ASUS RT-AX88U AsusWrt-Merlin Firmware 3004.388.6.0

Changes:

- NOTE: Since Asus provided GPL code for the RT-AX56U, this model will exceptionally be included with this release, despite still being considered being end-of-life.
- NOTE: Asus reworked the way SSL certificates are handled in 24353. The automatic conversion code does not always work properly, you might need to force your router to re-generate its SSL certificates by toggling the SSL mode on the DDNS page.
- NEW: Added ethtool to the firmware.
- UPDATED: Merged GPL 388_24353.
- UPDATED: nano to 7.2.
- UPDATED: ncurses to 6.3.
- UPDATED: OUI database used by networkmap and the webui.
- FIXED: CVE-2023-48795 in dropbear.
- FIXED: e-Learning category not always properly identified on the Classification/Stats page.
- FIXED: Incorrectly report 2.4 GHz as being disabled when disabling 6 GHz on the GT-AXE16000.
- FIXED: UPNP leases without a description would not appear on the Forwarded Ports page.

Installation

- Simply flash it like any regular update. You should not need to reset to factory defaults (see note below for exceptions). You can revert back to an original Asus firmware at any time just by flashing a firmware downloaded from Asus's website.
- If the firmware upgrade fails, try rebooting your router to free up sufficient memory, without any USB disk plugged in, then try flashing it again.
- If you run into any issue after an upgrade and you haven't done so,try doing a factory default reset as well.
- Always read the changelog, as mandatory resets will be mentionned there when they are necessary.
- In all of these cases, do NOT load a saved copy of your settings! This would be the same thing as NOT resetting at all, as you will simply re-enter any invalid setting you wanted to get rid of. Make sure to create a new backup of your settings after reconfiguring.

NOTE:

- Resetting to factory default after flashing is strongly recommended for the following cases: Updating from a firmware version that is more than 3 releases older or Switching from a Tomato/DD-WRT/OpenWRT firmware

Installation Notes:

- This custom firmware can be applied like any regular update.
- You should not need to reset to factory defaults.
- You can revert back to an original ASUS firmware at any time.
- Do not load a saved copy of your settings.  

About Router Firmware:

Before you consider downloading this firmware, go to the system information page of the router and make sure that the currently installed version isn't either newer or matching this release.

Due to the large variety of router models and different methods for upgrading the device, it is highly recommended that you read and, above all, understand the installation steps before you apply the new firmware, even if you are a power user.

In theory, these steps shouldn't be much of a hassle for anyone, because manufacturers try to make them as easy as possible, even if they don't always succeed. Basically, you must upload the new firmware to the router through its administration page and allow it to upgrade.

If you install a new version, you can expect increased security levels, different vulnerability issues to be resolved, improved overall performance and transfer speeds, enhanced compatibility with other devices, added support for newly developed technologies, as well as several other changes.

If you're looking for certain safety measures, remember that it would be best if you perform the upload using an Ethernet cable rather than a wireless connection, which can be interrupted easily. Also, make sure you don't power off the router or use its buttons during the installation, if you wish avoid any malfunctions.

If this firmware meets your current needs, get the desired version and apply it to your router unit; if not, check with our website as often as possible so that you don't miss the update that will improve your device.