Difficulties with attempts to flash Merlin on a new ROG GT-AX11000 Pro

[st3v3n]

Greetings Gents:
Currently I'm trying to work with a rather catankerous, brand new ROG GT-AX11000 Pro router the labels states was manufactured in 2024 in VN. It is fresh out of the new shrink wrap and lovely box, but over the past 3 days has proven to be a tempermental beast compared to all of the older ROG GT-AC routers I've dealt with over the years. It started out by refusing all normal Ethernet attempts to setup or access; instead I had to download an Asus apple app on the iPad. I grumbled at this requirement but there was no other choice. After inputting the default parameters on the ipad to the router, the router seemed to bootup into the Asus FW. I entered my default settings then procedded to load Merlin. After the reboot I was able to logon to the interface but was not successful at entering/applying parameters; the router wasn't retaining any data applied within the fields. After logging off each time, and disconnecting from power between 30 minutes to an hour before a new log in attempt, I was finally successful -once- at logging on over Ethernet, only to view what was apparently a combination of the red ROG FW scheme mixed with the regular Merlin FW interface. I was still not successful at saving any entries. On the next attempt at logoff/startup, the firmware interface appeared stuck at the logon page, showing a capcha entry field; entereing the correct charcters in that field does not result in gaining entry to the router. When I've seen this sort of behavior in the past with certain GT-AC models, it has indicated that the FW is not responding. Unless I can successfully find a way forward, to reset the unit to a good starting point, this unit may soon have to be returned for replacement.

In the past whenever things got to this level, I've usually been able to perform a hard factory reset according to the tried and true L&LD guides, however, following those guides with this AX Pro router has had no effect, but also hasn't seemed to harm it. I've followed the most recent 'mish-mash' of what constitutes the published Asus manual/guides (which is quite a mess of older, combined advise). The capcha screen is locked and non-responsive, and seems to intidate the Asus FW was partially/totally corrupted at the point where I thought I'd succesfully loaded the newest replacement Merlin AX Pro FW version, not confused with the GT/AX non-Pro FW. I've always had success following the L&LD's guides over the years but now discovered that L&LD was unfortunately no longer present on the forum. This AX Pro router seems to be a 'horse of a different color' and any of the older guides aren't likely to render intended consequences, especially where troubleshooting is concerned.

I'd appreciate guidance from members who've encountered and overcome such FW misbehavior with this Asus AX/Pro firmware syndrome. I always check the hashes and all downloads are scanned multiple times before landing, then scanned again. Over the years I've had only two new Asus units which had to be returned for replacement. Thanks for posting, S.

 

[jerry6]

Try loading an earlier version of Merlin and work your way up to the latest version ? I have never had a problem with my AX1100 Pro , but I started from day one with Merlin .

 

[st3v3n]

Thank you Jerry6. Orrdinarily I'd agree, if only this particular router would coorperate as 98% of it's brethren have in the past, whenever there's been an upgrade/down-grade hiccup. Asus recovery has also not been effective, which usually works to return a router to an older, stable FW version. I utilize a browser which is installed on an offline laptop, for intial configuring and upgrading to Merlin firmware, prior to putting a router online. Before this, I only used the LL&D methods in extreme cases, but they were well thought out, step by step. As far as I can find, no one has reported similar FW upgrade or downgrade problems with this AX/Pro model. There were reports of FW issues with older production AX models, but this 'Pro' unit was manufactured less than a year ago. I'll continue coaxing it with soothing language until I decide to throw in the towel, to request a return/replacement.

 

[bennor]

Couple of suggestions/troubleshooting steps:

• Disconnect everything, including any attached USB drive(s), from the router except a single wired computer that will be used to setup the router and the WAN connection.
• Perform a hard factory reset per this method: [Wireless Router] ASUS router Hard Factory Reset - Method 2
• After a hard factory reset do the basic Quick Internet Setup (QiS) to gain access to the router GUI. Do not import a saved router.cfg file. Do not connect a USB drive/device to the router's USB ports.
• Once in the router GUI, upload the latest Asus stock firmware for your router.
• After flashing the latest Asus stock firmware perform another hard factory reset.
• After the hard factory reset, proceed through the router QiS setup to access the router GUI.
• At this point, do not perform any additional configuration, test the router to ensure it works and you have internet access. Let the router settle down for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Once the router is verified as working properly, then you can proceed to attempt to flash the latest Asus-Merlin firmware for the router.
• After flashing the latest Asus-Merlin firmware, perform another hard factory reset on the router.
• After the hard factory reset, proceed through the router (Asus-Merlin) QiS setup to access the router GUI.
• At this point, do not perform any additional configuration, do not import a previously saved router.cfg file. Test the router to ensure it works and you have internet access. Let the router settle down for 5 to 10 minutes.
• If the router is verified as working, proceed to configure the router manually for your use case. Do not import a previously saved router.cfg file. Do not attached a USB device to the router until you have finished manually configuring the router.
• If you have router GUI display issues try clearing the web browser cache. Try using a different web browser. Try disabling all browser addon's and extensions. Temporarily disable any computer security software that may impact browser loading. If you use DNS sink hole(s) like Pi-Hole, disable them while setting up the router. Try a different computer.

Note: Some or most of the L&LD directions are years old, things may have changed since then. If I remember right user L&LD was banned from this site a year or more ago.

 

[st3v3n]

Hello Bennor, thanks for posting.

For years I have used a work sheet/print out to tick off each step in a job;, so plugging/unplugging USB drives or cables in before a stable point is reached is never reached. This GTAX11000Pro isn't remotely responding like any Asus I've ever come in contact with.

I've put 24 hours over 4 days into this router only to be locked in a loop, unable to reach a baseline default setup. Each time this has happened, the only steps possible have been to attempt another reboot or a hard reset, and he Asus Recovery software hasn't yet helped. Whenever the capcha field reappears again, no logon is possible as no data saved can be reentred; if it was saved in the first place.

Today, I couldn't log on over ethernet but was able to use an Ipad to perform a first time set up as in the beginning; I was almost hopeful. After rebooting and logging in using a keyboard, again the interface again would not save data

As for L&LD's bannishment, whatever the cirsumstances, at one point or another, how many normally patient professionals have become tired and crabby after many long work hours, when no one should be posting on a forum such as this: 'be polite or be gone' is what kids used to be told in youthful days, which worked. Whatever transpired is unfortunate, words typed in haste cannot be taken back. I've never had time to devote to the forum, though I still read relevant posts of interest; no danger I'll become an Esteemed part of the Furniture. L&LD's posts that I read seemed purposeful and well thought, and his procedures long but balanced. Most of the 'old guys' who devoted years to the computer and electronics fields in the 60s/79s tended to be slow to anger. The Nuclear Reset/M&M Config guides are dated now yet retain value as a reference guide. The Hinds are the present state of Asus now untill newer models replace them.

Tomorrow is 'TGIF' and I'll give this router a last try before requesting a replacement. When you start to feel like a puppy chasing it's tail, it's time to move on. Only a replacement unit or a Wizards Magic Wand might reveal the way forward. 'This has happened before, and will happen again, or, so say we all, BSG. Hopefully, this will not be repeated anytime soon.

My sincere thanks for your time and detailed response, S.

 

[Twiglets]

Bit late to the party.

I have had strange things happen when trying to setup a ASUS Router and found it was related to a 'Bad' cable and/or switch.

I connected the router directly to the PC I was using to perform the setup with a NEW CAT 6 Ethernet cable.
[No Switch or other devices on the single cable 'network', so to speak !!!]

Once setup you can put it back in the original position on your network.
Flaky cables or switches can cause strange things to happen.

 

[st3v3n]

TGIF, Twiglets welcome to this seemingly haunted AX11000 Pro party.

Given that quality Ethernet cables are no longer prohibitively expensive, and are readily available, it is a puzzlie why more folks don't keep severalnew replacements on hand. As for setting this router up, this is the first brand new Asus router I've run into which is resistant to a standard setup method using Ethernet access. I regularly test my bench cables and have a laptop dedicated to router setup/testing via Ethernet and Wifi. This was my first encounter with qn ROG GT/AX Pro. Please share your experience using either Wifi or Ethernet setup with your your AX unit. As Halloween is around the corner, this one may be haunted.

The Initial setup of this unit began by having to download an Asus app from Apple, then scanning a code printed on a label affixed to the bottom of the unit. Various Youtube setups vary but none have compared to this experience. The router would not respond to the usual method using Ethernet/browser The information in the manual I accessed, that Ethernet could not be used for setup; only after using the Wifi app, was I finally able to access the router using Ethernet. Contrary to Asus info, there is no login name or password printed on that label (such as in the past, 'admin/armadillo, etc'. By way of downloading the Asis Wifi setup for setup, the app is a defacto agreement to Asus terms; Asus required the initial router Wifi setup, which seems designed to communicate the setup to Asus, as a defacto registration/setup report (my guess, during or following setup. This 'phoning home' prodcedure seems Orwellian at best, as the site encourages pre-registration of the unit. I saw no advisory which stated that the setup data will/won't be streamed/shared or recorded by Asus prior to the router being placed into service by an end user/customer.

For many years, my SOP for set up/configuring a new router has been to connect a known good Etjermet cable directly between a deicated laptop and the new router, I like Cat 8. Asus intimates that one should not be too close to nor in direct contact with this router, especially true if one is RF sensitive. For first time setup I have always plug directly into a new router, to be sure there are no hardware or dead port issues.

This router reported that my new cable was not in good condition.This wasn't true but I immedicately replaced the cable with another new cable which had allso checked good and, the router again reported that the second cable should be replaced, so I ignored following cable prompts; the reports didn't resurface.

I sincerley appreciate your responsr and ,have a great weekend, S.

 

[Twiglets]

Strange though it may seem, I would try a 'bog standard' Cat 6a or 7 cable.
Cat 8 cables are wonderful BUT you do need to ensure ALL your kit is able to handle it. [Switches, devices etc]

The fact that the router is saying that the cable is a problem is not something to be ignored.
It could be a cable problem or a 'bad port' or something else.
You need to eliminate the potential cable problem by using a 1 or 2 metre good quality Cat 6a or 7 cable plugged into a 1 Gig Ethernet port.
Connect this to your laptop or PC and see if the issues go away.

To cover all eventualities I would configure the Gigabit port on the Laptop or PC to NOT Auto-negotiate speed and force it to 1 Gig.
[Sometimes kit does not Auto-negotiate correctly !!!???]

The problem with everything 'Automagically' doing things is that the 'Automagic' sometimes fails

See if this helps and come back for more useless advicehelp if it does not !!!

 

[RMerlin]

Cat 8 cables are wonderful BUT you do need to ensure ALL your kit is able to handle it. [Switches, devices etc]

Only if you intend to make full use of the specs supported by that Cat8 cable. If you use a Cat8 cable to carry an Ethernet signal that would fit within the Cat6 specifications (Gigabit traffic under 300' for example), then there's no reason a Cat8 would work worse, regardless of the switch and NIC that you have.

 

[Twiglets]

Only if you intend to make full use of the specs supported by that Cat8 cable. If you use a Cat8 cable to carry an Ethernet signal that would fit within the Cat6 specifications (Gigabit traffic under 300' for example), then there's no reason a Cat8 would work worse, regardless of the switch and NIC that you have.

I have had old kit not 'like' new Cat 7 cables.
The new standards are supposed to be backward compatible BUT some kit does not like newer cables.
[I am talking about 'domestic' quality kit !!!]
I cannot say why but changing to an old Cat 5e, Cat 6 or Cat 6a cable and the kit worked.
Does not make sense but changing the cable made a difference AND the Cat 7 cable did work elsewhere !!!???