SOLVED!
This oneoutlines the step-by-step recovery process for an ASUS ZenWiFi XT8 HW v1 (not HW v2) router that became bricked following a firmware update. The procedure described here successfully revived a non-booting unit and may be useful for others experiencing similar issues.
---
### 1. Background: How the Issue Occurred
* Firmware was updated via the web GUI at `192.168.1.1`
* Version: From **
3.0.0.4.386_46061 ** To **3.0.0.4.388\_24710**
* Due to a large firmware version gap, a **hard reset using the WPS button** was performed as recommended by SNBForums
* After reset:
* LED showed **solid (steady) blue** (not blinking)
* Router failed to complete the boot process
* Holding the reset button for 10 seconds had no luck
### 2. Diagnosis
* Opened the router and connected to serial console via USB-to-Serial
* Serial log revealed that **Ethernet and Wi-Fi drivers were not initialized**
* By pressing reset button, NVRAM was being reset, but kernel/drivers were not loaded correctly
### 3. Accessing mini CFE Web Interface
1. While the router is powered on, **hold the WPS button for 5+ seconds**, then power cycle the unit
2. Connect the router’s **LAN1 port** to your Mac’s Ethernet port
3. On the Mac, set a **static IP** like:
* IP: `192.168.1.x`
* Subnet: `255.255.255.0`
4. In a browser (Safari or Chrome), go to `
http://192.168.1.1` to access the **mini CFE web interface**
> If the page doesn't load:
>
> * Try using TFTP or the ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool
> * These methods listen for incoming firmware uploads named `ASUSSPACELINK` from the subnet `255.255.255.255`
### 4. Flashing the Firmware
1. In mini CFE web, **upload the firmware once** same as the donor xt8's firmware version
* This writes to `mtd0` (rootfs)
2. Upload the **same firmware again**
* This writes to `mtd1` (rootfs\_update)
> ASUS routers use dual firmware partitions (`mtd0`, `mtd1`).
> If one fails, the bootloader will try the other.
> Uploading the same firmware to both ensures consistent recovery (eliminating variable behavior).
### 5. Flashing misc1 and misc2 Partitions
here's what it looks like.
dev: size erasesize name
mtd0: 05f00000 00020000 "rootfs"
mtd1: 05f00000 00020000 "rootfs_update"
mtd2: 00800000 00020000 "data"
mtd3: 00100000 00020000 "nvram"
mtd4: 05f00000 00020000 "image_update"
mtd5: 05f00000 00020000 "image"
mtd6: 10000000 00020000 "dummy1"
mtd7: 10000000 00020000 "dummy2"
mtd8: 00100000 00020000 "misc3"
mtd9: 02f00000 00020000 "misc2"
mtd10: 00800000 00020000 "misc1"
mtd11: 05619000 0001f000 "rootfs_ubifs"
mtd12: 0001f000 0001f000 "METADATA"
mtd13: 0001f000 0001f000 "METADATACOPY"
mtd14: 0034a8d8 0001f000 "filestruct_full.bin"
mtd15: 006c8000 0001f000 "data"
#### 5-1. Backup from Working XT8 Unit
From the working XT8, SSH into the device and run:
```ssh
dd if=/dev/mtd10 of=/tmp/backup/mtd10.bin # misc1
dd if=/dev/mtd9 of=/tmp/backup/mtd9.bin # misc2
```
#### 5-2. Upload to Faulty XT8
1. In mini CFE web, choose `Misc 1` and upload `mtd10.bin`
2. Router will reboot automatically
3. Again, choose `Misc 1` and upload `mtd9.bin`
4. Final reboot should now complete successfully
### 6. Warning: MAC Address Duplication
This method clones the MAC address from the donor router.
---
### Summary
* Enter mini CFE web interface and flash firmware **twice**
* Backup and restore `misc1` (mtd10) and `misc2` (mtd9) partitions
* Router should now boot successfully
* MAC address duplication needs to be resolved later
Hope this helps!!!
Tx-1 Rx-e
