ASUS RT-AC87 Firmware - Official Releases

[ankhazam]

I have updated to the latest firmware (3754) [..]

Wrong, the latest stable FW is 3.0.0.4.378.3885, it fixes quite a few important bugs

 

[Kallagtunet]

It's fairly solid except for a few bugs...

A pity that Cisco have no consumer products anymore...

 

[texashoser]

A pity that Cisco have no consumer products anymore...

Well, Cisco=Linksys. They have a newish AC1900 router out that's gotten a lot of good reviews. I specifically bought the AC68U for its dual WAN capabilities. Unfortunately, there are still some bugs when using that feature in certain configurations.

 

[richdbenson]

Just wanted to throw in, regarding the recent issues with having two AC87s on the network. I have two online as a router/bridge combo rather than a router/ap combo. I don't seem to be having any obvious issues with my setup, although for everything except the bridged AC87, I don't use 5GHz yet.

I'm getting a solid 1-2 weeks normal uptime. 5Ghz is still troublesome on many of my devices (strong connection signal without any actual network access after a random amount of time), but for now I have no issues using the 2.4 for most things.

Well, I think i may have figured out one key to keeping my main AC87 up and running while with an Access point. I have the two running now and I turned off NAT acceleration. This change has resulted in stable network. I'm not sure how much it will affect performance. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Jackal314]

Well, I think i may have figured out one key to keeping my main AC87 up and running while with an Access point. I have the two running now and I turned off NAT acceleration. This change has resulted in stable network. I'm not sure how much it will affect performance. I'll keep you posted.

Struggling with 2 x RT-AC87Us in Router/AccessPoint configuration as well. Spent the last two days flashing latest firmware (3.0.0.4.378_3885), resetting NVRAM, and rebuilding router/AP configurations multiple times. Main RT-AC87U router has been super stable with only the AP going offline into never-never land (I have never swapped router/AP purpose of physical units - may try this next).

Until tonight, the AP would only function properly for 2-3 hours and then become dysfunctional as well as drop from the Router's client list. After resetting NVRAM and re-flashing firmware again on AP this afternoon, the config has been stable for a record 8.75 hours with multiple 2.4GHz and 5GHz clients (Nest thermostat, 4xNest Protect detectors, 2 x Windows phones, 2 x iPhone 4s, 2 x iPod 3, 1 x iPad3, 3 x Kobo, 2 x Windows 8.1 notebooks). The only hardware change I have made was to move the PlayStation4 from LAN Port 1 on the AP to LAN Port 4 (no other hardware connected to AP).

Only other notable is my admin laptop (ASUS UX303LN) is now connecting to AP at stable 390 Mbps vs maximum 260 Mbps during last couple of days (distance 36 ft through 2 walls). Connects at 867 Mbps when co-located with AP.

Also, awaiting callback from ASUS support regarding router/AP config issues with current firmware release. Will share if anything useful (?!).

 

[richdbenson]

Struggling with 2 x RT-AC87Us in Router/AccessPoint configuration as well. Spent the last two days flashing latest firmware (3.0.0.4.378_3885), resetting NVRAM, and rebuilding router/AP configurations multiple times. Main RT-AC87U router has been super stable with only the AP going offline into never-never land (I have never swapped router/AP purpose of physical units - may try this next).


Mine has been up for 22 hours straight now with everything functioning fine.

 

[Hydro]

After upgrading to the 85 firmware when it was released, all was great for me for few days - my 5g network was rockin steady & strong across all devices.

Came home from work last night, and the 5g net was inexplicably back to its usual wonkiness - full bars on my devices, but totally flaky connectivity. Fortunately, my 2.4g net has been stable & strong ever since I bought the router months ago, so that's been the saving grace.

But, man, it sure would be nice to have a reliable 5g net too - if all I'm ever gonna get from this AC87 is a 2.4g net, I sure got suckered into paying a heckuva premium for it. *sigh*

 

[Kallagtunet]

2 days before crash... reseption but no internet connection. Not able to connect not connected devices. Look like it have cleared the log for several weeks also??? There is is a strange jump in the entries least see log below...

I think this will have to go back! My patiens is running out. What is the most stable AC router wit good capacity and good range???

Dec 29 23:54:00 kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address
Dec 29 23:54:01 kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address
Dec 29 23:54:02 kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address
Dec 30 00:47:57 rc_service: udhcpc_lan 30728:notify_rc start_dnsmasq
Dec 30 00:47:57 rc_service: udhcpc_lan 30728:notify_rc stop_ntpc
Dec 30 00:47:57 rc_service: waitting "start_dnsmasq" via udhcpc_lan ...
Dec 30 00:47:58 rc_service: udhcpc_lan 30728:notify_rc start_ntpc
Dec 30 00:47:58 rc_service: waitting "stop_ntpc" via udhcpc_lan ...
Dec 30 00:48:01 rc_service: ntp 30733:notify_rc stop_ntpc
Dec 30 00:48:02 rc_service: ntp 30733:notify_rc restart_diskmon
Dec 30 00:48:03 disk monitor: be idle
Dec 30 12:48:02 rc_service: udhcpc_lan 31036:notify_rc start_dnsmasq
Dec 31 00:48:04 rc_service: udhcpc_lan 31325:notify_rc start_dnsmasq
Dec 31 00:48:04 rc_service: udhcpc_lan 31325:notify_rc stop_ntpc
Dec 31 00:48:04 rc_service: udhcpc_lan 31325:notify_rc start_ntpc
Dec 31 00:48:04 rc_service: waitting "stop_ntpc" via udhcpc_lan ...
Dec 31 00:48:06 rc_service: ntp 31330:notify_rc stop_ntpc
Dec 31 00:48:07 rc_service: ntp 31330:notify_rc restart_diskmon
Dec 31 00:48:08 disk monitor: be idle
Dec 31 07:53:25 kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address
Dec 31 07:53:25 kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address
Dec 31 07:53:26 kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address
Dec 31 07:53:27 kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address
Dec 31 07:53:28 kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address
Dec 31 07:53:29 kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address
Dec 31 07:53:30 kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address
Dec 31 07:53:31 kernel: br0: received packet on vlan1 with own address as source address
Dec 1 01:00:11 syslogd started: BusyBox v1.17.4
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: klogd started: BusyBox v1.17.4 (2015-01-12 11:10:07 CST)
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Linux version 2.6.36.4brcmarm (raymonddev@raymonddev-1404) (gcc version 4.5.3 (Buildroot 2012.02) ) #1 SMP PREEMPT Mon Jan 12 11:15:48 CST 2015
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: CPU: ARMv7 Processor [413fc090] revision 0 (ARMv7), cr=10c53c7f
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: CPU: VIPT nonaliasing data cache, VIPT nonaliasing instruction cache
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Machine: Northstar Prototype
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Ignoring unrecognised tag 0x00000000
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Memory policy: ECC disabled, Data cache writealloc
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Built 1 zonelists in Zone order, mobility grouping on. Total pages: 60416
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Kernel command line: root=/dev/mtdblock2 console=ttyS0,115200 init=/sbin/preinit earlyprintk debug
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Memory: 255540k/255540k available, 6604k reserved, 0K highmem
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Virtual kernel memory layout:
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: vector : 0xffff0000 - 0xffff1000 ( 4 kB)
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: fixmap : 0xfff00000 - 0xfffe0000 ( 896 kB)
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: DMA : 0xf7e00000 - 0xffe00000 ( 128 MB)
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: vmalloc : 0xd0800000 - 0xf0000000 ( 504 MB)
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: lowmem : 0xc0000000 - 0xd0000000 ( 256 MB)
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: modules : 0xbf000000 - 0xc0000000 ( 16 MB)
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: .init : 0xc0008000 - 0xc003d000 ( 212 kB)
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: .text : 0xc003d000 - 0xc03a2000 (3476 kB)
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: .data : 0xc03ba000 - 0xc03dcfe0 ( 140 kB)
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: External imprecise Data abort at addr=0x0, fsr=0x1c06 ignored.
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Mount-cache hash table entries: 512
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: CPU1: Booted secondary processor
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Found a AMD NAND flash:
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Total size: 128MB
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Block size: 128KB
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Page Size: 2048B
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: OOB Size: 64B
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Sector size: 512B
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Spare size: 16B
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: ECC level: 8 (8-bit)
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: Device ID: 0x 1 0xf1 0x 0 0x1d 0x 1 0xf1
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: bio: create slab <bio-0> at 0
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: PCI: no core
Dec 1 01:00:11 kernel: PCI: no core
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: PCI: Fixing up bus 0
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: PCI: Fixing up bus 0
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: PCI: Fixing up bus 1
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: VFS: Disk quotas dquot_6.5.2
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: Dquot-cache hash table entries: 1024 (order 0, 4096 bytes)
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: pflash: found no supported devices
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: bcmsflash: found no supported devices
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: Boot partition size = 524288(0x80000)
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: lookup_nflash_rootfs_offset: offset = 0x200000
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: nflash: squash filesystem with lzma found at block 28
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: Creating 4 MTD partitions on "nflash":
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: 0x000000000000-0x000000080000 : "boot"
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: 0x000000080000-0x000000200000 : "nvram"
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: 0x000000200000-0x000004000000 : "linux"
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: 0x0000003998a4-0x000004000000 : "rootfs"
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: === PPTP init ===
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: Registering the dns_resolver key type
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: Spare area=64 eccbytes 56, ecc bytes located at:
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: Available 7 bytes at (off,len):
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: (1,1) (16,2) (32,2) (48,2) (0,0) (0,0) (0,0) (0,0)
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: Options: NO_AUTOINCR,NO_READRDY,BBT_SCAN2NDPAGE,
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: Creating 2 MTD partitions on "brcmnand":
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: 0x000004000000-0x000007ec0000 : "brcmnand"
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: 0x000007ec0000-0x000008000000 : "asus"
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: VFS: Mounted root (squashfs filesystem) readonly on device 31:3.
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: ctf: module license 'Proprietary' taints kernel.
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: Disabling lock debugging due to kernel taint
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: et_module_init: passivemode set to 0x0
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: et_module_init: txworkq set to 0x1
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: et_module_init: et_txq_thresh set to 0x400
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: eth0: Broadcom BCM47XX 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Controller 6.37.14.86 (r456083)
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: wl_module_init: passivemode set to 0x0
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: wl_module_init: txworkq set to 0x1
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: eth1: Broadcom BCM4360 802.11 Wireless Controller 6.37.14.86 (r456083)
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: SCSI subsystem initialized
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: xhci_hcd 0000:00:0c.0: Failed to enable MSI-X
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: xhci_hcd 0000:00:0c.0: failed to allocate MSI entry
Dec 1 01:00:12 kernel: usb usb1: No SuperSpeed endpoint companion for config 1 interface 0 altsetting 0 ep 129: using minimum values
Dec 1 01:00:15 stop_nat_rules: apply the redirect_rules!
Dec 1 01:00:15 qcsapi: write qcsapi conf ok
Dec 1 01:00:15 WAN Connection: ISP's DHCP did not function properly.
Dec 1 01:00:27 dnsmasq[564]: warning: interface ppp1* does not currently exist
Dec 1 01:00:27 RT-AC87U: start httpd
Dec 1 01:00:28 disk monitor: be idle
Dec 1 01:00:28 syslog: Generating SSL certificate...
Dec 1 01:00:28 miniupnpd[605]: HTTP listening on port 43554
Dec 1 01:00:28 miniupnpd[605]: Listening for NAT-PMP traffic on port 5351
Dec 1 01:00:28 start_nat_rules: apply the nat_rules(/tmp/nat_rules_eth0_eth0)!
Dec 1 01:00:29 kernel: nf_conntrack_rtsp v0.6.21 loading
Dec 1 01:00:29 kernel: nf_nat_rtsp v0.6.21 loading
Dec 1 01:00:29 wan: finish adding multi routes
Dec 1 01:00:29 rc_service: udhcpc 622:notify_rc stop_upnp
Dec 1 01:00:29 rc_service: udhcpc 622:notify_rc start_upnp
Dec 1 01:00:29 rc_service: waitting "stop_upnp" via udhcpc ...
Dec 1 01:00:34 WAN Connection: WAN was restored.
Dec 1 01:00:44 rc_service: skip the event: start_upnp.
Dec 1 01:00:44 ntp: start NTP update
Jan 16 09:14:20 rc_service: ntp 679:notify_rc restart_upnp
Jan 16 09:14:20 rc_service: waitting "stop_upnp" via udhcpc ...
Jan 16 09:14:21 kernel: * Make sure sizeof(struct sw_struct)=160 is consistent
Jan 16 09:14:22 kernel: sizeof forward param = 160
Jan 16 09:14:23 start_nat_rules: apply the nat_rules(/tmp/nat_rules_eth0_eth0)!
Jan 16 09:14:24 dhcp client: bound 92.221.3.249 via 92.221.0.1 during 3600 seconds.
Jan 16 09:14:26 dnsmasq-dhcp[564]: Ignoring domain statoil.net for DHCP host name LT-770111
Jan 16 09:14:30 dnsmasq-dhcp[564]: Ignoring domain statoil.net for DHCP host name LT-770111
Jan 16 09:14:34 rc_service: skip the event: restart_upnp.
Jan 16 09:14:34 rc_service: ntp 679:notify_rc restart_diskmon
Jan 16 09:14:34 rc_service: waitting "stop_upnp" via ...
Jan 16 09:14:37 crond[572]: time disparity of 66734 minutes detected
Jan 16 09:14:39 miniupnpd[605]: received signal 15, good-bye
Jan 16 09:14:40 qtn: bootcfg.tgz exists
Jan 16 09:14:41 disk monitor: be idle
Jan 16 09:14:50 dfs: start dfs scan
Jan 16 09:14:50 nodfs_scan: complete
Jan 16 09:14:50 dfs: start dfs scan
Jan 16 09:14:50 nodfs_scan: complete

 

[richdbenson]

Struggling with 2 x RT-AC87Us in Router/AccessPoint configuration as well. Spent the last two days flashing latest firmware (3.0.0.4.378_3885), resetting NVRAM, and rebuilding router/AP configurations multiple times. Main RT-AC87U router has been super stable with only the AP going offline into never-never land (I have never swapped router/AP purpose of physical units - may try this next).

Until tonight, the AP would only function properly for 2-3 hours and then become dysfunctional as well as drop from the Router's client list. After resetting NVRAM and re-flashing firmware again on AP this afternoon, the config has been stable for a record 8.75 hours with multiple 2.4GHz and 5GHz clients (Nest thermostat, 4xNest Protect detectors, 2 x Windows phones, 2 x iPhone 4s, 2 x iPod 3, 1 x iPad3, 3 x Kobo, 2 x Windows 8.1 notebooks). The only hardware change I have made was to move the PlayStation4 from LAN Port 1 on the AP to LAN Port 4 (no other hardware connected to AP).

Only other notable is my admin laptop (ASUS UX303LN) is now connecting to AP at stable 390 Mbps vs maximum 260 Mbps during last couple of days (distance 36 ft through 2 walls). Connects at 867 Mbps when co-located with AP.

Also, awaiting callback from ASUS support regarding router/AP config issues with current firmware release. Will share if anything useful (?!).

I had about 2 days of solid stability but then last night my main router crashed 2 times.

 

[dfran1]

with 3885 PS4 LAG

On the first day I had no lag wired, then lag showed up
So switched to wifi, and that had no lag for a day and I thought that was the answer BUT NO.
last night massive lag (half maybe due to where I live) no matter what lan or wifi, reboot...
this morning I played with lan and wifi and got rid of most of the lag, back on lan at the moment

I think the router needs to be flashed again, whatever the router is holding now is staying even after a reboot it seems. I know this makes no sense but .....

more tests tonight..... most likely with a reflash.

NOTE:
Also I played with the nat acceleration and with it off it introduces a little lag , so now this router is looking like a total POS (unless fixed by ASUS firmware)

 

[Richard1864]

with 3885 PS4 LAG

On the first day I had no lag wired, then lag showed up
So switched to wifi, and that had no lag for a day and I thought that was the answer BUT NO.
last night massive lag (half maybe due to where I live) no matter what lan or wifi, reboot...
this morning I played with lan and wifi and got rid of most of the lag, back on lan at the moment

I think the router needs to be flashed again, whatever the router is holding now is staying even after a reboot it seems. I know this makes no sense but .....

more tests tonight..... most likely with a reflash.

NOTE:
Also I played with the nat acceleration and with it off it introduces a little lag , so now this router is looking like a total POS (unless fixed by ASUS firmware)

Had same issue here. Then router crashed and GUI completely gone, can't even logon now. Holding reset button for 10 seconds didn't help; router sat there with only 2 LED's lit for 5 minutes then even those went out. No power surge or anything in the house, 87R hooked up to UPS. When calling ASUS later this morning. Netgear X6 R8000 plugged into same UPS, continues working fine.

 

[dfran1]

Had same issue here. Then router crashed and GUI completely gone, can't even logon now. Holding reset button for 10 seconds didn't help; router sat there with only 2 LED's lit for 5 minutes then even those went out. No power surge or anything in the house, 87R hooked up to UPS. When calling ASUS later this morning. Netgear X6 R8000 plugged into same UPS, continues working fine.

Hi,
I am really thinking about going somewhere local that I can return it back to, and get the nether r7500, just to try and see, it SEEMS like what I read I would not get these issues at all (my testing will tell tho).

just out of curiosity, did you try the asus restore utility? I am going to either tonight or in the morning and factory default before and after. I am also going to try my friends really old firmware back on mine, but will it replace all or once you go forward there is no turning back?

 

[Kallagtunet]

2 days before crash... reseption but no internet connection. Not able to connect not connected devices. Look like it have cleared the log for several weeks also??? There is is a strange jump in the entries least see log below...

I think this will have to go back! My patiens is running out. What is the most stable AC router wit good capacity and good range???

A netgear R7000 is now running. Stable so far and god coverage and speed. Have 90 days to try the R7000 out if it is stable. If Asus get their shirt together before that I may give the AC87 a new try before it is also returned. Thanks all for help and advice.

 

[8undy]

Struggling with 2 x RT-AC87Us in Router/AccessPoint configuration as well. Spent the last two days flashing latest firmware (3.0.0.4.378_3885), resetting NVRAM, and rebuilding router/AP configurations multiple times. Main RT-AC87U router has been super stable with only the AP going offline into never-never land (I have never swapped router/AP purpose of physical units - may try this next).

Until tonight, the AP would only function properly for 2-3 hours and then become dysfunctional as well as drop from the Router's client list. After resetting NVRAM and re-flashing firmware again on AP this afternoon, the config has been stable for a record 8.75 hours with multiple 2.4GHz and 5GHz clients (Nest thermostat, 4xNest Protect detectors, 2 x Windows phones, 2 x iPhone 4s, 2 x iPod 3, 1 x iPad3, 3 x Kobo, 2 x Windows 8.1 notebooks). The only hardware change I have made was to move the PlayStation4 from LAN Port 1 on the AP to LAN Port 4 (no other hardware connected to AP).

Only other notable is my admin laptop (ASUS UX303LN) is now connecting to AP at stable 390 Mbps vs maximum 260 Mbps during last couple of days (distance 36 ft through 2 walls). Connects at 867 Mbps when co-located with AP.

Also, awaiting callback from ASUS support regarding router/AP config issues with current firmware release. Will share if anything useful (?!).

I've been using a similar set up with 2 x RT-AC87s in Router/AccessPoint configuration. I previously had AT&T Uverse Power and was noticing a lot of drops from the main router and had to reboot the whole configuration several times. I thought the issue was with the ISP because the DL/UL speeds on Wifi for 2.4/5Ghz were slow (10-40Mbps) so I switched over to Comcast. Since, I've been getting at least 50-80 Mbps on all my wireless devices connected to the network. Unfortunately, I encountered the same issue yesterday where I had to reboot the whole configuration. I reset the NVRAM and upgraded the new stock FW 85 and my set up has been stable for over 12 hours on both signals.

When I upgraded the FW from Merlin 49_5 to the stock 85 FW I did change up my configuration. Since there have been a lot of issues with users with 2x RT-AC87s in Router/AccessPoint configuration I decided to do a Router/Router configuration.

Noob question...Any differences between a router/ap vs. router/router configuration? Pros/Cons?

 

[Richard1864]

Hi,
I am really thinking about going somewhere local that I can return it back to, and get the nether r7500, just to try and see, it SEEMS like what I read I would not get these issues at all (my testing will tell tho).

just out of curiosity, did you try the asus restore utility? I am going to either tonight or in the morning and factory default before and after. I am also going to try my friends really old firmware back on mine, but will it replace all or once you go forward there is no turning back?

Yes, I did try the repair utility but even that couldn't connect to the router. One of our IS (Information Systems) guys took the router apart to look for physical damage and the plastic under the main processor and the Quantenna chipsets was warped and cracked, obviously from excessive heat. There were only small pieces of thermal tape (NOT PASTE!) under the heat sinks! That answers the question, at least for me, whether excessive heat was causing 5 GHz and other issues with this router. This can't be the only 87R put together like this.

 

[NightOwl326]

Yes, I did try the repair utility but even that couldn't connect to the router. One of our IS (Information Systems) guys took the router apart to look for physical damage and the plastic under the main processor and the Quantenna chipsets was warped and cracked, obviously from excessive heat. There were only small pieces of thermal tape (NOT PASTE!) under the heat sinks! That answers the question, at least for me, whether excessive heat was causing 5 GHz and other issues with this router. This can't be the only 87R put together like this.

This is a very interesting finding. Anyone with on going problems with their 87u game to take theirs apart and see if they see the same damage? Maybe it's hardware and not software after all.

 

[scavenger]

Yup, that and some early discovery by users in other threads may point to NVidia-mobile-GPU-levels of shame for the 87U/R thermal engineering effort.

I can say that after the first few terrible firmwares in Q4, mine has finally become well worth the money. But I've had an active cooler under it since day one.

 

[RMerlin]

Yes, I did try the repair utility but even that couldn't connect to the router. One of our IS (Information Systems) guys took the router apart to look for physical damage and the plastic under the main processor and the Quantenna chipsets was warped and cracked, obviously from excessive heat. There were only small pieces of thermal tape (NOT PASTE!) under the heat sinks! That answers the question, at least for me, whether excessive heat was causing 5 GHz and other issues with this router. This can't be the only 87R put together like this.

That's not reassuring. Any idea what your temperature previously was?

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=21702

The presence of thermal tape does not surprise me. It's cheap, easy to apply at manufacturing time, and quite commonly used in personal electronics

 

[CorruptedMind]

Yes, I did try the repair utility but even that couldn't connect to the router. One of our IS (Information Systems) guys took the router apart to look for physical damage and the plastic under the main processor and the Quantenna chipsets was warped and cracked, obviously from excessive heat. There were only small pieces of thermal tape (NOT PASTE!) under the heat sinks! That answers the question, at least for me, whether excessive heat was causing 5 GHz and other issues with this router. This can't be the only 87R put together like this.

Interesting... Do you have pictures? I'm very interested to take my apart and check it out. Also interested in others temps and if others took theirs apart as well. My Temps are at 80 to 85.

Richard was your router well ventilated or next to other components that generate heat?

My router is on it's own coffee table with nothing around it. I also put these sticky plastic lifters under it to give it more breathing room.

 

[Richard1864]

Interesting... Do you have pictures? I'm very interested to take my apart and check it out. Also interested in others temps and if others took theirs apart as well. My Temps are at 80 to 85.

Richard was your router well ventilated or next to other components that generate heat?

My router is on it's own coffee table with nothing around it. I also put these sticky plastic lifters under it to give it more breathing room.

The router was by itself on a desk with rubber feet attached to give 8-inch clearance underneath with an 80 mm USB fan under it to increase air flow. Last temp reading was 114° C with only 7 users.

Asus Tech Support rep said we were the 10th customer this week with confirmed overheat issue with the 87U/R. They're working on new firmware and another new driver from Quantenna to try and reduce heat. No plans to change using thermal tape instead of the paste or use better quality heat sinks. Those are apparently $12 heatsinks. Router is in box awaiting RMA label.