RT-AX92U cyclically freezes and reboots after connecting ext. HDD

[Gangy]

Hi, I have RT-AX92U and I have set up my 4TB WD Book ext. HDD to be a network harddrive, I also set up an ftp so i can acces the harddrive via KODI on my TV and I have been using it this way for months to watch my movies collection. After some time I have unmounted the drive (dont remember why, not important) and after I tried to mount it again after reconnecting it to the router, I found out that every time I connect the USB the router is getting stuck in a boot loop. WebUI freezes and becomes inaccessible, short while after that the router drops internet connection to all connected devices, restarts itself, reestablishes internet connection for a few seconds and then the whole cycle repeats...

Please help

This is my config file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w3fuUKxW6oy8AQPqDU1_ksaX7mZYXQx-/view?usp=sharing

This is what shows up in the log:

Jun 18 19:19:15 rc_service: ntp 1643:notify_rc restart_diskmon
Jun 18 19:19:15 disk_monitor: Finish
Jun 18 19:19:15 disk monitor: be idle
Jun 18 19:19:15 kernel: SHN Release Version: 2.0.2 36f59aa
Jun 18 19:19:15 kernel: UDB Core Version: 0.2.20
Jun 18 19:19:15 kernel: sizeof forward pkt param = 280
Jun 18 19:19:16 BWDPI: fun bitmap = 83
Jun 18 19:19:18 A.QoS: qos_count=0, qos_check=0
Jun 18 19:19:21 rc_service: ip-up 1589:notify_rc stop_samba
Jun 18 19:19:21 rc_service: ip-up 1589:notify_rc start_samba
Jun 18 19:19:21 rc_service: waitting "stop_samba" via ip-up ...
Jun 18 19:19:21 Samba Server: smb daemon is stopped
Jun 18 19:19:22 Samba Server: daemon is started
Jun 18 19:19:25 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(685): eth5: Auth 5C:0C:E6:EF:C9:15, status: Successful (0), rssi:0
Jun 18 19:19:25 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(722): eth5: Assoc 5C:0C:E6:EF:C9:15, status: Successful (0), rssi:-36
Jun 18 19:19:26 zcip client: configured 169.254.31.49
Jun 18 19:19:33 kernel: wl0: random key value: 7A5469A337DA0EF51B2303CF2E49107BBE0EC9EB7966065CC0582547839F7485
Jun 18 19:19:33 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(662): eth5: Disassoc 5C:0C:E6:EF:C9:15, status: 0, reason: Disassociated because sending station is leaving (or has left) BSS (8), rssi:0
Jun 18 19:19:33 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(662): eth5: Disassoc 5C:0C:E6:EF:C9:15, status: 0, reason: Disassociated because sending station is leaving (or has left) BSS (8), rssi:0
Jun 18 19:19:42 kernel: +++++ BRCM skipping port_feat_c_connection for warm reset
Jun 18 19:19:42 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Cannot set link state.
Jun 18 19:19:42 kernel: usb usb2-port2: cannot disable (err = -32)
Jun 18 19:19:42 kernel: blk_update_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 124376
Jun 18 19:19:42 kernel: blk_update_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 124632
Jun 18 19:19:42 asusware: re-mount partition /dev/sda...
Jun 18 19:19:42 disk monitor: re-mount partition
Jun 18 19:19:42 asusware: done.
Jun 18 19:19:42 disk monitor: done
Jun 18 19:19:43 rc_service: hotplug 3611:notify_rc restart_nasapps
Jun 18 19:19:43 iTunes: daemon is stoped
Jun 18 19:19:43 FTP Server: daemon is stopped
Jun 18 19:19:43 wsdd2[2685]: Terminated received.
Jun 18 19:19:44 Samba Server: smb daemon is stopped
Jun 18 19:19:46 Timemachine: daemon is stoped
Jun 18 19:19:46 miniupnpd[1650]: shutting down MiniUPnPd
Jun 18 19:19:46 miniupnpd: it is advised to use network interface name instead of 192.168.50.1/255.255.255.0
Jun 18 19:19:46 avahi-daemon[3633]: WARNING: No NSS support for mDNS detected, consider installing nss-mdns!
Jun 18 19:19:46 miniupnpd[3634]: HTTP listening on port 43342
Jun 18 19:19:46 miniupnpd[3634]: Listening for NAT-PMP/PCP traffic on port 5351
Jun 18 19:19:47 avahi-daemon[3633]: Alias name "RT-AX92U" successfully established.
Jun 18 19:19:58 crond[1263]: time disparity of 3220574 minutes detected
Jun 18 19:20:25 kernel: bcm_i2c: bus 0: Failed to detect SFP: 100 retries exhausted
Jun 18 19:21:01 WATCHDOG: [FAUPGRADE][auto_firmware_check:(7797)]periodic_check AM 2:35
Jun 18 19:21:01 WATCHDOG: [FAUPGRADE][auto_firmware_check:(7841)]do webs_update
Jun 18 19:21:01 hour monitor: ntp sync fail, will retry after 120 sec
Jun 18 19:21:19 ahs: [read_json]Update ahs JSON file.
Jun 18 19:21:22 WATCHDOG: [FAUPGRADE][auto_firmware_check:(7859)]retrieve firmware information
Jun 18 19:21:22 WATCHDOG: [FAUPGRADE][auto_firmware_check:(7862)]user in use
Jun 18 19:21:41 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(685): eth7: Auth 96:9F:3D:A2:5A:FD, status: Successful (0), rssi:0
Jun 18 19:21:41 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(722): eth7: Assoc 96:9F:3D:A2:5A:FD, status: Successful (0), rssi:-44
Jun 18 19:21:52 WATCHDOG: [FAUPGRADE][auto_firmware_check:(7841)]do webs_update
Jun 18 19:21:52 WATCHDOG: [FAUPGRADE][auto_firmware_check:(7859)]retrieve firmware information
Jun 18 19:21:52 WATCHDOG: [FAUPGRADE][auto_firmware_check:(7862)]user in use
Jun 18 19:22:13 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(685): eth7: Auth 3C:BD:3E:C4:FD:BB, status: Successful (0), rssi:0
Jun 18 19:22:13 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(722): eth7: Assoc 3C:BD:3E:C4:FD:BB, status: Successful (0), rssi:-87
Jun 18 19:22:22 WATCHDOG: [FAUPGRADE][auto_firmware_check:(7841)]do webs_update
Jun 18 19:22:22 WATCHDOG: [FAUPGRADE][auto_firmware_check:(7859)]retrieve firmware information
Jun 18 19:22:22 WATCHDOG: [FAUPGRADE][auto_firmware_check:(7862)]user in use
Jun 18 19:22:47 bsd: bsd: Sending act Frame to 3c:bd:3e:c4:fd:bb with transition target eth5 ssid 04:d9:f5:99:1c:60
Jun 18 19:22:47 bsd: bsd: BSS Transit Response: ifname=eth7, event=156, token=1, status=0, mac=04:d9:f5:99:1c:60
Jun 18 19:22:47 bsd: bsd: BSS Transit Response: STA accept
Jun 18 19:22:48 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(685): eth5: Auth 3C:BD:3E:C4:FD:BB, status: Successful (0), rssi:0
Jun 18 19:22:48 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(695): eth5: ReAssoc 3C:BD:3E:C4:FD:BB, status: Successful (0), rssi:-63
Jun 18 19:23:03 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(645): eth7: Deauth_ind 3C:BD:3E:C4:FD:BB, status: 0, reason: Deauthenticated because sending station is leaving (or has left) IBSS or ESS (3), rssi:-83
Jun 18 19:23:03 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(645): eth7: Deauth_ind 3C:BD:3E:C4:FD:BB, status: 0, reason: Deauthenticated because sending station is leaving (or has left) IBSS or ESS (3), rssi:-83
Jun 18 19:23:04 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(662): eth7: Disassoc 3C:BD:3E:C4:FD:BB, status: 0, reason: Disassociated because sending station is leaving (or has left) BSS (8), rssi:0
Jun 18 19:25:19 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(685): eth5: Auth 5C:0C:E6:EF:C9:15, status: Successful (0), rssi:0
Jun 18 19:25:19 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(722): eth5: Assoc 5C:0C:E6:EF:C9:15, status: Successful (0), rssi:-38
Jun 18 19:28:55 rc_service: httpd 1266:notify_rc start_autodet
Jun 18 19:52:33 acsd: acs_set_chspec: 0x1009 (9) for reason APCS_CSTIMER
Jun 18 19:52:33 kernel: wl0: chanspec: 0x1009 (9)

 

[Gangy]

I have changed NTP server, now the router is not restarting anymore but the HDD is not being detected, this is the new system log:

Jun 21 16:32:16 kernel: +++++ BRCM skipping port_feat_c_connection for warm reset
Jun 21 16:32:21 kernel: usb 2-2: Device not responding to setup address.
Jun 21 16:32:36 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command
Jun 21 16:32:36 kernel: usb 2-2: device not accepting address 2, error -62
Jun 21 16:32:56 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for stop endpoint command
Jun 21 16:33:17 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout waiting for reset device command
Jun 21 16:33:37 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command
Jun 21 16:33:57 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command
Jun 21 16:33:57 kernel: usb 2-2: device not accepting address 2, error -62
Jun 21 16:34:17 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for stop endpoint command
Jun 21 16:34:38 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout waiting for reset device command
Jun 21 16:34:58 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command
Jun 21 16:35:18 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command
Jun 21 16:35:18 kernel: usb 2-2: device not accepting address 2, error -62
Jun 21 16:35:38 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for stop endpoint command
Jun 21 16:35:59 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout waiting for reset device command
Jun 21 16:36:19 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command
Jun 21 16:36:39 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command
Jun 21 16:36:39 kernel: usb 2-2: device not accepting address 2, error -62
Jun 21 16:36:59 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for stop endpoint command
Jun 21 16:37:19 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Timeout while waiting for stop endpoint command
Jun 21 16:37:39 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Error while assigning device slot ID
Jun 21 16:37:39 kernel: xhci-hcd xhci-hcd.0: Max number of devices this xHCI host supports is 31.
Jun 21 16:37:39 kernel: usb usb2-port2: couldn't allocate usb_device

 

[bennor]

May help if you provide additional information, for example:
What firmware is the router running?
How did you setup the external USB hard drive? How is it formatted and partitioned?
Have you checked the external USB hard drive for errors by connecting it to a Windows PC and running a disk check on the drive?
Have you tried disabling all of the USB Applications (Samba, FTP, TimeMachine, MediaServer, etc.) then reboot the router, then try reconnecting the USB hard drive (keeping all the USB Applications off/disabled)?
Do you have any other USB devices attached to the router other than the USB hard drive you mentioned?
Which USB port is the device connected to? Have you tried the other port?
What other troubleshooting steps have you tried?

 

[Gangy]

Hi ben, thanks for your reply.

1. 3.0.0.4.388_23630-g9d6ee22 (latest version)
2. Formatted in windows using exfat IIRC, connected to the router and used the webUI to format it again using NTFS since it asked me to.
3. Done - no errors found. Heres a complete log from event viewer -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qyank-aCEDFbzvXf24fcd3IvLv_A9E6C/view?usp=sharing
4. Working on it now, will keep you posted.
5. None
6. USB 3.0, tried 2.0 with same results
7. I have no idea what else there is to try.

 

[Gangy]

3. God damn that was it dude!! It finally mounted the HDD properly, I started media center and after a short analysis it became operational, then I started samba and all is working good again! Seems like it was the FTP Share at fault, I guess that function is dead now and I wont be starting it again.

Thank you very much

 

[Gangy]

Unfortunately, its still fracked...

Today I woke up to the network being down, wifi was not connectable although SSID was being broadcasted and devices on LAN did not have any connection.
After restart and HDD disconnection I found out that the time and date is all wrong again and all kinds of errors in system log were being thrown around so I tried to change NTP server again, after which internet connection was back up again but the webUI is non-responsive as long as the HDD is connected and the connection is rather unstable and low speed...

I checked out ASUSWRT-MERLIN webpage as I wanted to try to flash alternative FW but my router is not even listed in supported devices, is it normal that router can misbehave in such ways just because of network HDD being connected? I rly thought its a rather trivial feature to use, technically speaking, but this is a neverending nigthmare so far.

Should I consider switching to another router? Do you guys use this feature regularly without any problems? Because if I buy another router just to find out its this buggy all the same and I need to buy a multi-hundred-dollar NAS just to have the luxury of a network drive that doesnt crash my network every other day, I would be really fracking angry...