Tried to update to latest firmware (3.0.0.4.388_24231) after seeing there was an update available, via phone app first then via WebGUI, would get to 100% and say update failed. Router still worked at this point.
I attempted to update in recovery mode following Asus guidance, it failed there too except router now bricked. Tried repeatedly and kept failing. I can get a successful recovery message trying to apply the version I tried to update from (3.0.0.4.384.10177) and the original release (3.0.0.4.384.9261) but I can’t communicate with the router, doesn’t recognise any ethernet connection. The front RGB light flashing red. It only recognises the router exists in recovery mode but that’s not usable.
Router is 3 years old so expect I’ll get no help from Asus and don’t really want hassle with customer service.
Any tips or succumb to getting a new router?
I found a thread for AX86 and saw references to older release notes suggesting to not update to earlier new versions straight away, but there was no warning in the release note for 3.0.0.4.388_24231. Pretty annoyed. I’m a networking noob and only updated because I was prompted in the app, and thought I should for general security purpose. I only went into the app to assign my PS5 as a game device to reduce my ping!
Any help greatly appreciated.
I forgot to mention, theres actually a whole underworld of router hardware hackers out there (me included) who add custom firmware to these consumer devices - and thus never have these issues. Ever.
A part of hacking router hardware means somtimes “alternative” ways uploading unbricking are needed, and the bwlow link is one such example. Asus routers looks like they all use a simple TFP recovery mode which wont specifically need the Asus recovery app, (which is prob rubbish anyway), you just need a TFP server and the right sequence and timing of upload.
Here is a hacker’s recovery method for a similar model… Asus are likely all the same.
https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1208723
Manual unbricking should be faily straight forward if you pay attention to those steps. They should also map to what the recovery app is trying to do as well, jst without the flakiness.
On a side note, these Asus models look like more security and stability hassles than they are worth OMG Asus firwares have broken so many motherboard and routers this year. Next time, buy somthing compatible with DDWRT (easy) or OpenWRT (adavnced) firmware. This always means avoiding routers with Broadcom based chipsets. Confirm future purchases with these links and play… you’ll never look back…
https://openwrt.org/toh/start
https://dd-wrt.com/support/router-database/