XT(8) guidance

[frankhere]

Hey folks,
I am a Zen Wifi XT8 user.... the new rev of firmware ( 3.0.0.4.388_21617) is an under performer.
I want to revert back to 3.0.0.4.386_25790 which was bullet proof. I upgraded to see if the new version was a better performer and to take advantage of any new fixes... well I have been disappointed .

So, What's my question?

• I want to reload the previous revision mentioned 3.0.0.4.388_25790
• I want to do this properly and not give me a self-inflicted hot foot , how should I proceed? I know it will be a manual install, so I will down load the older firmware.
  What should I be aware of so the self-inflicted hot foot is avoided
• I also replaced the cable modem DOCSIS 3.0 , and in service for 6 years, with a new Motorola MB8600 DOCSIS 3.1 unit.

Last,

• what problems are being experienced with the newer firmware ?
  • Various devices disconnect for no apparent reason e.g. a Google Home speaker will work for a day or two then drop off. It is about 20 ft. from the main router ;
  • my google 4A phone drops radio stations, yet I do not have this issue at other locations like the gym, in a store or even using Google Fi network when driving and going through T-Mobile
  • My TV ( LG) has some issues with connecting, but will resolve the problem on it's own
  • When I reboot the router the issues will clear up for a day or 2, or 3.
  • I never had these issues with 3.0.0.4.386_25790

I have a maximum of 14 devices computers, phones, thermostat, a printer, + Blink security camera. They are managed by 2 ASUS devices' the main unit and the AI-mesh remote. Rarely are they all active.
I have used the AiMesh 'Optimize' feature to balance the load between the two ASUS devices. I checked and right now the balance is 5 on the main and 5 on the remote, sometimes its 8 and 2.
I will be adding one more device an Electric Vehicle Charger ( I just my use the Blue Tooth feature and avoid another device on the network, but will still try it and see how it goes.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks folks.

 

[glens]

My guidance would be to suggest the RT-AX95Q firmware available at https://github.com/gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng/releases/tag/386.07_2-gnuton1

Load it, do a GUI factory reset, salt to taste.

edit: fix model # and add: After the new firmware boots the first time, go out to the garage and have a smoke before setting up. These CPUs ain't desktop grade and some time is needed to perform housekeeping. Nothing worse than getting the system into a funky state due to initial impatience.

 

[markpmac]

I was about to come post exactly what glens posted. I flashed to GNuton last week, and everything has been rock solid since. Nothing in my logs except devices moving between the 3 nodes as you move through the house. It's been perfect.

 

[frankhere]

My guidance would be to suggest the RT-AX95Q firmware available at https://github.com/gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng/releases/tag/386.07_2-gnuton1

Load it, do a GUI factory reset, salt to taste.

edit: fix model # and add: After the new firmware boots the first time, go out to the garage and have a smoke before setting up. These CPUs ain't desktop grade and some time is needed to perform housekeeping. Nothing worse than getting the system into a funky state due to initial impatience.

Hello Glens,
I didn't know that firmware cross-pollinates i.e. that you could substitute firmware for RT-AX95Q and use it on Wifi XT8. My bad , I see RT-AX95Q is commercially known as ZenWifi XT8.

My goal (really) is to reload the previous version (3.0.0.4.388_25790) as that worked without issue.

 

[frankhere]

FYI, there's a new rev of firmware ASUS ZenWiFi AX XT8 Firmware version 3.0.0.4.388.22068.

I loaded it and crossed my fingers. No luck , still issues.

 

[aoxomoxoa]

Just to add my two cents worth (and validate glens reports) I got frustrated with all the various issues with the Asus firmware updates and decided to install the RT-AX95Q Merlin firmware 386.07_2-gnuton1 on my two XT8 nodes a week or so ago. Been absolutely rock solid so far with no issues whatsoever (apart from Traffic Analyser - Statistic not working which seems a generic issue with all current firmwares AFAIK). Did a factory reset and reconfigure after firmware flash. Pretty much vanilla installation apart from limiting 2.4GHz to 20MHz. Wireless backhaul on 5 GHz-2. 33 IoT clients working perfectly. Happy!