376.44 - Unable to change SSID

[speedlever]

I've just started working with my RT-N66U/B1. I updated the F/W to Merlin 376.44 without issue.

I can't change my SSID. I've reset and started over. Once I set the SSID I want for the 2.4 and 5 GHZ bands, when I go to Advanced Settings/Wireless, both SSIDs change to WLAN (my old WRT54G SSID).

Also, if I set a channel, that won't stick either and it resets to whatever channel it wants to use.

A site scan tells me that neighbors are using 2.4GHz channels 1, 6, 8 10, and 11. I try to set it to channel 3. It sticks for a couple of seconds then flips back to channel 9.

I don't see any neighbors using the 5GHz band.

What basic thing am I missing here?

 

[F5ing]

What basic thing am I missing here?

You're not, by any chance, trying to change the SSID while connected via a wireless machine, are you?

(You did say 'what basic thing'.

By the way, don't forget the way the 2.4G channels overlap...

 

[speedlever]

I did try via wifi once, then moved to my Ethernet connected desktop with the same results, even after a reset.

Care to elaborate about the channel overlap?

 

[F5ing]

I did try via wifi once, then moved to my Ethernet connected desktop with the same results, even after a reset.

Were the default SSIDs reset to the Asus default after the factory reset (I'm assuming when you stated reset you meant a factory reset -- which needs to be done if you've updated from the firmware that originally shipped with the B1 version of that router)? I think the defaults are something like 'Asus' for the 2.4 GHz band and 'Asus_5G' for the 5 Ghz band.

Care to elaborate about the channel overlap?

Just referring to the way a selected channel can interfere with 2 or so channels lower and 2 higher. I thought I had read in your initial post that you were selecting channel 2, but upon rereading I see that's not the case. Most seem to say use either 1, 6 or 11. But I guess it's dependent on your particular environment (signal strength, spread). Check out something like InSSIDer.

 

[john9527]

Two things to try....

(1) Make sure 'Wireless Mode' is set to Auto for both 2.4 and 5GHz
(2) Change the SSIDs on the Advanced/Wireless page and after clicking Apply, click Apply again without changing any of the data.

 

[speedlever]

Two things to try....

(1) Make sure 'Wireless Mode' is set to Auto for both 2.4 and 5GHz
(2) Change the SSIDs on the Advanced/Wireless page and after clicking Apply, click Apply again without changing any of the data.

Wireless mode is set to Auto. It flips back to WLAN before I have time to hit apply a 2nd time.

F5ing, I'll post a screen shot of my channel page when I have time later today. I can't remember if the default SSID was showing or not after the reset. When I have some time, I'll reset and take a snip before and after.

For reset, I just pressed and held the reset button for 5 to 10 seconds. That should have cleared the NVram, correct? Is there an alternate/better way to reset?

 

[F5ing]

F5ing, I'll post a screen shot of my channel page when I have time later today. I can't remember if the default SSID was showing or not after the reset. When I have some time, I'll reset and take a snip before and after.

For reset, I just pressed and held the reset button for 5 to 10 seconds. That should have cleared the NVram, correct? Is there an alternate/better way to reset?

Use InSSIDer to do your wireless survey and you'll see what I mean about channel overlap:

http://www.ampedwireless.com/wifianalytics/

It's been a long time since I've installed new firmware, but I'm pretty sure you've got to hold down the WPS button for 5 to 10 seconds while powering up the unit. I've also read here that you can do it via the soft factory reset button (on the same GUI page where you install new firmware, save your settings to a file or restore settings from a file). I've never tried it via the soft button though.

 

[speedlever]

Here's a screenshot of my home wifi environment. I thought channel 3 would be a better fit... if I could only get it to stick. F5ing, yes, I understand what you meant about channel overlap.

WLAN is my wifi... that so far, I am unable to change the SSID. You can see that I'm camped out over top of another WAP on channel 6.

Question for the gurus: is 20MHz spacing a radius or diameter? In the screenshot above, it appears that the base of all wifi signals spans 40 MHz. So I assume 20 MHz spacing is 20 MHz either side of the nominal freq. Is that correct?

 

[speedlever]

I've extracted 376.43 and 376.42. I think I'll try those versions in reverse order and see if anything changes in regards to setting the SSID and selecting the channels I prefer.

 

[F5ing]

is 20MHz spacing a radius or diameter? In the screenshot above, it appears that the base of all wifi signals spans 40 MHz. So I assume 20 MHz spacing is 20 MHz either side of the nominal freq. Is that correct?

It's just a frequency. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

But to be honest, I think I'd worry more about the fact it won't let you change the SSID to begin with. Something definitely wrong there (along with not letting you set a specific channel).

What about that factory reset. Maybe start with another one before going further.

EDIT: I missed your most recent post...

 

[speedlever]

Yep. I can't seem to get to this stuff until too late at night to have any time. I'll work on it later and post here.

FWIW, the OM says this is the reset procedure (page 51):

 

[KevTech]

I would try uploading the firmware again then reset to defaults.

Make sure to upload the firmware wired as sometimes things do not go as planned uploading firmware wireless.

 

[F5ing]

I hear you about the reset vs WPS button. But I'm pretty sure the WPS button was what I used. I know before flashing the first time I did quite a bit of research to make sure I was going to be doing it right the first time.

I recall reading about how using the reset button does get you back to factory, but using the WPS button does the same plus ensures that NVRAM is fully wiped. Don't know how true that is though.

See this from Merlin (2nd paragraph):

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showpost.php?p=121107&postcount=2

Looks like it's either/or. But for some reason I'm pretty sure I settled on using the WPS button rather than reset when flashing new versions.

 

[cofetym]

Speedlever did you have the same problem with the Asus firmware ?

 

[speedlever]

Hey cofetym. I never tried. It came up wanting to update to the latest version of Asus so I just went ahead and updated to Merlin's 376.44. I've been so swamped this week I simply haven't had time to fiddle with it but for a few minutes at a time.

I may re-install the old WRT54G so as not to disrupt the family and hook up the N66U to my laptop so I can play when I get some time and sort out the issues. I have the latest Asus firmware plus the lot of Merlin firmware that came in the n66u folder... 600 MB+! So I can back off to some earlier Merlin FW as well as play with the latest Asus.

 

[DaveMishSr]

I've just started working with my RT-N66U/B1. I updated the F/W to Merlin 376.44 without issue.

I can't change my SSID. I've reset and started over. Once I set the SSID I want for the 2.4 and 5 GHZ bands, when I go to Advanced Settings/Wireless, both SSIDs change to WLAN (my old WRT54G SSID).

Also, if I set a channel, that won't stick either and it resets to whatever channel it wants to use.

A site scan tells me that neighbors are using 2.4GHz channels 1, 6, 8 10, and 11. I try to set it to channel 3. It sticks for a couple of seconds then flips back to channel 9.

I don't see any neighbors using the 5GHz band.

What basic thing am I missing here?

I experienced a similar issue with the 376.2044 version and this is how I finally cleared it although I went overboard.

1) A factory reset.
2) Flash 376.1779 stock firmware.
3) Factory reset again.
4) Flash 376.2044 stock firmware (allowing router to upgrade automatically on its own).
5) Another factory reset.
6) Reconfigure manually (not from a saved file)

Router has been rock solid stable with no unexpected reboots ever since.

 

[cofetym]

Speedlever you'll get it sorted with the good information that's been given. Smart move to reinstall the old router not to upset the family.
My family always freaks out when I tinker with the network, especially when they want to use the Xbox 360.
Personally I would have set things up with the Asus firmware first, then switched a bit later to RMerlins version ( not that it should really matter ).

 

[speedlever]

Tonight I had a few minutes and played with the N66U for a little while. I reset the router, then updated the firmware to 376.1071 (latest Asus f/w) and reset again. I had the N66U connected to my desktop via ethernet cable, but the WAN port was not plugged into the modem.

Here's a screenshot right after the update. As you can see, the 2.4GHz SSID is named ASUS and the 5GHz SSID is named ASUS_5G.

I renamed the 2.4GHz SSID and entered my network key for both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands.

I hit apply and it looks good thus far:

Then a screen pops up and says processing, and when finished, I see the 2.4 GHz SSID has been renamed back to WLAN:

... continued...

 

[speedlever]

I go to the 5GHz tab, get another processing screen, and see the 5GHz SSID has been renamed too:

Either I'm missing something simple and basic, or I'm starting to think this N66U is faulty.

Thoughts?

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,
So your old router had WLAN as the ssid?

I would delete all the files you have downloaded for the router, and delete all the unzipped files as well. I would download fresh copies, unzipped them, reset the router to factory defaults, and load the latest firmware again. The re-boot takes some time, so do not rush it to much. Reboot your computer, connect only that computer and start the setup again, choosing router, then setting the ssid security, WPA2-personal (try a small simple password to start) then skip the wan setup. After the router is up and running for about 5 minutes, select reboot on the router screen. close your browser. reboot your computer. after your up, bring up the asus router 192.168.1.1. Has the default ssid changed? as it should be the default asus and asus_5g.

Hey, these steps are only fully necessary to get you to a good clean baseline without interference from other things going on.