My ASUS router RT-AC86U is a very old device， so, I need your guys help!

[luca]

Hello everyone, I am a beginner. My ASUS router RT-AC86U was purchased in 2020. It is an older model. The current firmware version is: 3.0.0.4.384.14_0. Recently, I plan to upgrade merlin to cope with different network needs. Therefore, I would like to ask everyone, what type of firmware version does my router support, and how can I find the right firmware? Thank you very much for helping me!

 

[ExtremeFiretop]

Hello everyone, I am a beginner. My ASUS router RT-AC86U was purchased in 2020. It is an older model. The current firmware version is: 3.0.0.4.384.14_0. Recently, I plan to upgrade merlin to cope with different network needs. Therefore, I would like to ask everyone, what type of firmware version does my router support, and how can I find the right firmware?

Latest firmware is 3.0.0.4.386.14_2
From November of 2024

Asuswrt-Merlin - Browse /RT-AC86U/Release at SourceForge.net

Alternative firmware for Asus wireless routers

sourceforge.net

 

[bennor]

Therefore, I would like to ask everyone, what type of firmware version does my router support, and how can I find the right firmware? Thank you very much for helping me!

See the main Asus-Merlin website with lists supported routers and the latest firmware for each of those supported routers.

Home | Asuswrt-Merlin

www.asuswrt-merlin.net

Note however that the AC series of routers (including the RT-AC86U) are no longer supported by Asus-Merlin due to their age and firmware track. Because of this the last/latest Asus-Merlin firmware for the RT-AC86U is 386.14_2.

Download | Asuswrt-Merlin

www.asuswrt-merlin.net

Direct release link: https://sourceforge.net/projects/as...-AC86U/Release/RT-AC86U_386.14_2.zip/download
386.14_2 Change Log: https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/changelog-386
Release announcement and discussion for 386.14_2: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/a...lable-for-ac-models.91060/page-10#post-934246

It is wise to read the entire change log to see if there are any special instructions for firmware installation. It is also wise to read through the release announcement discussion to see if there are any issues or recommendations with that firmware and one's router model.

There may be other third party firmware like Tomato or DDWRT that may have continued support for AC series of routers. One would have to consult with those firmware developers/sites to see if their router is supported and what the latest third party firmware is that supports it.

 

[luca]

Thank you for your reply. I consulted CHATGPT and she said that my old router only supports .trx format firmware, not UBI format firmware. Is she right?

 

[ExtremeFiretop]

Thank you for your reply. I consulted CHATGPT and she said that my old router only supports .trx format firmware, not UBI format firmware. Is she right?

No. It supports .w firmware files.

 

[luca]

Latest firmware is 3.0.0.4.386.14_2
From November of 2024

Asuswrt-Merlin - Browse /RT-AC86U/Release at SourceForge.net

Alternative firmware for Asus wireless routers

sourceforge.net

Thank you for your reply. I consulted CHATGPT and she said that my old router only supports .trx format firmware, not UBI format firmware. Is she right? Where can I find out which format I should use for firmware upgrades?

 

[luca]

No. It supports .w firmware files.

Thank you for your help, I will try it out.

 

[luca]

No. It supports .w firmware files.

How do I update my firmware and what do I need to be aware of? Thanks for your help.

 

[ExtremeFiretop]

How do I update my firmware and what do I need to be aware of? Thanks for your help.

1. Download the firmware at the URL / Links provided in the previous posts.

2. Extract the firmware from the archived .zip file.

3. Login to the routers webUI.

4. Make a backup of your current settings

5. Upload the firmware .w file you extracted previously to the router via the WebUI under "Administration" tab.

6. Wait for it to reboot and complete.

While a factory reset is not always a requirement, be ready to factory reset if something goes wrong or isn't working correctly.

 

[luca]

1. Download the firmware at the URL / Links provided in the previous posts.

2. Extract the firmware from the archived .zip file.

3. Login to the routers webUI.

4. Make a backup of your current settings

5. Upload the firmware .w file you extracted previously to the router via the WebUI under "Administration" tab.

6. Wait for it to reboot and complete.

While a factory reset is not always a requirement, be ready to factory reset if something goes wrong or isn't working correctly.

Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[ColinTaylor]

Recently, I plan to upgrade merlin to cope with different network needs.

What exactly do you mean by "different network needs". Updating the firmware on your router from 14_0 to 14_2 won't alter the capabilities of the router.

 

[bennor]

How do I update my firmware and what do I need to be aware of? Thanks for your help.

General Asus-Merlin firmware installation Instructions:

Installation

Third party firmware for Asus routers (newer codebase) - RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

As indicated up discussion read the change log and see the release thread link posted up discussion for any potential issues to be aware of.

 

[ExtremeFiretop]

What exactly do you mean by "different network needs". Updating the firmware on your router from 14_0 to 14_2 won't alter the capabilities of the router.

Keep in mind he did mention he's on 384 and he's going to 386.14_2 (about a 5 year jump in firmware)

But the question is valid.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Keep in mind he did mention he's on 384 and he's going to 386.14_2 (about a 5 year jump in firmware)

Ah, I misread that as 386.14_0 to 386.14_2.

 

[ExtremeFiretop]

Ah, I misread that as 386.14_0 to 386.14_2.

No worries I figured as much

 

[luca]

General Asus-Merlin firmware installation Instructions:

Installation

Third party firmware for Asus routers (newer codebase) - RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

As indicated up discussion read the change log and see the release thread link posted up discussion for any potential issues to be aware of.

Many thanks for your help!