Recommended Method To Update Firmware On A New RT-AC86U Router?

[curlysir]

Have a new RT-AC86U on the way and have a question about upgrading the firmware.

What is the best/recommended method to update a new router to the latest Asuswrt-Merlin firmware? Should I update to the latest Asus Firmware first and then update to the Merlin firmware? Or just update to the latest Asuswrt-Merlin firmware? I Do not plan to make any changes to the configuration until after I have the firmware updated and the router running stable. On my current RT-AC3100 I just upgraded directly to the latest Asuswrt-Merlin FW and had no problems, but got to wondering if that was the best method.

If this has been discussed I could not find it.

 

[Sylphia]

just update to merlin directly.

 

[Grisu]

and make factory reset after change from stock to Merlin or back as its better and you have nothing to loose without any previous personal settings.

 

[M@rco]

Lots of info can be found in the sticky posts at the top of this forum as well as in the wiki, for example at https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin/wiki/Installation

 

[curlysir]

Up and running. Only problem encountered was the default address of the router was 192.168.50.1 instead of the usual 192.168.1.1 like every router I have owned. The router.asus.com would not work and I was scratching my head until I remembered about the default address being different on some routers.

 

[Xentrk]

Up and running. Only problem encountered was the default address of the router was 192.168.50.1 instead of the usual 192.168.1.1 like every router I have owned. The router.asus.com would not work and I was scratching my head until I remembered about the default address being different on some routers.

Congratulations on a successful firmware flash! I use these set of instructions for my firmware upgrades.

https://x3mtek.com/asuswrt-merlin-firmware-upgrade/

I updated to a release recently and had to perform two factory resets to get it all working. The key points to remember are to first back up the /jffs partition and nvram values, take screen prints of key settings, unmount and remove external USB drives, and be prepared for a factory reset just in case.

 

[st3v3n]

Xentrk, That's confirmed on performing TWO factory resets being the magic number, and that's on the replacement 86U; the first one had to be returned as defective. Eight years, first bad out of box Asus. The replacement 86U, took two sequential factory resets, then being powered off (waited a minute) after which it set up nice as you please, so far so good. I wouldn't ever care to try an update plugged online. I ran the setup on an online laptop, left the router's antenna off in over-abundance of caution. Never left anything plugged into USB but understand the confusion it creates for many. (You're not still several versions behind as in March, are you?)

Curlysir, you can change you router address back to 192.168.1.1 in LAN-IP after you log into the GUI, then apply. If you're going to use OpenVPN clients, (unless you have an extremely large number of devices to support), we egage manual assignment LAN DHCP Server, and limit the address pool between 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.100 to avoid strange errors with OpenVPN. I read that in the fine wiki a year ago, and that's the way it's always worked best with our RT-AC3200. I haven't read that's changed, but I don't get to come up for air that often. Cheers

 

[Grisu]

That's confirmed on performing TWO factory resets being the magic number

YES I can confirm that 2 factory resets are necessary for some issues!

Asus had a big firmware bug in their DSL-AC68U, where DSL part did not work anymore, even after downgrade to last firmware and factory reset.
You had to do this TWICE and some even 3 times for solving the issue.
This has been confirmed and adviced by asus technicians!

So what we learn, factory reset is not a factory reset anymore on asusrouters, at least not in one step resetting!

 

[PolarBear]

Have a new RT-AC86U on the way and have a question about upgrading the firmware.

What is the best/recommended method to update a new router to the latest Asuswrt-Merlin firmware? Should I update to the latest Asus Firmware first and then update to the Merlin firmware? Or just update to the latest Asuswrt-Merlin firmware?

When I first powered up my new RT-AC86U at the end of June, it immediately updated itself to the latest version of the stock Asus firmware. (As far as I can recall, I did not get a choice about this.)

After the update had completed, I installed the latest Merlin, which at that time was 384.6_alpha2

I took care to reboot a couple of times, and leave the power disconnected for a few minutes, since it is much less effort to follow the recommended procedure the first time, than it is to take short cuts and then have to do it properly later.

Since then, no problems to speak of.

 

[curlysir]

When I first powered up my new RT-AC86U at the end of June, it immediately updated itself to the latest version of the stock Asus firmware. (As far as I can recall, I did not get a choice about this.)

After the update had completed, I installed the latest Merlin, which at that time was 384.6_alpha2

I took care to reboot a couple of times, and leave the power disconnected for a few minutes, since it is much less effort to follow the recommended procedure the first time, than it is to take short cuts and then have to do it properly later.

Since then, no problems to speak of.

Mine would not connect using the default router.asus.com and I had to manually connect. That is when I discovered the router default IP was 50.1. Once connected I too updated to the latest stock Asus firmware, I did have the option. After it was up and running I upgraded to the latest non alpha firmware.

 

[curlysir]

Xentrk, That's confirmed on performing TWO factory resets being the magic number, and that's on the replacement 86U; the first one had to be returned as defective. Eight years, first bad out of box Asus. The replacement 86U, took two sequential factory resets, then being powered off (waited a minute) after which it set up nice as you please, so far so good. I wouldn't ever care to try an update plugged online. I ran the setup on an online laptop, left the router's antenna off in over-abundance of caution. Never left anything plugged into USB but understand the confusion it creates for many. (You're not still several versions behind as in March, are you?)

Curlysir, you can change you router address back to 192.168.1.1 in LAN-IP after you log into the GUI, then apply. If you're going to use OpenVPN clients, (unless you have an extremely large number of devices to support), we egage manual assignment LAN DHCP Server, and limit the address pool between 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.100 to avoid strange errors with OpenVPN. I read that in the fine wiki a year ago, and that's the way it's always worked best with our RT-AC3200. I haven't read that's changed, but I don't get to come up for air that often. Cheers

I left it at 192.168.50.1 and changed the 2 devices I have static IP's on. Not too big a deal. I left it at the 50.1 because I assumed (right or wrong) that if I ever did a factory reset it would revert back to the 50.1.

 

[HowIFix]

For me this is the best method:

Spoiler: Click

 

[Grisu]

For me this is the best method:

Spoiler: Click

sorry, cant warm to such videos which only destroy ar demolish things instead of repairing them as long they still could be usable.
for me its more stupid not to recycle at least the battery (excuse my hard words, not against you!).