AC86U sometimes powers completely off during reboot

[Asad Ali]

It's a well known-unknown issue, randomly seen by every 86U owner except @RMerlin's some sort of special 86U and since he has not seen it, he can't troubleshoot it as well lol.

 

[martinr]

Hello i just went to stock firmware and is working, im out of ideas...

Kindest regards

Ten out of ten for perseverance and for acting on our every whim despite the effort and time. You have definitely proved this is something specific to Merlin’s firmware when running on your specific router.

 

[Grisu]

No, never seen it on the 88U, but twice on the 86U.

Really, isnt this exactly the same issue on AX88U?
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/reboot-hangs-on-ax88u.54964/

 

[shark]

Then NO, mine came in a black box, purchased from ASUS Canada.
Aren't they the same hardware devices? Different packaging has nothing to do with the issue.

Technically yes, they are indeed the same! But i thought that it was worth a shot to see if the problem only happened with chinese one...

Anyway, is anyone having the same problem as me? In other words, when you disable and enable your ethernet adapter on your pc connected using a cable to the router, sometimes the router will reboot!

 

[martinr]

It's a well known-unknown issue, randomly seen by every 86U owner except @RMerlin's some sort of special 86U and since he has not seen it, he can't troubleshoot it as well lol.

Swap it for Merlin’s router

 

[shark]

No, never seen it on the 88U, but twice on the 86U. What's interestig is that the 86U is now my main devlopment router and to test the new amtm format disk functions I had to reboot it probably about 30 times. Never once did it fail to boot up.

Sometimes it happens more often and sometimes it does not happen at all! Its soooooo dam random and annoying!

Anyway, is anyone having the same problem as me? In other words, when you disable and enable your ethernet adapter on your pc connected using a cable to the router, sometimes the router will reboot!

 

[martinr]

Hello i just went to stock firmware and is working, im out of ideas...

Kindest regards

I don’t know how you’d stand if you could return it under warranty. It’s not as if you are trying to install any old custom firmware: Merlin works very closely with Asus, and Asus incorporate some of his ideas.

So if you can return it under warranty, that might be your best option. And you’d then have to decide which model to replace it with. I doubt you’d go wrong with an RT-AC68U, as long as its specs suit you.

 

[RootCause]

I don’t know how you’d stand if you could return it under warranty. It’s not as if you are trying to install any old custom firmware: Merlin works very closely with Asus, and Asus incorporate some of his ideas.

So if you can return it under warranty, that might be your best option. And you’d then have to decide which model to replace it with. I doubt you’d go wrong with an RT-AC68U, as long as its specs suit you.

I bought it on amazon, im afraid returning has passed long time ago, if i decide to ask for tech support i wont have a router for x amount of time.

I moved back to merlin firmware and did a restart from the webpage, and also the scheduler it seems to work for not but im going to wait for more days to see if its causing the issue again for some reason.

On a side note is there a way to increase the ftp users? im currently stuck at 6 of them (one is the admin account)

I will keep all of you updated.

Kindest regards

 

[Val D.]

In the name of science just tried to reboot the router from GUI and... it didn't boot. Had to power cycle the button at the back.
Hopefully the issue will be fixed at some point with a firmware update. Very good powerful VPN router though... with some quirks.

 

[martinr]

I bought it on amazon, im afraid returning has passed long time ago, if i decide to ask for tech support i wont have a router for x amount of time.

I moved back to merlin firmware and did a restart from the webpage, and also the scheduler it seems to work for not but im going to wait for more days to see if its causing the issue again for some reason.

On a side note is there a way to increase the ftp users? im currently stuck at 6 of them (one is the admin account)

I will keep all of you updated.

Kindest regards

Your problem now sounds like one of those occasions which L&LD refers to where there are “random, unexplained glitches” after flashing new firmware and where it’s necessary to reflash the same firmware in a carefully structured process. If your problem has not completely gone, it’s definitely worth trying. Here’s the steps taken from:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/r...10-is-now-available.55742/page-37#post-483854


“Your router needs to be fully reset, an overview of what I would do:

• Save your data from the USB drive and from the jffspartition.
• Format your USB drive on aPC with the NTFS file format. Do not put it back into therouter yet.
• Flash the firmware you want to use on it (latest isrecommended).
• Reset the router to factory defaults making sure to check the box that says 'Initialize all settings...' first.
• Perform a temporary wizard setup and then unplug the power cable from the router (not from the ac wall socket).
• Wait 2 minutes and then, holding down the WPS button, plug in the power and wait between 10 to 30 seconds and then release the WPS button. The router should boot up (maybe slow, be patient) to the setup wizard again if performed correctly. If it didn't, do this step until it does.
• Do another temporary wizard setup and reflash the same firmware you want to use.
• Complete one final temporary setup and reset the router to factory defaults making sure to select the 'Initialize all settings... ' box again.
• Do not use the NVRAM Save/Restore Utility. That is now past its due date.
• Do not use a saved config file either. Manually and minimally configure the router, testing as you go.

Keep in mind that many old configuration options you may have used previously may no longer be needed. Updates to the features and its defaults change constantly. See what the results of the new default are and only change if thereis an actual need.

At this point, do not introduce any customisations in a batch. Do one by one and test for everything you've set before adding/moving to the next one. When the router proves stable, continue with adding the USB drive (see below) and Diversion.

I would also suggest using the amtm Step-by-Step link in my signature to get your USB drive and amtm and Diversion properly installed.

With the above information, youshould be able to get your router to a good/known state.”



You might want to bookmark L&LD’s resources for future reference
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac86u-factory-reset.56972/#post-496275

 

[thelonelycoder]

Format your USB drive on aPC with the NTFS file format. Do not put it back into therouter yet

I wonder why you suggest that step. I'd skip it and have the Diversion installer find the previous installation later on in your guide.

 

[Grisu]

@thelonelycoder @L&LD
Hi, could you please comment my reply?
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/a...ly-off-during-reboot.48296/page-5#post-498447
Isn't reboot scheduler, SSH and GUI reboot calling all the same reboot procedure or command?

 

[martinr]

I wonder why you suggest that step. I'd skip it and have the Diversion installer find the previous installation later on in your guide.

I did wonder if I should cut out that step more because it might not be necessary snd might be a distraction , but decided not to tinker with something put together by someone with far more experience and knowledge than I have.

 

[thelonelycoder]

@thelonelycoder @L&LD
Hi, could you please comment my reply?
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/a...ly-off-during-reboot.48296/page-5#post-498447
Isn't reboot scheduler, SSH and GUI reboot calling all the same reboot procedure or command?

GUI, amtm reboot scheduler and the (hidden) reboot functions built into both amtm and Diversion run the same command: service reboot
What one enters into the SSH terminal I don't know, just issuing the reboot command does not properly stop services.

 

[RootCause]

Your problem now sounds like one of those occasions which L&LD refers to where there are “random, unexplained glitches” after flashing new firmware and where it’s necessary to reflash the same firmware in a carefully structured process. If your problem has not completely gone, it’s definitely worth trying. Here’s the steps taken from:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/r...10-is-now-available.55742/page-37#post-483854


“Your router needs to be fully reset, an overview of what I would do:

• Save your data from the USB drive and from the jffspartition.
• Format your USB drive on aPC with the NTFS file format. Do not put it back into therouter yet.
• Flash the firmware you want to use on it (latest isrecommended).
• Reset the router to factory defaults making sure to check the box that says 'Initialize all settings...' first.
• Perform a temporary wizard setup and then unplug the power cable from the router (not from the ac wall socket).
• Wait 2 minutes and then, holding down the WPS button, plug in the power and wait between 10 to 30 seconds and then release the WPS button. The router should boot up (maybe slow, be patient) to the setup wizard again if performed correctly. If it didn't, do this step until it does.
• Do another temporary wizard setup and reflash the same firmware you want to use.
• Complete one final temporary setup and reset the router to factory defaults making sure to select the 'Initialize all settings... ' box again.
• Do not use the NVRAM Save/Restore Utility. That is now past its due date.
• Do not use a saved config file either. Manually and minimally configure the router, testing as you go.

Keep in mind that many old configuration options you may have used previously may no longer be needed. Updates to the features and its defaults change constantly. See what the results of the new default are and only change if thereis an actual need.

At this point, do not introduce any customisations in a batch. Do one by one and test for everything you've set before adding/moving to the next one. When the router proves stable, continue with adding the USB drive (see below) and Diversion.

I would also suggest using the amtm Step-by-Step link in my signature to get your USB drive and amtm and Diversion properly installed.

With the above information, youshould be able to get your router to a good/known state.”



You might want to bookmark L&LD’s resources for future reference
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac86u-factory-reset.56972/#post-496275

Good morning Martin

Ive did what you asked, in the past 4ish hours but ssh stuff aint working to install, i even formated the drive and i get error saying that no compatible drive is plugged in...

Any other ideas?

 

[martinr]

Good morning Martin

Ive did what you asked, in the past 4ish hours but ssh stuff aint working to install, i even formated the drive and i get error saying that no compatible drive is plugged in...

Any other ideas?

So your reboot problem is still there today.

What exactly do you mean by “but ssh stuff aint working to install”. Can you expand please.

 

[RootCause]

So your reboot problem is still there today.

What exactly do you mean by “but ssh stuff aint working to install”. Can you expand please.

Hello, this is getting very frustrating since i got more issues again.

To get into ssh its not letting me, it gives me wierd error so i disabled ssh stuff again.
Reboot in system tab when i apply anything shuts down the router.
I lost my ftp access, i cant add the lan acces, no one can connectto it, and lost all the accounts...

 

[miroco]

Just a thought. I wonder if it could have to do with the switch?

The RT-AC86U uses a newer network switch...
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/r...384-11-is-available.56501/page-38#post-492128

Must be something hardware specific...
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/a...ly-off-during-reboot.48296/page-4#post-498395

RT-AC86U - Enable efficient multicast forwarding (IGMP Snooping)
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/r...ent-multicast-forwarding-igmp-snooping.47201/

[Wireless] [LAN] How to set up IPTV ?
https://www.asus.com/us/support/FAQ/1011708/

 

[martinr]

Hello, this is getting very frustrating since i got more issues again.

To get into ssh its not letting me, it gives me wierd error so i disabled ssh stuff again.
Reboot in system tab when i apply anything shuts down the router.
I lost my ftp access, i cant add the lan acces, no one can connectto it, and lost all the accounts...

Like it’s in it’s death throes. And just when it was starting to look promising.

L&LD recently posted some steps, which help decide whether the problem is hardware related or software related. I bookmarked it as his RMA Diagnostic: it helps decide if the router’s got to go back (if under warranty).

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/major-issues-w-rt-ac86u.56342/page-4#post-495710

The router is of little use in it’s current state so run the diagnostic and tell us what happens.

 

[shark]

Just a thought. I wonder if it could have to do with the switch?

The RT-AC86U uses a newer network switch...
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/r...384-11-is-available.56501/page-38#post-492128

Must be something hardware specific...
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/a...ly-off-during-reboot.48296/page-4#post-498395

RT-AC86U - Enable efficient multicast forwarding (IGMP Snooping)
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/r...ent-multicast-forwarding-igmp-snooping.47201/

[Wireless] [LAN] How to set up IPTV ?
https://www.asus.com/us/support/FAQ/1011708/

It might be to be honest! Because like i said, sometimes when i disable and enable again the ethernet adapter on my desktop pc that is the only thing connected using a cable, the router reboots itself.