ASUS RT-AC42U: OpenWrt Compatibility Report

The ASUS RT-AC42U runs OpenWrt 24.10.4 on the ipq40xx/generic target, and has been supported since 22.03.0. Its WiFi 5 (AC) wireless on the ath10k-ct driver rates good for open-source driver support (0.70/1.0), installation is rated moderate, and it is no longer sold new.

Drivers: Good (0.70) 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 RT-AC42U, which is no longer sold new. See current alternatives for devices you can still buy today.

Specifications

SoC Qualcomm Atheros IPQ4019
CPU 4 cores @ 717 MHz
RAM 256 MB
Flash 128 MB (NAND)
Ethernet ports 5
USB 1x 3.0
WiFi generation WiFi 5 (AC)
Radios 2.4GHz: b/g/n · 5GHz: a/n/ac
WLAN hardware Qualcomm Atheros IPQ4019, Qualcomm Atheros QCA9984
WLAN driver ath10k-ct
OpenWrt target ipq40xx / generic
Package architecture arm_cortex-a7_neon-vfpv4
Current release 24.10.4
Supported since 22.03.0
Install method see git-commit
Install difficulty moderate
Power supply 12 VDC, 2.0A via barrel
Device type Home router
Estimated throughput 501 Mbps
Availability discontinued

Installing OpenWrt on the RT-AC42U

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: 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.