Asus routers sold in the EU region have firmware restrictions that disable 5 GHz channels 149–165. These channels are legal in many regions (including the US) but are blocked by default in EU-sold models.
This means even though your hardware supports it, you cannot select channel 149–165 (including 165) via the Web GUI.
- Install Merlin (if available for your router model).
- Go to Wireless settings in the web UI.
- Set Region: United States (US).
- Choose Channel 165 from the dropdown.
- Save and reboot.
Merlin supports JFFS scripts and offers more flexibility with region/channel settings.
- Enable JFFS custom scripts:
- Web UI → Administration → System → Enable JFFS custom scripts and configs → Yes.
- Reboot router.
- SSH into router and create script
/jffs/scripts/init-start:
#!/bin/sh
nvram set wl1_country_code=US
nvram set wl1_chanspec=165/20- Make it executable:
chmod +x /jffs/scripts/init-start
- Reboot router.
- Router will boot with US region and channel 165/20 MHz enabled.
DO NOT change channel settings via Web GUI or console after reboot — doing so will override your script and revert to the EU default country restrictions.
This repository provides instructions and scripts to help you enable channel 165 on Asus routers restricted by EU firmware.