ZenWiFi XD5 Mesh Nodes (2 out of 4) are Flashing Green!

[GMD99]

I have 2 homes with Asus Mesh networks. I am having issues in my vacation home where I have the following setup:

• Main Router RT-AC86U
• Mesh Nodes:
  • 1 RT-AC68U; and
  • 4 ZenWiFi XD5’s

Recently, 2 of the XD5’s (mesh nodes) are no longer accessible on my network and both are flashing green as though they are caught in a loop!

I have tried to factory reset both routers, first using the reset button and then using the WPS method. Neither method was successful!

The reset button method did absolutely nothing and the router kept on flashing green. The WPS method, after plugging power cable back into the router, quickly flashes blue, then white and then back to flashing green.

I chatted with Asus support and the suggestion was to download the Firmware Restoration Utility and follow the steps to recovering the firmware. I tried following the steps but when I changed my network adapter address to 192.168.1.10 the utility indicated that I did not have a valid connection. I read somewhere that the address should be 192.168.50.10 so I tried that but that also failed!

Any ideas on what to do next? I find it very odd that 2 out of 4 of the XD5's are both in this state and at about the same time!

 

[tiddlywink]

..

 

[jksmurf]

Main Router RT-AC86U

Once you have checked the Nodes (maybe on someone else's Router) consider looking at the RT-AC86U.

Certain models have had hardware issues (overheating). I am also aware of some instances (not specific to this model) of the Power supply to the router going awry, so if you have access to a spare power supply, check that too. i.e. it may not be the nodes?

 

[GMD99]

I originally started this thread, back in June, posting about my vacation home where 2 of the 4 nodes (all XD5's) became unresponsive and constantly blinking green. Sadly, I never found a way to get these routers operational. I ended up replacing them with some old XD4's which I had used in another home.

Since then, another of the XD5 nodes experienced the same issue and is now completely unresponsive! My AIMesh network now is as follows:

RT-AC86U (main router)
Firmware Version: 3.0.0.4.386_51925

Nodes:
RT-AC86U
Firmware Version: 3.0.0.4.386_51925

RT-AC68U
Firmware Version: 3.0.0.4.386_51685

4 x ZenWiFi AX Mini (XD4)’s (these replaced the unresponsive XD5's)
Firmware Version: 3.0.0.4.386_49599

1 x ZenWiFi XD5 (the last of the XD5's)
Firmware Version: 3.0.0.4.388_23949

In January of this year (2024), I set up another home network in a home in Florida. Here are the components in that AIMesh network:

RT-AX86U Pro (main router)
Firmware Version: 3.0.0.4.388_24198

Nodes:
4 x ZenWiFi XD5’s
Firmware Version: 3.0.0.4.388_23949

Earlier this month, escaping the colder weather up north, I arrived in Florida only to find that 2 of the 4 XD5's were now blinking green and are unresponsive!

As I explained in the original post, I have tried to reset the routers using the WPS method as well as the reset button but nothing has worked. I have been trying to get help from Asus support but that process has not been easy so far.

This is extremely frustrating as well as concerning because I have to rely on the networks when I am away from these homes.

I have searched around but I cannot find anyone else with a similar issue! Is it possible that I am the only person that has run into this problem, and incredibly with 5 XD5 routers in two different networks?

If anyone has any ideas I would really appreciate hearing them...

 

[jksmurf]

1 x ZenWiFi XD5 (the last of the XD5's)
Firmware Version: 3.0.0.4.388_23949

There's a recent FW update 13Nov24; maybe try that first? 3.0.0.4.388_24011

RT-AX86U Pro (main router)
Firmware Version: 3.0.0.4.388_24198

Similarly, ther's a very recent update for the RT-AX86U Pro (your main Router)? 3.0.0.6_102_34336

[NOTE: 3.0.0.6_102 (vs 3.0.0.4.388) which is a significant update]

old XD4's

And newer FW for the old XD4 Nodes 3.0.0.4.386_69038

RT-AC86U
Firmware Version: 3.0.0.4.386_51925

And this one too, now 3.0.0.4.386_51955

RT-AC68U
Firmware Version: 3.0.0.4.386_51685

Finally, this one as well 3.0.0.4.386_51720

 

[GMD99]

@jksmurf

Thanks for the reply. I have to say that I have been wary of applying updates given my Green Blinking light issue! However, I did update the Main router and 2 remaining XD5's here in Florida.

I will also update the others when I am on site.

Any thoughts on how I get access to the nonresponsive XD5's?

 

[GMD99]

An update... I finally got through to a live agent at Asus Support (wasn't an easy task!). I now have RMA's for all 5 routers so hopefully I will soon be past this issue. Fortunately all 5 were still under warranty.

 

[jksmurf]

Any thoughts on how I get access to the nonresponsive XD5's?

Have you tried a proper hard reset using WDS? The linked approach should be for the XD5 based on the list.

If no go then try rescue mode (not sure if works in XD5 Routers though).

 

[jksmurf]

I now have RMA's for all 5 routers so hopefully I will soon be past this issue. Fortunately all 5 were still under warranty.

Great news, best outcome for you! Still would have been interesting to know if resetting using one of the above methods would have taken you a step further. All good.