The times of the RT-N66U and today's AX+ class equipment have seen almost everything change in the WiFi/networking space.
I'm not saying you need to beta-test anything for Asus or anyone else.
But, you do need to change/adapt to the current environment.
If it's working well (enough) for everyone else, then it is something you're doing.
Asus, and all other manufacturers, have to follow the current best practices as dictated by law, changing WiFi standards, and other influences. Individually, we're just along for the ride, for the better of all.
You can simply blame Asus and have an unstable network. Or, you can use a systematic procedure to determine what actually breaks your network, and if there is anything you can do about it.
That is what the outline of the Nuclear Reset attempts if followed to the letter.
Overview:
Step 1: Make sure the router/firmware is working as intended and the firmware is using its anticipated defaults and variables within the ranges expected. At this step, we're assuming the hardware is functional.
Step 2: Verify by observation (for as long as it is required, depending on the original issues observed), that the router hardware is working as expected. This is as close as we can verify the hardware isn't at fault without using lab equipment at our homes.
Step 3: With a base/default configuration (above), we should have ruled out whether those settings are stable or not. Assuming stability, we now add a single additional variable and test further for as long as necessary (again, depending on the original issues we had with the router/network.
These aren't random variables, features, scripts, etc. we're adding. These are specifically what we're using on our personal, individual networks. No need to test the billions of possible combinations. Only ours.
Step 4: Satisfied with the stability of our router/network with the last configuration we changed, we repeat Step 3 with another that we (think) we need/use in our networks.
Repeat, until the system is fully configured as we want, or we find what additional change breaks our network/router.
Keeping excellent notes is essential for this type of troubleshooting. Particularly if it is done over days and weeks. But the rewards of a network perfectly matching our needs are well worth it.
I have an ASUS AX86U and contemplating the installation of Merlin firmware. The DDNS settings on the AX86U are limited to select dns providers. If I install Merlin, will I have more flexability (choices) with the DDNS Settings? Thanks in advance!
www.snbforums.com
Additional points to keep in mind:
Don't use, enable/change/set options/features, or scripts just because you did in the past. They may be not needed, or outright detrimental in today's (vastly changed) networking environments.
Don't toggle settings on/off to see what they do. This is not the same as simply leaving the setting at its default (on or off). A full reset is more than likely the fastest way to make sure the router is in a good/known state once again if you have been doing this.
With each change made, even after a router-initiated reboot, I would still recommend rebooting the router once more via the GUI after 10 or 15 minutes. And verifying after each reboot that the changes you have made so far are preserved and intact.
The 'notes' you're taking above should be incorporated even when not troubleshooting.
The journal you keep of the changes and adjustments you make to your network may help you avoid doing all the above in the future. A dated, time-stamped 'diary' of your router/network is a must if you're not using simple defaults, whether that is with consumer hardware or more enterprise-level models.
And I'll repeat, you're not troubleshooting anything here for Asus (at least not directly). You're doing this for your unique network setup. You may still not want to do this, but that doesn't mean Asus is (or 'can' be) responsible for these corner cases, such as yours.