Install DD-WRT for Archer C9
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Install DD-WRT for Archer C9
Model :
Hardware Version :
Firmware Version :
ISP :
I've owned a C9 for quite awhile. I experienced annoying router behavior right out of the box: Web interface connection problem, dim LEDs (after my first firmware upgrade) etc.
None of my issues were serious enough to warrant throwing the router into the swimming pool to provide an excuse to purchase a new router, but for a long time, the problems were irksome and failed to be corrected in subsequent firmware revisions.
Tp-Link customer support is your typical script driven boiler plate email response team. Is it plugged in, let's try a reboot, let's try reinstalling windows... aaargh! When nothing works, eventually you get the case closed email, "we can't duplicate the issue on our test computers".
All of my annoying issues are corrected by installing DD-WRT on the C9. Those who need to connect their router to a VPN service, can do so. The web interface is never inaccessible and even the LED brightness issue is resolved, at least for me. The router still runs way too hot but that's a design issue not something that can be adequately addressed with software that turns down the wifi transmit power levels, led power levels and whatever else "they" have decided needs not run a max power. The stock firmware interface gives the C9 owner no way to adjust most of these power levels, so you are stuck.
DD-WRT is an option for those who wish to install it. Of course doing so means that tp-link won't offer you any support, but that's ok, they can't offer much useful support anyways apparently. Using DD-WRT may be enough for tp-link to consider your warranty void. If you do have a warranty issue and are able to get enough functionality out of the router to revert back to tp-link firmware, you can do so and get warranty support again.
DD-WRT is a much more powerful and flexible management interface for your router. You'll have access to many settings not available in the stock firmware. If you go dinking around with settings you do not fully understand, if you do not make a list of everything you have changed and their initial values, you may experience worse performance than you get now. I have not heard of anyone bricking their C9 with DD-WRT but if you do, there is a recovery process that seems to work reliably.
You will need to, at the very least, watch these two videos from start to finish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naWXf-d33Pk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU8RyW82Z2M
You will need to get all of the software you will need to flash DD-WRT and possibly recover your router before you begin. It is also a good idea to make notes of the steps and commands that you will need to perform as you will not have internet access again until you are done.
Offered only as a potential solution to those who are tired of waiting for tp-link to get their act together and fix these basic functionality issues that they claim not to be able to duplicate, yet poster after poster is experiencing the same problems.
If you do not need any of the advanced features offered by DD-WRT or you do not mind rebooting your C9 when you need to change some settings, maybe installing DD-WRT is not necessary.
Hardware Version :
Firmware Version :
ISP :
I've owned a C9 for quite awhile. I experienced annoying router behavior right out of the box: Web interface connection problem, dim LEDs (after my first firmware upgrade) etc.
None of my issues were serious enough to warrant throwing the router into the swimming pool to provide an excuse to purchase a new router, but for a long time, the problems were irksome and failed to be corrected in subsequent firmware revisions.
Tp-Link customer support is your typical script driven boiler plate email response team. Is it plugged in, let's try a reboot, let's try reinstalling windows... aaargh! When nothing works, eventually you get the case closed email, "we can't duplicate the issue on our test computers".
All of my annoying issues are corrected by installing DD-WRT on the C9. Those who need to connect their router to a VPN service, can do so. The web interface is never inaccessible and even the LED brightness issue is resolved, at least for me. The router still runs way too hot but that's a design issue not something that can be adequately addressed with software that turns down the wifi transmit power levels, led power levels and whatever else "they" have decided needs not run a max power. The stock firmware interface gives the C9 owner no way to adjust most of these power levels, so you are stuck.
DD-WRT is an option for those who wish to install it. Of course doing so means that tp-link won't offer you any support, but that's ok, they can't offer much useful support anyways apparently. Using DD-WRT may be enough for tp-link to consider your warranty void. If you do have a warranty issue and are able to get enough functionality out of the router to revert back to tp-link firmware, you can do so and get warranty support again.
DD-WRT is a much more powerful and flexible management interface for your router. You'll have access to many settings not available in the stock firmware. If you go dinking around with settings you do not fully understand, if you do not make a list of everything you have changed and their initial values, you may experience worse performance than you get now. I have not heard of anyone bricking their C9 with DD-WRT but if you do, there is a recovery process that seems to work reliably.
You will need to, at the very least, watch these two videos from start to finish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naWXf-d33Pk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU8RyW82Z2M
You will need to get all of the software you will need to flash DD-WRT and possibly recover your router before you begin. It is also a good idea to make notes of the steps and commands that you will need to perform as you will not have internet access again until you are done.
Offered only as a potential solution to those who are tired of waiting for tp-link to get their act together and fix these basic functionality issues that they claim not to be able to duplicate, yet poster after poster is experiencing the same problems.
If you do not need any of the advanced features offered by DD-WRT or you do not mind rebooting your C9 when you need to change some settings, maybe installing DD-WRT is not necessary.
