I managed to upgrade my old ASUS RT-N12 D1 using your step by step guide to the latest OpenWRT 21.02.1 using ASUS Recovery tool. Pretty much straightforward. The thing with a power up while holding the proper button for 10s was something I was always missing. Now it's time to play with it...
thank you for this crisp explanation, I wasted almost 2h searching for details how to perform this operation on rtn-16, since I did it few times with another rt-n's some time ago, you brought it clear and straightforward, it did the trick for me and I wish had stumbled upon your video faster. Thank you for your tremendous help !
I agree with every single point you expressed in this video and I feel the passion in your voice regarding the mentality of vendors such as ASUS when they start locking things down in such a way. Great video and stay open source where possible :)
Used this process to update my RT-AC87U with OpenWRT v 23.05.0, had to use port 4 on the LAN and make sure the Wifi was off on my laptop for the recovery software to pick up the router in recovery mode.
Cool instruction but please note that the restoration tool will only find the router if there is exactly one enabled interface in the computer. I have 15 interfaces on my laptop because of VMWare, Visual studio and more, so it took some time before I found out that I needed to disable all but the interface connected to the router. If I do not, I get something like "Router is not in restoration mode" as error.
Any virtual NIC bound to the physical NIC may cause problems. You can also use TFTPD64 software which is open source and does the same thing as the ASUS recovery software. With TFTPD64 you can select the network interface you want to use. pjo2.github.io/tftpd64/
I got my rt-n16 back in 2012...it run DD-WRT everyday till I took it out of service. Still has it on that. You either need to use the TFTP method or downgrade the firmware to a older version.
Thanks Bro. Can you use this tool to flash OpenWRT on the Asus RT-AX53U? I went to a site specifically for the router that I have. Its saying I have to use the mtd method.
Asus may have patched their rescue utility in the meantime. i followed all the steps, got the router to blink slowly, added lan ip address manually, so, when i click on upload in the utility, it searches for the router for 31 seconds then says that the router is NOT in recovery mode. i repeaded the process like 10 times already, each time making sure i took every step. any ideas where i can find an older version of this rescue utility? could there be any other reason? the router seems ok, it went back to factory settings, i checked after powering it back on after the first 2 or 3 flash failures.
It worked like a dream. Just to be honest I did run into a bit of a snag when configuring the static IP address. I just disconnected the WAN side network cable from my Spectrum device and ONLY had my pc connected directly to the LAN port on the router. Once I put in the network configs then saved, I was able to complete the setup instructions. It looks great. Now where can I find some documentation regarding the firewall settings, etc. Thanks for your service by the way my brother at arms.
If you work for the DOD they use HBSS. If for some stupid reason they put RSD (Rogue System Dection) on a laptop and you take that laptop home...guess what? All your systems on your home network are now relayed back to the DOD EPO server when you reconnect to the DOD network. I worked in HBSS for over 10 years and was picking up people's fucking Roombas and wifi connected refridgerators in the McAfee Epolicy Server on the Air Force GIG. Talk about a huge invasion of privacy.
I just updated my Asus RT-N56U router to the latest OpenWrt 21.02.0-rc3 version. Just before this my 2.4Ghz band spontaneously stopped working. Many forums reports this issue, even on newer Asus models. The solution is to upload merlin software and it brings it back to life, but unfortunately my router is not compatible with that software. Do you know of any other possible fixes?
@@MrDabrudda I always set it to manual settings. That didn't work, neither did changing other settings, factory reset, etc. I've had this router for so long and it worked flawlessly, perhaps I'll just utilise the 5 band now and use another router via rj45 for the 2.4. Would have been nice if there was a better work around though.
This update lock was sort of to comply with a FCC crackdown on people using frequencies and power that are outside of legal for the USA. I'm sure though that they aren't unhappy about making the hardware defunct.
This is just another money grab to force people to buy new equipment...just like Microsoft end of life Windows 7. The open source firmware can easily be made to limit the power output and frequencies. Frequency use is simple to circumvent...select a country which does not restrict those frequencies in the router's settings.
@@MrDabrudda Oh I am not disagreeing with that part. They abused it. But it was part of the new FCC requirement to make a reasonable effort to defeat the ability to change the power/frequencies. That included I am sure the ability to revert to earlier firmware.
@@africantwin173 Is the 802.11n bug fixed in the new versions? or do you have to continue doing these steps blog.tklee.org/2014/11/use-80211n-on-asus-rt-n16-with-openwrt.html I used to use dd wrt before but I didn't like it because it only gave me 90 mbps of speed over ethernet when my contracted speed was 500 mbps, do you know if openwrt have that problem?
@@MrDabrudda This is great to know sir. I'm running RT-N16 by the way. I think my company hacked my old firmware that I was running. This is why I was asking for a bit more details regarding the firewall configurations. I need to see when any bad actors are on the network. By all means let's see them (my company) wrestle with this new firmware. I'd give my left arm to be a fly on the wall as they try.
Thank you for the video. Recently I received such a router and decided to install Openwrt. It was flashed through the web interface with beta version 9.0.0.4.380.2985. Openwrt has many problems with Wi-Fi: the 802.11n standard does not work properly. Also, I could not get the router to work in client + access point mode. It would be great if you shot a video about it.
@MrDabrudda That's good, bc that prevents the situation where you download modified fimware by hacker, you dumb-dumb, so that's secuirty feature, so that what'you're saying is bullshit, not that what Asus has done...
This feature does NOT prevent downloading a modified firmware by a hacker. This is NOT a security feature. ASUS is trying to prevent people the right-to-repair their devices and extend the life of their router and not purchase another router which does the same thing. ASUS is also trying to prevent people from loading open-source firmware onto THEIR device to comply with the FCC requirements of frequency usage. Wifi channels in the EU is completely different than in the US. OpenWRT addresses that issue so there is NO reason for any company to prevent loading of open source firmware. If it was about security then ASUS would be patching their firmware and not allowing dozens of gaping security flaws to exist in their existing firmware. You have not a clue of what you are talking about.
@@MrDabrudda Ofc, the Earth is flat and also 5G will cook us... That's the same kind of narration... ;) It seems veery logic that they blocked custom firmware flashing from Web interface allowing that at the same time through recovery/ bootloader and maybe UART too, I don't know whether it has UART active or not... IMO more logical in that situation is blocking both options, because what's the point in blocking one feature if I'm still able to boot it inro recovery mode and flash it that way. By the way every single manufacturer does firmware signature verfication, except those sketchy ones from China whoose doesn't care about your safety and privacy, they only care about making money - the more the better...
I usually just run it with B/G network speeds. There is a blog on getting 11N working on the RT-N16. blog.tklee.org/2014/11/use-80211n-on-asus-rt-n16-with-openwrt.html
I managed to upgrade my old ASUS RT-N12 D1 using your step by step guide to the latest OpenWRT 21.02.1 using ASUS Recovery tool. Pretty much straightforward. The thing with a power up while holding the proper button for 10s was something I was always missing. Now it's time to play with it...
thank you for this crisp explanation, I wasted almost 2h searching for details how to perform this operation on rtn-16, since I did it few times with another rt-n's some time ago, you brought it clear and straightforward, it did the trick for me and I wish had stumbled upon your video faster. Thank you for your tremendous help !
You are welcome!
Oh boy, that trick with the WPS button made all the difference for me. THANK YOU 👍
Have to clear the existing config with the WPS button before flashing.
I agree with every single point you expressed in this video and I feel the passion in your voice regarding the mentality of vendors such as ASUS when they start locking things down in such a way. Great video and stay open source where possible :)
Thanks for sharing!
Only guide I could find that worked perfectly for me, thank you so much (although I used Tomato instead of Openwrt)
Used this process to update my RT-AC87U with OpenWRT v 23.05.0, had to use port 4 on the LAN and make sure the Wifi was off on my laptop for the recovery software to pick up the router in recovery mode.
Cool instruction but please note that the restoration tool will only find the router if there is exactly one enabled interface in the computer. I have 15 interfaces on my laptop because of VMWare, Visual studio and more, so it took some time before I found out that I needed to disable all but the interface connected to the router. If I do not, I get something like "Router is not in restoration mode" as error.
Any virtual NIC bound to the physical NIC may cause problems. You can also use
TFTPD64 software which is open source and does the same thing as the ASUS recovery software. With TFTPD64 you can select the network interface you want to use.
pjo2.github.io/tftpd64/
Can't find the restoration tool anywhere
I got my rt-n16 back in 2012...it run DD-WRT everyday till I took it out of service. Still has it on that. You either need to use the TFTP method or downgrade the firmware to a older version.
Thanks Bro. Can you use this tool to flash OpenWRT on the Asus RT-AX53U? I went to a site specifically for the router that I have. Its saying I have to use the mtd method.
You can also use the open source TFTPD64 server from pjo2.github.io/tftpd64/
Asus may have patched their rescue utility in the meantime. i followed all the steps, got the router to blink slowly, added lan ip address manually, so, when i click on upload in the utility, it searches for the router for 31 seconds then says that the router is NOT in recovery mode. i repeaded the process like 10 times already, each time making sure i took every step. any ideas where i can find an older version of this rescue utility? could there be any other reason? the router seems ok, it went back to factory settings, i checked after powering it back on after the first 2 or 3 flash failures.
The ASUS software is a TFTP software. I use TFTPD64 to accomplish the same flashing.
pjo2.github.io/tftpd64/
Could you please advice what to do if there is no LAN cable port in my PC? Both Yoga 260 and some Dell doesnt have these ports :(
Buy a USB to network adapter
what can be for Asus RTN12 C1?
.. if there is, ask for the openwrt link
openwrt.org/toh/start
openwrt.org/toh/hwdata/asus/asus_rt-n12_c1
It worked like a dream. Just to be honest I did run into a bit of a snag when configuring the static IP address.
I just disconnected the WAN side network cable from my Spectrum device and ONLY had my pc connected directly to the LAN port on the router.
Once I put in the network configs then saved, I was able to complete the setup instructions. It looks great.
Now where can I find some documentation regarding the firewall settings, etc.
Thanks for your service by the way my brother at arms.
Some firewall rules for OpenWRT
github.com/MrDabrudda/OpenWRTFirewallRules
If you work for the DOD they use HBSS. If for some stupid reason they put RSD (Rogue System Dection) on a laptop and you take that laptop home...guess what? All your systems on your home network are now relayed back to the DOD EPO server when you reconnect to the DOD network. I worked in HBSS for over 10 years and was picking up people's fucking Roombas and wifi connected refridgerators in the McAfee Epolicy Server on the Air Force GIG. Talk about a huge invasion of privacy.
You can also use an open source TFPT software to accomplish the same thing as the ASUS software. TFTPD64 is the name of the software I now use.
I just updated my Asus RT-N56U router to the latest OpenWrt 21.02.0-rc3 version. Just before this my 2.4Ghz band spontaneously stopped working. Many forums reports this issue, even on newer Asus models. The solution is to upload merlin software and it brings it back to life, but unfortunately my router is not compatible with that software. Do you know of any other possible fixes?
Try setting the channel to something other than Auto.
openwrt.org/toh/asus/rt-n56u
@@MrDabrudda I always set it to manual settings. That didn't work, neither did changing other settings, factory reset, etc. I've had this router for so long and it worked flawlessly, perhaps I'll just utilise the 5 band now and use another router via rj45 for the 2.4. Would have been nice if there was a better work around though.
is this still steps still applicable to asus ax53u?
openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_fwdownload?dataflt%5B0%5D=supported%20current%20rel_%3D23.05.3
openwrt.org/toh/asus/rt-ax53u
Not all hero wear capes.
This update lock was sort of to comply with a FCC crackdown on people using frequencies and power that are outside of legal for the USA. I'm sure though that they aren't unhappy about making the hardware defunct.
This is just another money grab to force people to buy new equipment...just like Microsoft end of life Windows 7. The open source firmware can easily be made to limit the power output and frequencies. Frequency use is simple to circumvent...select a country which does not restrict those frequencies in the router's settings.
@@MrDabrudda Oh I am not disagreeing with that part. They abused it. But it was part of the new FCC requirement to make a reasonable effort to defeat the ability to change the power/frequencies. That included I am sure the ability to revert to earlier firmware.
Oh yes, ASUS neutered the ability to downgrade firmware versions then upgrade to OpenWRT...tried it already.
where is the link of the firmware?
openwrt.org/toh/asus/rt-n16
Why not using DD-WRT.
DD-WRT is not updated as much as OpenWRT. Updates to OpenWRT come out several times per month and can be updated from the admin web page.
@@MrDabrudda thank you sir.
@@africantwin173 Is the 802.11n bug fixed in the new versions? or do you have to continue doing these steps
blog.tklee.org/2014/11/use-80211n-on-asus-rt-n16-with-openwrt.html
I used to use dd wrt before but I didn't like it because it only gave me 90 mbps of speed over ethernet when my contracted speed was 500 mbps, do you know if openwrt have that problem?
Removed openwrt, it works badly with this router, I have 300 Mb and I barely achieve 50 MB for cable and wifi
@@MrDabrudda This is great to know sir. I'm running RT-N16 by the way. I think my company hacked my old firmware that I was running.
This is why I was asking for a bit more details regarding the firewall configurations. I need to see when any bad actors are on the network.
By all means let's see them (my company) wrestle with this new firmware. I'd give my left arm to be a fly on the wall as they try.
Thank you for the video. Recently I received such a router and decided to install Openwrt. It was flashed through the web interface with beta version 9.0.0.4.380.2985. Openwrt has many problems with Wi-Fi: the 802.11n standard does not work properly. Also, I could not get the router to work in client + access point mode. It would be great if you shot a video about it.
While installing the firmware from Hugo Gomes, it is based on source codes on Asuswrt-Merlin
Will this also work on a ASUS RT-N56U?
It should work if the RT-N56U has a recovery mode. You can also download an open source TFPT server and do not need to use ASUS' recovery software.
@@MrDabrudda I believe I saw a recovery mode at one time, thanks!
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@MrDabrudda That's good, bc that prevents the situation where you download modified fimware by hacker, you dumb-dumb, so that's secuirty feature, so that what'you're saying is bullshit, not that what Asus has done...
This feature does NOT prevent downloading a modified firmware by a hacker. This is NOT a security feature. ASUS is trying to prevent people the right-to-repair their devices and extend the life of their router and not purchase another router which does the same thing. ASUS is also trying to prevent people from loading open-source firmware onto THEIR device to comply with the FCC requirements of frequency usage. Wifi channels in the EU is completely different than in the US. OpenWRT addresses that issue so there is NO reason for any company to prevent loading of open source firmware. If it was about security then ASUS would be patching their firmware and not allowing dozens of gaping security flaws to exist in their existing firmware. You have not a clue of what you are talking about.
@@MrDabrudda Ofc, the Earth is flat and also 5G will cook us... That's the same kind of narration... ;) It seems veery logic that they blocked custom firmware flashing from Web interface allowing that at the same time through recovery/ bootloader and maybe UART too, I don't know whether it has UART active or not... IMO more logical in that situation is blocking both options, because what's the point in blocking one feature if I'm still able to boot it inro recovery mode and flash it that way. By the way every single manufacturer does firmware signature verfication, except those sketchy ones from China whoose doesn't care about your safety and privacy, they only care about making money - the more the better...
Did you ever get 802.11n working with openwrt on this device?
I usually just run it with B/G network speeds.
There is a blog on getting 11N working on the RT-N16.
blog.tklee.org/2014/11/use-80211n-on-asus-rt-n16-with-openwrt.html