Asus RT-AC88U - Devices cannot talk to each other

[nikhilsharma30]

Hi All,

I have a weird problem with my router and I guess I need to tweak some settings.
I am running both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless networks on my router - sometimes devices connected via WiFi cannot talk to each other.

Example: When my Apple TV 4K and my iPhone are both connected to 2.4 GHz, the remote app cannot find the Apple TV on the network. But when both Apple TV and iPhone are on 5GHz, they are able to see each other.

I had similar issues when setting up Google Home Hub. It would not get setup when trying to setup on 2.4 GHz. Had to setup on 5GHz and then later switched it over to 2.4 GHz.

I checked and AP Isolation is off. What could be the reason? Please help!

 

[OzarkEdge]

Hi All,

I have a weird problem with my router and I guess I need to tweak some settings.
I am running both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless networks on my router - sometimes devices connected via WiFi cannot talk to each other.

Example: When my Apple TV 4K and my iPhone are both connected to 2.4 GHz, the remote app cannot find the Apple TV on the network. But when both Apple TV and iPhone are on 5GHz, they are able to see each other.

I had similar issues when setting up Google Home Hub. It would not get setup when trying to setup on 2.4 GHz. Had to setup on 5GHz and then later switched it over to 2.4 GHz.

I checked and AP Isolation is off. What could be the reason? Please help!

If enabled, disable Airtime Fairness per band. This was interfering with my 5.0 GHz Android app finding my wired TV tuner.

Next, you could disable Universal beamforming per band. This was lowering wireless client connection link rates on some older devices... Nexus 7 tablet and Latitude E6410 laptop with Intel 6300 WLAN adapter.

OE

 

[nikhilsharma30]

If enabled, disable Airtime Fairness per band. This was interfering with my 5.0 GHz Android app finding my wired TV tuner.

Next, you could disable Universal beamforming per band. This was lowering wireless client connection link rates on some older devices... Nexus 7 tablet and Latitude E6410 laptop with Intel 6300 WLAN adapter.

OE

Thanks OzarkEdge. Could you please let me know how to get to these 2 settings?

 

[Grisu]

wireless professional settings
But the problem has been reported by some others too, dont think its related to those settings. But common recommendation to disable them.

 

[GuruGuy]

Hi All,

I have a weird problem with my router and I guess I need to tweak some settings.
I am running both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless networks on my router - sometimes devices connected via WiFi cannot talk to each other.

Example: When my Apple TV 4K and my iPhone are both connected to 2.4 GHz, the remote app cannot find the Apple TV on the network. But when both Apple TV and iPhone are on 5GHz, they are able to see each other.

I had similar issues when setting up Google Home Hub. It would not get setup when trying to setup on 2.4 GHz. Had to setup on 5GHz and then later switched it over to 2.4 GHz.

I checked and AP Isolation is off. What could be the reason? Please help!

Are the SSID's the same for both bands? Typically the "same network" means same SSID's. If they aren't, then that's probably the problem.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Thanks OzarkEdge. Could you please let me know how to get to these 2 settings?

As mentioned above, see Wireless/Professional per band settings.

Are you using Smart Connect and same SSIDs?

Have you upgraded to the current firmware and performed a factory default reset afterward; then configured from scratch... this is to be sure the router firmware install is clean (not knowing the history of your router setup).

OE

 

[nikhilsharma30]

wireless professional settings
But the problem has been reported by some others too, dont think its related to those settings. But common recommendation to disable them.

Thanks. Is there a solution however? Or should I ditch Asus?

 

[nikhilsharma30]

As mentioned above, see Wireless/Professional per band settings.

Are you using Smart Connect and same SSIDs?

Have you upgraded to the current firmware and performed a factory default reset afterward; then configured from scratch... this is to be sure the router firmware install is clean (not knowing the history of your router setup).

OE

Forgot to mention: Different SSIDs and no Smart Connect.

Thanks OE. Found the settings and disabled them. Let me check and respond if that improves things. Firmware is upgraded but not reset to factory. Will do that next too. Thanks a lot OE, Grisu and GoodGuy!

 

[nikhilsharma30]

Are the SSID's the same for both bands? Typically the "same network" means same SSID's. If they aren't, then that's probably the problem.

The SSIDs are different but I explicitly connect both devices to 2.4 GHz when testing to see if they are discoverable.

 

[ApexRon]

I am sure you have a reason for two SSID rather than a Guest network but that is your decision. I have a single SSID for both bands with no Guest ID.

For the mentioned settings mine are configured as follows:

Airtime Fairness - Enabled on both bands
Universal Beamforming - Enabled on both bands
Smart Connect - Off on both bands (this is because I wanted to choose the channel for each band)
​

"When my Apple TV 4K and my iPhone are both connected to 2.4 GHz, the remote app cannot find the Apple TV on the network. But when both Apple TV and iPhone are on 5GHz, they are able to see each other." I have a similar setup (see attached) but I allow my devices to connect to the band they want and they chose wisely.

I suspect that your issue is more related to contention on the 2.4 band from other networks. Obtain a WiFi channel app such as "WiFi Explorer" or just make use of Wi-Fi Radar in the Wireless tab.

 

[nikhilsharma30]

I am sure you have a reason for two SSID rather than a Guest network but that is your decision. I have a single SSID for both bands with no Guest ID.

For the mentioned settings mine are configured as follows:

Airtime Fairness - Enabled on both bands
Universal Beamforming - Enabled on both bands
Smart Connect - Off on both bands (this is because I wanted to choose the channel for each band)
​

"When my Apple TV 4K and my iPhone are both connected to 2.4 GHz, the remote app cannot find the Apple TV on the network. But when both Apple TV and iPhone are on 5GHz, they are able to see each other." I have a similar setup (see attached) but I allow my devices to connect to the band they want and they chose wisely.

I suspect that your issue is more related to contention on the 2.4 band from other networks. Obtain a WiFi channel app such as "WiFi Explorer" or just make use of Wi-Fi Radar in the Wireless tab.
View attachment 18885

Hi ApexRon,

Disabling Airtime Fairness and Universal Beamforming have tremendously helped device discovery issues in my case.
What are the advantages of keeping same SSID for both bands? On a device that can connect to both, how would I differentiate?
Technically, even with different SSIDs, am I not on the same network even when 1 device is connected to 2.4 and nother to 5 GHz?
Just like one device being wired and another on WiFi - just the mode of connection is different, no?
Can you please suggest an alternate app for Windows PC, similar to WiFi Explorer?
I could not find WiFi Radar either on my Router's Wireless Tab. Could this be specific to Merlin?
I am on stock firmware.

Thanks in advance!
nikhilsharma30

 

[ApexRon]

What are the advantages of keeping same SSID for both bands?

5GHz has a shorter range than 2.4GHz. As a mobile device is moved further away from router it could automatically switch from 5 to 2.4GHz thus maintaining a connection. Since it's the same SSID the changeover would be seamless.

On a device that can connect to both, how would I differentiate?

And why would you want to?

Technically, even with different SSIDs, am I not on the same network even when 1 device is connected to 2.4 and nother to 5 GHz?

Same IP network, true.

Can you please suggest an alternate app for Windows PC, similar to WiFi Explorer?

https://alternativeto.net/software/wifi-explorer/

I could not find WiFi Radar either on my Router's Wireless Tab. Could this be specific to Merlin?

Yes

 

[nikhilsharma30]

5GHz has a shorter range than 2.4GHz. As a mobile device is moved further away from router it could automatically switch from 5 to 2.4GHz thus maintaining a connection. Since it's the same SSID the changeover would be seamless.

And why would you want to?

Same IP network, true.

https://alternativeto.net/software/wifi-explorer/

Yes

Makes complete sense!! Thanks a lot ApexRon.
You guys are the best!