Asus RT-AC56U 2.4 GHz connection problem?

[luke789]

UPDATED: Asus RT-AC56U 2.4 GHz connection problem?

Hi

Does any fellow member and RT-AC56U user notice that the connection to, say, a tablet like Nexus 7 at 2.4 GHz will drop from 65 Mbps to as low as 5 Mbps without notice, even at a close distance from the RT-AC56U (set at N Only; 20 MHz or 20/40 MHz mode)?

Ironically, the signal is still stated as Good (or even Excellent) when this happens.

The firmware is the latest version.

This phenomenon was first observed after watching a short YouTube video.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[RMerlin]

Hi

Does any fellow member and RT-AC56U user notice that the connection to, say, a tablet like Nexus 7 at 2.4 GHz will drop from 65 Mbps to as low as 5 Mbps without notice, even at a close distance from the RT-AC56U (set at N Only; 20 MHz or 20/40 MHz mode)?

Ironically, the signal is still stated as Good (or even Excellent) when this happens.

This phenomenon was first observed after watching a short YouTube video.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Could be power management. See how it looks like while you are actively transferring data over wifi.

 

[luke789]

Could be power management. See how it looks like while you are actively transferring data over wifi.

Thanks, Merlin, for your prompt feedback.

I tried using different power settings like 80mW (default), 100mW, 125mW, etc. Same problem.

The phenomenon appears after using a Nexus 7 for a few minutes watching YouTube. First observed when it's not in use, ie, not sending or receiving any data.

Will do more testing. Would appreciate more pointers on how to test, Merlin. Thanks in advance.

 

[RMerlin]

Thanks, Merlin, for your prompt feedback.

I tried using different power settings like 80mW (default), 100mW, 125mW, etc. Same problem.

The phenomenon appears after using a Nexus 7 for a few minutes watching YouTube.

Will do more testing. Would appreciate more pointers on how to test, Merlin. Thanks in advance.

By power management, I mean your device reducing the connection speed to save on battery. It would increase it back whenever you are actively transferring data. Run a speed test for instance (Speedtest.net is a good one, assuming your Internet connection is fast enough to saturate your Nexus 7's wifi).

 

[luke789]

By power management, I mean your device reducing the connection speed to save on battery. It would increase it back whenever you are actively transferring data. Run a speed test for instance (Speedtest.net is a good one, assuming your Internet connection is fast enough to saturate your Nexus 7's wifi).

Thanks for your clear explanation, Merlin.

Under similar circumstances, the Nexus 7 didn't experience such an abrupt speed drop with a Buffalo and two other Asus routers.

The disconcerting thing is that the speed drops to, say, 5 Mbps and stays there.

Appreciate the reasoning in Merlin's excellent troubleshooting guide:
"The link speed can also vary based on power management. It's not unusual for the link speed to drop to a lower value, then rise back up as you are actively transferring data. If evaluating performance, do not look at the link speed alone - do an actual transfer and measure the throughput. Timed file copy or an online speed test with a known good test server are good ways to do so."

Will do more testing.

 

[luke789]

Hi, all

I'd like to provide an update on my testing with the RT-AC56U.

After quite a bit of testing (including using the Android app WiFi Speed Test), it seems that the assessment in Joe User's Amazon review is spot on.

http://www.amazon.com/review/RJW1URBTZ5IUD

Excerpt:
"Clients drop connection on 2.4GHz 802.11N connection after about ~50MB of data is transferred. Router seems to go into low power mode, causing either drastic speed reduction (to say 1mb) or link loss/fade."

I now have the 2.4 GHz wireless mode set at "Legacy" and the problem appears to have disappeared.

I hope Asus and Merlin (perhaps a little unreasonable, given all his hard work and the contribution he has already made to the community) would be able to provide a firmware fix in the future.

Thanks for your interest and feedback!

 

[baldinbro]

I've definitely been experiencing a lot of problems with the 2.4GHz channel as well! Is this the answer?? I certainly see a spike of bandwidth right at the beginning of any data transfer followed by a drastic dip down.

I'm gonna disable N tonight and see if this works!!

It would be great is ASUS or Merlin could speak up about whether this truly is a bug or not. There's A LOT of people asking about 2.4GHz performance with this router and this "power dip" bug would go a long way to explain it.

 

[chapel]

seems like a lot of people are experiencing this issue with 2.4?
I just ordered this router for $90 from Newegg. I hope it's good and I don't have the 2.4 issues
luckily most my equipment is 5Ghz capable.
My wife has a Galaxy S4 phone, I have an iPhone5 and an iPad2
Our media center is comprised of a PS3 (super slim) and a DirecTV Wireless Cinema Connection kit (which is only 2.4Ghz) and the Whole Home Setup (which I think is all over the coax...) and a Chromecast (also not 5ghz?)
The PS3 is currently connected via a TRENDnet TEW-640MB because I found it to be faster than the onboard wireless but it's 2.4Ghz only as well.
I think the oldest PC I have is still 802.11n with 5ghz capability.

I currently have a Linksys E2000 with DD-WRT that seems to be giving up the ghost. 5 feet from it and I barely get 50% signal from it (using iStumbler). I'm thinking of turning it into a 5Ghz media bridge

It sounds like not everyone is experiencing this same problem with the AC56U?

 

[krick]

I was seeing this 2.4GHz issue with the 3.0.0.4.374_4561 firmware on my RT-AC68U...
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/forums/showpost.php?p=114824&postcount=608

What version is the firmware on your RT-AC56U?

 

[Injuis]

Yeah, 2.4 problem still exists. You can still find recent reviews complaining about this problem. It's been quite a while and no fix, unfortunately.

 

[freemantig]

Still no fix?

Is this officially considered a bug or a hardware defect? If its a bug is there still no fix?

 

[Injuis]

I don't think it has been officially acknowledge by Asus as an issue. It doesn't happen to everyone (I know Merlin says his works fine) and, most likely, it is a driver issue which Asus can't directly fix.

That being said, they should put some pressure on Broadcom to get their act together. I've been in contact with Asus support personnel and they have basically stopped responding to my emails regarding this issue.

 

[bmn1]

Also just bought this router from Newegg from $90.
If I am in the same room as the router (5 feet from it) 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz work fine.

If I move to the next room (maybe 25-30 feet), the link rate shows 130 Mbps or so. If I download a file 50MB or larger the link rate goes to 5-11Mbps (like the speed test on www.testmy.net). Meanwhile in the same spot 5Ghz works fine. My old wireless G router also works fine.

Will mess with the settings, will probably return the router if I can't find a fix.

 

[Artix]

Any news on the 2.4GHz problem of the RT-AC56U ?

I want to buy one, but i'm afraid of this problem.

Thanks

 

[Injuis]

The problem still exists for me on the latest firmware. Speeds are improved but it's still really slow. I'm talking 150 KB/s slow, transferring from a wired device. No disconnects either. I wouldn't risk it and just get something else.

 

[Sir Patriot]

Does the problem persist?
Is this problem for AC56U or AC68U has the same problem?

 

[diaconuliviu85]

I have this router and the problem persists. the 2.4 is fatal not catch more than 5 mbps