Is it possible to update the router? Alternative firmware versions. Why is all this necessary?

Enter your credentials. To open the configuration page, you must enter your username and password. If you don't have this information, try entering the default information:

• leave both lines blank. Many routers do not have a username and password set;
• Enter "admin" (without quotes) as the username and leave the password field blank. If that doesn't work, enter "admin" (without quotes) as the password;
• Look up your router model on routerpasswords.com. There you can find the default credentials;
• if you still cannot open the configuration page, reset your router; To do this, press and hold the Reset button on the back of the router. This will reset all router settings and possibly disconnect you from your wireless network (if you changed the default settings). Now use the default credentials.

Open the Firmware, Router Upgrade, or Update page. The name of this page depends on your router model. The location of the page also depends on your router model, but it is usually located under the Administration, Utilities, or Maintenance tab.

Click Check to check for available updates. Many routers have an option that allows you to check for new firmware versions.

Download new firmware if available. To do this, click on the link to the firmware. The firmware may be downloaded automatically.

Visit the router manufacturer's website if you can't find the firmware link. If a new firmware version is available, but a link to it is not provided, download the firmware from the router manufacturer's website. Firmwares are located on the support page.

• Look for a support page online. To do this, enter, for example, “Netgear support” in the search engine and find the address of the desired page www.netgear.ru/Support/default.aspx.

Enter your router model number in the search bar on the support page. The router model number can be found at the top of the configuration page.

Find the latest firmware. Depending on the router, there may be several, one, or none firmware. Download the latest (by date or number) firmware version. As a rule, the firmware is downloaded as an archive (ZIP file).

• Make sure you are not downloading firmware that is older than the firmware installed on your router. The installed firmware version can be found on the router configuration page.

Unpack the archive. Double-click the downloaded ZIP file to open it, and then click Extract to extract the contents of the archive. In most cases, a single file with an extension that is unfamiliar to you will be extracted.

For some reason, everyone is afraid to update software, and not only on routers. This is probably due to the fact that there is a risk of turning the device into a brick. But this is a wrong opinion. Yes, if you want to flash the router with some third-party firmware and do not follow the instructions, then anything can happen. But, if you download a new version of the software from the manufacturer’s website, strictly for your model and for the hardware version of your device, and follow the instructions, then nothing bad will happen.

In this article, I will not talk about exactly how to update the firmware (this information is in a special article, see the link at the end of the article). I will try to answer the questions in detail:

• Where you need to download new versions of software for Tp-Link routers. I'll show you how to do this using the example of one of the models.
• I’ll write and show you how to choose the right firmware for your router. By model and hardware version of your network device from Tp-Link. It is very important.

If you are interested in the question of whether it is necessary to update at all, then it is unlikely that you will find a specific answer anywhere. Many people adhere to this rule: if everything works, then it’s better not to touch it. On the one hand, this is correct. But, on the other hand, in new versions of router software, manufacturers correct errors, introduce some new features, and improve the operation of the device.

If you bought a router, then most likely it already has the latest firmware, but this is not always the case. Before you start setting up, it is better to make sure that the installed version is the latest. If your router has been running for a long time, then most likely there is already an update for it, and it is advisable to install it.

If you install the correct firmware from the official website, then you will not lose the warranty on your router. Tp-Link provides support for official firmware.

But, installing third-party software such as DD-WRT will void the warranty on your device

These instructions are suitable for all popular Wi-Fi routers from Tp-Link: TL-WR841N, TD-W8968, TL-WR842ND, TD-W8960N, TL-MR3420, TL-WR843ND, TL-WR1043ND, TL-WDR3600, TL-WR741ND , TL-WDR3500 and others.

How to determine the current firmware version?

Everything is very simple. Just go to settings. To do this, connect to the desired router, via cable, or via Wi-Fi (just to view the current version, you cannot flash via Wi-Fi!), in any browser, in the address bar go to http://192.168.1.1, or http://192.168.1.1. A password and login request will appear. Default - admin And admin(if you haven't changed them).

Enter them and the control panel will open in front of you. Immediately, on the tab Status we can see the software version that is installed on our router.

You can leave this page open so that later, when you download the software, you can check whether there is an update for your model or not.

We are looking for and downloading the correct firmware for the Tp-Link router

In order to download the correct software version, you need to know your router model and hardware version.

This information can and should be viewed on the bottom (or side) of the router on a sticker. It looks something like this:

As you can see, our model is TL-WR841N, and the hardware version is 7.2. Version 7.2 means you have V7. And we will download the firmware for V7. If, for example, you have Ver: 8.2, then the software is needed for V8.

Next, go to the official website of the company, directly to the download page http://www.tp-linkru.com/support/download/.

We look for the model of your router on this page. By default, the page with wireless equipment (regular Wi-Fi routers) will open. On the left, in the table, you can select a section with other equipment. For example, routers with support for 3G/4G modems, wired routers, ADSL modems, etc.

When you find your model, click on the link.

On the next page, select the hardware version that we learned above. For example, I have V7. We click on it.

The firmware that is at the very top is the newest. You can compare its version with the one you already have installed. And, if the version on the site is newer, you can download the software and update it. On the right, in the table, you can see information on the software version. It shows the release date, language, archive size, description of changes, etc.

In order to download the archive with the firmware, click on the link next to the green arrow.

Save the archive to your desktop, for example.

Before updating the Tp-Link router firmware, read the article. We will now look at the procedure itself, how to flash a Tp-Link router. There is no difference between the models of this company; the instructions are common for all devices.

If you follow the rules below, the software update procedure will be simple and safe:

1. You need to update your TP-Link router with the network cable connected. Connect the device to the PC using the LAN cable included in the package and disconnect from Wi-fi on the PC if connected.
2. Make sure to find and download the required firmware version, as well as the correct hardware version.

After updating the software, the device will return to factory settings. You'll have to reconfigure the router. To avoid setting parameters again, do Backup saved settings to restore them after flashing.

If you downloaded the firmware to " .rar"archive, extract the file with the format from it" .bin", the approximate name of this format is " TL-WR841Nv13_RU_0.9.1_3.16_up_boot.bin"Save the file to your desktop to make it easier to find.

How to reflash a Tp-Link router

As stated at the beginning of the instructions, we connect the device to the computer via a network cable. We disconnect from the Wi-Fi Internet in case we are connected to a wireless network.

If you couldn’t reflash Tp-Link (it was unsuccessful), you can’t log into the admin panel, you can’t do hard reset(factory reset), the indicators do not function properly. Read how to restore your router after an unsuccessful flashing.

Due to the fact that all parameters will be reset to factory settings, you need to go into the settings again (under the login/password admin) and configure the router again.

This article will tell you how to update the firmware of Tp-link TL-WR841N and TL-WR841ND routers. Why do you need to do this? Each new version of the software includes some improvements, additions, and bug fixes. Therefore, installing new firmware can make the router work much more stable.

In the instructions for flashing firmware for Tp-link routers, we have already described in general terms how the hardware version of a router is determined, where to download the firmware and how to properly flash the router.

However, as practice shows, many people are looking for information specifically on the firmware of the Tp-link TL-WR841N router. For this reason, an article was written specifically for this model.

Why do we want to talk about this particular Tp-link router? Because the TL-WR841N is one of the most popular models. Hence, this article will be useful for many. You may also need information about setting up your router. Detailed instructions for setting up the TL-WR841N can be read here.

Reflashing the Tp-link TL-WR841N router is very simple, in just 3 steps:

1. determine what hardware version your router has;
2. download new firmware from the official website for the corresponding hardware version and device model (TL-WR841N, or TL-WR841ND);
3. connect the router to the computer using a cable and update the software.

This simple operation will not take you much time. And the benefits from it will be obvious, since after downloading the new firmware, your router will work more stable.

Firmware in Russian for TL-WR841ND

Very often, users want to install firmware with a Russian-language interface. Here I would like to dwell on this point. When we look at the process of selecting and downloading firmware from the Tp-Link manufacturer’s website, you will see that for each hardware version of the device, several firmware versions are posted on the website. Some of them have an interface in Russian, some have an interface in English.

The list of files on the site indicates what language the firmware is in. When this article was written, the Russian version of the firmware for Tp-link TL-WR841ND was available only for the far from new hardware versions V9 and V8. Therefore, if you want to download the newest version, it will most likely be in English.

Of course, setting up a router is easier and more convenient when the software is in Russian. It will be much easier for you to understand the control panel, especially if you do not have enough experience. However, the English version is also quite simple. And basically the instructions for setting up the TL-WR841N are written for the English interface.

Firmware update on Tp-link

First of all, determine the hardware version of the device. It does not matter what model you have (TL-WR841N or TL-WR841ND). The easiest way to do this is to turn the router over and carefully examine the label stuck on the case. The place where the hardware version is indicated is circled in a red oval in the figure.

We see what is written on the sticker Ver 9.2, Therefore, our router has hardware version 9.2. This figure shows an outdated model, since currently Tp-link has already developed the 12th hardware version.

Now we know how to determine the version number of our router. This is very important information that will definitely be required when downloading the firmware, because each version of the device corresponds to certain software.

Let's move on to downloading the file for the router firmware. Please note: the firmware must match your router model and its hardware version.

To download the software from Tp-link official website:

• for model TL-WR841N – let's go to the address: http://www.tp-linkru.com/download/TL-WR841N.html;
• for model TL-WR841ND– go to the address: http://www.tp-linkru.com/download/TL-WR841ND.html.

When the desired page loads, select the version on it that corresponds to the information printed on the device body. For example, if the label on the case indicated Ver 9.2, then select V9.

After selecting the hardware version, scroll down the page and find the tab at the very bottom Firmware(that is, firmware).

Select this tab and a list of files will appear in the window that opens. The first on the list will be the newest firmware, so you need to download it. To do this, save the selected archive file on the Desktop of our computer. You can choose another folder to save the file, as long as it is easy to find later.

Let's open the archive file and extract from it the new firmware for our device.

Finally, we downloaded the required software, then we move on to the main stage - flashing the router.

Attention! You cannot flash firmware when connected via Wi-Fi. Before you start updating the firmware, you need to connect the Tp-link TL-WR841N to your computer (laptop) using the cable that comes with the router.

We launch any browser that is installed on your computer. Enter in the address bar tplinklogin.net or in old firmware 192.168.1.1 and wait for the page to load. You will then be asked to enter your username (admin) and password (admin)

If you were unable to enter setup mode, you need to carefully read this article.

In the settings window, open the tab System Tools select from the list below Firmware Upgrade. After that, click on the button located at the top in the window Choose File. When Explorer opens, find and select our file with the new firmware in the window.

To flash the router to a newer version, in the next window, click Upgrade. On the screen it will look something like this.

Let's wait until the firmware is updated.

After the flashing is completed, you need to reboot the system. After the reboot, you will be able to work with the router.

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 seek 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 during the operation of the device multiply and accumulate, leading to a slowdown in its operation. In particularly severe 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 firmware 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 your router details 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 be prompted again 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 a router with 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.