Help needed with Asus RT-AC66U router

[MentockTheMindTaker]

Hello and thanks for any replies in advance.

So, I have owned my Asus AC66U for almost 10 years now and first flashed it with Merlin not long after I got it. Ive never had any problems with it this whole time until the other day when I tried to log in. It does have the most up to date version of Merlin

After putting in my log in details and clicking sign in I was confronted with a page of pure HTML code that the browser would not render (see pic). I have tried clearing the cache, using a different browser etc but to no avail. When reboot the router I can access the log in page again but as soon as I click on sign in im confronted with the same issue. I can still connect to the router on both 3G and 5G and use the inter as normal. I just cannot log in to the router!

You have probably already guessed my knowledge base is very low so ive no idea what is going and would very much appreciate any advice or assistance anyone can give me.

 

[bennor]

Are you using "HTTP" or "HTTPS" to access the router?
Are you accessing the router using it's local network IP address? (Example: http://192.168.0.1)
Have you tried disabling all browser add-ons?
Can you access the router using SSH??

It might be possible to update the firmware using SSH if you have previously enabled SSH access to the router. If I remember right there is a discussion post or two somewhere on this forum (use the search feature) where using SSH to update the firmware was discussed.

Worst comes to worst you could try a hard factory reset, then access the router and see if the issue has corrected it self after you do the initial QIS configuration.

If that doesn't work or solve the issue one could try the Asus firmware restoration tool.

[Wireless Router] How to use Rescue Mode (Firmware Restoration)? | Official Support | ASUS USA

 

[MentockTheMindTaker]

Are you using "HTTP" or "HTTPS" to access the router?
Are you accessing the router using it's local network IP address? (Example: http://192.168.0.1)
Have you tried disabling all browser add-ons?
Can you access the router using SSH??

It might be possible to update the firmware using SSH if you have previously enabled SSH access to the router. If I remember right there is a discussion post or two somewhere on this forum (use the search feature) where using SSH to update the firmware was discussed.

Worst comes to worst you could try a hard factory reset, then access the router and see if the issue has corrected it self after you do the initial QIS configuration.

If that doesn't work or solve the issue one could try the Asus firmware restoration tool.

[Wireless Router] How to use Rescue Mode (Firmware Restoration)? | Official Support | ASUS USA

Hi Bennor and thanks for the fast reply!

Im accessing via local network IP. I had not consider browser extensions as an issue but ill give it a try. Im pretty sure I have not configured for SSH access but if im honest I would not knpw how to do that! In regards to worst case scenario I was thinking the same too! If push comes to shove Ill just buy a new router as it is nearly 10yrs old anyways.

Ill try disable the plugins and reset first though and let you know how it goes

Kindest regards

 

[Tech9]

Virtually any new budget category router will be better than this old model, starting from under $100.

 

[MentockTheMindTaker]

Virtually any new budget category router will be better than this old model, starting from under $100.

Thanks, thats just the push I needed to get a new one! Any recommendations for around $250?

 

[Viktor Jaep]

Thanks, thats just the push I needed to get a new one! Any recommendations for around $250?

Oh you just opened a big can of worms with that question! LOL

 

[MentockTheMindTaker]

Oh you just opened a big can of worms with that question! LOL

I aim to please!

 

[Tech9]

Any recommendations for around $250?

If you were happy with your old RT-AC66U you perhaps don't need to spend $250 on a new one. This forum works on "one size fits all" principle. The best in someone else's mind is the best for you, guaranteed. You pay for it anyway, doesn't matter for whoever gives you the advice.

 

[MentockTheMindTaker]

If you were happy with your old RT-AC66U you perhaps don't need to spend $250 on a new one. This forum works on "one size fits all" principle. The best in someone else's mind is the best for you, guaranteed. You pay for it anyway, doesn't matter for whoever gives you the advice.

I cant argue with that!

 

[Tech9]

Monsters RT-AX88U Pro and GT-AX6000 coming your way. Get ready to overspend for "futureproofing" that never happens in real life.

 

[MentockTheMindTaker]

Monsters RT-AX88U Pro and GT-AX6000 coming your way. Get ready to overspend for "futureproofing" that never happens in real life.

Thats funny but so true! I originally got the AC66U because I was using using PIA VPN and they offered pre-flashed routers. I decided to get the router myself and instal Merlin as it was cheaper. I don't do any gaming what so ever and I like to use ethernet where ever possible. I live alone so even though there may be 5-6 wireless devices connected the traffic is never high. Im really just wanting to have a play with the router as I want to learn more about networking. Maybe I'll just stick stick with it for now until I have a need to upgrade. Thanks for the advice

 

[MentockTheMindTaker]

Are you using "HTTP" or "HTTPS" to access the router?
Are you accessing the router using it's local network IP address? (Example: http://192.168.0.1)
Have you tried disabling all browser add-ons?
Can you access the router using SSH??

It might be possible to update the firmware using SSH if you have previously enabled SSH access to the router. If I remember right there is a discussion post or two somewhere on this forum (use the search feature) where using SSH to update the firmware was discussed.

Worst comes to worst you could try a hard factory reset, then access the router and see if the issue has corrected it self after you do the initial QIS configuration.

If that doesn't work or solve the issue one could try the Asus firmware restoration tool.

[Wireless Router] How to use Rescue Mode (Firmware Restoration)? | Official Support | ASUS USA

So I tried your suggestions to no avail. Did a hard reset and its back up and running! Thanks for the help!

 

[Tech9]

Did a hard reset and its back up and running! Thanks for the help!

Latest stock Asuswrt for RT-AC66U is newer than latest Asuswrt-Merlin. It can also runs FreshTomato if you want to try something different and currently supported. If you decide to replace it - budget model RT-AX3000 or also called RT-AX58U is more than enough. Current version of this router is V2 with quad-core CPU, 512MB RAM and integrated dual-band AX radios. It runs Asuswrt 4.0 with plenty of new features including ported from Asuswrt-Merlin. Asuswrt-Merlin fork is also available for it.

FreshTomato – Alternative open source firmware for Broadcom based routers

freshtomato.org

GitHub - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng: Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers

Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

 

[L&LD]

Glad you got the router to be useful again. But you still want a current router, and certainly not an entry-level model as suggested above.

Update home network (changing AC86U and AC68U)

Hello. I have an AC86U router in AIMESH mode with an AC68U node for my home Wi-Fi network. I have about 50 IOT / Homekit wifi devices at home, including mobile PCs, and so on. Given that the AC86U is nearing its end of life, what is the natural step to upgrade my home network? I am interested...

www.snbforums.com

 

[MentockTheMindTaker]

Glad you got the router to be useful again. But you still want a current router, and certainly not an entry-level model as suggested above.

Update home network (changing AC86U and AC68U)

Hello. I have an AC86U router in AIMESH mode with an AC68U node for my home Wi-Fi network. I have about 50 IOT / Homekit wifi devices at home, including mobile PCs, and so on. Given that the AC86U is nearing its end of life, what is the natural step to upgrade my home network? I am interested...

www.snbforums.com

Thanks! Yea, Ive already started to look for a replacement!

 

[Tech9]

I live alone so even though there may be 5-6 wireless devices connected the traffic is never high.

You're not leaving without sending $250 donation to Asus. I told you already - living alone with 5-6 devices is not an excuse. No one cares what you really need - get the Pro or ROG device with RGB lights and everyone is happy. New around here - have to learn the forum rules.

I would just continue using the RT-AC66U, perhaps running FreshTomato on it... has a nice WebUI with graphs and different color skins. You want to play with the router and learn something new - you can still do it on the existing hardware and your 5-6 devices will be just fine.

 

[L&LD]

Don't take Asus router advice from people who don't use them.

The models I suggested are also in the models suggested by Asus on their EOL list.

End-of-life product list

Using firmware other than Asus/RMerlin isn't the same experience.

And if you want a comparable experience to your RT-AC66U, the models suggested, regardless of how many client devices you have, are well vetted today.

 

[RMerlin]

I would just continue using the RT-AC66U, perhaps running FreshTomato on it...

I wouls switch to Tomato for the security updates.

 

[Tech9]

I remember NAT acceleration had issues on this model, don't know if it was fixed or not. Interesting FreshTomato features are NAT acceleration incompatible anyway. Worth playing with it though, good enough free firmware upgrade for slower ISP lines and basic requirements.

 

[MentockTheMindTaker]

You're not leaving without sending $250 donation to Asus. I told you already - living alone with 5-6 devices is not an excuse. No one cares what you really need - get the Pro or ROG device with RGB lights and everyone is happy. New around here - have to learn the forum rules.

I would just continue using the RT-AC66U, perhaps running FreshTomato on it... has a nice WebUI with graphs and different color skins. You want to play with the router and learn something new - you can still do it on the existing hardware and your 5-6 devices will be just fine.

I think ill keep hold of my cash for now, I still need to stack more Bitcoin! Just looking at the Tomatoe downloads. Which of these two is the one I need? https://freshtomato.org/downloads/freshtomato-mips/2024/2024.2/K26RT-N/Asus RT-N66u 64k/