ASUS RP-AC51: OpenWrt Compatibility Report

ASUS RP-AC51 router
Image: OpenWrt Table of Hardware, CC BY-SA 4.0

The ASUS RP-AC51 runs OpenWrt 25.12.5 on the ath79/generic target, and has been supported since 23.05.0. Its WiFi 5 (AC) wireless on the ath10k-ct driver rates good for open-source driver support (0.75/1.0), installation is rated moderate, and it is no longer sold new.

Drivers: Good (0.75) WiFi 5 (AC) Install: moderate

Hardware data and retail listings last checked .

Discontinued. This model is no longer sold new, so this page is kept as a reference for people who already own one. See current alternatives.

Where to buy

We have no current retail listing for the ASUS RP-AC51, which is no longer sold new. See current alternatives for devices you can still buy today.

Specifications

SoC Qualcomm Atheros QCA9531
CPU 1 core @ 650 MHz
RAM 128 MB
Flash 16 MB
Ethernet ports 1
WiFi generation WiFi 5 (AC)
Radios 2.4GHz: b/g/n · 5GHz: a/n/ac
WLAN hardware Qualcomm Atheros QCA9531, Qualcomm Atheros QCA9886
WLAN driver ath10k-ct
OpenWrt target ath79 / generic
Package architecture mips_24kc
Current release 25.12.5
Supported since 23.05.0
Install method Asus Firmware Restoration tool, U-Boot TFTP recovery, see git-commit
Install difficulty moderate
Power supply 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 0.18A
Device type Repeater
Estimated throughput 81 Mbps
Availability discontinued

Installing OpenWrt on the RP-AC51

Installation on this device is rated moderate. Expect to use a recovery mode, TFTP or a vendor tool rather than a plain web upload. Documented methods: Asus Firmware Restoration tool, U-Boot TFTP recovery, see git-commit.

Flashing third-party firmware can brick a router and usually voids the warranty. Always check that the firmware image matches your exact hardware version.

Still sold and well supported

Ruckus R500

WiFi 5 (AC) Drivers: Excellent $173

MikroTik RB962UiGS-5HacT2HnT (hAP ac)

WiFi 5 (AC) Drivers: Excellent $115

Ubiquiti UniFi UK-Ultra

WiFi 5 (AC) Drivers: Excellent $100

Not sure which fits? Take the 60-second quiz.