Is my 86U dead?

[Ancaster]

On latest firmware not a fresh update, yesterday lost internet. Connected modem cable to my old 66U (VPN router, VPN turned off) and works, I have a 68U as well I was AImeshing so I can revert to that.

Tried factory reset on the 86U, then reloading settings I saved earlier, didn’t work.

Does a Merlin exist for this model? Or don’t bother? It’s the newest of my 3, not impressed. I might have had it now beyond warranty, not sure, will need to check receipt.

 

[L&LD]

Does it work after a full reset/initialize and not reloading saved settings?

The 'latest firmware' doesn't mean anything. What version are you talking about?

What model are you talking about for RMerlin support?

https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/about

 

[Ancaster]

I could try that but it doesn't make sense it would suddenly give out, update version was Nov/19 when I did it.

Thanks for the link, RMerlin didn't have support when I bought (I've used his builds on my previous Asus routers).
Looks like it's on the list now, latest release here:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/asuswrt-merlin/files/RT-AC86U/

Current Version:

Will do some more problem-solving tomorrow, which should I try first?

 

[L&LD]

I would recommend flashing RMerlin v384.15_0 or the latest Alpha 1 version (there are two currently) if you feel like testing a bit (Alpha 1 is stable for my RT-AX88U).

Then following the M&M Config and maybe also the Nuclear Reset guides in the link in my signature below.

 

[Ancaster]

Thanks for your help, Nuclear Reset and latest RMerlin as above fixed it (I think). I then uploaded my CFG file I saved yesterday and I couldn't access any bookmarks again. So I started all over, no CFG upload, manually added MAC filters, didn't touch anything else for now. Made a new CFG file.

One of my devices beeped which tells me it lost it's 2.4GHz connection. It's happened 4x today. Now in retrospect I realized it's done that a few times a month for a while now. I'm wondering if the router does have a hardware problem.

 

[CaptainSTX]

One of the most common infamous problems that the AC86 suffers from is failed or failing 2.4 Ghz radios. Time to approach ASUS for an RMA.

 

[Ancaster]

Yes, read about that when I bought it. Phew, 2y warranty and receipt says Nov2018, except Corona may have me waiting a bit.