How long will my RT-AC68U continue to work...

[hoff]

Let me start off by saying that my RT-AC68U is THE best router I have ever owned in terms of features and performance! However, this was only after flashing ASUSWRT-Merlin firmware onto it.

When I first received this router I could not get it to connect properly to the wan from my Arris 6183 no matter what I tried. I upgraded my firmware to the latest from Asus, and still could not get it to connect to the wan. I tried doing a factory restore, powercycling my modem and router, and no matter what I did it would not connect. I called Asus technical support, and they were absolutely useless. I was told by the representative that I should return it.

After flashing to Merlin 378.55 firmware all of my problems completely vanished. I love this router now! I'm worried though... I can't decide if I should return it or not. I do technical support for a living, and I have never once struggled so badly with trying to get a router to connect properly to a modem! I feel extremely reliant on this firmware in order to keep my router working how I would like. What am I going to do if updates to this firmware cease to exist later on?

Currently my ISP is Time Warner Cable (Austin, TX) with 300mbps down/20mbps up. I'm using a personally owned Arris 6183 modem (purchased the same time as the AC68U). It has worked well for the last week since I switched to this firmware.

I'm just looking for a second opinion... I don't want to get rid of this awesome router, but I do want it to last!

 

[Deleted member 22630]

Merlin's firmware is excellent. If it's working well for you, keep it! I have a similar situation with an old Linksys router which has radio and USB problems and is useless to me if I run the Linksys firmware, but it all works and meets my needs perfectly (as a second AP) with DD-WRT. Your option is to replace your ASUS router with a less-than-adequate router with good factory firmware, which doesn't make sense. If you want a great router with all the robustness and functions of Merlin's firmware, then... well... you've got it.

 

[HeadBanger]

After flashing to Merlin 378.55 firmware all of my problems completely vanished. I love this router now!

I think you've answered your own question. Merlin fixes a lot of the bad code that ASUS roll out and I have been using his firmware versions for a few years now.

My RT-AC68U with Merlin's firmware is by far the best and most stable router I've ever owned and I won't be replacing it until I have to.

HB

 

[L&LD]

The only test I might try in your situation is to buy another example and see if it does the same thing with your modem and ISP. If it does; it is your modem and ISP as far as I'm concerned. If it doesn't, I would be returning the one you have now.

 

[hoff]

Thanks for your responses guys! I may try getting a 2nd just to see, but I think it is very possible it may have something to do with my ISP... Either way, I guess if it works on Merlin's firmware I shouldn't worry about it. I had a linksys I ran on DD-WRT for almost a decade without issues until I had to bury it in my backyard.

R.I.P. Abraham Linksys.

 

[sfx2000]

I think you'll be fine for a while - the weak spot for most consumer grade router/AP's is the AC Adapter, it generally fails first, and the symptoms are inconsistent connections and random dropouts - and this is not specific to ASUS or any other OEM..