Multiple posts on various subfora here have described the pain of configuring AC68Us as AImesh nodes. I know that pain. Well.
The following worked sequentially, without fail, with three AC68s, with a BE86U as the mesh router:
Having tried all other suggestions here, it seems that the problem is not _directly_ the firmware of the AC68 -- some had suggested downgrading to an earlier Merlin FW -- but having the radios on the AC68 operational at the time of trying to add it as a node is what may be behind the problem. Why this might be the case is beyond me ...
Some relevant SNB links to other threads that finally got me here (each of them helpful for what may/may not work):
www.snbforums.com
www.snbforums.com
www.snbforums.com
www.snbforums.com
The following worked sequentially, without fail, with three AC68s, with a BE86U as the mesh router:
- Make sure the firmware of the router (BE86) is up to date. [currently on 3006.102.6]
- If you have not factory-reset the AC68, first flash the most recent ASUS firmware (it's more recent than Merlin; and while the BE-AC86U is running Merlin (current version), it's not necessary for the nodes to use Merlin. Link to the firmware: https://www.asus.com/networking-iot...ers/rtac68u/helpdesk_bios/?model2Name=RTAC68U (version: 3.0.0.4.386_52062 27Oct2025). Other threads on SNB make a strong case for using this firmware.
- If you have already factory-reset the AC68, you will have to set it up initially as a temporary router (using very vanilla settings) so that you can flash the above firmware. When you have done that, you will need to re-factory-reset the AC68 by holding the 'reset' button in for about 10 seconds until the main power LED flashes fast.
- Turn off the AC68U, and run an ethernet cable from a 2.5G LAN port on the BE86U to the WAN port on the AC68. [Do not use the 10G port on the router]
- Turn on the AC68U, and as when booted, manually DISABLE THE WIFI radio on the AC68 using the physical button on the side, so that the wifi LEDs are no longer active.
- From the BE86 GUI, choose add node
- The BE86 will immediately find the AC68 (note: the icon will say it is a wired node. Ignore - it will be configured also as a wireless node)
- When you add the AC68 as a node, the synching will proceed without a hitch.
- Once established as a wired node, BEFORE disconnecting the ethernet cable, check in the BE86 GUI that the new (AC68) node's radio is enabled [setting is under 'Management' of the node on the RHS of the BE86 AI mesh GUI.
- You can then switch off the node, disconnect the ethernet cable, unplug the power supply, position the AC68 where it needs to be situated and plug it in again (obvs with no ethernet cable required). After a few minutes the BE86 GUI will identify the new node (again), and you can optimize ...
Having tried all other suggestions here, it seems that the problem is not _directly_ the firmware of the AC68 -- some had suggested downgrading to an earlier Merlin FW -- but having the radios on the AC68 operational at the time of trying to add it as a node is what may be behind the problem. Why this might be the case is beyond me ...
Some relevant SNB links to other threads that finally got me here (each of them helpful for what may/may not work):
Unable to add RT-AC68U to mesh - what can this be?
This is just weird. I have an RT-AC88U as the main router in my AI Mesh (in access point mode, because my Windows Server takes care of all DHCP, DNS and so on), and I have a couple of the same router as nodes. I was trying to add an RT-AC68U to the mesh because I need one that can fit into a...
www.snbforums.com
Installing AIMesh on 2 x RT-AC68U
I am planning to install AImesh on my family member's existing 2 x Asus RT-AC68U router. When I am looking at Merlin's firmwares, files sizes are around 35 Mb up to v386.4 , then they jump to up to 90 Mb. 1) What additional extra features causing this almost triple sized growth ? 2) What is the...
www.snbforums.com
RT-AC86U AiMemsh router, can't add RT-AC68U AiMesh node
I'm having a hell of a time trying to add RT-AC68U node to my existing RT-AC86U AiMesh router. My laptop is connected wirelessly to the 86U and the 68U is nearby in the same room, I log on to the 86u router and select add AiMesh node and it does see the 68u router, I select connect and get the...
www.snbforums.com
[SOLVED] Help! Cannot connect AC68U to my AC86U as aimesh node
First he got 66U_B1 not 66U and B1 is same as 68U and supports Aimesh! Second he uses WIRED backhaul, so there is no need for any Wifi at all to mesh them! He has a 66U that support AiMesh... the build ID is irrelevant to my observation regarding no Smart Connect support on any and all 66Us...
www.snbforums.com
