ASUS RT-AC68U router disassembly - How to Open (T-Mobile TM-AC1900) 

I would give multiple thumbs up for this. I was pretty certain that is how it came apart, but seeing it in advance was really helpful. The hidden screws....fantastic help. Thank you

Awesome. Had a broken internal power switch I had to deal with, this saved me some time. Thanks brother

Thank You. Needed to get into mine to check for any damage after a lightning strike. Recommend removing the 2 screws under the sticker first though as it makes popping the front off easier.

Excellent video. Thanks for showing! I need to put a fan on mine here soon.

Jeremiah, thank you! Excellent video. Mine has intermittent power outages and I was struggling on how to remove that front cover so thanks again!

Excellent, Helpful tips. Thanks!

This will help with my rt-ac68u

Mine had three thermal pads under the heatsink --- placed over the hot spots on the PCB. Removed them, cleaned heatsink and covers with alcohol, and used proper thermal compound on the heatsink. The covers to the processor & other chips come off fairly easily (just know that they are made of very thin aluminum, so be gentle with removing them), and there are more thermal pads on the chips themselves. Am considering replacing those thermal pads with copper shims.

Saved my life.... thks for the video

Thanks dude.

Thank you!

Thank you!. The on off button does not work so need to keep it engaged at all times.

Thank❤

Many Asus routers built the same way. I suppose once you get the design and plastic tooling right, why fix something that is working? Vertical mounting of the PCB in the case allows for natural heat movement across the internal heatsink. No need to pull the label completely off - just enough to expose the two screws underneath. That way it will still be in alignment with the plastic assembly when you put it all back together. The adhesive holding the label is quite robust and will stick back together quite well and it wont be obvious that a hacker (fumble fingers you) has been here. The screws are normal phillips head screws - nothing too fancy here. The front panel will clip easily off if you follow it around all the way gently and will snap back in place when you put it all back together. Inside is boring, except for the clearly marked UART port on the PCB with 5v, TX, RX, and GND. Power switch looks flimsy, and could be an issue for some PCBs and can be easily bypassed by desoldering and putting in jumpers instead. Giant heatsink shows that there is some serious power and heat activity happening here. Be extra careful when moving the PCB so the tiny antenna connectors do not pull off the PCB. Take a photo so you can make sure the right ones go back in the right place. A gentle press is all you need for them to clip back on. Mine was a 4G-RT68U model and the disassembly principle is the same except only the two outside WiFi antennas unscrew, and the two inner 4G ones do not. No need to remove the antennas - just fold them out of the way.

Taking that front cover off was an absolute pain. Do it on the floor somewhere away from things that you don't want to damage because either your hand or the router will slip. I dented my keyboard. :( And you are going to scratch the router's sides, it's inevitable especially the first time you do it. The trick is, you gotta press SUPER hard when you get to a clip, there's no other way. Don't be afraid of breaking it, you won't, the plastic is really tough. I pressed on the clips as hard as I could and none of them broke, though it's possible you'll break one or two.

What was the purpose of disassembling it? My router get crazy 82C when idling. I find it to be high. Did you tried to attach some small fan to it on the inside, behind the board, inside the body, where some air vents are at the back? Did you took some measurements?

Strange...my 68U has a heatsink on the top right once you open it up. Yours didnt

My 86 just died. I tested the power brick and it's still supplying 19v. Anything obvious i could check after opening?

Can the AC86U be disassembled in the same way?

who else took off the front cover along with the two screws 😂

I like the tutorial, but i broke my front, because you did not start with the info of the screws behind the sticker.

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Why would anyone ever need to get inside the unit?????