AC68U - 2.4 Ghz only in legacy mode

[Deepcuts]

Hello,

I have a location with strange WiFi problems.

Had an old TP-Link WiFi router that would occasionally drop users from WiFi.
Disabled the WiFi radio on it and put a Cisco WAP321 as an AP.
Same story with the Cisco AP also. Sometimes clients are able to connect, too many times they are unable to connect.
So I got a brand new Asus RT-AC68U and set it up as a router and using the Cisco as an AP.
I kept the Cisco AP because of the location it is placed (center).
Same story. Sometimes clients are able to connect, too many times they are unable to connect.
So I took down the Cisco AP and the old TP-Link router and left the Asus RT-AC68U as a router and WiFi AP.
Wired internet works like a charm, but WiFi 2.4 Ghz in Auto mode does not.
Meaning, clients can't even see the SSID. The only way to connect to the WiFi network is to set the 2.4 Ghz to "Legacy" Wireless Mode.
Using Merlin's fw 380.62.1.

So, either there is some serious radio interference in the area or there is a firmware problem somehow.
Anyone else in the same boat as me?

 

[L&LD]

Use manual channel (always).

After flashing the 'AC68U with RMerlin's firmware, did you reset to factory defaults followed by a minimal and manual configuration of the router to secure it and connect to your ISP? Did you use new ssid's?

With three different routers giving you issues, it is not the router's or firmware's fault. Check the links below for possible solution options.


http://www.snbforums.com/threads/no...l-and-manual-configuration.27115/#post-205573

http://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac66u-slow-wan-to-lan.12973/page-3#post-269410

http://www.snbforums.com/threads/faq-nvram-and-factory-default-reset.22822/

 

[Deepcuts]

I am a long time user of RMerlin's fw. I know about the reset to default, which I did.
"Use manual channel (always)." I was not referring to the channel number, but to the Wireless Mode.
I always set the channel manually after scanning other networks and see which channel is optimal.
I used the same SSID as on the other router/AP. On clients, I removed/forgot the WiFi network just in case.

The current problem is that the SSID is not even visible when Wireless Mode is set to Auto. I can only see it and connect when set to Legacy. No matter the channel number (Auto/manual)

 

[ColinTaylor]

It sounds to me like there is some chronic interference from something nearby.

It could be something like a poorly made (or malfunctioning) baby monitor, A/V sender, cordless phone, etc.

It might be broad-spectrum interference from heavy duty electric motors, arc welders, power supplies, etc.

Or it might a some ancient 802.11b/g device. Have to tried ticking "b/g Protection" when using "Auto"?

I'd start by turning off all radio equipment of any sort and then seeing if a mobile phone can now see the SSID (after rebooting the router).

 

[Deepcuts]

Thank you for the suggestion ColinTaylor.
Will try turning off all WiFi devices one by one. There are some cordless phones in the office and two WiFi printers.
Have not yet tried b/g protection. Will try and report back.
There is a big radio tower not even 1 KM away from the location. Will be a bit tricky to turn it off tho

 

[L&LD]

There is a big radio tower not even 1 KM away from the location. Will be a bit tricky to turn it off tho

You don't need to turn it off.

http://johnbollwitt.com/2009/10/20/knocking-down-radio-towers/