AC87U & ExpressVPN Connection Lost

[terminator8]

Hi, I flashed ExpressVPN firmware on AC87U, now I am unable to access the dashboard page. I tried all the troubleshooting steps told by the ExpressVPN agents, but none worked. I tried with ethernet/Wifi used different browsers and devices but no luck.

Now that I have noticed that after restarting the router, and enabling/disabling the ethernet from networks somehow lets me open the dashboard page, but then after a few seconds it says connection is lost. What could be the possible reasons for this?
Is it the router's fault or the firmware? I have no clue.

A couple of weeks ago I did flash the firmware of ExpressVPN, and it was working fine. But then I flashed the original firmware from ASUS (to check something), and now this is happening what I mentioned above. I tried flashing the firmware from ASUS router config settings and also by rescue mode, none seems to work.
Help me please.

 

[L&LD]

Perform a full reset when going from one (fork) of firmware to another.

[Wireless Router] When Standard Reset Isn’t Working: Hard Factory Reset - Models list | Official Support | ASUS USA

Merlin on ASUS ax86U Question

I have an ASUS AX86U and contemplating the installation of Merlin firmware. The DDNS settings on the AX86U are limited to select dns providers. If I install Merlin, will I have more flexability (choices) with the DDNS Settings? Thanks in advance!

www.snbforums.com

 

[Tech9]

What could be the possible reasons for this?

This is perhaps routing issue. You can't get to the routers GUI when your traffic is redirected through VPN. ExpressVPN applet specific, you have to look at the settings with VPN disabled first. This same thing is happening to any VPN when all the traffic is redirected by default.

 

[terminator8]

Perform a full reset when going from one (fork) of firmware to another.

[Wireless Router] When Standard Reset Isn’t Working: Hard Factory Reset - Models list | Official Support | ASUS USA

Merlin on ASUS ax86U Question

I have an ASUS AX86U and contemplating the installation of Merlin firmware. The DDNS settings on the AX86U are limited to select dns providers. If I install Merlin, will I have more flexability (choices) with the DDNS Settings? Thanks in advance!

www.snbforums.com

I already did the hard reset (WPS method) before flashing

 

[terminator8]

This is perhaps routing issue. You can't get to the routers GUI when your traffic is redirected through VPN. ExpressVPN applet specific, you have to look at the settings with VPN disabled first. This same thing is happening to any VPN when all the traffic is redirected by default.

But how come the traffic is being redirected? I performed a hard reset and then flashed the original firmware and then tried to flash the ExpressVPN.

If there's something I am missing, kindly share in detail, please. And how can I look at the settings if I cannot even access the router page on flashed Expressvpn firmware?

Or are you talking about the original firmware settings tweaking before flashing the expressvpn firmware?

 

[OzarkEdge]

I already did the hard reset (WPS method) before flashing

A Reset/Hard Reset affects the installed firmware, not the firmware you are about to install..

OE

 

[Tech9]

If there's something I am missing, kindly share in detail, please.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the custom ExpressVPN firmware for this router. It must be something old because this router is End-Of-Life for quite some time. For further assistance you perhaps have to contact ExpressVPN support again. This router is also old hardware and will have low performance on OpenVPN.

 

[L&LD]

I already did the hard reset (WPS method) before flashing

That is incorrect. While it may sometimes help, you need to flash the firmware you want to use first.

Then do a full reset.

Only then will the installed firmware be able to properly see/use the defaults it is expecting.

 

[terminator8]

That is incorrect. While it may sometimes help, you need to flash the firmware you want to use first.

Then do a full reset.

Only then will the installed firmware be able to properly see/use the defaults it is expecting.

I did that too. No luck

 

[L&LD]

The RT-AC87U was a one-off project for Asus/Quantenna. To Asus' credit, they supported this Frankenstein build longer than any other manufacturer.

Today, I would be looking at a new router.

I would also not be flashing any firmware on it from a paid-for 'VPN' provider either.

 

[terminator8]

The RT-AC87U was a one-off project for Asus/Quantenna. To Asus' credit, they supported this Frankenstein build longer than any other manufacturer.

Today, I would be looking at a new router.

I would also not be flashing any firmware on it from a paid-for 'VPN' provider either.

From the following list, which one should I get?

 

[L&LD]

None of those. They are obsolete.

 

[Tech9]

From the following list, which one should I get?

You're wasting your time and money.

And to be honest, my main usage for this is to have a VPN router just for my laptop, nothing more.

Just run ExpressVPN software on your laptop.

https://www.expressvpn.com/vpn-download/vpn-windows