So, I recently snagged a TP-Link ER605 V2 because, hey, who doesn’t want a multi-WAN fail-over connection, right? And for just around Rs. 3000/- INR, it’s like finding a unicorn in your backyard. Plus, there’s the tantalizing possibility of flashing OpenWRT on it in the future. Yes, it exists, and yes, I’m that geeky.
But then, plot twist! It came with a firmware so ancient, it might as well have been delivered by a dinosaur. Latest firmware available on TP-Link India latest is ER605(UN)_V2_2.2.2 Build 20231017, published on 2023-10-18 !!
If you know about the MIRAI Botnet and the legions of old, vulnerable routers out there, you’d probably want to wrap this thing in bubble wrap and hide it in a closet.
But wait, there’s more! On the TP-Link US site, the latest version is ER605(UN)_V2_2.2.6 Build 20240718, published on 2024-08-05. WTF, indeed. So, naturally, I thought, “Why not update the router with the latest firmware from the US website?” Downloaded it faster than you can say “firmware update” and tried to flash it. Cue the sad trombone: ☹️ It failed. Router not supported! How come? The spec sheet looked like a perfect match. I even tried to binwalk the firmware and all that jazz. Nada.
Then, a lightbulb moment! I remembered seeing a message on the TP-Link US website about an older firmware version.
So, I flashed that version first. Bingo! It worked like a charm. Then, I upgraded to the latest version from the US site - ER605(UN)_V2_2.2.6 Build 20240718.
Now, I proudly own a fully updated TP-Link ER605. Next step? Maybe I’ll dive into the world of OpenWRT. Stay tuned for more nerdy adventures!
P.S.: Dropped the idea of updating to OpenWRT. Plan was to use the USB Port as Network Storage, but it is only USB 2.0 so speed is limited. As TP-Link maintaining the updates - better to stick to it.
Update: New Firmware for ER605 v2 releasing on the following page . Update it accordingly ( FYI, ER605 v2, v2.20, v2.60 are same hardware only different region - so feel free to install any updated firmware version. ).
https://support.omadanetworks.com/us/product/er605/?resourceType=download