After upgrade to 386.7 warning about low level of free NVRAM

[yse]

Hello,

After upgading my ASUS RT-AC68U to the new 386.7 version of Merlin there is a flashing warning in top right corner of the GUI saying:

"Your router is running low on free NVRAM, which might affect its stability.
Review long parameter lists (like DHCP reservations), or consider doing a factory default reset and reconfiguring."

The NVRAM values:
Internal Storage
NVRAM usage 62808 / 65536 bytes
JFFS 3.63 / 62.75 MB

When SSH into the router and NVRAM SHOW it shows that quite a few parameters are empty e.g.

wl1.1_key4=
wan1_dns2_x=
apps_download_file=
zebra_enpasswd=ZkJCu+uJGig+hx7q/Yu97A==
wl0.2_radius_ipaddr=
wan1_hwaddr=

Can the "empty" parameters be removed to minimize the NVRAM?

Thanks
Stefan

 

[ColinTaylor]

Can the "empty" parameters be removed to minimize the NVRAM?

Generally speaking, no. Some of them still have meaning even if they're "empty". Other's will just be recreated the next time the router is rebooted. The only sensible way to clear out obsolete nvram variables is to do a factory reset followed by a manual configuration.

 

[yse]

Ok, thanks for promt reply!
What does a factory reset mean after installing Merlin? Back to standard firmware or Merlin?

Thanks

 

[John Fitzgerald]

Ok, thanks for promt reply!
What does a factory reset mean after installing Merlin? Back to standard firmware or Merlin?

Thanks

Factory Reset via the ADMINISTRATION tab: PUT A CHECK IN THE BOX next to Restore button.

AFTER you save your settings: EDIT: Reloading the old settings may reintroduce your problems.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Ok, thanks for promt reply!
What does a factory reset mean after installing Merlin? Back to standard firmware or Merlin?

Thanks

It doesn't change the firmware version. It just wipes out the user settings - so you'll be back at the initial router setup dialog.

P.S. You can save your current settings and JFFS in case something goes wrong and you need to revert. But for this exercise do not restore the settings file(s) as that would negate the whole point of doing the factory reset.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Ok, thanks for promt reply!
What does a factory reset mean after installing Merlin? Back to standard firmware or Merlin?

Thanks

And another:

Reset FAQ
Reset/Restore - clears settings in NVRAM; reboot restores installed firmware defaults from CFE.
Hard Reset/Restore+Initialize - also clears data logged in /jffs folder.

OE

 

[yse]

Thanks all for sharing your knowledge!

 

[gattaca]

This has been surfaced before and is in my "router-keeping" arsenal. To clear out the dust... maybe this is what you were considering? YMMV per above posts.. IDK if it is a "best practice" or no longer recommended - but it might help in dire need.

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/solved-high-nvram-usage.56848/#post-494736