wanduck: WARNING - router is in manufacturing mode

[kernol]

My RT-AX86U-PRO [recently purchased] has gone decidedly "wobbly" all of a sudden [it was running Merlinware 388.5 at the time - not that that has anything to do with it]. Began with some WIFI connectivity issues - noticed the the AiMesh node was no longer connected.

I tried to login to webui on the RT-AX86U-PRO Main Router and it would not accept my username and password. After several attempts - I pulled its plug, waited several minutes and powered it up again. Still rejected login to webui with usual username password - so I tried admin / admin ... and viola I was granted access!

However - on the webui there was no sign of the AiMesh Tab directly below the Network Map Tab. The next Tab was "Guest Network" ???
It still reported that it was running 388.5 firmware ... but nothing I could do to re-establish the AiMesh Node.
The System Log had repeating messages as per this thread topic ... full entry was ...
Jan 26 13:15:03 wanduck: WARNING - router is in manufacturing mode, and can behave unexpectedly (did you mess with your bootloader?)

I was able to use Administration Tab to do Factory Restore [with tick to Initialize all settings]. Tried building from scratch - but noticed that no opportunity given to set admin username and password [option was simply not there]. Router came up - could access webui only with admin / admin and got pretty much the same webui - no sign of AiMesh - and above log entry repeating as before.

I have tried repeatedly to get the Router into Rescue mode - no joy. WPS hard resets does nothing either.
DEFINITELY never allowed WAN access to the Router and live in an arear where zero chance of malicious WiFi exploit.
I haven't a clue how to "mess with your bootloader" - I'm not a coder [anymore].

Any tips - or is this a straight return to Asus issue?

 

[ColinTaylor]

- or is this a straight return to Asus issue?

This is probably the best course of action.

If you want to investigate further...

1. If you try to change the Wi-Fi settings do you get an error message?
2. Reboot the router and afterwards log into the router and save the System Log. Then post it here or on pastebin for us to look at.

 

[kernol]

Thanks @ColinTaylor - in touch with Asus to arrange return.

 

[kernol]

Asus, after 6 weeks of fiddling, authorised the vendor I bought the router from to refund me in full.
I can only assume mine was a hardware glitch with some component failing? Who knows!

 

[muffintastic]

You could have just used this command is SSH;

nvram set asuscfeATEMODE=0 && nvram set asuscfecommit=1

Worked for me.

 

[kernol]

You could have just used this command is SSH;



Worked for me.

I assume that Asus Tek knew that, tried it and it didn't work - hence they authorised a refund? Would have been much easier for them to have just issued the command you suggested and returned the router to me? Who knows ... but I'm happy they simply refunded and restored my confidence in their brand. .

 

[Tech9]

I assume that Asus Tek knew that

There is a chance this router actually never got back to Asus. Usually the returns and repairs are handled by 3rd party company.

 

[kernol]

There is a chance this router actually never got back to Asus. Usually the returns and repairs are handled by 3rd party company.

Good point. May well be some subterfuge here in that Asus "appears" to have a presence in South Africa - even boasting an "online store" - but after sales service is abysmal and handled by some obscure "agency" - not Asus itself. Pity that some world leading companies allow their brands to be undermined by local minnows.