2.4Ghz issues

[Sparxxx]

Hi guys,

just bought an Asus RT-AC66U router but I am not really impresed with it on the 2.4Ghz mode.

My transfer speeds are very very bad... between 1-2mbit/s even though the signal is very strong (-50db).

On 5Ghz everything works fine... strong signal, excelent transfer speeds.

Am I doing something wrong? Could you please help me with the 2.4Ghz settings? I have tried a lot of different ones but it didn`t help.

 

[Sparxxx]

Hmmm, strange. looks like a reboot of the router and PC solved the issue...

 

[RMerlin]

Double check what channel is used. Ideally, analyze your environment using InSSIDer, and set a fixed channel in the least crowded area of the spectrum.

 

[italyguy01]

Hi guys,

just bought an Asus RT-AC66U router but I am not really impresed with it on the 2.4Ghz mode.

My transfer speeds are very very bad... between 1-2mbit/s even though the signal is very strong (-50db).

On 5Ghz everything works fine... strong signal, excelent transfer speeds.

Am I doing something wrong? Could you please help me with the 2.4Ghz settings? I have tried a lot of different ones but it didn`t help.

I had the same exact problem as you. I ended up just using 5ghz!

 

[Sparxxx]

Well... I double checked everything but this router is a pain in the butt.

I have to reboot it once-twice a day because of huge latency or simply not working.

No idea why this is happening as I have tried a lot of options (I`m pretty knowledgeable and experienced). Only thing left would be a different/custom firmware... any suggestions?

My previous WNDR3700 was ROCK STABLE!

 

[italyguy01]

A guy from Asus tech support told me that they know 270 firmware is flawed with range/power problems and 2.4ghz issues.

 

[Sparxxx]

Yeah... well hope they release a fixed firmware soon.
I just got this router 3 day ago and not sure if I should wait for firmware or get my money back... maybe going with the Netgear R6300 or Linksys EA6500.

What about the Asuswrt-Merlin firmware? Is this better or it's just built on the official one?

 

[italyguy01]

Yeah... well hope they release a fixed firmware soon.
I just got this router 3 day ago and not sure if I should wait for firmware or get my money back... maybe going with the Netgear R6300 or Linksys EA6500.

What about the Asuswrt-Merlin firmware? Is this better or it's just built on the official one?

Merlin does an excellent job adding features, updating stuff within the released firmware, so yes, his is better because it offers more, and is better updated. I even send Merlin a donation because I think what he is doing is great.

BUT, Merlin, Please correct me if I am wrong,

Merlin's firmware is still based off of Asus's firmware. Which I believe ASUS has some severe issues going on.

 

[RMerlin]

Merlin does an excellent job adding features, updating stuff within the released firmware, so yes, his is better because it offers more, and is better updated. I even send Merlin a donation because I think what he is doing is great.

BUT, Merlin, Please correct me if I am wrong,

Merlin's firmware is still based off of Asus's firmware. Which I believe ASUS has some severe issues going on.

Not sure I would use the term "severe", as it's working well for a lot of users. Overall, Asuswrt is far more mature than it was a year ago, where your router might randomly reboot itself in certain situations.

There are definitely still issues left, but it's not as bad as it used to be.

 

[italyguy01]

Not sure I would use the term "severe", as it's working well for a lot of users. Overall, Asuswrt is far more mature than it was a year ago, where your router might randomly reboot itself in certain situations.

There are definitely still issues left, but it's not as bad as it used to be.

Hi Merlin, Well maybe severe wasn't a good description, but with some people having no issues, and others having all kinds of issues makes me think it is a firmware and probably hardware issues, maybe quality control?

 

[adamk]

Hi guys,

My transfer speeds are very very bad... between 1-2mbit/s even though the signal is very strong (-50db).

On 5Ghz everything works fine... strong signal, excelent transfer speeds.

I also just purchased a RT-AC66U and am seeing the same exact problem. 5ghz getting solid speeds, 2.4ghz getting 1-2mbit/s with strong signal. Tried playing with the key 2.4ghz settings but to no avail :| The router is on firmware 3.0.0.4.270.

Any other ideas for things to try?

Worth noting: I live in NYC/Manhattan and there are a _ton_ of 2.4ghz networks within range, it doesn't help my building has a wireless ISP provider that has access points all over the place as well. I would never expect to get amazing 2.4ghz speeds but I would expect to get more than 1-2mbps (especially when sitting right next to the thing).

 

[RogerSC]

Speaking of having tons of wireless networks around you, have you used a tool like inSSIDer to find a channel to use that's relatively clear? I would use a single specific channel and 20MHz channel width only, don't use auto for either of those. Concentrate on channels 1, 6, or 11.

There's another setting for "enhanced interference management" in the Wireless/Professional tab, you might try toggling your setting there, too.

 

[Sparxxx]

well, I have used InSSIDer and selected a least crowded channel but the issues are still the same.
The main problem is that I have to reboot the router at least twice a day. This sucks.
I see there is a new version coming out RT-AC67U... should I return my AC66U and wait for the AC67U?

PS: I live in Switzerland.

 

[chamberc]

well, I have used InSSIDer and selected a least crowded channel but the issues are still the same.
The main problem is that I have to reboot the router at least twice a day. This sucks.
I see there is a new version coming out RT-AC67U... should I return my AC66U and wait for the AC67U?

PS: I live in Switzerland.

The RT-AC67U is a ways out. Several months at least.

 

[adamk]

Speaking of having tons of wireless networks around you, have you used a tool like inSSIDer to find a channel to use that's relatively clear? I would use a single specific channel and 20MHz channel width only, don't use auto for either of those. Concentrate on channels 1, 6, or 11.

There's another setting for "enhanced interference management" in the Wireless/Professional tab, you might try toggling your setting there, too.

Yep I've used inSSIDer, doesn't help too much on the 2.4ghz channels as they are basically all crowded. I'll try switching to 20mhz and flipping through the channels again. I still feel like something is broken though rather than just this being interference - even sitting right next to the router with full signal strength I still only got 1-2mbps, on 5ghz I get around 60mbps and with my old linksys wrt610n on 2.4ghz I used to get around 16mbps-20mbps.

I also read about the "enhanced interference management", tried flipping that on and off as well and didn't seem to make any difference.

I wonder if I have a bad unit or if there' just some bug in the firmware that myself and Sparxxx are hitting into.

 

[Sparxxx]

well the slow download speeds on 2.4Ghz network have been solved by a reset of the settings. Since 4 days it's running fine now.

The problem that remains is stability. As I told before, I have to reboot it at least once a day because it simply gets "stuck", lost packets etc.

 

[CaptainSTX]

Yep I've used inSSIDer, doesn't help too much on the 2.4ghz channels as they are basically all crowded. I'll try switching to 20mhz and flipping through the channels again. I still feel like something is broken though rather than just this being interference - even sitting right next to the router with full signal strength I still only got 1-2mbps, on 5ghz I get around 60mbps and with my old linksys wrt610n on 2.4ghz I used to get around 16mbps-20mbps.

I also read about the "enhanced interference management", tried flipping that on and off as well and didn't seem to make any difference.

I wonder if I have a bad unit or if there' just some bug in the firmware that myself and Sparxxx are hitting into.

It is not the number of radios on any particular channel that reduces throughput but the actual traffic being broadcast on a channel. As a proactive counter measure I sometimes have to activate all four VIDs available on one of my APs. This often results in routers that have their WiFi radios sent to Auto moving to another channel. This is particularly useful in keeping routers that have 40Mhz bandwidth locked on out of my selected channel's bandwidth.

 

[civuck]

Don't run the inSSIDer app while you are transferring files as it greatly reduces the speed.

Not sure how well known that is but I've just discovered that fact.

 

[Sparxxx]

F*ck this piece of sh*t. Worst router I had in a decade.
2.4Ghz is messed up really really bad. 80% packet loss, speed not higher than 1mbit.

If Asus won`t release a new firmware by tomorow , I'll bring it back and get me a Netgear/Linksys.

I will never touch or recommend an Asus Network product.

 

[RMerlin]

Out of curiosity, can you try this beta firmware (http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showpost.php?p=62090&postcount=165)?

That firmware is based on the new wireless driver that Asus is currently working on.