How to update to the latest version of Merlin?

[Aquillyne]

For the life of me I can't find a simple explanation of the upgrade process from one version of Asuswrt-Merlin to the next. I just don't want to mess it up. Can someone let me know the steps?

 

[Jeffrey Young]

Start with reviewing the release notes for all version starting with what you currently have and the version you are going too. If you need to do any full reset/setup from scratch due to firmware changes, it will generally say there.

If nothing is said, and you are not updating any more than one or two version jumps (this is subjective), you can just flash over the existing firmware and reboot the router.

Now, monitor things. If everything is working great and issue free, fantastic. If you start getting weird issues or troubles, you may have to do a reset and reconfigure the router from scratch. Don't use a saved config as that will just put back and settings or corruption that is causing the issue.

Hope this helps some.

 

[OzarkEdge]

For the life of me I can't find a simple explanation of the upgrade process from one version of Asuswrt-Merlin to the next. I just don't want to mess it up. Can someone let me know the steps?

Just flash it. If weirdness prevails, reset it and configure from scratch.

This sticky FAQ explains the rationale for the reset:
Reset FAQ
Reset Button/webUI Restore
WPS Button Hard Reset

OE

 

[eibgrad]

First step, make a backup of your current config and have a download of your currently installed firmware available, regardless whether you do a clean or dirty upgrade (that's always hotly debated around here). Nothing worse than having things go wrong and no way to return to the prior working configuration.

 

[L&LD]

This may also be helpful.

Best Practice Update/Setup Router/AiMesh Node(s) 2021

 

[Aquillyne]

Start with reviewing the release notes for all version starting with what you currently have and the version you are going too. If you need to do any full reset/setup from scratch due to firmware changes, it will generally say there.

If nothing is said, and you are not updating any more than one or two version jumps (this is subjective), you can just flash over the existing firmware and reboot the router.

No obvious note in recent changelog saying "full reset required".

So, I literally just download the latest firmware and use the "manual firmware update: upload" button? – it almost seems too simple!

First step, make a backup of your current config and have a download of your currently installed firmware available, regardless whether you do a clean or dirty upgrade (that's always hotly debated around here). Nothing worse than having things go wrong and no way to return to the prior working configuration.

I don't see the point of backing up my settings first, given that all advice says "don't try to restore settings from a backup made in a prior version". I guess the update will do its best to preserve settings? – and I should just note them down so I can go through and check?

Thanks for your help.

 

[eibgrad]

I don't see the point of backing up my settings first, given that all advice says "don't try to restore settings from a backup made in a prior version". I guess the update will do its best to preserve settings? – and I should just note them down so I can go through and check?

I'm suggesting you backup the current config in case things go so badly (or you encounter a significant regression; it happens) you have to return to the OLD firmware! Restoring a backup to the same firmware from which is was created is perfectly safe. It's the reason backups exist at all.

 

[apvm]

Sorry to highjack this thread, I have the GT-AC2900 and latest official Asus firmware, do I just flash merlin over official and can I load official config backup to merlin? Thanks.

 

[Waverly934]

Followup questions:

I've scoured the site navigation toolbar but find no mention of release notes, only changelog. Are "release notes" another way of saying "changelog"? I would think they are synonymous

When doing an upgrade, do extra components: like diversion, entware, amtm remain in place?

I see one post mentions unplugging all usb/ether before update. But this sounds like it was in the step from 384.x to 386.1
Are those steps necessary for update from 386.3_2 to 386.13?

 

[Mutzli]

Followup questions:

I've scoured the site navigation toolbar but find no mention of release notes, only changelog. Are "release notes" another way of saying "changelog"? I would think they are synonymous

When doing an upgrade, do extra components: like diversion, entware, amtm remain in place?

I see one post mentions unplugging all usb/ether before update. But this sounds like it was in the step from 384.x to 386.1
Are those steps necessary for update from 386.3_2 to 386.13?

Only unplug any USB drives if the update fails to install. But I usually reboot the router and wait about 10 min before updating to a new firmware to make sure there is nothing in the memory that can mess with the update.