Bricked TP-Link EAP225 v3 WiFi Access Point

While trying to make OpenWrt sysupgrades easier, I started experimenting with the OpenWrt imagebuilder program, which is really just a bunch of scripts and a giant Makefile. Unfortunately, my AP didn't boot properly after I flashed a custom image on it. I tried to go into failsafe mode but encountered a bug where openssh-server fails in failsafe mode. Turns out, the bootloader of my EAP225 doesn't have a HTTP server or a TFTP recovery mode, unlike EAP245. I realized that my AP is soft-bricked.

openssh-server fails to start in failsafe mode

My older self would have complained about this but I've realized that the OpenBSD motto of "shut up and hack" applies when you're using open source software in a way that mere mortals aren't supposed to. Looks like I may need to learn how to solder and use the serial console to install OpenWrt.

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Created: 2022-03-08

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