Asus new firmware doesn't allow spaces in WPA2/WPA3 passwords

[Spc]

I just got RT-AX82u.
I did first setup and setup all configuration including WPA2/WPA3 password which included multiple spaces.

After firmware upgrade spaces were gone.
New firmware doesn't allow spaces.

Last firmware that still allows spaces is:
Version 3.0.0.4.386.43588
2021/07/29

Firmware that does not allow spaces:
Version 3.0.0.4.386.45375
2021/09/01 55.23 MBytes

And all other firmware updates after this release.

RT-AX82U｜WiFi Routers｜ASUS Global

The AX5400 WiFi 6 gaming router recommended for mobile gaming, PS5 compatible. With fast WiFi speed, large coverage and lower lag, free network security and easy setup.

www.asus.com

Is there any setting in the new firmware that user can use spaces in wpa2/wpa3 passwords or is this permanent change.
Will this change also come to merlin wrt ?

Thanks.

 

[thiggins]

Use of spaces in passwords is poor practice. Can't guarantee that they be encoded/decoded consistently. Use underscores ( _ )

 

[bbunge]

Using spaces in passwords and SSID's is not good practice. Some special characters are also not good to use.
(is there an echo in here?)

 

[Spc]

Well i always used on different firmware's on different routers spaces in my passwords and i had 0 problems with alot of devices from wii, wii u, switch ps3,ps5, pc, android, iphone, old windows xp.

But now that this char is not allowed this is news to me.

 

[thiggins]

Well i always used on different firmware's on different routers spaces in my passwords and i had 0 problems with alot of devices from wii, wii u, switch ps3,ps5, pc, android, iphone, old windows xp.

But now that this char is not allowed this is news to me.

This is not a limitation of the Wi-Fi spec itself. The problem is the way a space is encoded by the HTML entry process. Depends on how it is parsed/converted.
I supposed you could consider this a bug since the behavior changed. But do yourself a favor and don't use spaces. There are plenty of examples out there of people being burned by using spaces in SSIDs.

are spaces allowed in SSID at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

 

[Spc]

I am not talking about SSID
I am talking about password.

 

[L&LD]

Spaces aren't cool in tech.

RT-AX86U AiMesh setup

Hi everyone. I'm about to set up 2 AX86U for the first time. I will be setting them up in AiMesh. Any advice on how to do this? If you have a link to a topic or steps posted elsewhere I'd appreciate it. Also, should I immediately upgrade the firmware on each to Merlin's beta? Or should I first...

www.snbforums.com

Why 8 Alphanumeric SSID Characters

 

[thiggins]

I am not talking about SSID
I am talking about password.

Sorry, My error. But the same issue is in effect, i.e. differences in encoding in the HTML entry process. Some systems trap and prevent using spaces, others don't.

Different search, similar result.

are spaces allowed in wifi passwords at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

 

[dosborne]

Even more likely to be an issue in a password due to usually (and hopefully) being encrypted / decrypted. Spaces in general also cause "word" delineation issues when programmers get sloppy. Not to mention making command line entry more difficult. While it may be possible for some devices, it is generally a REALLY good idea not to use them for any SSID, password, user name, or variables / values 8n general. Somewhere, sometime, it will cause you a headache that can easily be avoided.

 

[Tech9]

I have my Guest SSID password with two spaces in it. No issues. My Wi-Fi system is different though.

 

[Spc]

Let me explain again.
I have no problems if i use spaces in SSID or passwords.
All devices connect correctly no problems

New firmware from asus just doesn't allow spaces to be used in passwords, old firmware allows spaces in passwords (WPA2 and WPA3).

 

[thiggins]

Let me explain again.
I have no problems if i use spaces in SSID or passwords.
All devices connect correctly no problems

New firmware from asus just doesn't allow spaces to be used in passwords, old firmware allows spaces in passwords (WPA2 and WPA3).

I think we understand the problem. It appears we have no solution for you other than "don't do that".
Have you filed a report with ASUS?

 

[OzarkEdge]

Let me explain again.
I have no problems if i use spaces in SSID or passwords.
All devices connect correctly no problems

New firmware from asus just doesn't allow spaces to be used in passwords, old firmware allows spaces in passwords (WPA2 and WPA3).

My solution is to use hyphens instead of spaces in SSIDs... I never use underscores in credentials since they can be obscured by underlining.

And I never use spaces in passwords since spaces are nearly never permitted in passwords. Apparently, Asus is adopting this prohibition with new product/firmware (WPA3?) going forward.

OE

 

[bbunge]

I figure the younger folks never worked on an 8 or 16 bit operating system such as DOS 4.

There were things you just could not do such as spaces in file names and names longer than eight characters.

Never put too many files in the root of a drive.

Never exceed the max number of files in a sub directory.

And it has been so long since then I have forgotten much.

But, spaces in a file name I avoid. Spaces in User ID's and passwords ... NEVER!

 

[ColinTaylor]

I figure the younger folks never worked on an 8 or 16 bit operating system such as DOS 4.

I remember a friend of mine (Dave) had his Unix minicomputer password setup as his name spelt out in control characters, Ctrl-D Ctrl-A Ctrl-V Ctrl-E.

He thought that was very clever until he actually tried to log on and discovered that Ctrl-D is the control code for EOT which disconnects the terminal from the computer. Doh!

 

[Tech9]

There were things you just could not do

yesbutthingshavechangedandIdontwanteightpointthreefilenamesback

It's almost 2022 already. What's the problem with human readable pass phrases?

 

[Spc]

Here's screenshot:
Asus official firmware random password with space at the end:

 

[unsynaps]

yesbutthingshavechangedandIdontwanteightpointthreefilenamesback

It's almost 2022 already. What's the problem with human readable pass phrases?

Use dashes or underscores?

 

[Tech9]

Use dashes or underscores?

Why? There are many places we can use natural speech pass phrases. Many figured it out, obviously.

 

[cptnoblivious]

I use a long passphrase and use spaces in my passwords.

While not a crisis, if Asus changes which characters are allowed that would be unfortunate.