AC3200 Merlin Firmware issues

[biglo]

Hello everyone an issue trying to get the merlin firmware installed on my router. I downloaded it and reset my router to factory settings. I loaded up the merlin firmware and when it was done installing I unplugged the unit for a minute. After that I plugged it back in and the internet led and the port that I had the Ethernet cable plugged into. Afterwards the power led would come on and those leds would stay on for a few minutes and then the 4 ports would light up and the leds would go off and do the same sequence over and over. I flashed a recovery restore to get the router functional again and flash the merlin again. It worked after some unlugging and plugging back in but after a reboot it went right back into the continuous bootloop. Can someone tell me if I'm doing something wrong or missing a required step please?

Edit: Sorry for the thread title I submitted by mistake without editing the title to something more appropriate like the, missing the router type. RT AC3200.

 

[RMerlin]

Give enough time to the flash procedure to complete. You should not power down the unit until it has completely rebooted on its own, unless it's been a good 5-10 minutes already Make that 10-20 minutes if using Firmware Recovery mode).

 

[biglo]

Give enough time to the flash procedure to complete. You should not power down the unit until it has completely rebooted on its own, unless it's been a good 5-10 minutes already Make that 10-20 minutes if using Firmware Recovery mode).

Thanks for the response, I'm going to reflash the latest version again using the firmware recovery mode and leave it running for 20 mins. So once the unit has rebooted itself and powered back up and I waited the 20 mins, I should unplug the unit for how long before powering back up?

Cause I noticed when I tried an older firmware version it booted up the first time but anytime power is lost or the router is rebooted it would go back into the bootloop. I thought the flash was complete once the router booted again and I was able to get to the GUI.

 

[biglo]

Give enough time to the flash procedure to complete. You should not power down the unit until it has completely rebooted on its own, unless it's been a good 5-10 minutes already Make that 10-20 minutes if using Firmware Recovery mode).

Still the same results the modem booted up but anytime the router is rebooted or is powered off it doesnt boot anymore. What I did ws flash the firmware and waited over 15 mins after I flashed it the router it rebooted and started up with all the lights on and i left it like that for 15 mins. After that I unplugged the unit and powered it back on. This is where it didnt boot again.

 

[skeal]

Still the same results the modem booted up but anytime the router is rebooted or is powered off it doesnt boot anymore. What I did ws flash the firmware and waited over 15 mins after I flashed it the router it rebooted and started up with all the lights on and i left it like that for 15 mins. After that I unplugged the unit and powered it back on. This is where it didnt boot again.

Just for shirts and giggles delete the firmware file you downloaded and download it again and flash. Being sure to get the right firmware and version.
EDIT: When flashing make sure there are no usb drives or HDD plugged in.
EDIT2: No need to factory reset before flashing.

 

[biglo]

Just for shirts and giggles delete the firmware file you downloaded and download it again and flash. Being sure to get the right firmware and version.

I actually did redownload the firmware just make sure it wasnt a bad one and checked the hash to verify.

EDIT: When flashing make sure there are no usb drives or HDD plugged in.

The only thing I have plugged into the router was the ethernet cable to the laptop.

EDIT2: No need to factory reset before flashing.

I only resorted to trying a factory reset when I noticed the router wouldn't bot baack up after a reboot or power lost.

I thought everything was ok when it loaded up the firmware but when I turn of the device to move it back into its position it never boots back up.

 

[skeal]

I actually did redownload the firmware just make sure it wasnt a bad one and checked the hash to verify.


The only thing I have plugged into the router was the ethernet cable to the laptop.


I only resorted to trying a factory reset when I noticed the router wouldn't bot baack up after a reboot or power lost.

I thought everything was ok when it loaded up the firmware but when I turn of the device to move it back into its position it never boots back up.

Do you get a chance to do any configuring after the flash? If so try minimal settings. I mean nothing just what the firmware boots up like with global ip.

 

[biglo]

Do you get a chance to do any configuring after the flash? If so try minimal settings. I mean nothing just what the firmware boots up like with global ip.

Well the first time with all my setting restored it didnt try to edit anything. The second time when I did a factory restore I edited up the access points and that was it.

 

[skeal]

Well the first time with all my setting restored it didnt try to edit anything. The second time when I did a factory restore I edited up the access points and that was it.

Do you run any scripts?

 

[biglo]

Do you run any scripts?

No, I don't have any scripts or anything.

 

[skeal]

No, I don't have any scripts or anything.

Re-flash and don't configure the access points. Then test. Are you in router mode? What version of firmware are we working on?

 

[biglo]

Re-flash and don't configure the access points. Then test. Are you in router mode? What version of firmware are we working on?

Yes am working in router mode. When I reflash the device its working fine. Its only when I unplug it to put back to is original location it never boots back up.

 

[skeal]

Yes am working in router mode. When I reflash the device its working fine. Its only when I unplug it to put back to is original location it never boots back up.

Whats involved in the move? And Why the move?

 

[biglo]

Whats involved in the move? And Why the move?

My modem is in the living room which is where the router is located next to it. I bring the router in the room to my desk to flash and carry it back out in the living room. So when I turn the device off to return it , its never comes back on. Sometimes we have power outages since we're recovering from the hurricanes sstill, so I cant just leave it that way without rebooting.

 

[skeal]

My modem is in the living room which is where the router is located next to it. I bring the router in the room to my desk to flash and carry it back out in the living room. So when I turn the device off to return it , its never comes back on. Sometimes we have power outages since we're recovering from the hurricanes sstill, so I cant just leave it that way without rebooting.

I don't understand why you have to move the router in the first place? Is your desk connection ethernet?

 

[skeal]

Are all your connections wireless?

 

[skeal]

I never move my router. I flash in place. I've done this with Ethernet and wifi with success every time.

 

[biglo]

I never move my router. I flash in place. I've done this with Ethernet and wifi with success every time.

Most connections are wireless. My thing is I don't want the situation to occur that the power trips out and I have to come home and reflash the firmware on the router for the flash to continue using it.

 

[skeal]

Most connections are wireless. My thing is I don't want the situation to occur that the power trips out and I have to come home and reflash the firmware on the router for the flash to continue using it.

Keep the router connected to the internet. From either a wired or wireless computer in the webui flash the router. Go through the quick connect feature that pops up (which has a check box for isp specific settings if needed) this also takes you through system admin name and password change from default. It also takes you through naming and setting password for your wifi networks as well. This should not need a reflash to operate at this point if it does its possible you have a hardware problem.

 

[biglo]

Keep the router connected to the internet. From either a wired or wireless computer in the webui flash the router. Go through the quick connect feature that pops up (which has a check box for isp specific settings if needed) this also takes you through system admin name and password change from default. It also takes you through naming and setting password for your wifi networks as well. This should not need a reflash to operate at this point if it does its possible you have a hardware problem.

Thanks for the help anyways, guess I'm stick with stock firmware