, we will only talk about routers for which a web interface is already built into the alternative OpenWRT firmware.

    Important. At the end of the firmware name it must be written factory - this means that this firmware can be flashed via the Web interface from the official firmware of the manufacturer of your router. It is also important not to make a mistake when choosing the firmware and revision for your device.

    For routers, download the firmware from the website wiki.openwrt.org/toh/start

    Scroll the mouse wheel down and find the manufacturer of your router, click the corresponding link

    In the next window, having specified the path to save (for example, local drive “C”), click the “Save” button again.

    For your device, the download link and path to it will most likely look different. But I think that by clicking on various links on this site, or by searching for information on the Internet, you will still download the firmware needed for your equipment.

    For TP-L ink TL-WR1043ND ver.1.8 latest firmware OpenWRT, at the time of this writing, can be downloaded here. The firmware is in the archive - unzip it first.

    Flashing the router with alternative OpenWRT firmware

    Flashing a router with alternative firmware is no different from flashing a router with official firmware.

    Go to “System Tools”, “Firmware Update” and click the “Browse” button to specify the path to the firmware.

    In the window that appears, select our alternative firmware and click the “Open” button.

    A warning window about updating the firmware will appear - we agree.

    The firmware process begins, let's go pour ourselves some coffee...

    The process for the TP-Link TL-WR1043ND lasts quite quickly, but by the lit LEDs of the router it is still impossible to judge the completion of the firmware process. Therefore, we wait 3 minutes and drink coffee.

    After 3 minutes, to check the completion of the process, launch the command line and check ping by entering the command ping 192.168.1.1 and pressing Enter. If the firmware process is completed, you will see a response from the router as in the figure below. If you are too lazy, you don’t have to do this, but after 3...5 minutes, immediately try to connect to the router through a browser.

    Note. After flashing the router, even after 5+ minutes from the start of the firmware, I was unable to immediately access the OpenWRT web interface. I changed different browsers - the result was zero. I don’t know why this happens - but it’s a fact (I’ve flashed the router for various reasons several times, and it’s always been like this). And this can be easily treated - unplug the power cord from the router and after a few seconds plug it back in.

    We type 192.168.1.1 in the browser and get to the home page.

    Congratulations, you have flashed the router correctly!

    Great, I suggest you update!

    How to update the firmware on a Wi-Fi router?

    Attention! You only need to flash the router by connecting it to the computer via a network cable. You cannot update the firmware via Wi-Fi! If your computer has Wi-Fi, turn it off. Do not turn off the router while updating the firmware!

    Attention! Make sure you have selected the correct firmware. If the firmware is not for your device, then you may lose the warranty and the router itself.

    Attention! At the time of flashing, disconnect the cable from the WAN socket from the router (cable from provider).

    Attention! All settings will be reset to factory settings, but that’s okay, you can set it up in a couple of minutes. You can also make a copy of the settings before flashing the firmware, and after flashing the firmware, simply restore them.

    Before downloading the firmware, we need to find out the hardware version of our router. If you upload the firmware of a different version, there may be bad consequences, be careful. We take the router, turn it over with the antennas down and see what version is indicated there.

    You see, it says “Ver: 7.2″, which means I need to download the update for version 7. Remember which version you have.

    We go to the website (in our case) http://www.tp-linkru.com and in the search bar on the site we write the model of our Wi-Fi router, by the way, the model is also indicated at the bottom of the device itself.

    We look at the search results and select our router. I need TL-WR841N.

    Go to the "Downloads" tab.

    So, now where "Software" Opposite the version of our router, select “Firmware”, I have V7 and chose it.

    We download the first firmware on the list, in theory this is the newest. You can also look at the date. To download, just click on the link and save the file, for example, to your desktop. As you can see, the firmware is small, 3.1 MB.

    Now we need to extract the file with the software from the archive that we downloaded. You can simply drag the file to your desktop, like I did.

    That's it, the firmware is there, you can start updating.

    The process of updating the firmware on the TL-WR841N Wi-Fi router

    Go to the router settings. It must be connected to the computer via a network cable. Enter IP 192.168.1.1 in the address bar of any browser, you can also try 192.168.0.1. Then enter your login and password to access the settings (standard admin and admin). Click "Send".

    Immediately go to the “System Tools” and “Firmware Upgrade” tab.

    How to flash a router TP-LINK? This question can be seen quite often on thematic forums dedicated to wireless networks. For the average user, everything related to updating the router’s firmware with their own hands, any delving into its internals is a dark forest and often causes users to have a false fear - “What if I do something wrong and it stops working?” It's better to just turn on the button, set it and forget it.

    In fact, with regard to a router, when installing official factory software, as a rule, no problems occur, so there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of, but you can get a huge number of advantages in the form of additional features that are inherent in the potential of the device due to updated firmware TP-Link.

    This step-by-step instruction is suitable for most TP-Link models. If you have lost the native firmware on your TL-WR841nd, TL-WR741nd, TL-WR740n or from one of the providers, for example, Beeline or Kyivstar, then this is definitely for you.

    How to download firmware for a TP-Link router?

    What you need to know before download firmware for TP-Link? Yes, everything is the same as for anyone else:

    1. Router model
    2. Model revision number

    If everything is clear with the model, the firmware from another will not be installed on a router of one modification, or it will be installed crookedly. But you need to look at the revision number very carefully, because the same models of different years of production may differ.


    You can find out the revision, or as it is also called, “hardware version,” on a sticker on the router case - it is indicated next to the name of the model itself and is designated as VER.Х.Х, where Х.Х is its number.

    In our example, you need to look for firmware for the TP-Link Archer C2 router Ver.1.0, but for any other popular model, such as TL-WR841N, WR740N or WR741ND, the process is exactly the same.

    Go to the official website tp-linkru.com and find the “Support” item in the menu


    Scroll down the page and see the “Downloads” section

    Find your model in the list of routers

    On the download page for this TP-Link model, select the hardware version in the drop-down list - I need V1.


    Scroll down the documentation files and find another internal menu where we need the “Firmware” section

    Here we see several tables with descriptions of the latest updates - we are looking for the most recent one by date (it is located above the rest). In the description we see how many different fixes have been made to this version of the TP-Link router firmware - another vote for updating regularly to keep your router in optimal condition.


    The downloaded file will be a ZIP archive - you need to unpack it to extract the TP-Link firmware file from it. To do this, right-click on it and select “Extract all”

    In the new window, do not change anything and click on the “Extract” button

    A new folder will open where the firmware file for the TP-Link router will be located - it will have a name something like “Archer_C2v1_0.9.1_5.0_up_boot(170515)_2017-05-15_11.06.07”, depending on the model.

    How to flash TP-Link with an old version of the control panel?

    Now you need to install the firmware update on your TP-Link router. To do this, first of all, we fulfill two mandatory points:

    1. Flash your router by connecting it to your computer via cable.
    2. Do not turn off your computer or router while flashing

    You also need to take into account that after the update, all configurations are not necessary, but they may disappear, so I personally always do this “just in case,” so that later everything can be easily restored.

    Here we click on the “Select file” button, select the downloaded file on the computer - at TP-Link it has the extension .BIN, and click on the “Open” button.

    Updating your TP-Link router with a new firmware version

    If you have a TP-Link router with new firmware with a blue and white interface, then to update the software you need

    • Open the “Advanced Settings” tab
    • Go to the menu “System tools - Firmware update”

    Here you can check the update automatically, or you can also manually select the firmware file.

    The procedure is the same

    After installing and updating the firmware of the TP-Link router, you need to install it and continue working.

    Firmware for TP Link router from a smartphone

    Owners of new models that support the mobile application are even luckier. They don’t need to download anything, and the firmware is updated in just two clicks. So, when I first connected, I immediately received a message about the availability of a new version of the software on the manufacturer’s server.

    But I clicked "Remind me later" to show how to get to the firmware function through the main menu. So, go to the “Tools” tab and find the “System” section here. By the way, a red mark is lit next to it, reminding you of the need to update.

    And select here “Firmware update”

    We see information about the new version - in principle, there is nothing to read here, just click on “Update” and wait for the router to download the file and reboot.

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