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Recovery mode (or rescue mode)
Like the name implies, it's a totally different mode of operation for the router. When in recovery mode, very little is running on the router. Of particular note, the DHCP service is not running, so your computer will not receive an IP address automatically (aka: via DHCP).
What is running, is a webserver and a TFTP server. Probably. The webserver presents only one webpage: a "miniCFE" page with a short form for choosing and submitting a firmware file. The TFTP server on recent models/tmo firmware only runs for a short time immediately after booting up in recovery mode. (It may not even run at all when using tmo's most recent firmware... If you think this might apply to you, see both The general troubleshooting page and the TFTP-specific troubleshooting page)
Once upon a time, it was as simple as "turn it on while holding down the reset button on the back of the router"... and after a few seconds you could release the button. Recent firmware(/hardware?) versions require the button to be held down for at least 30 seconds, long past when the router is actually fully booted and operating. There doesn't appear to be any harm in holding the button down indefinitely while you work in Recovery Mode.
It's not hard to find other posts about the TM-ac1900 where people have other magic recipes for getting into recovery mode, including holding 'reset' and the 'wps' button instead of just reset. etc. etc. If having trouble entering recovery mode, these might be worth trying.
(this needs attention...) when on the tmo firmware/bootloader, recovery mode may slowly blink the transparent plastic piece on the back of the router that is imprinted with "ASUS".
that may not be true when already running oem asus firmware/bootloader.
the power LED on the front may also slowly blink
as far as i know, if a firmware's default subnet is 192.168.29.xxx, the recovery mode address of the router will be 192.168.29.1. If the default subnet is 192.168.1.xxx, the recovery mode address of the router will be 192.168.1.1. Orrr... rather than "the firmware's default subnet" ... it could just be the currently-set-subnet of the router. ...i.e. if you have tmo firmware and have set the subnet to 99 (for example), try 192.168.99.1.