Release ASUS ZenWiFi BQ16 Firmware version 3.0.0.6.102_36801 (26/11/2024)

Bug Fixes and Enhancements：
1. Strengthened input validation and data processing workflows to further protect information security.
2. Enhanced AiCloud password protection mechanisms, safeguarding against unauthorized access attempts.
3. Enhanced device security through improved buffer handling in connection features.
4. Refined data handling processes, ensuring secure and accurate information management.
5. Enhanced file access control mechanisms, promoting a more secure operating environment.
6. Strengthened certificate protection, providing enhanced data security.
7. Enhanced MLO backhaul stability.

Finally a long overdue update for the current Asus flagship.

I had one 3 of them sent back a few months ago due to instability, but have now a new unopened set sitting by - any wireless mesh users, pls share your feedback of this firmware

About time, I've been on the last firmware since purchase and issues with maintaining reliable connectivity and throughput with apple devices which were periodically denied access to web, connected via wifi but nobody home. It was far worse if I AI Meshed in my old XT8s. Currently 2x BQ16 Ethernet backhauled.

Will see if this is reliable before retrying to use XT8s...unless advised here not to mix AIMesh solutions!

Regards and thanks Asus for the long awaited updated - literally checked every day since end of Sept. My old reliable XT12s on standby and refused to swap out the BQ16s as needed to have these work,, too expensive to sit idle and not use awaiting firmware updates and fixes, but its a longgg journey.

PS MLO off and Wifi 7 Off to work with older devices.... hoping that stability will allow me to explore possibilities....as yet only iphones and PC wifi 7 so no big loss at the mo.

Same - using my 4 trusty XT12s, and have been checking almost daily for updates to BQ16)

Pls post your detailed findings, especially re Apple devices.

Why are you so averse to MLO? It seems to be (almost) the main selling point of WiFi7, and 'Dong Knows Tech' was v positive about it specifically with the subject's bigger brother, BQ16 Pro

PS Noticed you're on Community Fibre too - they're running a bargain deal on 3Gbps atm

Already on 3Gbs i switch mlo off just trying to reduce factors causing the apple issues, while i have some patience the wife was loosing her’s and was challenging why i’d upgraded from something that worked to something that didn’t.. quite right… but was in full get it consistent mode … prior to this i was nursing them through.. hence mlo off … sonos and dyson fan detest wifi7 (its the wpa3 aspect wifi7 demands) gawd if i knew it was this challenging i would have put up with only my 2.5Gb port for my 3Gb service lol

A long due update, so far no issue after it auto installed the firmware for Nov 2024, mine is just a single node with MLO enabled.

There is the beiginnings of potential new availability of updated bios reflected on UK Page but not available for download.

ASUS ZenWiFi BQ16 Firmware version 3.0.0.6.102_36869
Version 3.0.0.6.102_36869
63.66 MB
2025/01/24
SHA-256 ：D2CA354A408BB204F4D5B0F0A72372D1BA7DC31D7EF37873D51DD825C1E2234C
Release Note:
Bug Fixes and Enhancements：
1. Enhanced Client Connection Stability.
2. WPA Encryption Settings Update.
Added new configuration options for WPA encryption, including the option to select AES for improved client compatibility. This setting can be found under "Network > Main Network".
3. Improved AiMesh Backhaul Compatibility.
4. Strengthened certificate protection, providing enhanced data security.

As yet update file still not downloadable on either UK or .com sites, installed directly via the router's option. Still in Master and AP Node mode, but non Wifi7 and MLO off, avg wifi speed on Iphone16PM and Ipad Pro 13 M4 moved from 850Mbps to 1450Mbps - without any tweaks. Wifi7 and MLO disabled to maximise compatibility throughout the house with old and new devices.
It would be great to at some point exploit the capabilities but need to have AiMesh mode working with Apple devices as well as everything before I start experimenting and upsetting the wife with broken wifi again (initial install in AiMesh was painful with constant apple issues on and off). In AP mode its been painless.

I wish there was a youtube or something that explained and demonstrated the option for IOT and old devices as I think more than anything I will at some point need to have wifi that responds to latest tech with setting set such as MLO & 7 and other for those that do not....but for now I am just happy with all working and no complaints

garysteel said:

There is the beiginnings of potential new availability of updated bios reflected on UK Page but not available for download.

ASUS ZenWiFi BQ16 Firmware version 3.0.0.6.102_36869
Version 3.0.0.6.102_36869
63.66 MB
2025/01/24
SHA-256 ：D2CA354A408BB204F4D5B0F0A72372D1BA7DC31D7EF37873D51DD825C1E2234C
Release Note:
Bug Fixes and Enhancements：
1. Enhanced Client Connection Stability.
2. WPA Encryption Settings Update.
Added new configuration options for WPA encryption, including the option to select AES for improved client compatibility. This setting can be found under "Network > Main Network".
3. Improved AiMesh Backhaul Compatibility.
4. Strengthened certificate protection, providing enhanced data security.

Click to expand...

36801 was stable for almost 2 months.
After updating to 36869 today the MLO functionality (in AiMesh at least) is broken, rolled back to previous version...

ffodi said:

36801 was stable for almost 2 months.
After updating to 36869 today the MLO functionality (in AiMesh at least) is broken, rolled back to previous version...

Click to expand...

That is painful !!

garysteel said:

I wish there was a youtube or something that explained and demonstrated the option for IOT and old devices as I think more than anything I will at some point need to have wifi that responds to latest tech with setting set such as MLO & 7 and other for those that do not....but for now I am just happy with all working and no complaints

Click to expand...

Have you tried lowering the authentication and encryption Method on the IOT SSID?

skypx said:

Have you tried lowering the authentication and encryption Method on the IOT SSID?

Click to expand...

HI Skypx, I've not set an IOT up, I have it all working against my main SSID (did not want to have to chase every wifi IOT device in the house to change the current logged SSID to an IOT related one, as there is likely devices either not switched on that I'd forget about and then drama when they are plugged in - I did think I'd donate my main SSID and use this as my IOT and create a new one for more recent mobile devices bust as yet - I do not understand in enough detail what changes I would need to make to muy use of 2.4, 5-1, 5-2 and 6GHz bands to create a seamless wifi network.

If I click on (currently) add network - it balks - likely as I'm using all my bands in the main network so it will not allow another, but if I create an Sub net IOT instance and a non IOT would my Laptop be able to demand sonos play this or that as it would not be on the same network (SSID) - you'd likely say it would but hence the earlier comment of a detailed - here is how to set up you network using recent innovations - and it explains the basics over and above what I knows which is more than the average person but less than the expert who may look at home wifi setups and laugh at them shaking their head

It's all about the the authentication and encryption method. On the Pro (assuming it the same for the non Pro), the lowest A&E is WPA2 and AES for the main network, so getting older devices that need a lower A&E to connect won't work. Here's how I have my SSIDs configured;

Main Network

SSID Xxxxx
5GHz and 6GHz-1
WPA2/WPA3 Personal
AES

SSID Xzzzz
2.4GHz
WPA/WPA2 Personal
AES

Guest Network VLAN 52
SSID Xzxzx
2.4GHz and 5GHz
WPA/WPA2 Personal
TKIP+AES

I think of the listed wifi network options as a guide, which can be configured as needed. For example the Sonos Sun Gen 2 needs WPA/WPA2+AES to connect, so it's connected to the Xzzzz, since I need to access it on the main network. I also use the guest network for all the older devices the won't connect to the 2 other SSIDs, this can be used as an IOT network if you don't need to access it on the main network and the clients just need internet access.

The firmware file is now directly downloadable.

Asus automatically download and install on my BQ16, will be monitoring it as mine is a single pack with 2 SSID (Merge all band (Normal and IoT) Diabled MLO due to random disconnection.