Bricked rt-ac86u

[Pierino]

just got my hands on this bricked rt-ac86u. Power led is on, lan port that has the cable plugged in flashes periodically.
No ping returns with a static ip. I put it into recovery mode and try to use the Asus firmware restoration tool, find it doesn’t even see the firmware, maybe because it’s not a trx file.
So I check the Asus download section and see there is a newer utility which I install. Now I can select the firmware and when I hit upload, I get a message that it isn’t an Asus firmware even though I just downloaded it from Asus.

It starts to upload, gets past 50% then starts over, then before it gets to 100% it says firmware upload successful. After the programming part it says the router will reboot when done.
It never reboots. Goes to the same previous state.

Next I tried the mini cfe web server, which is different than on other models. There is a drop down option to select different options which I don’t know what they are, so I leave it in the default one.
I browse to the firmware, hit upload and then get the firmware uploaded successfully the router will reboot in 2 minutes. 15 minutes later still not recovered.

Anyone have any tips?

 

[ApexRon]

just got my hands on this bricked rt-ac86u. Power led is on, lan port that has the cable plugged in flashes periodically.
No ping returns with a static ip. I put it into recovery mode and try to use the Asus firmware restoration tool, find it doesn’t even see the firmware, maybe because it’s not a trx file.
So I check the Asus download section and see there is a newer utility which I install. Now I can select the firmware and when I hit upload, I get a message that it isn’t an Asus firmware even though I just downloaded it from Asus.

It starts to upload, gets past 50% then starts over, then before it gets to 100% it says firmware upload successful. After the programming part it says the router will reboot when done.
It never reboots. Goes to the same previous state.

Next I tried the mini cfe web server, which is different than on other models. There is a drop down option to select different options which I don’t know what they are, so I leave it in the default one.
I browse to the firmware, hit upload and then get the firmware uploaded successfully the router will reboot in 2 minutes. 15 minutes later still not recovered.

Anyone have any tips?

Consider your financial investment in the brick and perhaps pull the plug.

I suspect bad/corrupt flash, water damage, or burned out component. Pop the covers and check under the hood. Power supply could be questionable too, swap it out.

 

[Pierino]

I can try a different power adapter but doubt that is the problem.

 

[ApexRon]

I can try a different power adapter but doubt that is the problem.

Low voltage, load issues, or ripple on DC can cause weird stuff.

 

[RMerlin]

Plug it over serial to debug it.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[Pierino]

I might. If I decide I’m keeping it.

 

[CrashXRu]

when downloading firmware via recovery mode
% indicator should go 2 times to 50-60%
then some waiting and again with 1% starts, after 10-15 seconds the router will start loading
if the download did not happen, take another older version firmware

As an option, try the very first firmware 382

this router has dual firmware, maybe switching between firmwares does not work correctly for you


if you still fail to recover

use UART-Serial 232
in the CFE console, run the NAND check
CFE> nandtest -m /dev/mtd0 (tested and erased mtd0, don't use in work router)
reboot (poweroff)
power on and use asus rescue (Firmware Restoration)




on my router I already erased mtd0, nvram, cfe factory gonfig
then restored and changed the region and some settings in the factory configuration

 

[Pierino]

I already tried the first firmware available. I have a 30 day return window. I don’t want to open it up till I decide if I’m keeping it or not.

 

[CrashXRu]

then be sure to return under warranty

 

[Viktar Hushchynski]

Just purchased one RT-86U from Amazon Warehouse. I think it came bricked. Power led flashes once every 25-30 seconds. Already tried Asus Firmware restoration utility and it didn't help. It finishes successfully and nothing happens. Also tried holding WPS buttton and turning on the router. In this case all leds went off and I'm able to reach 192.168.1.1 and I see this

Tried uploading latest firmware through this UI and it didn't help too. Is it dead dead? Or it could be restored with some bells and whistles?

 

[Pierino]

I got an RMA. It wouldn’t restore even though I’d upload the firmware through that page.

 

[Viktar Hushchynski]

Found that post https://www.snbforums.com/threads/ac86u-seems-to-be-stuck-in-boot-loop-after-firmware-update.49585

I have the same issue. Decided to return it to amazon.