Asus released new firmware for RT-AX56U 10-2025 - possible to update Merlin?

[docl2]

According to https://www.asus.com/networking-iot...rs/rt-ax56u/helpdesk_bios?model2Name=RT-AX56U
Asus released a new fw version in october, even when the router is EOL.

Is it possible to update Merlin one final time for this router?

 

[bennor]

RMerlin announced the end of support for the 386.xx series routers at the end of 2024.

Changelog (386.xx) | Asuswrt-Merlin

www.asuswrt-merlin.net

386.14 (20-July-2024)
- NOTE: Reminder that all models on the 386.xx series will
stop being supported by Asuswrt-Merlin at the end
of 2024.

 

[docl2]

RMerlin announced the end of support for the 386.xx series routers at the end of 2024.

Changelog (386.xx) | Asuswrt-Merlin

www.asuswrt-merlin.net

I am aware, but the reason for that was primarily that ASUS made those routers EOL with no more fw updates, and yet they released a new fw.
I don't know how big a task it is to update the old branches of Merlin with this new version - that's why I am asking - it would be great to extend the life of an otherwise perfectly working router.

 

[bennor]

RMerlin explained, back in 2024, their plans regarding separate version branches (3004.386, 3004.388 and 3006.102).

Current plans regarding separate version branches

I thought I'd make a post clarifying the current plans regarding the separate versions (386 and 388), and future plans. 386 branch: This branch is for older models that Asus didn't move to the 388 codebase. This includes three Broadcom SDKs: - SDK 6.x (RT-AC68U) - SDK 7.14 (RT-AC88U...

www.snbforums.com

If you need or want the security updates provided by later Asus updates for EOL routers, then update to the Asus firmware. RMerlin has repeatedly made it clear that support for 386 EOL routers ended December 2024. There has not been any indication since then, despite ample opportunity to do so, of reversing that decision to end 386 support and provide another round of 386 updates on top of the time that is spent updating non EOL 3004.388 series and the expanding 3006.102 series of routers.

 

[dave14305]

The RT-AX56U is a 388 router.

 

[bennor]

Also, some additional past explanation by RMerlin on the firmware process.

I get code directly from Asus, it's unrelated to what's released on their website. I have particular requirements that their developers need to meet when preparing the archives, like having the same code base for all models, which is rarely the case with their own firmware releases.

It depends. If you ask them for a GPL drop for a particular model, it will be for the same version that was used for that model's released firmware - which is what the GPL licensing requires them to do. The difference in my case is they build the tarballs for all models within a branch but all on the same version, so I don't need to maintain 20 parallel branches to handle 20 devices on 20 different codebase versions. Sometimes, that version will match a released firmware. Sometimes it will be a newer snapshot, depending on the point in time where they prepare those archives. But in terms of content, yes, that is the same code that is available in regular GPL drops. Just it might be from a more recent git point.

This has always been the case, each model always had its own separate GPL. It's impossible to share a GPL for more than one model, as each GPL contains precompiled pieces that only work for one specific device.

And more recently this:

GT-Be 98 European Version. We need more Merlin-Gnuton :)

I apologize, but I haven't been able to contain my desire to get the new Merlin releases. I read in a previous reply that Asus has to grant GPL licenses, but does it really take such a long time for us Europeans to get each Merlin update?

www.snbforums.com

 

[RMerlin]

The RT-AX56U is a 388 router.

Worse - officially, it's still a 386 router. Asus were building 388 GPLs specifically for me back then.

 

[bennor]

The RT-AX56U is a 388 router.

From the RT-AX56U Asus firmware download link:
ASUS RT-AX56U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_52049
Version 3.0.0.4.386_52049
75.09 MB
2025/10/27

The last update from RMerlin in the 3004.388 firmware was 3004.388.8 (21-July-2024)

- NOTE: RT-AX56U is exceptionally included in this release.

Other 388 change log entries:

3004.388.6 (20-Jan-2024)
- NOTE: Since Asus provided GPL code for the RT-AX56U, this model
will exceptionally be included with this release, despite
still being considered being end-of-life.

3004.388.4 (21-Aug-2023)
- NOTE: The RT-AX56U is no longer supported, as Asus has put it
on End-of-Life status, and the previous Asuswrt-Merlin
388 releases for that model were all based on untested
code.

 

[Tech9]

I am aware, but the reason for that was primarily that ASUS made those routers EOL with no more fw updates, and yet they released a new fw.

Critical fixes only and current best firmware for your router is stock Asuswrt.