Best practices for updating from older firmware?

[shadewolf]

I currently have an RT-AX86U (non pro) running Merlin 386.7_2 without issue for the last few years.

At the time I had tried updating to one of the 388.1/2 releases but had issues with stability and dropped connections, so I rolled back and never bothered updating again.

As I’m now so far behind I’m just wondering what would be the best practice to get on a more up to date firmware, as I see there are now 3004_ releases that I’m not familiar with.

Any feedback is welcome - thanks in advance!

 

[Poul Bak]

Quite simple, update to newest firmware, then FACTORY RESET and set it up again.

 

[bennor]

If you haven't done so already, use the forum search feature to search this subforum. There have been a number of similar questions asked in the past with a variety of responses. Asus-Merlin's wiki has an installation page that offers some suggestions.

A few basic general suggestions.

• Disconnect any attached USB hard drive prior to updating the firmware.
• Ensure you have downloaded the correct firmware for your router.
• Use a wired computer to flash the firmware. Avoid flashing over WiFi.
• If there is a wide version gap between current router firmware and the firmware you plan to update, it may be wise to perform a hard factory reset after flashing the new firmware followed by a manual configuration.
• When there is a wide version gap between existing firmware and new firmware it is usually recommended to NOT import the older saved router.cfg settings into the new firmware. This is because the new firmware may have different settings or new settings that may conflict with the old saved router.cfg file.
• If anything strange happens after flashing the router, like browser shows old firmware still being loaded, try powering down the router, unplugging the router's power adapter and waiting 5 to 10 minutes before plugging the router's power back in and powering the router back on. And try clearing the web browser's cache.