How to Install Merlin Firmware on an ASUS Router
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ม.ค. 2025
- This video shows you how to install either stock or Merlin firmware on an ASUS router. Before installing Merlin firmware, head over to the Merlin website and make sure your ASUS router model is supported.
www.asuswrt-me...
![5 Reasons why I prefer ASUSWRT-Merlin to ASUSWRT Firmware [RT-AC68U]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XykUML3T2VA/mqdefault.jpg)
Just got a new ASUS router. Thank you for this video!
Glad I could help!
Which one did you get? I'm torn between RT-AX86U and RT-AX88U
@@michaelharrington5860I got the RT-AX88U.
Thank you, Pete!! Greatly helped me as I do not have a good knowledge of networking, etc. and just kept seeing disconnecting issues with things like ADT, Google, Resideo, etc.
I hope this resolves it! (Updated the latest Merlin firmware manually thanks to you!)
Glad it helped!
This vid craps on the last one I just watched. Nicely done! Thank you
Thanks Ben
Gzus, i should've upgraded years ago! New router is up and running, currently installing this FW and have already made your suggested 5 changes 🤘🏿
Brilliant. Good work :)
I would actually recommend NOT updating the firmware as soon as a new version comes out, as it often happens that they introduce new bugs that they correct a few days or weeks later. So wait at the very least 1 month before embracing a new version.
Great Video! I am using a RT-AX86U as my main router. It is running Merlin. I want to add a RT-AX58U as a AI mesh node to improve the coverage in my home. Do I have to load Merlin onto the router that will be running as a node or will the main router do all the heavy lifting and the node will work as a extender for the main. Thanks a million.
I believe you can run Merlin on main router and stock FW on nodes. I think that the Mesh code is closed so Merlin doesn't effect that code.
Thanks a lot Pete. I am using the same 88U, may I ask do I need to disconnect the WAN and other LAN cable during the firmware update. I know we should use one LAN cable to connect to router - computer for more stable connection.
Thank you. No need to disconnect WAN. You can leave it connected.
@@Builtbypetethanks
PETE, I have a problem, I'm about to upgrade my RT-AC68U to the latest firmware ... manually downloaded prior, but when I select the "Administration Tab" then "Firmware" it initiates an "AutoDownload" (the administration/firmware page is behind the upload in progress window that appears) this never happened before? How to fix? Phillip
More... I forgot to mention, I want to "manually" install the firmware ASUSWRT-Merlin to 3 "nodes" all RT-AC68U devices (AiMesh - ethernet backhaul)
That is very strange. Normally on that tab you can click firmware check and then choose either manual or auto upgrade.
Thank you good sir.
I finally have access to the world.🎉
Glad I could help
Have Asus ASUS RT-AX86U (Not the PRO) by uploading the Merlin will it keep all the previous settings or they will be reset? Like port forwarding,etc. Thanks
When I did mine, all my settings remained fine. You could do a backup of the settings to be safe. It's always a possibility that you could lose the settings I suppose, but every Merlin upgrade I've ever done it has been fine.
@@Builtbypete Thanks for reply.
@@burnjack291 Your welcome. Good luck 👍
Thanks Peter, i was searching instructions on how to upgrade the firmware with Marlin version and here i am. One thing remains to clarify to me: i'm at the moment on the stock ASUS firmware version, after upgrading to Merlin i should reset to factory default, isn't it? In order to do that, should i go using the GUI method or use the WPS button + Power button method?
I didn't reset after I did my firmware upgrade. Everything ran perfect as I stalled.
@@BuiltbypeteEven the very first time when you switched from ASUS firmware to Merlin?
Yes, I just did a reboot and was good to go.
Greart video, i have a question, merlin wrt still actual? Im looking between edge router x and asus router (to merlin)
Merlin retains all original features plus enhancements: www.asuswrt-merlin.net/features
Cake SQM QoS (on newer HND models)
Then i need HND model for sqm with merlin?@@Builtbypete
I'm not sure on that one. There's a list of compatible models here: www.asuswrt-merlin.net/
Hey BBP, trying to manually update to the latest Merlin FW, but every time I click Firmware Upgrade tab, a "Firmware Downloading..." window pops up and doesn't allow me to click anything else..
Hey. That's a strange one. You could try flushing the cache. This video shows you how clear the cache. Might be worth a try. th-cam.com/video/bA5V3mTZnQ8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EDVTMvZjttJXv9HK
Thanks for the quick reply! I ended up restoring to factory, quick Internet setup, flashed the upgraded fw and restored saved settings. Back in business 🤙🏿
Good job 👍
I have a big issue, my router is RT-AX82U and I can't find a download link for it ):
I don't think Merlin supports that model. Here's a list of the supported models. www.asuswrt-merlin.net/about. I notice there is a fork available which may be worth exploring.
I keep getting a "Invalid Firmware Upload" message. Is it because i'm on a macbook?
You could try the following:
Safely remove all USB devices from the router via the GUI.
Physically remove the USB devices when they show unmounted.
Reboot the router and wait for at least 5 to 10 minutes (depending on your model) for the router to settle.
Flash the firmware. If it doesn't succeed the first time, simply try again.
When the firmware is updated, power it off.
Plug in any USB devices you had originally inserted before.
Power it up.
Just picked up a RT-AX86U Pro from amazon, was about to install merlin onto it. Should i run the update on the router for the offical firmware first before attempting the merlin install? Or just go straight into the merlin install with the factory firmware?
You can just flash merlin straight out of the box. 👍
I am having serious trouble with this. i have an RT-AX58U and every time i try to upload it tells me firmware upgrade unsuccessful then makes me factory reset as it no longer allows me to sign in. Any help please?
Hi. Have a look on the Merlin website to make sure your model is compatible for Merlin FW. I seem to recall that the AX58U V1 model is ok but not the V2. The V2 has different hardware.
I see you responding to a lot of questions so i hope this will get an answer. I wanted to have a separate/isolated network from my main router. I want to pull in the signal wirelessly and rebroadcast the isolated network. Will this software accomplish this?
Hi. Do you mean you have two networks on two routers and you want to join them together? Are they on close proximity to each other.
What you want is called "Wireless bridge". No need a particular router for that.
Hi...Hoping to install this on my RT-AX86S in order to "hopefully" reduce my ISP latency somehow - Do I install exactly as you did on the video without any factory resets etc...seems very straightforwartd lol?
Yes, that's it. Just check on the Merlin website to make sure your model is compatible. Goodluck 👍
Hi mate, I just bought a ASUS RT-AX86U Pro, do I need to update the Asus firmware to the latest version prior to installing Merlin’s latest version onto it, or does it not matter?
Very nice. That a nice router. It doesn't matter either way. Goodluck 👍
Question, if i May. Can I reuse my saved settings from stock firmware onto merlin firmware or do I need to reconfigure everything again (open ports, lock IPs on devices etc)??
Hi. I haven't tried that. I'm not sure if it would work. You could export settings. Flash Merlin and they importing. If it doesn't work, and if you don't want to set everything manually again, then at least you can revert to stock and re load your settings..
up主能出一期Linksys ea9350 刷ASUS ax86u教程吗？
can anybody tell me whats the best vpn to usr with this router i am on bt hub at the minute cheers
RT-AC88U no longer supported.
If i flash merlin, do i have to manually keep updating it?
Hi, yes. It's the same update process as for the stock Asus firmware.
What's the biggest advantage on merlin firmware vs stock?
Merlin retains all the OEM features, but fixes bugs, provides performance optimisations and additional features.
@@Builtbypete Thanks
Your welcome
@@Builtbypete how about for VPNs? Particularly if I want to use my home network as a VPN via wireguard
@@Jake-uf6gi I use the built in openvpn server on mine with a client on each device that uses it. I use the VPN for remote connection to the router and LAN.
Mine just keeps hanging on please wait applying settings then times out after like 20 minutes. Any ideas?
Hi. Which model of ASUS router do you have? Have you checked the list of routers compatible on the Merlin site?
I was able to do it. I had to factory reset the router then apply the firmware for some reason. Thanks for responding!@@Builtbypete
@@1337theophanyPleased you got it to work. It has done that to me before. I also had an occasion where it wouldnt take as I had a USB drive plugged in. Pleased its all working for you now.
i cant even figure out how to open the program, please help
Which program? Your ASUS router? If so go to your routers IP address.
Now 58u v2 support any successful attempts
I don't have that router so I can't test it for you. Hopefully someone will 👍
hi what vpn do you use thanks i have the same router coming and i am om bt
I run an openvpn server on my Asus router so I can connect to the home network remotely using OpenVPN client.
@@Builtbypete what open vpn client server is the best to use on this router
The OpenVPN server comes with the Asus router firmware. For the client just go to the OpenVPN website and download for android, windows etc
Hey good video, how could I remove it from my Asus 11000 pro if i decided to?
If you decide to revert back to stock ASUS firmware just follow the steps on the Merlin wiki page here: github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng/wiki/Reverting
@@Builtbypete thanks again
I would change the 'admin' user to something more vanilla. Most common username out there. 👍
Thank :) I change to admin for videos then it goes back to actual username 👍cheers.
I've had no choice but to study networking because I suspect a neighbor who sent deauth packets to my Bluetooth devices. I couldn't figure out why devices only on one side of my house kept resetting. Glad I checked ports and found 31337 used by ELITE open. Smh
thanks guys ! anyone have installed on ac68vg ?
I'm not sure Merlin supports that model. Closest is an ac68u I think.
Thank you!
I'm not a praying man but I hope this works. My ax88u keeps disconnecting every minutes and it is hell. Technology is suppose to make life easier for us but its just been giving me headachhes.
I hope it works for you. It's running perfectly on my AX88U. Is the router disconnecting from the internet or devices disconnected from WiFi?
@@Builtbypete unfortunately not. Still losing connection. Devices disconnecting. Router still shows its got internet.
@@abominablesnowman64 Does this also happen to your ethernet connected devices?
@@Builtbypete none of my devices are connected through ethernet. My pc from the router is a bit too far to have a cable.
@@abominablesnowman64 OK, so my first guess would be either the distance from the router or interference from other APs in neighbor houses. Might be worth doing a WiFi scan and see what other APs are about and what channels they are on. If there are APs on your channel or close to it, move yours to a different channel in cleaner airspace.
Thanks 👍👍
Audio is rather distorted