Release ASUS RT-AC68U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_51722 (2024/11/26)

[Oniiz86]

ASUS RT-AC68U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_51722
Version 3.0.0.4.386_51722
99.44 MB
2024/11/26

Resolved issues with customized icon functionality.

Please unzip the firmware file, and then verify the checksum.
SHA256: 2edd399cfe932499f825e3c6d92d1720abee6d33b8c6649f8befbd63b4aed71f

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC68U/FW_RT_AC68U_300438651722.zip?model=RT-AC68U

 

[fruitcornbread]

Same firmware for RT-AC66U B1 and RT-AC1900(P)

Download RT-AC66U B1: https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/...T_AC66U_B1_300438651722.zip?model=RT-AC66U-B1
Download RT-AC1900P: https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/..._RT_AC1900P_300438651722.zip?model=RT-AC1900P
Download RT-AC1900: https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC1900/FW_RT_AC1900_300438651722.zip?model=RT-AC1900

 

[Squall Leonhart]

Finally.

 

[Oniiz86]

Link to the download page and not just the file:
https://www.asus.com/supportonly/rt-ac68u/helpdesk_bios/
https://www.asus.com/networking-iot...ters/rtac68u/helpdesk_bios?model2Name=RTAC68U

These last two minor cosmetic non-security updates could have been combined into one. It's annoying.

@Intrepid There has only been one minor cosmetic update, the latest 386_51722 not two, the previous 386_51720 is the important security update, the only reason I believe they even released this Custom Icons bug issue fix because I pressed them about it twice, once before the security update & again shortly after it was released, I'm just amazed that they truly cared enough to even bother as it's an EoL router

 

[Intrepid]

@Intrepid There has only been one minor cosmetic update, the latest 386_51722 not two, the previous 386_51720 is the important security update, the only reason I believe they even released this Custom Icons bug issue fix because I pressed them about twice, once before the security update & again shortly after it was released, I'm just amazed that they truly cared enough to even bother as it's an EoL router

Sorry, I posted my comment for the wrong router.

 

[cyberwiz]

Very much appreciate the way Asus continues to support even old EOL products. This is not a one-time occurrence with Asus (though I am also aware of other Asus routers not being supported to the same extent). To the best of my knowledge (and I own plenty of network hardware by other well known manufacturers) most other manufacturers stop releasing firmware a lot earlier, and as far as I am concerned, this in itself is an excellent reason to continue to buy Asus networking hardware (and there are plenty of other good reasons as well). If someone has inside connections, please pass on kudos to the development team.

 

[wouterv]

Again performed dirty upgrades for the RT-AC68U Router and RT-AC1900U Media Bridge, so far so good.
The RT-AC1900U I upgraded yesterday using a manual downloaded file because the Firmware search did not find the update yet.
The RT-AC68U I upgraded online this morning.

Dirty upgrades meaning just initiate the upgrade and wait until the box is back online, no further reboots or manual actions.
I can't recall when I did revert the boxes to factory defaults and manual configured them again, that must be a few firmware versions ago.

Maybe the bonus care of ASUS with firmware upgrades lies in the fact these RT-AC68U series of routers appear to have reached the set and forget status as quite trouble free, no more real bugs to fix. The firmware upgrades that get released may contain fixes they can easily grab from newer models firmware.

 

[Oniiz86]

I can happily confirm the Custom Icons bug is indeed finally fixed

 

[OzarkEdge]

I can happily confirm the Custom Icons bug is indeed finally fixed
View attachment 62701

Do you know if these customizations restore from a saved configuration .cfg file?

OE

 

[Oniiz86]

Do you know if these customizations restore from a saved configuration .cfg file?

OE

I can't confirm definitively but when I attempted to change the custom icons with the previous 386_51720 firmware unsuccessfully, I simply did a dirty upgrade to 386_51722 & noticed they just popped up without reattempting to add them again, I believe @Squall Leonhart had mentioned in the 386_51685 firmware thread about the issue "The custom icon is accepted and written to storage, but the Base64 file is never loaded by the client list UI", so perhaps it may surprise you.

 

[andyross]

Is it just me, but did the update seem faster than normal? I updated from the April update (51685?) I update "manually" from a downloaded file. It seemed to be back up and running by the time the progress bar was around 60% or so.

The icon support is nice. I saw one I had tried to update was now showing the new icon. Spent too much time updating most of my devices (I only have about 9-10). Still trying to find some decent icons for my Onkyo receiver, a Legacy Tablo, and two Google TV boxes.

 

[wouterv]

The progress bar is running in your computer browser in the time the router is performing the update.
Sometimes the bar is slow and the router is back online before the bar reached the end, other times the bar is fast and the router needs more time to finish the upgrade and come back online.

Regarding custom icons I really don't care, it is a gadget that adds nothing to the router performance or stability.
I would prefer bare basic home-router firmware with long term security update support above all the bells and whistles.
The RT-AC68U family of routers quite complies to the above, and still beats other well known consumer router manufacturers with long term (over 11 years now) firmware upgrades.

Some early information from 2013 can be found here.

 

[banger]

 

[wouterv]

Rock solid here as well.
FTTH modem <-wired-> RT-AC68U Router <-wireless-> RT-AC1900U Media Bridge <-wired-> Amino TV box for interactive TV.
Plus a couple of wireless connected iPhones, laptops, the printer, and at times "guest" phones (iPhone and Android).
Over time from back in the 1980's we went from Viditel and Hayes dial modems, to early cable modems, to DOCSIS cable modems and now a couple of years fiber to the home.
With fiber and all the kids living at home we went up to 700 Mbps Up/Down and since some time scaled down to 75 Mbps Up/Down.
We are good enough without network congestion.
Some time ago I had the idea to upgrade the router to the RT-AX86U Pro (due to the form fit it literally replaced the RT-AC68U at the same location). This router screwed the network performance, with poor 2.4 GHz on the first floor and the printer was not able to stay connected, so the RT-AX86U Pro was returned and the RT-AC68U put back in place.
When the RT-AC68U fails it is time to look for a replacement, the bad experience with the RT-AX86U Pro made me very reluctant to replace what works well for us, the recent firmware updates support me.

 

[OzarkEdge]

There must have been a lemon in there somewhere... the AX86U Pro is a better wireless router than the AC68U by a decade or so.

OE

 

[bennor]

Some time ago I had the idea to upgrade the router to the RT-AX86U Pro (due to the form fit it literally replaced the RT-AC68U at the same location). This router screwed the network performance, with poor 2.4 GHz on the first floor and the printer was not able to stay connected, so the RT-AX86U Pro was returned and the RT-AC68U put back in place.

You may have gotten a lemon router. The RT-AX86U Pro I have replaced a old RT-AC68U and the its been lightyears better and more responsive than the AC68U ever was. WiFi including 2.4Ghz appears better and my clients seem to maintain a better connection/speed as well.

 

[Tech9]

Confirming RT-AX86U (Pro) is a massive range and throughput improvement in Wi-Fi over RT-AC68U even to existing AC-class clients. The more active clients the more obvious the difference. RT-AC68U radios are also CPU dependent. The more things the CPU is doing the worse Wi-Fi as a result. It was a good router, perhaps the most successful model Asus ever released, but 12+ years old hardware now. Good for a spare router if modem only is used.

 

[dlandiss]

Retired AC68s also make great access points. The heavy lifting is done by the gateway router.

 

[Tech9]

Good access points, but not great. I would say the radios hold this router back. It works great with an external AP, Asuswrt is still okay, FreshTomato is available. The same BCM4360 radio was used in RT-AC66U, early AC Wave 1 draft specs with lower sensitivity, relies on the main CPU for processing. This translates in lower PHY rates at distance and lower number of active clients support compared to BCM4366E radios or newer. No MU-MIMO either.