I recently purchased an ASUS Wireless Router RT_N66U to go with a Motorola SB6141 Modem. Through the LAN cable I get a consistent download speed 31 Mbps. On Wireless, I get around 10-15Mbps sometimes and it drops to 2-5 Mbps at other times. About 2-3 times every hour, the wireless connection drops completely and I would have to reconnect to the SSID through my computer. The wireless adapter on my computer supports b/g/n but only at 2.4GHz. I have switched off the 5GHz radio on the router. I have tried various channels 1,3,6,11 on the router to minimize interference but the problem still persists. The wireless connection drops even if I am sitting right next to the router. The router firmware is updated to the latest. Is the router defective? Please help.
ASUS Wireless Router RT-N66U drops connection 2-3 times an hour
- Thread starter vinda8989
- Start date
r00t4rd3d
Regular Contributor
Try Merlins firmware and see if that improves it, should.
This is the version Merlin recommends for the N66U:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/122dt33hdhugd4h/RT-N66U_3.0.0.4_374.39_0-em.zip
This is the version Merlin recommends for the N66U:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/122dt33hdhugd4h/RT-N66U_3.0.0.4_374.39_0-em.zip
Not sure which firmware version you are using, so this may not apply. Look in the wireless settings for "Enhanced Interference Management" (EIM), and if your firmware has that setting, try disabling it.
I had the exact problem you describe (2.4GHz wireless dropping every few minutes) when I had EIM enabled. It caused the network to drop every time I moved my wireless mouse. With EIM disabled, no more problems. (The ability to enable this setting has been removed from the later Merlin firmware versions; not sure if it still exists in stock firmware or not.)
I had the exact problem you describe (2.4GHz wireless dropping every few minutes) when I had EIM enabled. It caused the network to drop every time I moved my wireless mouse. With EIM disabled, no more problems. (The ability to enable this setting has been removed from the later Merlin firmware versions; not sure if it still exists in stock firmware or not.)
same router. my HP laptop was resetting. Automatic update to the 1/14 wireless driver caused the issue. I reverted to the 10/13 driver and problem went away. Windows 8.1
I do not know when to update drivers. I would try to find one that works. I try everything on the router software to fix it.
I read posts on the router was the trouble, W8.1 was the trouble i was the wrieless driver.
I do not know when to update drivers. I would try to find one that works. I try everything on the router software to fix it.
I read posts on the router was the trouble, W8.1 was the trouble i was the wrieless driver.
I have Windows 7 SP1 and an Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 adapter. I recently updated my driver from the Intel download page. My wireless adapter had the name "Intel Wifi 1000" before the update. It says "Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000" now. Anyway I don't think it is a driver issue for me as this was happening even before I made the driver update.
I noticed the other day that the firmware that you're using doesn't fall back to "20Mhz" like it should automatically if you have interference from another AP. So what you have to do is go in to the wireless settings and manually change it from 20/40 to 20 MHz width.
That's a good habit to get in to unless you live on 2+ acres.
I always remove my old wireless profiles from all my devices after switching firmware too (especially if there's been a change to the routers wireless driver).
Use inSSIDer to help you find the best channel. Or sometimes you can do it the old fashion way, and switch channels til you find the best one. Try 1,6 or 11 or whatever works best.
But again, always remember to change 2.4 ghz width to 20 MHz if you have neighbors close by. Some routers firmware will do it automatically for you and some don't. From what I observed the other day, it don't.
That's a good habit to get in to unless you live on 2+ acres.
I always remove my old wireless profiles from all my devices after switching firmware too (especially if there's been a change to the routers wireless driver).
Use inSSIDer to help you find the best channel. Or sometimes you can do it the old fashion way, and switch channels til you find the best one. Try 1,6 or 11 or whatever works best.
But again, always remember to change 2.4 ghz width to 20 MHz if you have neighbors close by. Some routers firmware will do it automatically for you and some don't. From what I observed the other day, it don't.
Things that I have tried:
I also contacted ASUS and they asked me to get a replacement from the retailer. I have about a month to do that so I wonder if there is anything else that I could try.
Will switching the wireless mode to "N Only" help? Both the laptop adapters currently use the 802.11n radio type.
- Restored to factory settings.
- Updated firmware to Merlin's version.
- Changed bandwidth to 20 MHz.
- Chosen the channel with the highest link score using inSSIDer. Link score of 27. So the control channel is fixed at 6 right now and not on Auto.
- Switched off 5GHz radio.
I also contacted ASUS and they asked me to get a replacement from the retailer. I have about a month to do that so I wonder if there is anything else that I could try.
Will switching the wireless mode to "N Only" help? Both the laptop adapters currently use the 802.11n radio type.
You do realize that a link score of 27 ain't real good? Right?
I'm guessing you have too much interference. You might need to use 5 ghz instead and give up on 2.4 ghz. 5 ghz USB adapters for a laptop can be purchased for less than $20. Or you get a new wireless card that does 5 ghz pretty cheap too.
http://www.metageek.net/forums/showthread.php?7456-What-is-Link-Score-in-inSSIDer
I did not know that about the link score. The best link score that I got on my previous modem/router combo was about 14. So I thought 27 makes a pretty good score. Although my previous modem/router combo was much slower at about 5 Mbps, I never had this signal dropping issue even with all the interference.
UPDATE: I exchanged the router for a new one and it has been working fine. I no longer have issues with connectivity, although speeds are still not all that great due to heavy interference on the 2.4 GHz channels.
I have not changed the firmware version on the router yet but may do so in the near future.
Thanks to all of you for your help.
I have not changed the firmware version on the router yet but may do so in the near future.
Thanks to all of you for your help.
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