Wifi gone and other problems with RT-AC86U and latest Merlin 386.1_2

[ddarek65]

Hi,
I bought new RT-AC86U and was happy to see it in action. After unboxing I made base settings and all seems to work including lights, LAN, wifi separated mode 2.4 and 5 and this special Auto mode. I've been reading up on different firmwares and wanted to try how it would work with Merlin.
And it began . I have spent hours to change methods to update it. Normal via Administration>Upload simply didn't work. So LAN, WiFi, diff Lap, diff browsers etc etc. Ok finally I managed to upgrade to latest Merlin with ASUS Utility and Restoration method.

Situation is as follows
- Lights on front panel
One works - from unuoccupied slot. Rest is off, including power, wifi indicators, occupied Lan slots
- WiFi
Not working. Cant find any wifi. Router is not listing any attached equipment
- Strange behavior
Each time I change any settings inside I have to start welcome process with giving all data to my ISP, naming WiFi and giving password to router (really I have to do that?). Router is loosing my credentials to ISP, named WiFi etc. Sucks
- LAN
Works like a charm. Router listing attached equipment but as above lights on front panel are off

So from many aspects it is a complete failure
Any ideas?

Restoring original firmware I assume is reverse process with Restoration I have made for Merlin version. (Don't want to give up with Merlin)

 

[DeltaKilo]

When logged in to the GUI, up the top there should be a green wifi icon along with other icons for guest network, network and USB. If not lit and no LED activity on case then yeah, most likely the radios are cooked.

I had near same situation last week except in my case only the 2.4Ghz died on an AC88u. Did a firmware upgrade and started from scratch to set up a USB for running scripts only to discover the 2.4Ghz activity was dead.

After much googling for solutions it became evident that this is a common occurrence with Asus whereby 1 or both the radios cease to operate. The cause, unknown.

 

[ddarek65]

When logged in to the GUI, up the top there should be a green wifi icon along with other icons for guest network, network and USB. If not lit and no LED activity on case then yeah, most likely the radios are cooked.

I had near same situation last week except in my case only the 2.4Ghz died on an AC88u. Did a firmware upgrade and started from scratch to set up a USB for running scripts only to discover the 2.4Ghz activity was dead.

After much googling for solutions it became evident that this is a common occurrence with Asus whereby 1 or both the radios cease to operate. The cause, unknown.

Leds are dead , icon is grey. So service or return to shop ?

 

[maxbraketorque]

The question might be whether its more time efficient to go straight to trying another AC86U, or continuing to assess this AC86U. I would revert to stock firmware, do a reset, and reconfigure a basic setup. If that doesn't work, then I'd return it and try another AC86U.

 

[ddarek65]

I tried so far different methods to restore stock firmware but without success.
Hard resets with WPA, soft resets , restoring stock firmware.
Still in point of entry - WiFi doesn't work neither LEDs

 

[maxbraketorque]

Then sounds like that at this point, its less effort to return it and get another AC86U. It is a good router. I have four that were all bought at different times, and all have worked flawlessly for me.

 

[ATLga]

I tried so far different methods to restore stock firmware but without success.
Hard resets with WPA, soft resets , restoring stock firmware.
Still in point of entry - WiFi doesn't work neither LEDs

Agree with MBT, return it. You've wasted a lot of time on it. Even if you got it working, I wouldn't trust it.

 

[ddarek65]

Thnx for replies.