RT-AC88U demanding new wifi password format

[Phrede]

All was good until the RT-AC88U power cycled today. Was 386.5 now 386.7_2 with no difference. After the power cycled devices could not wifi connect on either band. The password was 14 lower case letters as it has been for a long time. I noticed for the first time a "Danger" message next to the password setting wanting a cap, a number and a special character. If I comply with a new password meeting that format things will connect. The problem is that I have many devices that it is a major PIA to change the pass code if I can't connect. This all happened as a surprise. I've done numerous warm and cold boots. I've not done a reset.

I am majorly disappointed that this is mandatory. Sure, give me a password score but let me decide. I get it normally is good practice but my environment / application is special. Then happening as a surprise opens the door to Murphy's Law.

Does this sound familiar? Is it possible to downgrade firmware as a work around? At least to access all the devices to update their settings. What version did this start with.

TIA

Update, this gets weirder. I downgraded to 386.1. There is no password scoring box but I still can not connect with the old password. If I rearrange the letters only I can connect. I am trying this on two different devices. It's like a mandatory change of password. now. Maybe time to back up some more with the versions.

 

[Tech9]

Retype your old password and try again. Sounds like corrupted password character. Maybe time to reset to defaults and start over.

 

[Phrede]

Re-entering the password didn't help. Factory reset with minimal setup and the same password didn't work. An all lowercase 9 letter password that is totally different does work. After that setting the old password doesn't work again. It's like it is only that specific password even after a factory reset?! This is crazy

 

[Tech9]

Did you try forgetting and re-adding the network on clients' side.