HI,
Thanks for your well written and composed article. It was very helpful and I was successful for for me 50% of the time. My Linux (Fedora 40) computer has no trouble accessing the USB drive I have plugged into the USB 3 port in my Asus RT-AX86U router. However, my computer running Windows 11 does not display the directory using File Explorer. I doubled checked the setting in the router software and it is configured according to the article.
Do you have any suggestions as to why I can access the drive through Linux and not Windows 11?
Thanks
I would like to do this exact same process, but my NAS is a networked RAID style small box, so has an IP or Domain name reference. Is the above process a “Port Forward”?
I’m having the same issue as others mentioned, after following the setup instructions, putting the router address into File Explorer results in opening the router log in page, not the USB drive. Following the router IP with the folders didn’t help.
I’d had this running and mapped the USB drive; but, when I upgraded the router firmware, it failed and I’ve not yet been able to get it to work–now on version 3.0.0.4.388_20558 on RT-AX88U. The network is set to private. I’ve tried both with and without guest access. I’m only looking for the seeing the drive over the network, not via FTP or using the media server function which are set to off.
When it was working, Windows 10 asked for my login credentials prior to connecting, when allowing guest access.
The router sees the drive connected (USB 2), will run health check successfully.
The documentation was easy to follow. Not sure why it isn’t working properly.
Thanks for the clear tutorial! For people on a mac it works the same way. You can use a HFS formatted disk (Mac OS extended Journaled). I found that when I tried to format the disk HFS through the router it failed but if I used my already formatted disk it worked fine.
I too have not managed to connect to the USB disk yet [all went well in the router] via the W10 File explorer ‘Network’ address field, my system simply opens up a browser for ASUS log on… BUT BEFORE THAT I would like to know if the router NAS feature is still available if I configure the router as an access point? I must keep my providers modem [cable] router so the ASUS will be second in line. I can go for Bridging or DMZ in the providers router but if the NAS option still works in AP mode it means I also kan keep my first router as Wifi station too [extending my Wifi coverage]
Do I need to format the drive after connecting it to the router? I have a drive with files already on it that I would like to connect to the router and would prefer not to format it again if possible.
How can i make from my usb hdd connected in asus RT AC58U a NAS ? From internet pass in two router´s ( First ISP router, second the Asus router) and access the disc in usb port. Thanks from you help and ideias.
Regards
H Rick
I followed your instructions, but when I enter the IP address of the router (or click its name in Network), I’m brought to a login page for the router GUI. Any idea what’s wrong?
The disk is recognized and the media server setting is active. I’ve configured the disk to allow anonymous access.
Same happens to me tried with everything. It can see the disk as mediadriver but I cant access it to put in files, only open the router login page, if I try to map it it says I need smb2… have it on my computer, just checked with PowerShell that it was active but I guess the router not having it. No idea how to get this to work
How about one step further. I want to use Asus USB disk for LAN Access and cloud access on Android/ Apple smartphone. AICloud app allows upload via + sign but no direct Share function.
How could we use Asus USB SSD disk as cloud accessible via LAN ( already is – check) and with Share to function on smartphones?
One idea is to keep one’s PC local Copy on Asus USB SSD but have problems with permissions (Sync cloud) despite Guest login allowed.
20 Responses to “How to turn your ASUS router into a NAS”
HI,
Thanks for your well written and composed article. It was very helpful and I was successful for for me 50% of the time. My Linux (Fedora 40) computer has no trouble accessing the USB drive I have plugged into the USB 3 port in my Asus RT-AX86U router. However, my computer running Windows 11 does not display the directory using File Explorer. I doubled checked the setting in the router software and it is configured according to the article.
Do you have any suggestions as to why I can access the drive through Linux and not Windows 11?
Thanks
Hi Bob,
This problem may be generated by the fact that the network connection in Windows 11 is not set as Private. If it is set as Public, file sharing isn’t available. Check out this guide on how to change the network location on your Windows 11 computer:
https://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-set-your-networks-location-private-or-public-windows-10/
I hope this helps,
Ciprian
Digital Citizen
I would like to do this exact same process, but my NAS is a networked RAID style small box, so has an IP or Domain name reference. Is the above process a “Port Forward”?
I’m having the same issue as others mentioned, after following the setup instructions, putting the router address into File Explorer results in opening the router log in page, not the USB drive. Following the router IP with the folders didn’t help.
I’d had this running and mapped the USB drive; but, when I upgraded the router firmware, it failed and I’ve not yet been able to get it to work–now on version 3.0.0.4.388_20558 on RT-AX88U. The network is set to private. I’ve tried both with and without guest access. I’m only looking for the seeing the drive over the network, not via FTP or using the media server function which are set to off.
When it was working, Windows 10 asked for my login credentials prior to connecting, when allowing guest access.
The router sees the drive connected (USB 2), will run health check successfully.
The documentation was easy to follow. Not sure why it isn’t working properly.
Ideas welcome.
Thanks for the clear tutorial! For people on a mac it works the same way. You can use a HFS formatted disk (Mac OS extended Journaled). I found that when I tried to format the disk HFS through the router it failed but if I used my already formatted disk it worked fine.
Thank you for sharing this information with others.
Hello
Is it posible to conect a powered usb hub to the router so i can ad more harddrives to the router?
I too have not managed to connect to the USB disk yet [all went well in the router] via the W10 File explorer ‘Network’ address field, my system simply opens up a browser for ASUS log on… BUT BEFORE THAT I would like to know if the router NAS feature is still available if I configure the router as an access point? I must keep my providers modem [cable] router so the ASUS will be second in line. I can go for Bridging or DMZ in the providers router but if the NAS option still works in AP mode it means I also kan keep my first router as Wifi station too [extending my Wifi coverage]
very clear
Very helpful. This gave me the hints I needed to make the attached USB drive accessible. Thanks.
Do I need to format the drive after connecting it to the router? I have a drive with files already on it that I would like to connect to the router and would prefer not to format it again if possible.
You need to format it only if the router doesn’t mount it correctly. Otherwise, the formatting should be not necessary.
Hi all!
How can i make from my usb hdd connected in asus RT AC58U a NAS ? From internet pass in two router´s ( First ISP router, second the Asus router) and access the disc in usb port. Thanks from you help and ideias.
Regards
H Rick
will the usb fdd sleep when unused?
I followed your instructions, but when I enter the IP address of the router (or click its name in Network), I’m brought to a login page for the router GUI. Any idea what’s wrong?
The disk is recognized and the media server setting is active. I’ve configured the disk to allow anonymous access.
Same happens to me tried with everything. It can see the disk as mediadriver but I cant access it to put in files, only open the router login page, if I try to map it it says I need smb2… have it on my computer, just checked with PowerShell that it was active but I guess the router not having it. No idea how to get this to work
same here.just goes to router login page.please advise.
How about one step further. I want to use Asus USB disk for LAN Access and cloud access on Android/ Apple smartphone. AICloud app allows upload via + sign but no direct Share function.
How could we use Asus USB SSD disk as cloud accessible via LAN ( already is – check) and with Share to function on smartphones?
One idea is to keep one’s PC local Copy on Asus USB SSD but have problems with permissions (Sync cloud) despite Guest login allowed.
What if I use a Mac computer? You only mention Windows or Linux system.
We don’t have a Mac available for this tutorial. Sorry about that.