TP-Link Deco M9 V2 Plus software update

Updated 2023-10-04 !

TP-link Deco M9(M9) is a nice Mesh solution but it could be that the software/firmware is dated 2019. This is an old one and you really shall update ! Probably you can't update via the TP-link Deco app and therefore you have to make some extra measures updating via a Mac/Windows program.

In a former post I gave some hints and links if you are using an ethernet backhaul, using access point mode, and please check below how to set up without a router and manage more than one network.

Post with Teltonika 4G router as receiver / bridge for the mesh network.

Deco as acess point

Please also note that if you are using the Deco:s configured as access point you can, via ethernet, connect all the Deco units, via cable, directly to your home modem/router/switch as you want. Here you have the differences in functions between the 2 modes.

Software, firmware, update

Community link

This link will give you instructions for how to download software and update the firmware, despite that the app says there is no available.

Support link

Support site link. Select HW version 2.0 and then click on the "Utility" button.

After you updated do another update check, with the app, and you will probably be able to download a newer update. "More => System => Update Deco". My latest firmware is 1.6.2 dated 2023-09-06

WEB access

If you want to access the Deco settings from a WEB-browser, it's possible with the latest firmware. Just use the main Deco:s IP adress in the adress field, log on with the same password as in the app, and you will get a simplified user interface. 

A nice feature is that also here can do a firmware update. "Advanced => System => Firmware Upgrade"

Multiple networks

If you are managing more then one network there is a nice way to handle this via the DECO app. Logged on to the other network just add a manger, yourself, to the network, "Moore => Managers => Add a manager”. The added manager must of course already have a TP-link ID. After the registration log on to your own network and the app have added a box ”Change Network” at the network screen. Just click on it and you will be able to swap to the other network.

No router and migration

You can connect your fiber interface, or your mobile broadband receiver, direct to the DECO without using a router. This is due to the built in functions when the main DECO is using the WiFi router mode.  

In our case we changed our broadband connection from ADSL to mobile broadband and got an outdoor Nokia Fastmile(NF) receiver and a WiFi router from our supplier. The router was setup without the use of the WiFi since we had the M9:s. I also changed the backhaul cables so the M9:s were connected in series.

Despite the functions in the M9 I continued to use the M9 in access point(AP) mode. Don't change to much at the same time !

After some months of testing it was time to migrate from AP mode to WiFi router(WR) mode and get rid of the supplied router.

I didn't find any migrate documentation so with the actual setup I just used the Deco app to switch to WR mode. The M9 found the other router, IP 192.168.1.1, and set up the main M9 with IP 192.168.68.1 and DHCP with range 192.168.68.100 - 192.168.68.250. Other settings was kept and the WiFi worked fine.

Then I took the cable, going from the NF to the router, and connected it direct to the master M9 instead and it just continued to work.