[RT-AC56U] Reboot cycle after update to original firmware 374.291

[nikuz]

So, as i described before, for interrupt the Reboot cycle, for the start i cleared the specific entries in the nvram. After that i successfully erase whole nvram by:
1) nvram erase
2) nvram commit
3) reboot

Finally my RT-AC56U started to load full linux console.
For fully recover my router i repeated again this steps:
1) nvram erase
2) nvram commit
3) reboot

After that RT-AC56U was fully loaded with Merlin 378.55. And finally i successfully update firmware to Merlin 380.59.

Thanks for all who wrote his experience here! It's really helped me.

 

[moso]

Sorry for hijacking the thread a bit but...

I have purchased said router. I've successfully flashed DD-WRT, but since it would only run for 6 hours at a time, I decided to try another firmware.

Initially I couldn't get rid of DD-WRT, until I flashed the stock firmware version the router was shipped with, by using the firmware restoration tool.

Now I can't seem to get away from that either. I can't upgrade to an official asus firmware or a Merlin firmware - neither upgrading with firmware restoration or web gui works.

I can get into recovery mode fine. And the only way to flash something that works is by restoring to the old firmware.

Is it because nvram is filled with something, or doesn't get cleared properly? Can I erase it without taking my router apart and use a serial cable?

 

[moso]

You need to upgrade your CFE (bootloader) first, download 378.55 and flash it, after that do a minimal config and reboot.Then flash with what you want upper than 378.56_2
When you are on the FW you want, "Factory to Defaults the router" and reconfig from beginning

If you want to use the Restoration tool method : (Flash with 378.55 with the Tool to be sure)
Im using the download page for N66, but its the same tool for every models
First you need the Restoration Tool from asus(asus site https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RTN66U/HelpDesk_Download/) , install it after you need to put the router in RESCUE MODE

Follow these steps its for Ac66, but work for all models, you need to do all the steps from the link below

Power off the router: Hold RESET(or restore) button and power on router,keep holding reset til led begin flashing slowy, release RESET button and you are now in rescue mode

https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1000814/


If you want to clear the Nvram:
Keep press WPS button and power on the router, dont release WPS until leds flash rapidly(10 sec apprx), the release wps and wait 3-4 min.Nvram is cleared and you must reconfig from the beginning.Dont import old settings

Thanks for poking me in the right direction. I was able to flash the 378.55 build with the firmware restoration tool, and tinker with a few things. But I couldn't flash the 380.59 build the same way. So I had to reflash the 378.55 build, clear the nvram like the way you mentioned, fail again, reflash again, before I successfully was able to flash the 380.59 build, which is now running smoothly.

I take this router is one of those "if it ain't broke, don't upgrade it - just leave it and run"-routers? If it works then leave it

 

[L&LD]

I take this router is one of those "if it ain't broke, don't upgrade it - just leave it and run"-routers? If it works then leave it

No. There is no such router.

At least not one that you want to protect your network with.