Solved RT-AX86U dead WiFi asking for country code?

[KevinVar]

I'm seeing so many people suddenly getting this issue, particularly on the AX86U.

Also find it bizarre the bad English "The Country Code is not exist!" Does anyone know if this is a malware or is it an Asus bug?

Hoping @ColinTaylor can help. Very greatful.

 

[OzarkEdge]

I'm seeing so many people suddenly getting this issue, particularly on the AX86U.

Also find it bizarre the bad English "The Country Code is not exist!" Does anyone know if this is a malware or is it an Asus bug?

Hoping @ColinTaylor can help. Very greatful.

Maybe "The Country Code is not exist!" is stock ASUS English for hardware that can no longer boot, regardless of how it was corrupted.

OE

 

[bennor]

Does anyone know if this is a malware or is it an Asus bug?

The leading assumption is it's malware that got onto the router through a security vulnerability. Were you using AiCloud 2.0? Did you have Cloud Disk, Smart Access and or AiCloud Sync enabled? The current working theory is that AiCloud was compromised via a security vulnerability and malware injected onto the router. It is possible this WiFi getting corrupted issue is related. More discussion here:

Malware damaging ASUS routers?

This malware damaging Asus routers has to be described in a sticky thread with a warning sign! Update: Asus is releasing patched firmware for multiple models. Check for firmware updates! The changelog for most firmware releases contains the following: 1. Strengthened input validation and data...

www.snbforums.com

Asus has released firmware updates referencing a fix for AiCloud for most of their routers in the past week. Asus-Merlin firmware likewise has been updated with an AiCloud fix in recent days. The RT-AX86U (and RT-AX86S) routers are still awaiting an update. Its rumored (unverified) there may be an update this week for the that router.

 

[kevin]

I want to thank @ColinTaylor , he is very nice, as other guys said, he hleped a lot people including me.

 

[airscout]

Same problem with AX86U router since yesterday — could not login, restored factory defaults, wifi stopped working with the “country code” error. Waiting for our hero Colin to help me as well!

Router was not available for remote config, AICloud was not enabled, very curious how it could happen!

Also curious if the Asus “rescue” process can help solve it?

 

[ANTHONY96]

I could not log in to the RT-AX86U with my saved credentials, even after a reboot. After pressing the reset button, the router’s wireless functionality stopped working. I attempted a hard factory reset and used the Firmware Restoration tool, but the problem persists. Then a “country code error” also appears in the web GUI. I found out other posts mentioned the malware infections could corrupt or delete the manufacturing partition (mtd10), which has caused wireless functionality to fail and resulted in a "country code error."

I have received confirmation from ASUS that they are aware of this issue and have already implemented a fix. It has been confirmed that my Router cannot be repaired through a software upgrade. ASUS suggested that users contact customer service to request product repair services.

 

[Squall Leonhart]

I could not log in to the RT-AX86U with my saved credentials, even after a reboot. After pressing the reset button, the router’s wireless functionality stopped working. I attempted a hard factory reset and used the Firmware Restoration tool, but the problem persists. Then a “country code error” also appears in the web GUI. I found out other posts mentioned the malware infections could corrupt or delete the manufacturing partition (mtd10), which has caused wireless functionality to fail and resulted in a "country code error."

I have received confirmation from ASUS that they are aware of this issue and have already implemented a fix. It has been confirmed that my Router cannot be repaired through a software upgrade. ASUS suggested that users contact customer service to request product repair services.

Your router can be fixed by getting in touch with @ColinTaylor

 

[ANTHONY96]

Your router can be fixed by getting in touch with @ColinTaylor

I got in touch with him earlier. Unfortunately, I didn’t save the settings file before the issue occurred.

 

[Partayam]

Hej @ColinTaylor
Would you kindly help me out?

I seem to have the same Router issue as many others this week.
Im running a AX86U, which suddenly stopped accepting my Admin Credentials over the WebUI.

After the Soft and Hard reset, the Wireless broadcasting stopped, and the router keeps asking for a Country code. Is it salvageable?

Thank you in advance.

 

[KevinVar]

The leading assumption is it's malware that got onto the router through a security vulnerability. Were you using AiCloud 2.0? Did you have Cloud Disk, Smart Access and or AiCloud Sync enabled? The current working theory is that AiCloud was compromised via a security vulnerability and malware injected onto the router. It is possible this WiFi getting corrupted issue is related. More discussion here:

Malware damaging ASUS routers?

This malware damaging Asus routers has to be described in a sticky thread with a warning sign! Update: Asus is releasing patched firmware for multiple models. Check for firmware updates! The changelog for most firmware releases contains the following: 1. Strengthened input validation and data...

www.snbforums.com

Asus has released firmware updates referencing a fix for AiCloud for most of their routers in the past week. Asus-Merlin firmware likewise has been updated with an AiCloud fix in recent days. The RT-AX86U (and RT-AX86S) routers are still awaiting an update. Its rumored (unverified) there may be an update this week for the that router.

Thank you. Hopefully will be updated soon. I see the last update for the AX86U was back in May

 

[bennor]

Thank you. Hopefully will be updated soon. I see the last update for the AX86U was back in May

One option while you wait for Asus to release updated RT-AX86U firmware is to run the Asus-Merlin firmware. The latest Asus-Merlin 3004.x firmware has a security issue fix for AiCloud. If nothing else just make sure to disable any and all AiCloud 2.0 options in the router GUI.

Release - Asuswrt-Merlin 3004.388.8_4 is now available

Asuswrt-Merlin 3004.388.8_4 is now available for all Wifi 6 models. 3004.388.8_4 (17-Nov-2024) - CHANGED: VPN killswitch will now only be active if the VPN client itself is enabled. If you stop/start the client yourself over SSH, you need to also...

www.snbforums.com

 

[Omarcavia]

Hola buenas, mi caso es similar pero con RT-AX86S, mismo problema de acceso de credenciales, reinicio con boton wps, pero al volver a configurar el rt sale la version del RT-AX86U, con el mismo problema del codigo de pais en el apartado del wifi . Un saludo a todos y esperando posibles soluciones.

 

[bennor]

Hola buenas, mi caso es similar pero con RT-AX86S, mismo problema de acceso de credenciales, reinicio con boton wps, pero al volver a configurar el rt sale la version del RT-AX86U, con el mismo problema del codigo de pais en el apartado del wifi . Un saludo a todos y esperando posibles soluciones.

English please.

 

[Omarcavia]

English please.

Hello, my case is similar but with RT-AX86S, same credential access problem, restart with wps button, but when I configure the rt again the RT-AX86U version appears, with the same country code problem in the Wi-Fi section. Greetings to all and waiting for possible solutions.

 

[KevinVar]

The leading assumption is it's malware that got onto the router through a security vulnerability. Were you using AiCloud 2.0? Did you have Cloud Disk, Smart Access and or AiCloud Sync enabled? The current working theory is that AiCloud was compromised via a security vulnerability and malware injected onto the router. It is possible this WiFi getting corrupted issue is related. More discussion here:

Malware damaging ASUS routers?

This malware damaging Asus routers has to be described in a sticky thread with a warning sign! Update: Asus is releasing patched firmware for multiple models. Check for firmware updates! The changelog for most firmware releases contains the following: 1. Strengthened input validation and data...

www.snbforums.com

Asus has released firmware updates referencing a fix for AiCloud for most of their routers in the past week. Asus-Merlin firmware likewise has been updated with an AiCloud fix in recent days. The RT-AX86U (and RT-AX86S) routers are still awaiting an update. Its rumored (unverified) there may be an update this week for the that router.

One option while you wait for Asus to release updated RT-AX86U firmware is to run the Asus-Merlin firmware. The latest Asus-Merlin 3004.x firmware has a security issue fix for AiCloud. If nothing else just make sure to disable any and all AiCloud 2.0 options in the router GUI.

Release - Asuswrt-Merlin 3004.388.8_4 is now available

Asuswrt-Merlin 3004.388.8_4 is now available for all Wifi 6 models. 3004.388.8_4 (17-Nov-2024) - CHANGED: VPN killswitch will now only be active if the VPN client itself is enabled. If you stop/start the client yourself over SSH, you need to also...

www.snbforums.com

Thank you. I have updated to the latest Merlin, but it did not fix the issue. Hoping the pending stock release will fix this.

 

[KevinVar]

Same problem with AX86U router since yesterday — could not login, restored factory defaults, wifi stopped working with the “country code” error. Waiting for our hero Colin to help me as well!

Router was not available for remote config, AICloud was not enabled, very curious how it could happen!

Also curious if the Asus “rescue” process can help solve it?

You can try, but the rescue process didn't help me. Have tried a few times but same issue. Hoping the upcoming stock firmware update will fix this in rescue mode.

 

[KevinVar]

I could not log in to the RT-AX86U with my saved credentials, even after a reboot. After pressing the reset button, the router’s wireless functionality stopped working. I attempted a hard factory reset and used the Firmware Restoration tool, but the problem persists. Then a “country code error” also appears in the web GUI. I found out other posts mentioned the malware infections could corrupt or delete the manufacturing partition (mtd10), which has caused wireless functionality to fail and resulted in a "country code error."

I have received confirmation from ASUS that they are aware of this issue and have already implemented a fix. It has been confirmed that my Router cannot be repaired through a software upgrade. ASUS suggested that users contact customer service to request product repair services.

Ah, interesting. Need to contact them again. First the said I need to pay for repair as it's out of warranty. Then the said they'll escalate it. I'm still waiting.

 

[Listedguru2]

I haven't really been following this particular ASUS issue but is there a list of particular ASUS routers that are having issues? The reason I ask is that I'm in the market for a router and am looking at some ASUS models ( GT AX 6000, AX 88U Pro). Are either of those affected?

 

[Tech9]

I have updated to the latest Merlin, but it did not fix the issue.

You can try, but the rescue process didn't help me.

Once damaged it can’t be fixed this way. Part of the configuration is missing.

 

[RMerlin]

Some of you should ask @ColinTaylor if he has a Paypal account, considering how many of you just got saved a $200 paperweight through his voluntary work.