Defaulting a TP-Link managed switch

At work I recently came across a locked down TP-Link managed switch. I could access the password interface using a web browser but the password had already been set and there’s no reset button on the device itself.

No matter, a bit of searching and I found how to default these using the console port and a serial cable.

Firstly you’re going to want to find your COM address, then connect to it with the following options:

• Speed: 38400
• Data: 8 bit
• Parity: none
• Stop bits: 1 bit
• Flow control: none

Power on the switch while connected and hammer your [ENTER] key until you see a tplink> prompt. Enter 2 as your option, then Y to confirm device reset.

Once the device reboots you should have a defaulted switch where you can now login.