AC3100 Bricked After Power Off – Need Help

[kduydzvcl]

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone here can help me out. A few days ago, we were expecting thunderstorms, so I decided to turn off the breaker for my room (with the router still plugged into the power supply) to protect my ASUS AC3100. I’ve had a similar router lose its 2.4GHz band in the past due to lightning, so I didn’t want to take any chances.

After the weather cleared, I switched the breaker back on, but my AC3100 hasn’t emitted any Wi-Fi signals since. I tried holding both the WPS and Reset buttons while powering it on—no luck. I also tested it with a completely different power supply (with a higher amperage, just to be safe), but the LED behavior remained unchanged.

The only thing I noticed is that when I plug in the WAN cable, the Internet LED briefly flickers—but nothing else happens.


(Power LED is on but its really hard to see)

I currently don’t have a USB-C to RJ45 adapter to try a recovery via cable and won’t have one available for another 3–4 days.

Is my router completely bricked? Is there anything else I can try in the meantime?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!

 

[Tech9]

Is my router completely bricked?

Sound like internal power issue. It's an old EoL device, replace.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone here can help me out. A few days ago, we were expecting thunderstorms, so I decided to turn off the breaker for my room (with the router still plugged into the power supply) to protect my ASUS AC3100. I’ve had a similar router lose its 2.4GHz band in the past due to lightning, so I didn’t want to take any chances.

After the weather cleared, I switched the breaker back on, but my AC3100 hasn’t emitted any Wi-Fi signals since. I tried holding both the WPS and Reset buttons while powering it on—no luck. I also tested it with a completely different power supply (with a higher amperage, just to be safe), but the LED behavior remained unchanged.

The only thing I noticed is that when I plug in the WAN cable, the Internet LED briefly flickers—but nothing else happens.

View attachment 66847
(Power LED is on but its really hard to see)

I currently don’t have a USB-C to RJ45 adapter to try a recovery via cable and won’t have one available for another 3–4 days.

Is my router completely bricked? Is there anything else I can try in the meantime?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!

What they said... it's probably dead. You could try disconnecting everything from it including power, let it sit a few hours, and then try to power it up.

Just cycling power/heat can push old electronics over the edge sometimes, so it may have been due to die.

I do recommend a UPS to ensure clean, steady power. And I would not use the branch circuit breaker to power it down/up... I can imagine too many load currents rushing in and around the branch that might present a momentary disturbance to a sensitive load.

OE

 

[consorts]

Is my router completely bricked? Is there anything else I can try in the meantime?

just joining the chorus to get a new router
after my ac3100 died this month July'2025 after 7 dependable years of 24/7 use by 20 clients. in my case the 5ghz radio chip started running too hot and kept dropping connections, so I ultimately moved everything over to 2.4ghz while I work on getting a brand new router online in it's place.
I am unfamiliar with lightning issues, but out of an abundance of caution I invested in a line conditioner decades ago and keep most of our shared electronics on that. my concern is more about back voltage and local surges whenever a major appliance (fridge, window-ac, laser-printer) cycles on.

 

[kduydzvcl]

Thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions. I tried letting it sit unplugged, but unfortunately the issue is still there—no signs of life.

I guess it’s time for a new router. I was planning to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 anyway, and now might be the perfect excuse

Someone offered me an AX82U V1 for $50—do you think that’s a good deal? I’m not too familiar with its reliability, especially for long-term use.

Appreciate your thoughts!

 

[Tech9]

Someone offered me an AX82U V1 for $50—do you think that’s a good deal?

For this price and working properly - yes.