AC-56R stopped working

[jontalk]

Installed this in March running stock firmware and it's worked perfectly up until today. I suddenly lost connection, rebooted the network but the router never came up. Rear panel LED's are lit but only the power LED on the front lights. Installed my trust old Netgear N router which came up immediately.

Update: After chat with support, the factory reset didn't do anything so it's going back to Asus..Totally sucks.. never had a single problem with the old Netgear which is still working like a champ.

 

[L&LD]

Sorry to hear that. I have always wondered if the 'R' Best Buy versions had different QC?

Hope the replacement works longer for you.

Oh, did you try to see if the power supply had failed or was failing?

 

[jontalk]

Thanks.. Asus already has the unit. As to the power supply, the only LED that would light was the power which after factory reset would continually flash with the modem and computer connected. Not sure what I'll do with the replacement though I'm leaning towards selling it and sticking with my old Netgear which has never failed in 9 years.

 

[L&LD]

If it hasn't failed in 9 years, it may be it's time soon? Either way, I think that something more current hardware and with the most recent security fixes is in order, even if you move to a different model or brand.

Without having the unit in hand to walk you through some basic troubleshooting, I guess we'll never know what actually went wrong. But premature deaths are not uncommon on mass produced items. I still have customers using RT=AC56U's in harsh (at least harsher than what I assume your use to be) conditions that are still working perfectly from almost two years ago and for which they paid full price for at that time.

I would say if it met your needs sufficiently, give it another try. But if you don't trust it at all, you will need to spend considerably more to get significantly better.

 

[jontalk]

OK that's good advice since up until the other day it was flawless in performance though the 2.4 gHz band was actually slower than the Netgear I run now. The condition the router runs in is ideal in all respects meaning its not cramped nor obstructed in any way and is within 3 feet of the modem. Mine is the AC-56R which research shows is identical but manufactured exclusively for Best Buy so I have to think it's the same hardware.

The nice thing is that the Asus repair center is about 50 miles away, so shipping times are one day. Do you know whether they inform the owner of the problem along with how it was resolved when it's returned or replaced?

 

[L&LD]

Sorry, I don't know if they give any of that info to the customer. But I would guess no. Simply from a logistics and company policy point of view.

If you had paid to get it repaired, I would want full details on the fixes too.

 

[jontalk]

Got it. The status shows as in process so we'll see how quickly they turn it around. Meantime the Netgear continues to work as it always has pulling the same wired speeds as the Asus. What I can never figure out is why the 2.4 band can only hit a bit over 30 mbps when my wired speed is over 160. With the Asus the 5 gHz band was hitting the mid 70s at best with the receiving devices being no more than 20 feet away with only one wall in between. Are there any guides for ideal configuration for these AC routers?

 

[LoneWolf]

Sorry to hear that. I have always wondered if the 'R' Best Buy versions had different QC?

Hope the replacement works longer for you.

Oh, did you try to see if the power supply had failed or was failing?

R versions do not differ from U versions other than by letter, including QC. The biggest reason to change letters is because someone like Best Buy now doesn't have to price match with NewEgg, Amazon, <insert online retailer here> because it "isn't the exact same model number".

 

[jontalk]

Just got the email from Asus that it's been repaired and is shipping out today. Quick turnaround and glad to see it didn't have to be replaced with a refurbished unit too. LoneWolf.. have the same modem as you btw and it's been rock solid and fast as hell too!

 

[jontalk]

My repaired router arrived today and after a bunch of crazy s**t trying to get logged in, it's set up and running nicely. In fact the LAN/WAN speed is even higher than before by about 5%. I expect this device to run nicely now without any more issues.