Help Required Upgrading AC68U from Stock FW to Merlin Please?

[auldwader]

Hi folks,

Im looking for some assistance in getting my DSL-AC68U onto Merlin's Firmware. I have had a RT-AC68U for many years and it's currently running Merlin's Firmware 384.19 in AP mode and have recently purchased a second one to extend my wifi network. This new (second hand) router has a stock firmware Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_50117 and on trying to flash with the latest Merlin firmware it fails! Looking at the readme, I'm confused...

• Starting with Asus's 3.0.0.4.380_3000, a new firmware format is used. To flash Asuswrt-Merlin on one of these newer firmwares, you will need 380.61 or newer. Likewise, downgrading to an older version is not supported. (Try firmware recovery mode if you really need to downgrade.)
• The RT-AC68U and RT-AC56U need to be at least on firmware 378.55 (or the last 378.xxx version from Asus) before you can flash 380.xx or newer, due to the partition size change.

Can any kind soul point me in the right direction please?

Many thanks for any help.

 

[L&LD]

Welcome to the forums @auldwader.

There is no RMerlin firmware for DSL models. You may look at @GNUton's fork for a possible solution.

About | Asuswrt-Merlin

asuswrt-merlin.net

 

[Tech9]

RT-AC68U and DSL-AC68U are different routers.

DSL-AC68U is supported by @GNUton. The project page is here:

GitHub - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng: Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers

Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

The latest available firmware for this router is 386.10_0-gnuton1.

 

[auldwader]

OMG! I just realised while looking at the router page as it doesn't have an operations mode setting, Ive bought the wrong router. Doh!

 

[L&LD]

And, don't consider buying an RT-AC68U today. It is EOL (after 10+ years!).

The currently recommended router is the RT-AX88U Pro. But what may be the best fit for you and your network will depend on the details of your ISP, including speeds, network usage, and the ownership length you expect from your new purchase.

 

[auldwader]

And, don't consider buying an RT-AC68U today. It is EOL (after 10+ years!).

The currently recommended router is the RT-AX88U Pro. But what may be the best fit for you and your network will depend on the details of your ISP, including speeds, network usage, and the ownership length you expect from your new purchase.

It was just to bump up my wireless coverage and use Aimesh for the first time as I have just upgraded to a 1Gig fibre connection. Ah well it was only £30, lesson learned I guess

 

[L&LD]

Was it to be a wired or wireless node?

The RT-AC68U class routers would be horrible with a 1Gbps ISP in wireless backhaul mode. (I would expect less than 1/3 of the speeds an AX class router like the RT-AX68U would offer. And even though the RT-AX68U is also EOL, as a node, it is still an excellent buy if it can be found at a good price).

 

[auldwader]

Was it to be a wired or wireless node?

The RT-AC68U class routers would be horrible with a 1Gbps ISP in wireless backhaul mode. (I would expect less than 1/3 of the speeds an AX class router like the RT-AX68U would offer. And even though the RT-AX68U is also EOL, as a node, it is still an excellent buy if it can be found at a good price).

Wired backhaul although Im unsure if it would actually work! My Current RT-AC68U is in AP mode and my plan was to backhaul the new router into one of its LAN ports. I love the ac68U it has been a fantastic router and blew the socks off of other routers at that time. Perhaps I may have to dig deep and invest in a new one.

Many thanks for your help @L&LD much appreciated

 

[endon]

Sorry to hijack your post, but I'm having issues flashing Merlin to a RT-AC1900U as well.
Tried via the ASUS web CLI and with the recovery tool. It fails both ways, either with the message about the FCC deliberation or that the firmware isn't supported.
I'm on the most recent official version and was trying to flash the newest Merlin.

 

[Tech9]

I'm on the most recent official version

What is the most recent official version number? Is it Asuswrt 386_51668 or something else?

 

[endon]

ASUS stock 3.0.0.4.386_51668 to RT-AX68U_3004_388.6_2

 

[Piotrek]

ASUS stock 3.0.0.4.386_51668 to RT-AX68U_3004_388.6_2

RT-AC1900 -> RT-AC68U_386.12_6.trx

 

[Piotrek]

Wired backhaul although Im unsure if it would actually work! My Current RT-AC68U is in AP mode and my plan was to backhaul the new router into one of its LAN ports.

I don't know what main router you have, but forget about AiMesh. If you want a cheap Asus AP mode see new RT-AX52 - only £54,99.

ASUS RT-AX52 (AX1800) Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Router | WiFi Routers | ASUS UK

ASUS RT-AX52 (AX1800) Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Router, Instant Guard, Parental Control Scheduling, Built-in VPN, AiMesh Compatible

www.asus.com

If you have a bit more budget, you can see TUF-AX3000 v2, RT-AX59U or TUF-AX4200. However, for AP mode only, I wouldn't spend more than about £100.

TUF Gaming AX3000 V2｜WiFi Routers｜ASUS United Kingdom

ASUS gaming routers provide the very best gaming experience, with an arsenal of features and tools designed to improve online gaming performance and give you the competitive edge you need to win.

www.asus.com

RT-AX59U Dual Band WiFi 6 AiMesh Router | Extendable Router | ASUS UK

Dual Band WiFi 6 AiMesh Router for smart home & SMB, 4200 Mbps, Extendable WiFi, Easy setup, Free network security, VPN, Parental controls, Wall mount, Sleek design

www.asus.com

TUF Gaming AX4200 Dual Band WiFi 6 | Gaming Router | ASUS UK

TUF Gaming AX4200 is designed to give you stable and fast wireless and wired connections in device-dense environments. Enjoy speeds up to 4200 Mbps and WiFi 6 network efficiency. Geared for gaming with true multi-gigabit wired speeds. OFDMA, a new technology in WiFi 6 that allows signals to...

www.asus.com

 

[bennor]

ASUS stock 3.0.0.4.386_51668 to RT-AX68U_3004_388.6_2

You cannot flash the AX series router firmware to an AC series router. Choose only the correct firmware that matches your specific router from either the Asus website or from the Asus-Merlin website.

Edit to add:
Asus firmware for the RT-AC1900U:

RT-AC1900 - Support

www.asus.com

Asus-Merlin firmware for the RT-AC1900U:

Asuswrt-Merlin - Browse /RT-AC1900 at SourceForge.net

Alternative firmware for Asus wireless routers

sourceforge.net

 

[endon]

Yeah, sorry that was my dyslexia kicking in... All is good.
Thanks and sorry for any inconvenience.

 

[Tech9]

This is a very common mistake thanks to Asus model naming. They want users to pay attention.

RT-AC68U, RT-AX68U, RT-AC86U, RT-AX86U, RT-AX86U Pro... what you think was failing actually saved your router.