delaveganz
Occasional Visitor
I have multiple RT-AC86U routers on two sites BUT I have one particular unit that I am unable to join as a node in an AI-Mesh system with an RT-AX86U router - i am using the ethernet connection from router LAN to node WAN port when adding the node.
I have tried different versions of firmware - including the latest Asus official 386.51529, Merlin 396.12.6, and older versions like Asus official 384.21140, 386.40451, and 386.51915, and also Merlin 386.9.0, and 386.7.2 which I understand have cferom.
I also tried using the firmware restoration tool, and resetting to factory default after each flash.
One observation I had is that on Tools-System Information, this problematic unit has bootloader 1.0.0.9 whereas my other RT-AC86U's that work normally have 1.0.0.6. Also, after a reset, the problematic unit does not go through the Quick Internet Setup screen.
Another difference is on the Administration - Firmware Upgrade page, this problematic unit reports on Note: 3. "The Firmware of ISP (Internet Service Provider) project is not compatible with the Asus retail models, and it's also unavailable for firmware manual update." while the working ones say "In case the upgrade process fails, RT-AC86U enters the emergency mode automatically. The LED signals at the front of RT-AC86U will indicate such a situation. Please visit ASUS Download Center to download Asus Device Discovery utility."
I suspect there is some NVRAM or CFEROM entry that is causing this issue and also affects AI-Mesh,, and the symptoms are manifested by the difference in the Firmware Upgrade page.
Note that this RT-AC86U does work as a normal router when in router mode (and as an AI-Mesh router when I add other RT-AC86U as a node), but does display that Note: 3. The Firmware of ISP project is not compatible with Asus retail models.
Also 386.46092 and older will display that Note 3: In case the upgrade process fails, RT-AC86U enters the emergency mode automatically.
Can anyone suggest to me what I can do to fix this router so I get the standard firmware functions and update note?
I have tried different versions of firmware - including the latest Asus official 386.51529, Merlin 396.12.6, and older versions like Asus official 384.21140, 386.40451, and 386.51915, and also Merlin 386.9.0, and 386.7.2 which I understand have cferom.
I also tried using the firmware restoration tool, and resetting to factory default after each flash.
One observation I had is that on Tools-System Information, this problematic unit has bootloader 1.0.0.9 whereas my other RT-AC86U's that work normally have 1.0.0.6. Also, after a reset, the problematic unit does not go through the Quick Internet Setup screen.
Another difference is on the Administration - Firmware Upgrade page, this problematic unit reports on Note: 3. "The Firmware of ISP (Internet Service Provider) project is not compatible with the Asus retail models, and it's also unavailable for firmware manual update." while the working ones say "In case the upgrade process fails, RT-AC86U enters the emergency mode automatically. The LED signals at the front of RT-AC86U will indicate such a situation. Please visit ASUS Download Center to download Asus Device Discovery utility."
I suspect there is some NVRAM or CFEROM entry that is causing this issue and also affects AI-Mesh,, and the symptoms are manifested by the difference in the Firmware Upgrade page.
Note that this RT-AC86U does work as a normal router when in router mode (and as an AI-Mesh router when I add other RT-AC86U as a node), but does display that Note: 3. The Firmware of ISP project is not compatible with Asus retail models.
Also 386.46092 and older will display that Note 3: In case the upgrade process fails, RT-AC86U enters the emergency mode automatically.
Can anyone suggest to me what I can do to fix this router so I get the standard firmware functions and update note?
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