FW update while unable to log on router

[alternety]

I have an RT-N66U router. Running probably 49.2. When I installed it I went through all the settings. I managed to cause it to refuse to communicate with me. Probably related to my attempting to enable a higher level of communication security. I have ignored the problem until I noted the security problem with the routers.

I have downloaded 49.5. How to I get it installed when I can't log on to the router. Should I force it into recovery mode?

 

[huotg01]

I have an RT-N66U router. Running probably 49.2. When I installed it I went through all the settings. I managed to cause it to refuse to communicate with me. [...]

What do you mean by "refuse to communicate with me" ? Using the web GUI, ssh ?

 

[alternety]

Yes. The terminal emulator will not connect and I can't talk to it using the IP address.

 

[john9527]

You could also try a 'WPS reset' - Hold down the WPS button while powering on...continue to hold until the power LED goes into fast blink mode. Release the WPS button and the router should reboot. This will clear NVRAM, so you'll need to reconfig, but it should get you back into the gui.

If that fails, then the recover utility/mode would be my next try.

 

[alternety]

My WPS button is configured to turn wireless on and off. Will that still work for this purpose?

 

[john9527]

My WPS button is configured to turn wireless on and off. Will that still work for this purpose?

No experience there...My guess would be yes, but only way to know for sure is to give it a try.

But, if you worried about breaking things, I'm pretty sure using recovery mode will still work (maybe try that first).

 

[huotg01]

Yes. The terminal emulator will not connect and I can't talk to it using the IP address.

ok. If you don't have to many parameters to re-set, what john9527 recommend is for sure the way to go.

You could also check a few more things:
-did you change the ssh port ?
-did you select HTTPS as authentification mode ?
-if yes, you have to access setting page via https://router.asus.com:xxxx
-if yes, did you change the port number for lan access to xxxx
-if yes, did you change the port number for wan access to yyyy

 

[alternety]

Thanks huotg01, but you have way exceeded my level of expertise in this post. I really can't answer any of your questions and have no idea what to substitute for Xs and Ys.

 

[RMerlin]

Thanks huotg01, but you have way exceeded my level of expertise in this post. I really can't answer any of your questions and have no idea what to substitute for Xs and Ys.

Flash it using Asus's Firmware Recovery tool.

 

[alternety]

Thanks Merlin - I wound up doing that; sorta by accident. I did however manage to get your release with the security patch when I did it. Wanting to install that is what started the whole thing.

It appears that I made a typing error and now it will not accept the new admin name and password. When the wife leaves for a function I will do a reset and input all of the things again.

I keep getting confused. What process clears the settings (at least name and password) without wiping the firmware?

 

[huotg01]

ok. If you don't have to many parameters to re-set, what john9527 recommend is for sure the way to go.

You could also check a few more things:
-did you change the ssh port ?
-did you select HTTPS as authentification mode ?
-if yes, you have to access setting page via https://router.asus.com:xxxx
-if yes, did you change the port number for lan access to xxxx
-if yes, did you change the port number for wan access to yyyy

Look at the attached picture of Administration/System page. If you changed "1", then you have to also change the port in Putty.
If you changed "2", you will have to login using https://... with the right port number.

 

[RMerlin]

Thanks Merlin - I wound up doing that; sorta by accident. I did however manage to get your release with the security patch when I did it. Wanting to install that is what started the whole thing.

It appears that I made a typing error and now it will not accept the new admin name and password. When the wife leaves for a function I will do a reset and input all of the things again.

I keep getting confused. What process clears the settings (at least name and password) without wiping the firmware?

If you keep the reset button pressed for about five seconds, the router should reboot, with all its configuration erased. The firmware itself will be untouched.

 

[alternety]

Thanks, everything is working like I wanted.

And thanks again Merlin for all of your work on the firmware.