TP-Link says routers with Cloud support can update automatically through the web management page or the Tether app, while routers without it need a manual update. For a manual update, find your exact model and hardware version on the label, download the matching firmware from tp-link.com, extract the BIN file from the zip, log in at tplinkwifi.net, go to Advanced, System, Firmware Upgrade, browse to the file and start the upgrade.
The checks in more detail
Do not turn off the router or disconnect the Ethernet cable during the upgrade, and use a wired computer for the update. The router restarts when done. TP-Link also has a page for a firmware update that fails: check the file matches the model and hardware version, use a wired connection, try a different browser, restart the router and try again, and if the router will not start afterwards contact support.
Back up your configuration first, since a firmware update can occasionally reset settings. Update before other troubleshooting, and read the release notes if you rely on a feature. Keep the downloaded file until the update is confirmed to work. Check the hardware version on the label before you download any firmware, since the wrong version can leave a router unusable, and keep the downloaded file until the update has been confirmed to work.
Do not update while the network is in heavy use, and do not power the router off until it has finished and restarted. Photograph the label with the hardware version before you start, since the wrong file for a different hardware version is the single most common cause of a failed manual update. After the update, check the settings you care about, such as wifi names, port forwards and reservations, because a small number of updates reset some options to defaults.
Differential
Likely causes of “TP-Link Archer routers firmware update will not install”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The wrong firmware file
What separates it The update fails because the firmware file does not match the router
How to confirm Match the model and the hardware version before you download the firmware file
- 2
A wireless connection
What separates it The update is interrupted because the computer was connected by wifi
How to confirm Use a computer connected by Ethernet cable to the router, and try the update again
- 3
A power interruption
What separates it The router will not start because a power interruption happened during the update
How to confirm Contact TP-Link support, since the router may need a recovery procedure to start again
- 4
An old browser
What separates it The upload fails because the browser you are using has a problem with the page
How to confirm Try another browser, and then upload the firmware file again
- 5
No Cloud support
What separates it There is no automatic update because this router does not have Cloud support
How to confirm Update the router manually, using the firmware file from TP-Link's site
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact model and the hardware version of the router
- The firmware version that is installed now
- The method that you used to update the router
- The exact error message that you saw during the update
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedFind the hardware version
ReversibleFind the hardware version, which is printed on the label on the router, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Back up the configuration
ReversibleBack up the configuration before you update, so that you can restore it if anything is lost.
Download the firmware
ReversibleDownload the firmware from tp-link.com, choosing the file for your exact model and hardware version.
Log in wired
ReversibleLog in with a wired computer at tplinkwifi.net, and do not use wifi for the update.
Upload the BIN file
ReversibleUpload the BIN file under Advanced, then System, and then Firmware Upgrade in the menu.
Wait
ReversibleWait for the update to finish, and do not power off the router while it is running.
Confirm
ReversibleConfirm the new version afterwards, by checking the firmware version in the router's status page.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Hardware versions
- TP-Link publishes separate firmware for each hardware version, such as V1 and V2.
- Cloud
- Cloud updates work through the Tether app on supported models.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Archer BE550 Wi-Fi 7 router, Archer AX73 router, Archer AX55 router.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the router will not start after an update, contact TP-Link support
- !If updates fail repeatedly with the right file, contact TP-Link support
- !If your settings are lost after the update, restore the backup that you made first
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Cloud and manual firmware updates.
Fixing a failed update.
Finding the hardware version.
Reset button and web reset.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I update an Archer?+
Use Cloud in the app, or update manually under Advanced, System and Firmware Upgrade.
Which file do I need?+
You need the file for your exact model and its hardware version, and no other.
Where is the hardware version?+
The hardware version is printed on the label on the router.
Can I use wifi?+
Use a wired computer, since a wifi connection can be interrupted during the update.
What if the update fails?+
If it fails, check the file, try another browser, and retry the update.
Does the router restart?+
Yes, the router restarts itself after the update has finished installing.
Can I lose settings?+
Occasionally the settings are lost, so keep a backup and restore it if needed.
Do all models update automatically?+
Only models with Cloud support can update automatically, and others need a manual update.