How to recover a bricked D-LINK DAP-1360 wifi access point using TFTP and the TBS Bootloader

If you have a D-LINK DAP-1360 WiFi access point that is not functioning properly and appears to be bricked, don't worry! There is a way to recover it using TFTP and the TBS Bootloader. This guide will walk you through the steps to revive your device.

Before we begin, it's important to note that this process may void your warranty, so proceed with caution.

What is a bricked device?

A bricked device refers to a device that is no longer functioning properly, rendering it useless. In the case of a bricked D-LINK DAP-1360, it may not power on or respond to any commands.

What is TFTP?

TFTP stands for Trivial File Transfer Protocol. It is a simple file transfer protocol that allows you to transfer files between devices on a network. In this case, we will use TFTP to transfer the firmware file to the bricked access point.

What is the TBS Bootloader?

The TBS Bootloader is a software program that allows you to load firmware onto a device. It is used when the device's built-in bootloader is not functioning properly. In this case, we will use the TBS Bootloader to load the firmware onto the bricked access point.

Recovering a bricked D-LINK DAP-1360

Follow these steps to recover your bricked D-LINK DAP-1360:

1. Download the latest firmware for your D-LINK DAP-1360 from the official D-LINK website.
2. Connect your computer to the access point using an Ethernet cable.
3. Assign a static IP address to your computer in the same subnet as the access point. For example, if the access point's IP address is 192.168.0.1, you can assign your computer an IP address of 192.168.0.2.
4. Download and install a TFTP server software on your computer. There are several free options available online.
5. Launch the TFTP server software and configure it to use the firmware file you downloaded in step 1.
6. Power off the access point.
7. Press and hold the Reset button on the access point.
8. While still holding the Reset button, power on the access point.
9. Continue holding the Reset button for about 10 seconds until the Power LED starts flashing.
10. Release the Reset button.
11. The access point will now attempt to retrieve the firmware file from the TFTP server. This process may take a few minutes.
12. Once the firmware is successfully transferred, the access point will reboot and should be back to its normal functioning state.

If the above steps do not work or you encounter any issues, it's recommended to seek further assistance from D-LINK support or a professional technician.

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