I purchased a brand new TP-Link WR1043ND. I spent the last week reading as much as I could about upgrading it to Gargoyle. Assuming it was going to be a V1.10, I decided to go the route of German FW and then Gargoyle 1.5.6.
I was able to install Gargoyle onto an old Linksys 54g router. It developed Wifi issues long ago. I like the customization of Gargoyle, so I decided to start fresh with a new TP-Link
Fast forward to today. I connected the router to my laptop, went to TP-Link web interface and updated to the German FW without a problem. When I attempted to update to 1.5.6, I got an error. So, I shortened the file name and the install began. I gave it 5 minutes and then restarted the laptop and repowered the router.
After everything came back up, I am unable to gain access to the web interface. Not sure if it is something simple, or if I bricked this router. I debated on just installing the Gargoyle without the German FW first, but I felt there were more success stories doing it the way I tried.
If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate the help.
Another WR1043ND Brick?
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Re: Another WR1043ND Brick?
Not sure what German firmware you are referring to? DD-WRT?
This is the best install guide to follow if you are having any issues:
http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-wr1043nd
Install and recovery methods both covered.
Pay attention to certain requirements needed depending on
what hardware version of the router you have.
This is the best install guide to follow if you are having any issues:
http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-wr1043nd
Install and recovery methods both covered.
Pay attention to certain requirements needed depending on
what hardware version of the router you have.


2x Asus RT-N16 = Asus 3.0.0.4.374.43 Merlin
2x Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH V1 A0D0 = Gargoyle 1.9.x / LEDE 17.01.x
2x Engenius - ESR900 Stock 1.4.0 / OpenWRT Trunk 49400
Re: Another WR1043ND Brick?
The German FW is discussed in the link you provided. About a 1/4 of the way down, under the title "WAN port disable bug (inelegant) workaround"
I may have read too much prior to trying the install and choose the wrong method. But, still seeing people posting that they were able to either install by downgrading to stock German FW, then to 1.5.10. While others have reported installing 1.5.X without any downgrade.
Should have just bought the pre installed TP-Link from the Gargoyle store. But having flashed a half dozen other routers and numerous phones, I overestimated my abilities.
I may have read too much prior to trying the install and choose the wrong method. But, still seeing people posting that they were able to either install by downgrading to stock German FW, then to 1.5.10. While others have reported installing 1.5.X without any downgrade.
Should have just bought the pre installed TP-Link from the Gargoyle store. But having flashed a half dozen other routers and numerous phones, I overestimated my abilities.