Are you able to change the available channels on the AC68U bought from China to a different region? I'm reading that Asus is locking them down in the CFE.

CFE is used to initialise before loading the OS, something like a PC BIOS. Asus has encrypted the CFE on some routers and made it difficult to reflash with other versions. They may impose other restrictions with a firmware update. It's not rumours btw but discussion on snbforums.

Similar with reflashing TM-AC1900 T-mobile to 68U has been restricted.

This post has been edited by kk131: Oct 30 2018, 12:42 PM

Merlin firmware is Asus firmware with additional features (Merlin takes the Asus open source and adds to it). Features which are closed source are not available in Merlin. e.g. AiMesh.

Asus firmware is based on Tomato (originally for Linksys routers), that's why they have to publish the source code.

Asus naming system includes the colour; 'U' black, 'W' white, e.g. AC86U is black case, AC86W white case.

In addition to the Merlin enhancements, several scripts have been developed that run on Merlin firmware - ad blocking by DNS white/black list, improved QOS, skynet (black list 'bad' ip addresses), stop DNS snooping (dnscrypt, stubby) etc.

This post has been edited by kk131: Nov 13 2018, 08:05 AM

Why don't you check on Merlin's website https://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca/download ?

Have you tried this to recover:

If the router fails to start properly (this method uses a router bootloader function and shall work as long as there is no hardware fault):

Turn off the router.
Press and hold the WPS button.
Turn on the router.
Wait about 10 seconds.
Release the WPS button.

You could try changing some of the wireless options in the 'Wireless - Professional' tab e.g. disable WMM APSD. I don't have an AC86U, my main router is an AC66U but I expect the options are similar. Usually it's a case of changing one of the options and trying for a while.

There's a lot of good information at https://www.snbforums.com/forums/asus-wireless.37/

Looks like it's drop shipped from China.

I think it's an excellent choice, AX WiFi 6 routers should appear probably next year.

Are you not concerned about thermal cycling, I suspect that that is a bigger problem than running hot. You can restart the router using the inbuilt cron rather than power off/on, that will shutdown and restart the router correctly avoiding possible memory corruption.

I'm not using NordVPN but it's well worth flashing Merlin for the added features:

- scripts such as adblocking and ip blocking (shodan etc)
- additional features over Asus stock firmware
- DNS over TLS to stop your ISP spying

How did you do a factory reset? Try:

** Power off the router
** Hold the WPS Button
** Power on the router and keep the WPS pressed for 10-15 seconds
** Reboot and wait 5 minutes

I'm also running a 'converted' TM-AC1900 with Merlin's latest 384.15 firmware, I don't have the problem you're describing. I did have the 'not connected' problem with 384.14, that was due to the flag in CFE (reflashing with the AiMesh enabled CFE solved the problem.

Factory reset clears all the settings stored in the router ready for a re-configuration, sometimes when you upgrade the firmware the settings become corrupted, it doesn't delete the firmware (otherwise yoour router wouldn't boot).

Recommended CFE version is 1.0.2.0 AiMesh - here's a guide Lazymocha. CFE is similar to PC BIOS it contains information that the router reads for configuration. Seems like when you bought your router, it had already been converted to an AC68U?

Merlin 384.15 alpha thread is here.

This post has been edited by kk131: Jan 16 2020, 12:15 PM

Did you run the 'quick internet setup' and choose unifi?

It has the TM Unifi IPTV settings in the setup menu so will work. If you flash Merlin's FW you can get a lot more functionality - ad-blocking, additional malware/bad host blocking (skynet), etc.

I can't read Chines but in the screenshot you posted the title lists AC86U & AC68U but the top selection boxes are all AC86U as I read. Make sure you're buying a AC86U (not an AC68U).

You can edit your cfe here to make it region free - https://cfeditor.feng.si

No the AC86U CFE is encrypted.