AC56U - 2.4ghz unusable

[Injuis]

--- Setup ---
-Ac56u running 374.34_2
-2.4 Ghz running on N only, un-broadcasted ssid, 20mhz bandwidth
-5 Ghz running auto, un-broadcasted ssid
-I am running a second 2.4 ghz network but the problem is the same with it disabled
-Area is congested on 2.4 band
-Happens on all released RMerlin firmwares and the last two official Asus ones

--- Problem ---
2.4 Ghz will only run at high speeds (100 mbs+) for about 2-3 minutes before degrading down to minimal speeds. This happens on 5 different devices (2 laptops, 3 cellphones) with each having exceptional connection quality. The caveat is that this will only happen when a device is a certain distance away from the router. The 5 Ghz performs as expected.

--- Analysis ---
Here of some screenshots of my readings. Laptop is roughly 20 feet away, at a approx 45 degree angle, along with 1 ceiling and 1 wall in the way:

Site Survey for initial connection​

Initial connection, full speed is achieved​

5 minutes in, speed drops dramatically but connection quality is still high​

Screenshot of InSSIDer 5 minutes in​

Speed has completely dropped, connection quality still high - I can still browse but it is extremely slow​

Site survey during crapped out speeds - Nothing has really changed since the first sitemap​

Again, the real unusual thing is that this speed drop only happens at a certain range. I've tried it at all manners of locations with the same results. Occasionally, the connection reaches full speed again but quickly drops after about a minute or so.

Anyone else having this issue?

 

[Pierino]

Look at your link score. It's only 18. Setting your channel to 3 you are overlapping too many other channel broadcasting.
You also have some idiots, excuse my language, using 40mhz width.
Looks like you would be better using channel 11.

 

[Injuis]

I've tried all channels and it makes no difference. I'm thinking there's something in the software that is throttling the router somehow.

Edit: I just changed it to 11 and things got worse. I usually can get the speed back up if I approach the router but now it's stuck at 5.5 mbps. What could that mean?

 

[CooCooCaChoo]

Yeah I'm thinking that the router has some kind of problem if you are getting better signal strength on the 5ghz band than the 2.4ghz band because the range is supposed to be the other way around. Have you tried confirming tweaking the wireless settings?

 

[Sky1111]

--- Setup ---
-Ac56u running 374.34_2
-2.4 Ghz running on N only, un-broadcasted ssid, 20mhz bandwidth
-5 Ghz running auto, un-broadcasted ssid
-I am running a second 2.4 ghz network but the problem is the same with it disabled
-Area is congested on 2.4 band
-Happens on all released RMerlin firmwares and the last two official samsung ones

--- Problem ---
2.4 Ghz will only run at high speeds (100 mbs+) for about 2-3 minutes before degrading down to minimal speeds. This happens on 5 different devices (2 laptops, 3 cellphones) with each having exceptional connection quality. The caveat is that this will only happen when a device is a certain distance away from the router. The 5 Ghz performs as expected.

--- Analysis ---
Here of some screenshots of my readings. Laptop is roughly 20 feet away, at a approx 45 degree angle, along with 1 ceiling and 1 wall in the way:

Site Survey for initial connection​

Initial connection, full speed is achieved​

5 minutes in, speed drops dramatically but connection quality is still high​

Screenshot of InSSIDer 5 minutes in​

Speed has completely dropped, connection quality still high - I can still browse but it is extremely slow​

Site survey during crapped out speeds - Nothing has really changed since the first sitemap​

Again, the real unusual thing is that this speed drop only happens at a certain range. I've tried it at all manners of locations with the same results. Occasionally, the connection reaches full speed again but quickly drops after about a minute or so.

Anyone else having this issue?

I hear you brother
That connection speed drop I experienced even in less congested environment...
- is the router new/still under return policy? Get rid of it if you can
- Try to disable bluetooth on any device in your household unless you are using it - that may help (it helped a lot two of my laptops).
- any possible way you can try to move the router itself to a different spot?
- have you tried the latest ASUS firmware - .339 with NVRAM clearing? It won't change the router, but it might help (do not restore settings, try to enter them manually)

 

[CaptainSTX]

What you are looking at is the Link Rate. This has very little to do with what your actual speeds will top out at.

The most telling statistic you show is on the inSSIDer screen shot where the Link Quality is 18. For any type of through put you should try to find a channel that will give you 80 Plus.

Remember that WiFi works like a CB Radio. Only one radio can be using a particular channel at one time. If your neighbor is downloading a file on the same channel or even an over lapping channel your packets of data have to wait and get squeezed between their packets.

In your crowded 2.4Ghz neighborhood experiment with every channel and see which one works best. Just because inSSIDer show one or more other nearby users on the same channel if they aren't heavy users then this could be a better choice than a channel with one or more heavy users.

Without test gear trial and error is your only solution to find the best channel.

Lower numbered channels are also more subject to interference from microwaves.

Finally if speed is what you want then consider using Ethernet cables, MOCA or Ethernet over powerline. WiFi should be used for convenience not where you want or need consistent speed.

 

[Sky1111]

What you are looking at is the Link Rate. This has very little to do with what your actual speeds will top out at.

The most telling statistic you show is on the inSSIDer screen shot where the Link Quality is 18. For any type of through put you should try to find a channel that will give you 80 Plus.

Remember that WiFi works like a CB Radio. Only one radio can be using a particular channel at one time. If your neighbor is downloading a file on the same channel or even an over lapping channel your packets of data have to wait and get squeezed between their packets.

In your crowded 2.4Ghz neighborhood experiment with every channel and see which one works best. Just because inSSIDer show one or more other nearby users on the same channel if they aren't heavy users then this could be a better choice than a channel with one or more heavy users.

Without test gear trial and error is your only solution to find the best channel.

Lower numbered channels are also more subject to interference from microwaves.

Finally if speed is what you want then consider using Ethernet cables, MOCA or Ethernet over powerline. WiFi should be used for convenience not where you want or need consistent speed.

he already tried different channels... and CAT6 is my preference too, but it is not feasible in some cases - in fact, in many cases.

There are objective reasons for poor performance and there are weaknesses of specific router/firmware combination.

In case of AC56U, we have both. Maybe under certain conditions and certain uses AC56U is good enough, but most of folks here on forum complains on its 2.4 GHz. I only have 2-3 neighbor wifi networks, from which only one is strong - and yet I cannot get a reliable 2.4GHz either.

BTW, have you tried any of my suggestions?

 

[Injuis]

I hear you brother
That connection speed drop I experienced even in less congested environment...
- is the router new/still under return policy? Get rid of it if you can
- Try to disable bluetooth on any device in your household unless you are using it - that may help (it helped a lot two of my laptops).
- any possible way you can try to move the router itself to a different spot?
- have you tried the latest ASUS firmware - .339 with NVRAM clearing? It won't change the router, but it might help (do not restore settings, try to enter them manually)

- I kinda opened it up and have voided the warranty...
- No devices have bluetooth enabled
- The router really is in an optimal spot, I can try moving it to a corner but that just makes it worse for the 5 Ghz
- I have tried .339 and saw no difference. I've also tried NVRam resets on every RMerlin firmware too.

What you are looking at is the Link Rate. This has very little to do with what your actual speeds will top out at.

The most telling statistic you show is on the inSSIDer screen shot where the Link Quality is 18. For any type of through put you should try to find a channel that will give you 80 Plus.

Remember that WiFi works like a CB Radio. Only one radio can be using a particular channel at one time. If your neighbor is downloading a file on the same channel or even an over lapping channel your packets of data have to wait and get squeezed between their packets.

In your crowded 2.4Ghz neighborhood experiment with every channel and see which one works best. Just because inSSIDer show one or more other nearby users on the same channel if they aren't heavy users then this could be a better choice than a channel with one or more heavy users.

Without test gear trial and error is your only solution to find the best channel.

Lower numbered channels are also more subject to interference from microwaves.

Finally if speed is what you want then consider using Ethernet cables, MOCA or Ethernet over powerline. WiFi should be used for convenience not where you want or need consistent speed.

-Yeah... I've spent several hours trying every channel and have observed this problem on each. I'm getting very few re-transmits so interference is low. It's got to be a hardware or software issue that is throttling rates in some way. I've even run this router on G only to no avail.

-Well, I am using my old router (the great WHR-HP-G54) for 2.4 while I try to figure out the Ac56u's issue. Let me be clear, the old router has absolutely no issues in my congested area and has worked great for years now. I only upgraded to get N, really.

-Wireless is necessary for mobile devices, mostly.

From what I've read on this forum, the 2.4 channel for Ac56u's and ac68u's has been bad, no matter what firmware. Once I have some time, I'm going to go through RMerlin's source and see if I can find any clues (not looking forward to it).

--- EDIT ---
Some interesting observations:
It appears the sudden drop happens when the signal strength is about -55db or lower. The rate will stay low until I get close enough and have a direct line of sight (no walls).
On occasion, it will return to full speed even with walls but I still have to move closer.

Let me ask this question: is there anyone that doesn't have issues with their 2.4 band for either the ac56u or ac68u? If so, would you mind detailing your settings and setup?

 

[RMerlin]

Let me ask this question: is there anyone that doesn't have issues with their 2.4 band for either the ac56u or ac68u? If so, would you mind detailing your settings and setup?

No issue with either routers on my Nexus 7 (2012). I use 20 MHz, a fixed channel, about everything left to default values on the Professional tab. You might want to experiment with disabling the Beamforming options on the 2.4 GHz band however, as some clients prefer to have these options disabled.

Mac devices also tend to prefer to have 802.11d/h enabled.

 

[Injuis]

I managed to borrow an ac56u from a friend. Using entirely stock settings I got the same results. I think that likely rules out any hardware issues specific to my device. I've created a case with Asus, not expecting much though.

 

[Asmodian]

2.4Ghz works very well on my AC68U running fw .339. Stock settings except 20Mhz, forced channel 11, N only mode.
edit: oh and short preamble

 

[RMerlin]

I managed to borrow an ac56u from a friend. Using entirely stock settings I got the same results. I think that likely rules out any hardware issues specific to my device. I've created a case with Asus, not expecting much though.

It could also be something in your environment, such as interference from something local to you since others like myself have zero problem with the 2.4 GHz band on either routers. In fact tonight I was doing tests with my Nexus 4, and had no trouble hitting over 10 Mbits with it.

To really test it, you would need to test your device at your friend's place.

 

[Injuis]

That's a good idea... I think I'll take it to work and find a location with no interference - see how well it does by itself.

Still, my old router, along with several other borrowed G routers, work fine in my setup. Even if the router doesn't like my environment, it just goes to show how poor the hardware/software handles what is otherwise a normal condition for older (and vastly cheaper) hardware.

Asmodian and RMerlin, have you had a chance to test the range of your 2.4 network? My problems begin at around 15 feet or so.

 

[mrkaasa]

I'm in the same boat as many others with my RT-AC56U. Unusable 2.4ghz wifi.

It works OK when 3 metres from the source, but more than that the transfer rate is capped at about 5Mbps and drops out from time to time.

So using my old Netgear wndr3700 as AP for 2.4ghz.

I hope it's fixable through firmware. It's too bad, since the router is great otherwise.

 

[RMerlin]

Asmodian and RMerlin, have you had a chance to test the range of your 2.4 network? My problems begin at around 15 feet or so.

My RT-AC56U had no problem reaching my Nexus 7 through three walls here - much farther than 15 feet there. That's why I don't believe it is a router model issue but something specific to your environment.

 

[Sky1111]

Merlin, seems like you have the best AC56U ever built

 

[RMerlin]

Merlin, seems like you have the best AC56U ever built

Could be because I got it before it hit the shelves (the box didn't even have a CD or manual yet)

But more seriously, I'm fairly sure it's something specific to the environment. Wifi is very sensitive to whatever you have around you.

 

[Pericynthion]

I'm in the same boat as many others with my RT-AC56U. Unusable 2.4ghz wifi.

It works OK when 3 metres from the source, but more than that the transfer rate is capped at about 5Mbps and drops out from time to time.

So using my old Netgear wndr3700 as AP for 2.4ghz.

I hope it's fixable through firmware. It's too bad, since the router is great otherwise.

Random question - have you tried disabling the 'hardware accelerator' under the LAN tab? I posted a separate thread (in fact a couple) where the 2.4GHz band has been on its back (5Ghz is perfect) and I'm starting to wonder if its client/traffic type specific - disabling the hardware accelerator seems to have fixed it for me (although right now I'm not quite sure why)

 

[mrkaasa]

Random question - have you tried disabling the 'hardware accelerator' under the LAN tab? I posted a separate thread (in fact a couple) where the 2.4GHz band has been on its back (5Ghz is perfect) and I'm starting to wonder if its client/traffic type specific - disabling the hardware accelerator seems to have fixed it for me (although right now I'm not quite sure why)

I tried disabling the HW accell just now. And I got an immediate boost from 43Mbps to 63Mbps, otherwise same settings and location.

Thanks for the tip

I will try to do more testing with range and stability when the equipment is not in use here..

 

[Injuis]

Random question - have you tried disabling the 'hardware accelerator' under the LAN tab? I posted a separate thread (in fact a couple) where the 2.4GHz band has been on its back (5Ghz is perfect) and I'm starting to wonder if its client/traffic type specific - disabling the hardware accelerator seems to have fixed it for me (although right now I'm not quite sure why)

Gave it a try but it didn't work for me.