# ER605: Firmware Update (Standalone Mode)

Do this **before** installing the Omada Software Controller or adopting the router — it's much easier to upgrade a device while it's still in standalone/local mode than after it's controller-managed, and you want to start the VLAN/ACL/WireGuard build on current firmware.

## 1. Identify your hardware version

TP-Link ships multiple hardware revisions of the ER605 (v1, v2, v3, ...) with different firmware trains — the wrong file won't install cleanly. Check the sticker on the bottom/back of the unit for something like `Ver: 2.0`.

## 2. Download the firmware

- Official download page: https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/download/er605/ (also mirrored at https://support.omadanetworks.com/us/download/firmware/er605/v2/ for the v2 hardware line)
- Select the page for **your exact hardware version**, then the "Firmware" tab.
- As of writing, the latest ER605 firmware is around **2.4.5** — but check the download page for what's current, and note the changelog in case anything is relevant (e.g. the LAN DNS feature referenced in [status.md](status.md) needs 2.3.0+).
- Download is a `.zip` — extract it to get the actual `.bin` firmware file.

## 3. Back up current config first

Do this even though the router is barely configured yet — it's a 30-second safety net.

1. Log into the router's web UI (default `https://192.168.0.1`, or whatever IP it's currently reachable at; default credentials are `admin`/`admin` unless already changed).
2. Go to **System Tools / Settings → Backup & Restore** (exact path varies slightly by firmware version).
3. Download the current config backup somewhere safe (e.g. `docker/omada/` is *not* the place — keep router backups out of git, or in a private/untracked location).

## 4. Upload the new firmware

1. Same web UI → **System Tools → Firmware Upgrade** (naming may vary; some firmwares call it **Administration → Firmware**).
2. Select the `.bin` file you extracted in step 2.
3. Start the upgrade.
4. **Do not power off the router or disconnect the Ethernet cable during the upgrade.** It reboots itself when done — this can take a few minutes.

## 5. Verify

- Log back into the web UI and confirm the firmware version shown matches what you just installed.
- Confirm basic connectivity (internet still works through the router) before moving on to controller adoption.

## Next step

Once firmware is current, move on to standing up the Omada Software Controller: [../docker/omada/](../docker/omada/).

## References

- [How do I upgrade firmware of Omada Gateway in Standalone web UI? (TP-Link FAQ)](https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/4020/)
- [How to upgrade firmware of Omada Gateway in controller mode (TP-Link FAQ)](https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/4644/) — for later reference, once the router is adopted
- [ER605 firmware downloads (Omada Networks support)](https://support.omadanetworks.com/us/download/firmware/er605/v2/)