Release ASUS RT-AC68U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_52048 (2025/08/19)

[Ripshod]

.... until you reset to factory defaults (as recommended).

 

[bennor]

This forced password change...

There wasn't a forced password change for me when I upgraded. Old password (that doesn't meet new requirements) worked post firmware upgrade. Didn't get confronted with the new password requirements until I looked at the change password option in the GUI and after I performed a hard factory reset and got the notice during the QIS setup process.

 

[bbunge]

There's no forced change. Existing passwords are still working.

This is true unless you factory reset. Then there seems to be no way to go back to your old password.

 

[bbunge]

I hauled out my old AC66U B1 which runs the same firmware as the AC68U and set it up with my 8 digit password. I was prompted to let the router upgrade to the new firmware which I cancelled. I set the Auto Upgrade to run within a few minutes of the current time and waited for the router to get the upgrade and install it. After the router rebooted I was able to log in with the 8 digit password but when I tried to change the password I was prompted to use the new password requirements.

Sure one of you with time on their hands comes up with a way to disable this password feature!

 

[RMerlin]

Sure one of you with time on their hands comes up with a way to disable this password feature!

It's 2025, and we're talking about the device that secures your entire network. Since we still get regular cases of people coming here with their compromised routers, or news articles about botnets infecting poorly secured devices, there is no reason why someone wouldn't use a decent password there. It's not like Asus is asking for a 20 characters long password, their requirements are very reasonable.

 

[banger]

The Beast lives on.

 

[Justinh]

If you do the factory reset, can you use your pre-reset settings file and still activate every new security adjustment?

 

[bbunge]

If you do the factory reset, can you use your pre-reset settings file and still activate every new security adjustment?

No. Sorry...

 

[wouterv]

A little clear up from yesterdays experience: after the (online) upgrade to firmware to 52048, the RT-AC68U Router and in my case the RT-AC1900U Media Bridge came back online like before, with the old (non-compliant) password and on first sight fully operational.

ASUS recommends factory defaults, which in the first place forces you to use a compliant password (with very common requirements), who knows what else get activated after the fresh start.

I did not revert the Router and Media Bridge to factory defaults over many firmware upgrades, experiences from the past learn that starting from scratch cures vague issues. When you keep records of your changes compared to default, starting from scratch is no big deal.
Starting from scratch is a good moment to go through all the setting menu's to see what's new and what new features you might like to use or disable. And if you did not before: write down your changes from default for future use (see post #9).

Another common lesson from the past is to NOT load a configuration backup from a previous firmware version in your upgraded router.
The final lesson: keep it simple, factory defaults are the most proven settings, only change what is really required to make it work for you.

 

[John Adler]

Merlin, is it possible to actualize the security part of your last firmware with a script?
thanks

 

[Micgang]

If I use my AC 1900p as a mesh node, does it still make sense to do the factory reset after the update? In my limited understanding of networking I tend to think of the router as the point of vulnerability. Am I thinking about this wrong?

 

[wouterv]

Why are you reluctant to perform a factory reset?
The firmware upgrade contains also AiMesh updates.

 

[RMerlin]

Merlin, is it possible to actualize the security part of your last firmware with a script?
thanks

Not easily - not worth the effort.

Change your password, disable UPnP, and that will cover most of it.

 

[John Adler]

Not easily - not worth the effort.

Change your password, disable UPnP, and that will cover most of it.

OK, thks Merlin

 

[banger]

Factory reset done password changed and into AP Mesh mode. Doubt there will be much difference with the new FW in AP mode but done all the same.

 

[bbunge]

If I use my AC 1900p as a mesh node, does it still make sense to do the factory reset after the update? In my limited understanding of networking I tend to think of the router as the point of vulnerability. Am I thinking about this wrong?

For a mesh nodes or AP a reset is not needed. Any AiMesh changes should be activated when the node reboots after upgrade

 

[banger]

Is there a list of recommended settings for the RT-AC68U particularly wifi? I did a search but nothing looked right.

 

[Tech9]

If you don't know what settings to change - use the defaults and hope for the best. There is no universal best settings.

In general I strongly recommend preparing for factory... recycling of this model and all variants. The radio is early AC Wave 1 and I'm not sure if it ever got out of "draft" specifications. It uses the main CPU for encryption, can't support many active clients, the sensitivity is low compared to newer hardware, the performance is greatly affected by environment noise.

 

[banger]

Well I asked the Brave Bot and it gave me some recommendations based on DD-WRT settings which happen to be the same as ASUSWRT settings. Will give them a try.

 

[Micgang]

Why are you reluctant to perform a factory reset?
The firmware upgrade contains also AiMesh updates.

No reason other than not wanting to have to setup the mesh node again. That is unless I have to…