Transferring settings from old router to new router is it possible? Router suggestions?

[JOE.G]

Hi,
I currently have a ASUS RT-AC5300 and a RT-AC88U as a node, I am thinking about replacing the the 5300 as my Main with something newer and then maybe using the 5300 as a node. Can I do a back up and then restore that to the New router? will I have to do anything else? Or is it better to start from scratch. The issue with starting over I know there were some settings changed to allow my DVR camera system to connect so could view it remotely.
As you can tell I am not the most tech type person.

Any suggestions to get a up to date router that can handle all types of use in fairly large home? Mostly WiFi not much hard wired and I do Like to stick with ASUS unless there are reasons not to.

Thank you for the help.

 

[ColinTaylor]

It's much better to start from scratch. Your new router will have completely different hardware and is likely to have more advanced Wi-Fi features, e.g. 802.11ax or 802.11be. Starting from scratch will give you the best settings for your new router. Additionally, if your new router is one of the most recent models it's likely to be running the new firmware (3.0.0.6.102_x) branch which is completely different than you current router's.

 

[bennor]

Can I do a back up and then restore that to the New router?

If you search these subforms you'll see this question (using different model router.cfg file on a newer router) gets asked frequently. The answer is always the same. It is NOT recommended to import the router settings from a different model of Asus router, especially where there is a major difference between router models (AC to AX or AX to BE) or between firmware tracks (3004.386 to 3004.388 or 3004.388 to 3004.102). Importing between different routers may work, or it may not due to various differences between the router models. Strange issues may crop up leading to waisted time troubleshooting if one does so. The general suggestion is to write down/record your existing router's settings then manually configure the new router without importing a saved router.cfg file. There are various methods of recording the existing router settings, from manually writing them down to screen capturing each page (to PDF). Yes it is a hassle to manual reconfigure but in the end it is the best way to avoid issues. And often doesn't take as long as people think it does.

For DHCP manual reservations there are various methods to backup those reservations for use on a new router. One popular way, if using Asus Merlin firmware, is to use YazDHCP.

YazDHCP - YazDHCP v1.0.9 [2025-Jul-21] - Feature expansion of DHCP assignments (increasing limit on the number of DHCP reservations)

Release Notes for YazDHCP v1.0.8 production version now available [2025-May-29] The fork from @Jack Yaz's repository is now hosted on the AMTM-OSR GitHub repo: https://github.com/AMTM-OSR/YazDHCP 1) FIXED: Errors when loading the webGUI page on the 3006.102.x F/W version. 2) FIXED: Some...

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