Faulty ASUS Gaming Router [RT-AC86U] | Can I FIX It?

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Published 2024-06-01

In this video we're going to be taking a look at an ASUS wireless gaming router RT-AC86U which I bought from eBay for spares or repair. In the listing it said that they had taken it to the "local repair guy" but he couldn't diagnose the problem. Can we do any better?

I'm not an expert, but I do enjoy trying to fix things.

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Some of the tools and equipment that I use:

The Famous Blue Mat: amzn.to/47bPNGK
Infiray P2 Pro Thermal Camera: amzn.to/47c05Xm
170 piece electronics tool kit (security bits): amzn.to/3VnmHBh
SMD Tweezer set: amzn.to/3t9GlW4
Aixun T3A Soldering Station: amzn.to/3Xa8HMe
Soldering Flux: amzn.to/3UDC0py Alternative: amzn.to/4dVRdcN
Low Melt Solder: amzn.to/3QICZ5r : Cheaper Alternative amzn.to/3G4L3XK
Grinding pen: amzn.to/3QCHE7v
Component Tester: amzn.to/46UcHm6 alternative (slightly cheaper) amzn.to/49yZSzJ
Overhead Camera Mount I Use: amzn.to/3tX8Ar4
Microscope Light (I use on my Trinocular): amzn.to/3FEAPgy
AD409 Pro Microscope 10" Screen: amzn.to/3G0CI7P
Extra Long Torx Drivers(used on Milwaukee radio): amzn.to/40siUU3
DC Power Adapter plugs 38 PCS: amzn.to/49lCUMm
USB Power Meter Tester: amzn.to/3R6NX4g
SMD Component ruler 3x (for sizes of components): amzn.to/3TvfcWO

Other Equipment:
Main Overhead camera: Sony HDR-CX450 with 3rd party remote and RODE VideoMic Pro
Other cameras: Canon G7X, iPhone 6
Microscopes: Amscope trinocular (clone) with FHD 48MP Camera V8
& Adonstar AD409 Pro.

Editing Software: DaVinci Resolve

The above links are amazon affiliate links, and I may receive a small amount from Amazon at no extra cost to you, if you choose to purchase an item.

#electronics #electronicsrepair #repair
ASUS Router repair
ASUS Gaming Router repair
RT-AC86U repair
Faulty RT-AC86U
Broken RT-AC86U
Fixing a RT-AC86U
Fixing an ASUS Gaming Router

All Comments (21)

@terrym1065 2 months ago

I can see where a microscope certainly comes in handy for the small stuff, the blown chip was a good catch without it. SMDs are my Achilles heel, I've lost more to the floor than actually installed I think. A hot air tool would be my undoing. Great fix bro and probably a really good deal. Thanks for the video and the work, see ya soon.
@leewright6101 2 months ago

i enjoy your videos .. im a engineer 30+ years but love to watch others fix items, still gives me a buzz getting things working,
@tubeDude48 2 months ago

Great job on replacing that IC. What a pain! 👍
@309electronics5 2 months ago

5:24. Yes that is indeed a serial port and jtag for testing purpose. Although lots of smart hackery people use those to install alternative firmware on it and its also often the serial port giving access to the bootloader and linux terminal which some people love to mess with (incl me). Some install openwrt firmware on it via the serial port giving full control over the router (because its now your firmware and router) instead of the oem/isp having the control over their oem firmware. Btw nice fix Mick!
@Mymatevince 1 month ago

Great video Mick, love the scope work 👌
@luckywetland 1 month ago

Simply amazing. Great fix, Mick :)
@brianwood5220 2 months ago

Well done, Mick. Another string to your bow. Fixer of Modems/Routers. Thanks for sharing.
@georgeholme612 2 months ago

I do like watching you work it's brilliant
@ncc1701deee 2 months ago

I love it when you use the scope! As i am trying so hard to understand how to use one of those. Superb.
@joelkist6493 2 months ago

Always amazed by your trouble shooting abilities.
@muka_32 2 months ago

Well, that’s unfortunate. I was waiting for a cooking tutorial. Great fix sir 👏🏻
@Jesselovespinball 2 months ago

Another piece saved from the bin . I’m jealous of your scope skills . I need to spend some time learning how to use an oscilloscope properly. Well done sir !
@tomaszski9818 2 months ago

Great fixed as always 👍.
@mikecass8306 2 months ago

Great fix, thanks Mick 😀
@MikeyMack303 2 months ago

Damn! Those micro smd parts are difficult to r&r! Nice work, Mick. Thanks for bringing us along.
@loopdemack 2 months ago

Great I love when there is routers or access points Asus or Tp-link as well as IPC Hikvision or Dahua ip cams fixed. More routers and ip cameras fixes please.
@generaldisarray 2 months ago

Excellent work, as always. "We can rebuild it. We have the technology. We can make it better than it was. Better, stronger, faster." 🎶da da da da, da da da da, da da da da...🎶🎶 Boooooooing...🤣🤣
@ralphj4012 2 months ago

Very good. Two, four and a half of a one, finally, an electronics channel which makes sense. A trick which may help is to use paste for the pad underneath ICs.
@LatitudeSky 2 months ago

Watching with interest. I own one of this model router. Quite a nice one and not at all a cheap model. Well worth fixing.
@PeteSimpson 2 months ago

Wait a minute, and to think that I subscribe to you as well and you did this to me 😭 I recognised the eBay listing instantly when you showed it. Hint: 4th of May 2024 the auction ended at 11:10 BST. Yes my max bud in the sniper was £15.51, you outbid me by £1 😮. c***s (2103) was my feedback number at the time. I enjoy repairing faulty electrictrons just for the fun of it. Okay, let's see what I would have had to do to repair this router lol 🤣 Congratulations on outbidding me on that gaming router auction, that doesn't happen too often to me, I'm pleased that it was you 👍 Edit after watching the video: Congratulations on a nice fix, that's a small component too. I for one am pleased that you repaired the router and that the hole was not bigger and not over the part number either. Good job