Asus AImesh Node MAC Address Zeroed Out

[Griffin91]

Hello Everyone. Ran into a bit of an issue that I can't solve, but hoping somebody here could offer some suggestions. My wife bought me an Asus RT-BE88U router and I went through the normal setup process to set the router up as an aimesh router, no problems. I then added an RT-AX92U as a node and had zero issues. I then attempted to add my RT-AX88U router as a node and the MAC address keeps showing that it is zeroed out and will only connect as a client, not part of the network. Another odd thing is the RT-AX88U router still attempts to connect to the network via wifi, even when it is hardwired. Having done various troubleshooting operations, I can always get the RT-AX88U to work as primary router, but never a node. Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful.

Things I've tried:
ensure firmware is up to date
hardwired all routers
removed the RT-AX92U and only attempted to add the RT-AX88U
made RT-AX88U primary router
reset all routers
hard reset using WPS all routers

 

[Tech9]

After resetting this RT-AX88U - do the LEDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz come up? Do you see the default open SSID networks?

 

[OzarkEdge]

Feels like a hardware issue with the AX88U... yet it works as a route(?)

OE

 

[Griffin91]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, works as an aimesh router and can add another router as an aimesh node. Most recently I've added the RT-AX88U as a repeater, no problem. The only mode I cannot get it to is an aimesh node. I'm starting to feel like this is an issue with the firmware or compatibility issue between the RT-BE88U and RT-AX88U, because I have no issues with either of them and the RT-AX92U.

 

[Griffin91]

After resetting this RT-AX88U - do the LEDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz come up? Do you see the default open SSID networks?

The LEDs do not come up; however, the I can see the default SSID and go through the normal setup procedures. I can also press and hold the Wifi button on the front of the router and that will eventually turn on the router. Currently, I have it setup in repeater mode and have had more issues. As I've gone through the troubleshooting options, I feel like there is a firmware issue or compatibility issue.

 

[Tech9]

The LEDs do not come up

If this device was used as main Router and perhaps had AiCloud enabled - there was a malware recently affecting Asus routers and wiping factory configuration. The result is similar to what you describe and issues start after reset - what you did when attempting to add it as Node. Other users reported wiped MAC addresses, missing radio configuration asking for a country code, radio lights not coming up after boot, etc. How to test if this is the case is described here. RT-AX88U was one of the affected models based on user feedback.