Asus RT-AC86U - Abysmal wireless settings @default

[hrbngr2]

Hello,

First time poster. Did some research here and on google and wasn't sure where to start with making some changes to improve my poor wireless speeds.

asus rt-ac86u
f/w: 3.0.0.4.384_45717

I have the Asus connected to a port on my Verizon Fios Quantum Router (1 gig up/down). When physically connected to router I see same gig speeds that I do when directly connected to verizon router, but the wireless speeds are terrible.

I attached (5) pics a Lenovo X220 laptop connected wirelessly and wired as well as an Ipad 10.5 pro and Iphone X.

I am using the default settings on the Asus at this time, besides updating the firmware.

I could just go ahead and install the merlin f/w if the basic config for it will improve things, but definitely willing to make any necessary changes to the Asus on the existing f/w if there is something that is hindering performance.

 

[ApexRon]

First thing to do is to determine WiFi contention with other WiFi. I use WiFi Explorer on my mac to determine who else is in my airspace and set the channels of my ASUS to avoid channels highly used and/or used by someone nearby. My signals have the tallest square wave.

• If the Verizon Fios Quantum Router has WiFi, what is the speed using it?
• If you are not using the WiFi on the Verizon Fios Quantum Router, disable it.

 

[hrbngr2]

ApexRon,
Thanks for the reply. I'll have to find an app for the iPhone/iPad for contention.

I currently have the FiOS router wireless disabled.

Any other default settings on the Asus I can check?

 

[ApexRon]

I currently have the FiOS router wireless disabled.

I would run the same test using one or more of your devices connected to Verizon router's WiFi just to have a baseline. Make sure you use a different SSiD name.

Any other default settings on the Asus I can check?

Usually the default settings are adequate but let's wait until you've looked at possible contention and established a baseline.

 

[Klueless]

Why did you buy the Apertus? Was there a problem with the Verizon box that you wanted to fix? Presumably you weren't happy with Verizon's wireless speed or range?

Normally I'm happy enough with Apertus' default settings such that I don't bother tweaking. That said I often use separate SSIDs for 2.4 & 5 GHz for just long enough to get a feel for how each band is working. I rarely touch the 5 GHz but often I will turn off b/g compatibility and set 2.4 GHz to "N only". If/when I'm happy I then bring both bands back under a single SSID.

Based on your conversation with ApexRon thus far I'm wondering if Verizon wifi really got shut off?

In any case, looking at your benchmarks, "abysmal" is the understatement of the year : -)

 

[hrbngr2]

Ok,

here are the tests on the FiOS Quantum GW router ***this was only connecting via the 5G radio, the router has the regular SSID and SSID-5G****
I originally purchased the ASUS because the signal strength was weak at times when far from the device in the house.

Looks like I need to just turn off the 2.4 radio or set to N per the previous recommendation and also, I need to find a decent survey app. Not having much luck finding one for iphone or ipad at this time. Will keep digging.

 

[AndreiV]

Try the AVM/FritzApp WLAN:

https://en.avm.de/products/fritzapps/fritzapp-wlan-ios/

 

[Klueless]

Ok,

• here are the tests on the FiOS Quantum GW router ***this was only connecting via the 5G radio, the router has the regular SSID and SSID-5G****
• I originally purchased the ASUS because the signal strength was weak at times when far from the device in the house.
• Looks like I need to just turn off the 2.4 radio or set to N per the previous recommendation and also, I need to find a decent survey app. Not having much luck finding one for iphone or ipad at this time. Will keep digging.

I'm a little confused. These tests from the verizon router @ 5 GHz look good! Were they from before you bought the Asus or ... did you turn verizon wireless back on to test? (And, if so, did you turn the Asus off while testing the verizon?)

When you find a good WiFi analyzer for iPhone let me know ; -) Until then you mentioned you have a Lenovo laptop. Try the free version of Acrylic WiFi. It should let you look for wifi/channel conflicts.

But I remain puzzled/confused. The verizon does well in the same environment, you turn it off, turn on asus and asus fails miserably? What in the blue suzy?

Have you tested both bands on the Asus? I.e., have you confirmed that both 2.4 and 5 GHz are giving crappy performance?

What if? You were to move a file between two of your in-home devices? Then you could physically unplug the verizon box. I know you said you turned off verizon's wifi but I'm kind of left wondering if it's still playing games?

 

[Klueless]

Another thing I'm left considering is you have two routers; two networks, two sets of address space, two DHCP servers, double NAT, etc. Now that adds a bit of theoretical complexity but ... Your wired tests ran just fine so I'm thinking that's a non-issue.

<This post> reminded me that you aren't the only one. I've two AC86Us at different locations. One has been perfect. The other I almost returned but then it started working (and I'm not sure why). Lost 5 GHz (and Gigabit WAN dropped to 100 Mbps).

 

[hrbngr2]

Klueless,
I only left the Verizon Wireless on to compare speeds, i would generally only run the Asus Router for wireless and just use the VZ router to connect via wired to my GigE switch. I had set the Asus 2.4g radio to "N" only, and even though all my wireless cards were N compatible, they did not seem to work properly. So, I split the Asus into (2) SSIDs, one for B/G/N and 5g for AC, that seemed to work better. I originally purchased the Asus b/c the VZ router speed is ok, but signal strength is low. The Asus is definitely stronger.

Strangely on my Iphone X and Ipad Pro, I should have much higher wireless speeds than 300 up, 450 down, but I would probably need to make some more changes to the Asus router to change that.

I will definitely try the Acrylic WiFi app on my laptop to see how it works.

Finally, are you aware of any walkthrough guides on configuring the Asus routers on a more detailed level? If I have to install the Merlin f/w to get some more info or details on optimal settings, I am definitely willing to do that.

I think i need to leave the VZ router plugged in so that my FiOS DVR works correctly, i'm not sure if the DVR also needs the VZ wireless turned on as well.

 

[Klueless]

If my 1st Asus ever appeared that recalcitrant I would have never bought my 2nd much less my 6th (different locations : -)

For many to most of us it should all be just plug and play, default settings should be just fine.

Neighboring environment can offer some challenges but given your Verizon wireless worked ok one would think that the Asus would as well?

I sometimes use two SSIDs for debugging, e.g., to get a handle on whether it's 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz that's giving me trouble.

I'm left wondering if you've "really" disabled the Verizon wireless? (Picture two competing wireless radios sitting within inches of each other!) Some devices have a button to turn off the service and yet a 2nd button to disable the radio. I do not know if that's merely semantics or if it really makes a difference.

If you can find a way to measure speed between two of your devices you could completely power off the Verizon (including Intenet) and test moving data just over the Asus.

Towards that it looks like the Fritz wlan iphone app (as per comment #7) does something similar. Connect it to a Verizon SSID and walk about observing speeds. Disable Verizon wireless and connect it to an Asus SSID and walk about observing speeds. Then power off the Verizon (no Internet) and do it again. Do your observations point you anywhere?

And you mention that the Asus really does have better range. I'm wondering if it's possible that the added range has dropped you into your neighbor's territory?

I guess there's always the remote chance you bought a lemon?