Asus RT-AC5300 - Can't flash back to stock

[OmlinChE]

Flashed this from stock to DD-WRT v3.0-r34015M kongac.

The idea was to use with OpenVPN, but after failing to get that working for several hours...

...decided to give up on DD and go to Merlin... but at this point I'd be happy just to get back to stock.

Using the 'firmware upgrade' tab within the GUI it will appear to be loading other firmware, but always boots back into DD-WRT.

Note: I have been able to move between different dd-wrt versions, but it won't go back to an official Asus firmware (trying the latest, 3.0.0.4_380_7743) nor to Merlin (RT-AC5300_380.69_0).

CFE version is 1.0.4.0

[edit] I have tried resetting both via the GUI and holding WPS at power-on.... This apparently works because on rebooting the GUI will request changing from the default password.... But still unable to flash another rom.

 

[JDB]

Tried the Asus Recovery app?


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[OmlinChE]

I have. (You're referring to the "Firmware Restoration" utility, right? version 2.0.0.0) It never successfully connects.

Not sure if I'm doing something wrong with that, but I hold in reset while powering-on... keep holding for 10 sec... at that point 192.168.1.1 starts replying to pings and I tell the recovery app to upload.

It tries for a while and then says "The wireless router is not in rescue mode."

Tried the Asus Recovery app?

 

[JDB]

Do you get the slow flashing power?
https://www.asus.com/uk/support/FAQ/1000814/#


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[OmlinChE]

At one point I was... I think it depends on which dd-wrt I happen to be on. When it would start slow flashing I'd let go of the reset button... although it never seemed like it stayed in 'slow-flashing' mode long enough. Only 3 or 4 seconds.

Do you get the slow flashing power?
https://www.asus.com/uk/support/FAQ/1000814/#

 

[JDB]

Hmm, not sure. Sounds crazy but maybe try loading a crappy ddwrt to brick it and force recovery mode to work properly?


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[OmlinChE]

Haha! That does sound crazy alright. ;-) I was thinking something similar tho.... Think I'll try loading the oldest dd-wrt for this device I can find (r27944), and see if I can flash from that to stock.

Hmm, not sure. Sounds crazy but maybe try loading a crappy ddwrt to brick it and force recovery mode to work properly?

 

[JDB]

Other thing is try renaming the .trx as .bin and see if it’ll take via the DDWRT GUI?


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[john9527]

You need to flash a firmware as a 'transition' step that defines a 64M rootfs but still fits in a 32M rootfs space. Here's someone with the same problem on an AC68
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/cant-leave-dd-wrt-really-want-merlin.42776/#post-364828

The problem is, such a code doesn't exist for the AC5300. Someone is going to have to try and build a special stripped down version of the code that meets those requirements for you to use.

 

[OmlinChE]

It doesn't seem that was the problem, at least for me.

Finally got it to take the stock image through the 'firmware restoration' utility. In my case, I never did get the slow flashing LED, so either it was just a matter of getting the timing just right or, I think more likely, someone elsewhere mentioned closing the utility in between attempts. I hadn't tried that and the first time I did was the time it went through.

Anyway, now I'm back on stock 3.0.0.4.380_7743

Thanks for all the help. Now to go find the right version of Merlin

You need to flash a firmware as a 'transition' step that defines a 64M rootfs but still fits in a 32M rootfs space. Here's someone with the same problem on an AC68
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/cant-leave-dd-wrt-really-want-merlin.42776/#post-364828

The problem is, such a code doesn't exist for the AC5300. Someone is going to have to try and build a special stripped down version of the code that meets those requirements for you to use.

 

[B-O]

Hey people!

I realize that I am replying to a very old thread and maybe you have figured it out already all by yourself...!?

If not; here's what you do:

1) download the firmware for the 5300 router from here;
https://www.asus.com/uk/Networking/RT-AC5300/HelpDesk_BIOS/

2) do the 30/30/30 reset of your DD-WRT router - follow it thoroughly!!
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Hard_reset_or_30/30/30

3) set your laptop IP4-address manually to 192.168.1.10 (for example), net mask to 255.255.255.0 and standard gateway to 192.168.1.1

4) connect to your router via LAN cable and your favorite browser on the address; 192.168.1.1

You will find your router in a fail safe mode running on a small ASUS Tek - CFE miniWeb Server

5) press on Restore default NVRAM values

6) 30/30/30 reboot again

7) reconnect (using step 4) and upload your factory BIOS via "Choose File" (from where you saved it on your hard-drive obviously) followed by "Upload"

Voila!!

Now you can reset your LAN adapter to Auto IP because now your ASUS 5300 will be in setup mode including DHCP server...

Like if you like!!

/B-O

 

[Marin]

6) 30/30/30

/B-O[/QUOTE]

I would strongly recommend against 30/30/30 method in this particular router and other newer Asus ones as it has the potential to do more damage than help. Please follow the instructions from Asus on how to properly do this online (power off while pressing the reset button for 5 seconds or so and then power on while maintaining the reset button pressed for another 5 seconds).

This will help get you to the CFe window. You have to be patient and prepared to do this several times (to get to that window or even to upload the stock trx file) as it may not always load properly. Also clearing your browser’s cache is very important too.



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[goatdog]

Hey people!

I realize that I am replying to a very old thread and maybe you have figured it out already all by yourself...!?

If not; here's what you do:

1) download the firmware for the 5300 router from here;
https://www.asus.com/uk/Networking/RT-AC5300/HelpDesk_BIOS/

2) do the 30/30/30 reset of your DD-WRT router - follow it thoroughly!!
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Hard_reset_or_30/30/30

3) set your laptop IP4-address manually to 192.168.1.10 (for example), net mask to 255.255.255.0 and standard gateway to 192.168.1.1

4) connect to your router via LAN cable and your favorite browser on the address; 192.168.1.1

You will find your router in a fail safe mode running on a small ASUS Tek - CFE miniWeb Server

5) press on Restore default NVRAM values

6) 30/30/30 reboot again

7) reconnect (using step 4) and upload your factory BIOS via "Choose File" (from where you saved it on your hard-drive obviously) followed by "Upload"

Voila!!

Now you can reset your LAN adapter to Auto IP because now your ASUS 5300 will be in setup mode including DHCP server...

Like if you like!!

/B-O

Yea I did something like that to fix mine, when I was loading the Merlin 380.70 or something... it just kept crashing.. I had to do something similar to bring it to CFE mode load factory, reset values, reboot, and reload the firmware again, but this time ... not doing the 30/30/30 to bring it to CFE mode... after updating to the factory firmware and let it run through the who reboot cycles again, then I was able to load the Asus Merlin firmware... weird. but yea... there is no 30/30/30 reset, it just brings you to CFE mode... "Skip Step 6. for the second 30/30/30"

I think if you used that restore utility, it will load the firmware for you when it is in CFE mode, you don't have to go through the browser... not 100% remembering what I did, but it is similiar.

 

[stansoltz]

Hey people!

I realize that I am replying to a very old thread and maybe you have figured it out already all by yourself...!?

If not; here's what you do:

1) download the firmware for the 5300 router from here;
https://www.asus.com/uk/Networking/RT-AC5300/HelpDesk_BIOS/

2) do the 30/30/30 reset of your DD-WRT router - follow it thoroughly!!
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Hard_reset_or_30/30/30

3) set your laptop IP4-address manually to 192.168.1.10 (for example), net mask to 255.255.255.0 and standard gateway to 192.168.1.1

4) connect to your router via LAN cable and your favorite browser on the address; 192.168.1.1

You will find your router in a fail safe mode running on a small ASUS Tek - CFE miniWeb Server

5) press on Restore default NVRAM values

6) 30/30/30 reboot again

7) reconnect (using step 4) and upload your factory BIOS via "Choose File" (from where you saved it on your hard-drive obviously) followed by "Upload"

Voila!!

Now you can reset your LAN adapter to Auto IP because now your ASUS 5300 will be in setup mode including DHCP server...

Like if you like!!

/B-O

After I uploaded and waited 45 to 1 hour do I need to power cycle?

 

[skeal]

After I uploaded and waited 45 to 1 hour do I need to power cycle?

First, 30.30.30 isn't used on Asus hardware and firmware. Power cycle is sufficient. Reset to defaults is encouraged after a flash from stock or a multi-version upgrade. You can do this from the webui or pressing the wps button as you power up the router.

 

[B-O]

After I uploaded and waited 45 to 1 hour do I need to power cycle?

Skeal may very well be right but i have had difficulties getting an ASUS router into fail-safe mode just by depressing the rest button with a pen, power on the router whilst keeping it depressed until the power light blinks slowly... ... that might work on stock firmware?!
To your question;
Flash takes about 5-10 minutes maximum. If you wait the double - say 20 minutes - it should be ample!
Despite all Besserwisser, i would encourage you to try the 30/30/30 - it will definitively put your router in failsafe-mode and it will NOT damage any hardware as has falsely been posted earlier. After that, be sure to clear the NVRAM (it jumps back after 2 seconds) then upload any stock firmware you find. Only do this via LAN cable!

Good luck and keep us posted please!