Asus RT-AX86U Pro - a few questions about WiFi settings

[Xboxsx4life]

Hello everyone. I recently purchased an RT-AX86U Pro. Loving it so far but had a couple of questions. I’ve been going thru some of the threads on this forum and also reading other articles. There seems to be conflicting and inconsistent advice on whether or not to use MU-MIMO and OFDMA.

I’ve separated the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. I’m using 2.4 only for IoT devices (cameras, doorbell, etc), so it’s configured in N-only mode with all beamforming and MU-MIMO settings disabled. There’s no option for OFDMA in 2.4, so nothing to do there. For the 5GHz band, I’ve disabled MU-MIMO and set the OFDMA option to “DL/UL OFDMA”…i.e. disabled MU-MIMO there too. There’s no beamforming setting in 5GHz so nothing to do there.

I haven’t had any problems with any of my devices, but I’m wondering if these are the best/ideal settings?

My wireless environment: I have 12 wireless clients connected to the 5GHz band at any given time…4 laptops (only two of which are WiFi6), an iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone XR, iPhone 8 Plus, iPad Air 2, an Alexa device, Nintendo Switch, and Roku Streaming Stick 4K.

Some have said to disable MU-MIMO and OFDMA. Others have said to keep both enabled. And others have said to disable MU-MIMO but keep OFDMA enabled. So I’m a little confused and was hoping to get some expert opinions here.

Thanks.

 

[glens]

My limited testing has shown that with only a few clients capable of and using those features there's either no difference or maybe just a tad, maybe, better performance with it all disabled. Do as you wish is my response. Try a few tests, but don't go through the cycle only once 'cause it's a fluid thing. Sometimes one way has an edge, sometimes another. But for me in my place it's "what's your pleasure."

 

[bennor]

Been using a RT-AX86U Pro router running Merlin 3004.388.4 for a number of months now with Multi-User MIMO set to Enable, and OFDMA/802.11ax MU-MIMO set to Disable on both Wifi bands (which are separated with their own unique SSID's). Haven't had any issues that I've noticed with 10 or so IoT devices, several WiFi android devices, a smartphone, and a WiFi-6 capable laptop.

It may come down to experimentation for your specific WiFi environment and if those settings should be changed from default if needed. Sometimes what someone recommends here isn't necessarily the best for one's specific network or WiFi environment or use case.

 

[bbunge]

Your best bet is to use the default WIFI settings including Dual Band Smart Connect. Maybe set the 2.4 GHz band to 20 MHz. Use DFS channels if you want to use them. For your IoT devices set up a guest WIFI on the 2.4 GHz band with a different SSID from the main band. Trust the router and your clients to choose the channel that is best. Does work very well for me. Using different SSID's for the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands is so old school!

 

[GetToTheChopper!]

Your best bet is to use the default WIFI settings including Dual Band Smart Connect. Maybe set the 2.4 GHz band to 20 MHz. Use DFS channels if you want to use them. For your IoT devices set up a guest WIFI on the 2.4 GHz band with a different SSID from the main band. Trust the router and your clients to choose the channel that is best. Does work very well for me. Using different SSID's for the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands is so old school!

But... when IOT (internet of things) is invloved many times you can't pair with a device that is on the 2.4 when your phone is on the 5ghz... With some androids you can force it to 2.4 and forgettaboutit with iphone. Stick with 2 different wifi's if you have 2.4ghz IOT devices.

 

[muzykcb]

Prześlij zrzut ekranu karty AICLOUD2.0 w routerze RT-AX86U z najnowszym oprogramowaniem.

 

[bennor]

Prześlij zrzut ekranu karty AICLOUD2.0 w routerze RT-AX86U z najnowszym oprogramowaniem.

English only please. What does AiCloud have to do with the 2023 discussion on WiFi and IoT devices that was necroposted by another poster? Not to mention the 3006.102.x firmware has features and options that are different than the 3004.388.x firmware.

 

[muzykcb]

I don't want to start another atk, please just give me a screenshot of AiCloud 2.0 in RT-AX86U.Thank you.

 

[bennor]

please just give me a screenshot of AiCloud 2.0 in RT-AX86U.Thank you.

Not sure what you expect to be different. But OK. Here is the AiCloud 2.0 page from an RT-AX86U Pro running Asus Merlin 3004.388.8_4 firmware.

 

[muzykcb]

Not sure what you expect to be different. But OK. Here is the AiCloud 2.0 page from an RT-AX86U Pro running Asus Merlin 3004.388.8_4 firmware.

View attachment 63007

Thank you.

 

[muzykcb]

Maybe someone has a screenshot of the latest ASUS firmware?

 

[Tech9]

Maybe someone has a screenshot of the latest ASUS firmware?

AiCloud is Asuswrt feature, unchanged in Asuswrt-Merlin.

 

[bennor]

Maybe someone has a screenshot of the latest ASUS firmware?

As indicated by the prior poster, AiCloud 2.0 is a core feature that is typically not changed (for now) between Asus stock and Asus-Merlin. What is the desire to see the "latest" AiCloud page?

Not going to put 3.0.0.6.x back on my RT-AX86U Pro at the moment. But here is the AiCloud 2.0 page from the very latest ASUS RT-AC68U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_51722 (2024/11/26). It is the same as the Asus Merlin 3004.388.8_4 firmware.

 

[jksmurf]

@muzykcb, not sure if 3.0.0.6_102_37174 was early enough to be affected but might be prudent to inform yourself of issues with AICloud.

 

[muzykcb]

I have already informed ASUS about the lack of AiCloud Sync and SyncServer options in the new software.They haven't responded for a week now.

 

[bennor]

I have already informed ASUS about the lack of AiCloud Sync and SyncServer options in the new software.They haven't responded for a week now.

What "new software" are you referring to? Perhaps explaining in more detail, including what router model and firmware, may help clarify to others what you are seeking. As has been shown across two router models and several latest firmware versions, the AiCloud 2.0 page is essentially the same with AiCloud Sync and Sync Server tabs visible. If you are not seeing the same for your router (assuming your router supports AiCloud 2.0) then perhaps reloading the latest firmware and performing a hard factory reset is in order. Or try clearing the browser cache and or try a different web browser (and a different computer).

AiCloud Sync and ServerSync tabs are there/available in 3.0.0.6.102_34336 (latest Asus firmware) on a RT-AX86U Pro.

 

[muzykcb]

What "new software" are you referring to? Perhaps explaining in more detail, including what router model and firmware, may help clarify to others what you are seeking. As has been shown across two router models and several latest firmware versions, the AiCloud 2.0 page is essentially the same with AiCloud Sync and Sync Server tabs visible. If you are not seeing the same for your router (assuming your router supports AiCloud 2.0) then perhaps reloading the latest firmware and performing a hard factory reset is in order. Or try clearing the browser cache and or try a different web browser (and a different computer).

AiCloud Sync and ServerSync tabs are there/available in 3.0.0.6.102_34336 (latest Asus firmware) on a RT-AX86U Pro.

View attachment 63014

That's the answer I wanted to my question.Thank you, now I know that RT-BE86U is not yet a developed software