RT-BE96U unable to update from stock 3.0.0.6.102_37024

[BeakerMeeps]

Has anyone been able to update their RT-BE96U from stock 3.0.0.6.102_37024 to any other firmware? I've tried Merlin 3006.102.1 and 3006.102.2-beta1 with both failing to update. I've also tried flashing older stock fw with the same results (I've seen the fw notes about downgrading this build). In any case, you get the error message saying the flash failed and the router reboots happily like nothing went wrong running like it did before the flash attempt. Factory resetting before flashing doesn't seem to help either.

 

[Kokorone]

The new firmware has a bunch of features that will prevent you from rolling it back to any previous versions or Merlin in this case since it's based on the prior version of Asus stock firmware. You will have to use the rescue software that Asus provides on the support page to manually push older firmware to the router if you want it to actually take. Nothing in the web UI will allow any rollbacks.

 

[BeakerMeeps]

That did it.

Was able to roll back to the earlier stock fw and then back up. Only issue I ran into was that the fw recovery tool would not recognize the router while it was plugged into the 10gb port and had to temporarily switch to one of the 1gb ports.

 

[visortgw]

That did it.

Was able to roll back to the earlier stock fw and then back up. Only issue I ran into was that the fw recovery tool would not recognize the router while it was plugged into the 10gb port and had to temporarily switch to one of the 1gb ports.

That is typical wrt 10 Gbps port as the router needs to be configured to use it.

 

[sthornington]

Hmm is there any way to do this without access to a windows machine?

 

[visortgw]

Hmm is there any way to do this without access to a windows machine?

Use a Mac?

 

[sthornington]

Excellent answer, very helpful, much appreciated.

For anyone else that finds themselves here and wants an _actual_ answer - you don't need the tool that Kokorone mentioned, if you do the reset+power reboot until slow blink, at 192.168.1.1 (via ethernet) there is a web page with which you can upload the firmware.

 

[Tech9]

there is a web page with which you can upload the firmware

Careful with this one though. No compatibility checks, it will upload anything. Wrong firmware file by mistake kills the router.

 

[sthornington]

Hmm… but I presume that the reset-reboot firmware updater itself is written into ROM, so even if I upload nonsense I can still do that again? Otherwise that would be very silly of them…

 

[Tech9]

This Mini Web server is the last resort. It doesn't have any checks and will upload even incorrect firmware. Most Asus routers have 2x firmware partitions and some can recover, but better not get to this point. Not silly, just the way it works. Using it without knowing well what happens is not recommended.