ASUS RT-N56U: OpenWrt Compatibility Report

ASUS RT-N56U router
Image: OpenWrt Table of Hardware, CC BY-SA 4.0

The ASUS RT-N56U runs OpenWrt 24.10.5 on the ramips/mt7621 target, and has been supported since 21.02.0. Its WiFi 4 (N) wireless on the mt76 driver rates good for open-source driver support (0.80/1.0), installation is rated moderate, and it is no longer sold new.

Drivers: Good (0.80) WiFi 4 (N) 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-N56U, which is no longer sold new. See current alternatives for devices you can still buy today.

Specifications

SoC MediaTek MT7621ST
CPU 1 core @ 880 MHz
RAM 128 MB
Flash 16 MB
Ethernet ports 5
USB 2x 2.0
WiFi generation WiFi 4 (N)
Radios 2.4GHz: b/g/n · 5GHz: a/n
WLAN hardware MediaTek MT7603EN, MediaTek MT7612EN
WLAN driver mt76
OpenWrt target ramips / mt7621
Package architecture mipsel_24kc
Current release 24.10.5
Supported since 21.02.0
Install method Asus Firmware Restoration tool, U-Boot TFTP recovery
Install difficulty moderate
Power supply 12 VDC, 1.5 A
Device type Home router
Estimated throughput 110 Mbps
Availability discontinued

Installing OpenWrt on the RT-N56U

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.

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

Hardware versions

The RT-N56U ships in several hardware revisions with different chipsets. Match the version printed on your device label before flashing.

Version Target Current release WLAN hardware
B1 shown above ramips/mt7621 24.10.5 MediaTek MT7603EN, MediaTek MT7612EN
A1 ramips/rt3883 25.12.1 Ralink RT3662F, Ralink RT3092L

Still sold and well supported

GL.iNet GL-X300B (Collie)

WiFi 4 (N) Drivers: Excellent $126

KuWFi CPE830(D)

WiFi 4 (N) Drivers: Excellent

YunCore CPE830(D)

WiFi 4 (N) Drivers: Excellent

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