RT-AC66U working as router but disappeared from network

Snapshot · 26 Jul 2016 at 09:16

My Asus RT-AC66U used to be visible to the PCs, etc. on the LAN but has now disappeared. It's still functioning as well as ever as a router but the main effect of it not being visible is that it's no longer acting as browse master for the workgroup and W10 preferred that to the main W7 PC. Problem is I don't what I've changed, if anything. The router has the current Merlin firmware and I don't think there's a browse master setting in it. I'd appreciate some help making the router re-appear.

Jumping · 26 Jul 2016 at 09:30

If you haven't done it try to restart the router.

Also when you say current version of Merlin is it the latest beta or stable?

Snapshot · 26 Jul 2016 at 10:18

I've restarted the whole LAN, several times.....
Merlin is the current stable 380.59.

Avalon · 26 Jul 2016 at 10:36

Feel free to use the router recovery tool if it's a problem.

ChrisD. · 26 Jul 2016 at 12:04

Is it all PC's on the LAN?

Is your network location set to 'home'?

Snapshot · 26 Jul 2016 at 13:44

I've done a bit more searching and found this in the changelog for Merlin 380.60:

- FIXED: Router wouldn't run SMB to provide browser master or Wins services if no USB disk was plugged

so it looks like an error introduced in a recent version. I shall be plugging a USB stick into the router to see if that fixes it and waiting for 380.60 to come out of beta.

I found where master browser is selected in Merlin - it's under USB Application/Network Place. Not the most intuitive of locations.

Snapshot · 26 Jul 2016 at 18:38

And indeed that was the (temporary) solution. A few seconds after I plugged in a USB stick, the router had become the browse master and a bit later was visible in the network on all attached devices.