Cannot upgrade asuswrt-merline firmware from 3004.388.9_2

[wandererm]

Please accept my apology if the topic has been asked before. I tried browse through threads; there were similar issue reported; but didn't find a promising solution for it.

Router: ASUS RT-AX86U
Current firmware version: 3004.388.9_2 (merlin)

I tried all the stable versions after `388.9_2` through Web UI. There was no error. The process went through smoothly. But the firmware stayed at 388.9_2 after my router reboot.
I tried the factory reset, same result.
I didn't encounter any other issue with my router, only the firmware upgrade failed.

BTW, I cannot recall which version it was when I got the router. But I have upgraded the firmware before. It worked, until it stop working with the current version: 3004.388.9_2

Can someone please suggest any other solution besides the approches I have tried above? Appreciate!

 

[ColinTaylor]

If you have any USB drives plugged into the router remove them, reboot and try again.

If you still have problems, log into the router and go to System Log - General Log. Click on the Save button to save the log file. Then upload the file to www.file.io and post the link to it here so we can examine it.

 

[wandererm]

If you have any USB drives plugged into the router remove them, reboot and try again.

If you still have problems, log into the router and go to System Log - General Log. Click on the Save button to save the log file. Then upload the file to www.file.io and post the link to it here so we can examine it.

Thanks.
I just tried, no luck.
I think I have tried removing everything but kept only a single ethernet connection to my laptop to upgrade a firmware before. It didn't work either.
Here is the syslog - https://limewire.com/d/296lE#JSmamsJaaW
TIA!

 

[bbunge]

Factory reset with initialize.
Do a minimal configure.
Flash the new firmware.
Do final configuration.

 

[wandererm]

Factory reset with initialize.
Do a minimal configure.
Flash the new firmware.
Do final configuration.

Thanks. I have tried it before. No luck.

 

[jksmurf]

At this stage you’re grasping at straws, so no harm in trying this:

Factory reset, flash latest stock FW, factory reset, try latest Merlin FW.
OR
With the Merlin you have, install MerlinAU Addon and use that to update. A few others have had success with this Addon when all else failed.

Nothing to lose.

 

[bennor]

Thanks. I have tried it before. No luck.

If you did a hard factory reset, or a GUI factory restore with Initialize all the settings, and clear all the data log for AiProtection, Traffic Analyzer, and Web History checked it should have erased all the addon scripts that your log indicates are running (or trying to run).

Did you at any time have AiCloud enabled?

Disconnect any devices connected to the router.
Do another hard factory reset or factory restore with initialize all settings checked.
When the router reboots DO NOT flash a previously exported router.cfg file.
After the router reboots post factory restore turn the router off and physically disconnect wall power from the router. With wall power disconnected turn the router on and wait a few seconds then turn the router off to dissipate any residual power.
Reconnect power and boot the router.
Connect one single computer direct to the router using Ethernet.
Do a manual basic configuration of the router just enough to get into the administration screen. DO NOT reload any addon scripts or make any further changes. Try to perform a firmware update to the latest Asus-Merlin firmware for your router.

Other troubleshooting steps include trying a different web browser.
Temporarily disable any browser addons.
Make sure to use a computer directly wired to the router. Do not use any extenders or use WiFi.
Temporarily disable any security software on the computer.
Try using the MerlinAU script to see if it can force an update.

MerlinAU - MerlinAU v1.5.9 - The Ultimate Firmware Auto-Updater

Hello SNB Community, This project is hosted on our GitHub Changelog and release notes: Here Summery: We're pleased to RE-introduce the add-on for Asuswrt-Merlin: MerlinAU (Merlin AutoUpdate). MerlinAU.sh is a versatile shell script designed to automate the firmware update process for ASUS...

www.snbforums.com

 

[ColinTaylor]

He already has MerlinAU installed together with various other addons.

 

[jksmurf]

He already has MerlinAU installed together with various other addons.

Yes sorry, just saw that in the logs. Plus YaZDHCP, YazFi, scMerlin. That’s about the extent of my log sleuthing .

 

[wandererm]

If you did a hard factory reset, or a GUI factory restore with Initialize all the settings, and clear all the data log for AiProtection, Traffic Analyzer, and Web History checked it should have erased all the addon scripts that your log indicates are running (or trying to run).

Did you at any time have AiCloud enabled?

Disconnect any devices connected to the router.
Do another hard factory reset or factory restore with initialize all settings checked.
When the router reboots DO NOT flash a previously exported router.cfg file.
After the router reboots post factory restore turn the router off and physically disconnect wall power from the router. With wall power disconnected turn the router on and wait a few seconds then turn the router off to dissipate any residual power.
Reconnect power and boot the router.
Connect one single computer direct to the router using Ethernet.
Do a manual basic configuration of the router just enough to get into the administration screen. DO NOT reload any addon scripts or make any further changes. Try to perform a firmware update to the latest Asus-Merlin firmware for your router.

Other troubleshooting steps include trying a different web browser.
Temporarily disable any browser addons.
Make sure to use a computer directly wired to the router. Do not use any extenders or use WiFi.
Temporarily disable any security software on the computer.
Try using the MerlinAU script to see if it can force an update.

MerlinAU - MerlinAU v1.5.9 - The Ultimate Firmware Auto-Updater

Hello SNB Community, This project is hosted on our GitHub Changelog and release notes: Here Summery: We're pleased to RE-introduce the add-on for Asuswrt-Merlin: MerlinAU (Merlin AutoUpdate). MerlinAU.sh is a versatile shell script designed to automate the firmware update process for ASUS...

www.snbforums.com

Thanks for the information. But I checked the SNBForum before so I pretty much tried all the ways that people mentioned in the threads if I didn't miss any.

Factory reset
Different browsers
Disable firewall/antivirus
MerlinAU
...

<sigh>.... no luck.

 

[bennor]

Thanks for the information. But I checked the SNBForum before so I pretty much tried all the ways that people mentioned in the threads if I didn't miss any.

Factory reset
Different browsers
Disable firewall/antivirus
MerlinAU
...

<sigh>.... no luck.

If the existing addon scripts are not being removed via a hard factory reset, have you tried removing the addon scripts one at a time via their uninstall option to see if they're uninstalled?

PS: And or try disabling the option Enable JFFS custom scripts and configs if it exists in the router GUI Administration > System page (hitting the Apply button to save the changes) and see if that affects anything.

 

[wandererm]

If the existing addon scripts are not being removed via a hard factory reset, have you tried removing the addon scripts one at a time via their uninstall option to see if they're uninstalled?

PS: And or try disabling the option Enable JFFS custom scripts and configs if it exists in the router GUI Administration > System page and see if that affects anything.

I can try it but I wonder if that really makes a difference.
I am currently working with the member 'ExtremeFiretop' using the ASUS Recovery Tool. The tool cannot find the router in the rescue mode. (even though it is)
Note. It's hard-wired between my laptop and the router.

​

 

[bbunge]

If the existing addon scripts are not being removed via a hard factory reset, have you tried removing the addon scripts one at a time via their uninstall option to see if they're uninstalled?

PS: And or try disabling the option Enable JFFS custom scripts and configs if it exists in the router GUI Administration > System page (hitting the Apply button to save the changes) and see if that affects anything.

It has been documented that a hard factory reset does not always work on an AX86U. If going back to Asus firmware does not work and the OP is having issues with the restore tool, it is possible the router is toast. It may be worth a try for someone to tutor them in using TFTP restore. If I remember there was a built in GUI that came up with the router in restore mode?