RT-AX86U Pro abandoned?

[Justinh]

This model has not yet get gotten the newest round of firmware updates. It seems every other model in the ASUS world has. Is there a problem with this model, or the new firmware?

 

[Tech9]

Just wait.

 

[bennor]

This model has not yet get gotten the newest round of firmware updates. It seems every other model in the ASUS world has. Is there a problem with this model, or the new firmware?

Someone else made the same observation last Wednesday in the RT-AX86U series 3.0.0.4.388_24386 9/1/2025 firmware thread about a lack of firmware update when many other models have received them in the past month.

Release - Asus RT-AX86 Series Firmware version 3.0.0.4.388_24386 9/1/2025

This update felt good but the spare router is now back on the shelf. I noticed a few things, perhaps not all new: o the admin password must now be 10 characters min... alpha, numeric, and symbol... overkill with the Captcha enabled(?) o UPnP defaults to OFF; o Local Access Config defaults...

www.snbforums.com

Anyone know why no AX86u Pro firmware release (mine running rock solid on stock), it's been 6 months!

If I remember right in the past many other routers also got their firmware updated while the RT-AX86U Pro lagged behind a few weeks. The RT-AX88U Pro also hasn't gotten the latest firmware either. Its last release was also back in March like the RT-AX86U Pro's was.

 

[iFrogMac]

Someone else made the same observation last Wednesday in the RT-AX86U series 3.0.0.4.388_24386 9/1/2025 firmware thread about a lack of firmware update when many other models have received them in the past month.

Release - Asus RT-AX86 Series Firmware version 3.0.0.4.388_24386 9/1/2025

This update felt good but the spare router is now back on the shelf. I noticed a few things, perhaps not all new: o the admin password must now be 10 characters min... alpha, numeric, and symbol... overkill with the Captcha enabled(?) o UPnP defaults to OFF; o Local Access Config defaults...

www.snbforums.com

If I remember right in the past many other routers also got their firmware updated while the RT-AX86U Pro lagged behind a few weeks. The RT-AX88U Pro also hasn't gotten the latest firmware either. Its last release was also back in March like the RT-AX86U Pro's was.

I've read posts on this forum that suggest the RT-BE86U has replaced the AX86U Pro, but I'm not sure how accurate that is. It seems like everyone is pushing WiFi 7 now. At least it seems that way at a glance of most of the current models being sold.

 

[Tarek Yag]

If I understand this correctly, isn't it strange that Asus do not release firmware updates for the Pro series as quick/much as the older non-Pro series? Keeping in mind that the Pro series still has more years of support ahead?!

 

[bbunge]

I've read posts on this forum that suggest the RT-BE86U has replaced the AX86U Pro, but I'm not sure how accurate that is. It seems like everyone is pushing WiFi 7 now. At least it seems that way at a glance of most of the current models being sold.

Mmm, there are still many articles promoting WIFI 6 over WIFI 7. Some of us still consider WIFI 7 in beta and not ready for prime time.
My AX86U Pro boxes can wait for that next firmware upgrade ....