Release ASUS RT-AX86 Series(RT-AX86U/RT-AX86S) Firmware version 3.0.0.4.388_24339 (2025/04/21)

[visortgw]

ASUS RT-AX86 Series(RT-AX86U/RT-AX86S) Firmware version 3.0.0.4.388_24339
95.54 MB, 2025/04/21
SHA-256 ：096BA2FCE5A5EDFF4F47FECCCF7B52BF87BF136C5BF5F5B645F836B85F99E776

Improved compatibility with certain IoT devices.

Download

 

[John Fitzgerald]

Is this anything to do with the WPA2/WPA3 blend not working or just IoT stuff that runs on WPA2, 2.4GHz? If you know?
Thanks.

 

[visortgw]

Is this anything to do with the WPA2/WPA3 blend not working or just IoT stuff that runs on WPA2, 2.4GHz? If you know?
Thanks.

Do not know at this point.

 

[iFrogMac]

Applied this update to my RT-AX86U (set aside as a backup router). So, will see how it functions if I ever need to use it again. Just keeping it up to date at this point. My long term observations after switching to the BE92U from the RT-AX86U have been positive overall. The main change I've observed is an overall more reliable internet connection. There were several factors involved with this, so I can't confirm if this was the RT-AX86U specifically, but I would have random connection drops and speed issues. That hasn't happened in quite a while after using the new router, but I also dropped my internet plan speed too as a test, so it could have been a combination of things.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

Applied this update to my RT-AX86U (set aside as a backup router). So, will see how it functions if I ever need to use it again. Just keeping it up to date at this point. My long term observations after switching to the BE92U from the RT-AX86U have been positive overall. The main change I've observed is an overall more reliable internet connection. There were several factors involved with this, so I can't confirm if this was the RT-AX86U specifically, but I would have random connection drops and speed issues. That hasn't happened in quite a while after using the new router, but I also dropped my internet plan speed too as a test, so it could have been a combination of things.

Would be good if you could report on mixed mode of WPA2/WPA3 now working properly.
I'm waiting for the RMerlin point revision fixes to be formalized.

 

[iFrogMac]

Would be good if you could report on mixed mode of WPA2/WPA3 now working properly.
I'm waiting for the RMerlin point revision fixes to be formalized.

Well for the BE92U, I can and I don't have an issue with it. The main networks are mixed, and the iOT network is WPA 2 only. When I was using the RT-AX86U. I mostly kept it to WPA2-Personal across the board.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

Well for the BE92U, I can and I don't have an issue with it. The main networks are mixed, and the iOT network is WPA 2 only. When I was using the RT-AX86U. I mostly kept it to WPA2-Personal across the board.

I used mixed mode for both bands for some time, then switched to WPA2 for 2.4GHz bands, primary and guest.
The 5GHz band remained in mixed mode for primary and guest on .8_4 and I had to switch to WPA2 to keep functionality on the .9 release.

 

[iFrogMac]

Well for the BE92U, I can and I don't have an issue with it. The main networks are mixed, and the iOT network is WPA 2 only. When I was using the RT-AX86U. I mostly kept it to WPA2-Personal across the board.

Well, at least for the RT-AX86U, Asus specifically recommends using WPA2-Personal for best compatibility, and why they default to it. So keep that in mind, if you run into problems with mixed mode, or WPA3 in general.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

Well, at least for the RT-AX86U, Asus specifically recommends using WPA2-Personal for best compatibility, and why they default to it. So keep that in mind, if you run into problems with mixed mode, or WPA3 in general.

Mixed mode according to ASUS is supposed to auto-select based on the client when in WPA2/WPA3. It should be a no-brainer but they broke it and now it needs fixing.

 

[iFrogMac]

Mixed mode according to ASUS is supposed to auto-select based on the client when in WPA2/WPA3. It should be a no-brainer but they broke it and now it needs fixing.

I realize that. I was however, just making reference to the info Asus provides in that area of settings where they have always stated that if you have issues, setting it to WPA2-Personal is recommended for best compatibility. I think because the RT-AX86U was one of their first gen WiFi 6 routers, that's why they defaulted to WPA2-Personal vs Mixed mode and made the recommendation in their info to keep it there for best compatibility. Honestly, in my set up, I think my iPhone is the only wireless device that can use WPA3, so for me, it doesn't make sense to enable it when WPA2 works fine. the BE92U defaults to mixed mode, and I've left it on as it hasn't caused issues. I don't remember if you've ever mentioned doing a factory reset after the latest firmware update to see if that resolves the issue.

 

[sracer_m5]

Flashed latest firmware last night from 4/21 (3.0.0.4.388_24339-g43ebc76). The 3 (newer) IOT devices I had which no longer connected after the previous firmware update now again connect with mixed mode WPA2/WPA3-Personal (rather than only WPA2-Personal). Also, I'm happy to report my newer TV now connects again with WPA3-Personal (it stopped connecting with any Authentication Method after the previous firmware). John Fitzgerald - devices haven't been on for > 15min yet but looks like Asus fixed authentication. FYI: I had a support call with them after I noticed these devices offline about a week after the last update. They kindly offered good basic trouble shooting but they weren't aware yet of any issues introduced by the last firmware. Glad that apparently more people reported this and Asus eventually determined it was some problems they introduced and then fixed it in a relatively short time! (To me it seems rarer in the last 5 years to see big tech companies acknowledge their bugs instead of just blaming others - and especially quickly fix them! Would have been a crazy bonus if Asus sent an email update I requested (1st tier support aims to please )... but I have zero complaints that they fixed this relatively quickly - especially the problem connecting a 2024 Samsung TV! I'll now be able to look into what wifi on only features are perhaps not available through ethernet given the TV's UI note)

p.s. Can't remember if I wrote this in my previous posts on this, but I found a long enough old ethernet cable to connect to my TV - which I'm leaving connected. Had I not, I'd be a little less happy with Asus to have had to buy another cable...and would have more appreciated a quick email that this was indeed their issue and they were working on a fix. If Asus posts (I would guess non-security) known issues with intended fixes anywhere I'd much appreciate that link. Kudo's again to Asus, and many thanks the people in this thread who responded.

 

[iFrogMac]

I plugged in RT-AX86U today and switched it in as the main router today. Since it was already configured for my network, no work on my part was needed other than connecting power and Ethernet cables, and turn it on. Seems like the latest firmware is working OK here, and since I haven't used it in a while, wanted to compare performance to the BE92U in my particular setup. So far seems to be about the same, and both routers seem stable at this point. Haven't really had issues with either to date.
EDIT: Also, ran the firmware update check from within the router, just to confirm the manual update had taken, and everything seems happy there as well. Reports the latest firmware as expected.

 

[Tech9]

So far seems to be about the same

Of course. You already had what you need.

 

[iFrogMac]

Of course. You already had what you need.

I have a different issue I've been keeping an eye on from time to time, and thankfully right now it looks like some LEDs have simply failed. The status lights on the modem that are blue for a solid Docsis 3.1 connection have really dimmed over time where as the amber and green ones are still full brightness, my only concern here is early signs of a power issue with the modem, but the connection is stable so I haven't paid much attention to it. I did go into the modem settings today and set the lights to turn off under normal conditions so they only light up when issues . I have warranty coverage on the modem until November of 2026 in case something happens that I need it for. Today was the first time I power cycled the modem in quite a few months and that was just to reset it for the other router. So things have been overall stable here. Was just concerned about the dim LEDs being a sign of bigger issues to come, but so far, doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[Tech9]

my only concern here is early signs of a power issue with the modem

No, this is common for white/blue LEDs. Cosmetic issue.

 

[iFrogMac]

No, this is common for white/blue LEDs. Cosmetic issue.

Good to know. The modem. is in the direct path of a big floor oscillating fan as well, that keeps the air circulating in the living room, and I have checked to make sure it hasn't overheated as the S33 (my modem) is known to run hot. Also, in this case, the modem stays warm, but never hot. So no heat issues here either, which is also good. Cosmetic I can deal with. That's why turned the lights fully off unless of problems. Don't need them on at all. Thanks for confirming it was nothing to worry about long term. I had reached out to the surfboard community earlier today as well.

 

[Tech9]

The white/blue LEDs dimming is more chemistry than temperature related.

 

[iFrogMac]

The white/blue LEDs dimming is more chemistry than temperature related.

Thanks for your help. One more thing, does this white / blue LED issue involve burning out completely ? That seems to have also been the case here and cause, or partial cause of the dimming. (only speculating here by looking in the vents.). LEDs are strange, I have things with Blue LEDs that still look as new years later, and then other things like the modem that have dimmed, or gone out / flicker.

 

[Tech9]

It's not only color related but also quality of the LED itself and the current passing through it. What you see as light on the front panel is often coming from a tiny LED on a PCB somewhere inside the device with transparent plastic light reflectors. The tiny LEDs are often overdriven and with shorter life span, but about adequate to the life span of the device itself with some variations. Dimming of LED lights is quite common in modems, routers, switches, etc. Doesn't affect device's functionality. If you buy a used device of this type you can often tell which ports have been previously in use just by looking at LED lights intensity.

 

[iFrogMac]

I've switched back to the BE92U, there may be something wrong with My RT-AX86U after all. The random connection drops I had before while using it, showed up again this morning. Checking the Cox app showed no known issues like it did before. When I had issues a while back while using the BE92U, there were issues reported in the app, so it wasn't on my end. So, will she what happens today having gone back to my known good stable setup, that's proven stable for the last several months straight.