Solved Cannot add node into AiMesh

[Sicario]

Current situation:

I want to set my AC86U as an AiMesh Router and AC68U as a node, but keep failing to add AC68U as a node. Tried factory reset for both of them, no success. Both of them are on 386.2_beta2. Tried both wired and wireless backhaul, no success. Tried to setup using mobile app, also no success. Can someone help me? Much appreciated

 

[OzarkEdge]

Current situation:

I want to set my AC86U as an AiMesh Router and AC68U as a node, but keep failing to add AC68U as a node. Tried factory reset for both of them, no success. Both of them are on 386_beta2. Tried both wired and wireless backhaul, no success. Tried to setup using mobile app, also no success. Can someone help me? Much appreciated

Be sure the AC86U WPS is enabled, not using HTTPS, all bands on all nodes are broadcasting, and the AC68U is reset, not configured, and not too close. If using fixed channels, try auto for the setup.

Is this a new issue... were you able to use AiMesh before installing Asuswrt-Merlin?

OE

 

[Sicario]

Be sure the AC86U WPS is enabled

enabled

not using HTTPS

it's not

all bands on all nodes are broadcasting

all broadcasting

and the AC68U is reset, not configured

fully reset and clean

and not too close. If using fixed channels, try auto for the setup.

all done

Is this a new issue... were you able to use AiMesh before installing Asuswrt-Merlin?

it was actually an AiMesh system on the same 386.2_beta2 firmware, I tried to refresh it by removing the node then re-add. it turns out I can't get it work again.

 

[OzarkEdge]

enabled


it's not


all broadcasting


fully reset and clean


all done


it was actually an AiMesh system on the same 386.2_beta2 firmware, I tried to refresh it by removing the node then re-add. it turns out I can't get it work again.

Since Asuswrt-Merlin is not required on the remote node, you could install stock Asuswrt on the AC68U to see if that jiggles anything. And try webUI Restore w/Intialize to reset Asuswrt before adding the node.

OE

 

[Sicario]

Since Asuswrt-Merlin is not required on the remote node, you could install stock Asuswrt on the AC68U to see if that jiggles anything. And try webUI Restore w/Intialize to reset Asuswrt before adding the node.

OE

Tried with latest beta stock from the asus website, still no luck. Yes, also did initialized, no success.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Tried with latest beta stock from the asus website, still no luck. Yes, also did initialized, no success.

What is the fail response when you attempt to search/add the node?

Can you move the router around some, away from any other electronics/cordless devices and in a different position to change up the radio waves a bit. Probably not it since a wired backhaul did not help.

Getting more drastic, I'd try stock on the AC86U. Leave the defaults mostly and disable Smart Connect since the AC68U does not support it.

OE

 

[Sicario]

after disabling CakeQoS, I finally got AiMesh system up. I don't know why ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

paging @RMerlin

 

[RMerlin]

AiMesh is closed source, therefore entirely outside of my control.

 

[MissingTwins]

Based on 386.3_2

From my experience, the following way of configuration will always fail.
Condition 1. ac86u or ax86u as the top router
Condition 2. ac68u as Aimesh node
ac68u
1. From page Administration - Operation Mode
2. Switch to AiMesh Node from fully configured Wireless router Mode(default)
3. Automatic reboot
4. Without powering off even once.
ac86u
1. From page Aimesh - Add AiMesh Node
2. Search
3. Ac68u will be discovered( with Wifi mark)
4. It will fail at about 35%
5. Showing unable to add Aimesh.
Following this path it fails every time.

To break this ice, after switching to AiMesh Node.
You need to do,
1. Power on ac68u
2. Wait until it is fully booted
3. Check if WebUI is accessible.
4. Power off
5. Do 1 to 4 power on/off at least twice.
6. Power on and wait WebUI to be up
7. Connect ac86u LAN to ac68u WAN
8. ac86u From page Aimesh - Add AiMesh Node
9. Ac68u will be discovered( with ETH mark)
10. Progress bar will exceed 40% , and pairing will be a success

 

[dbqandersons]

Quick note of thanks to @MissingTwins I was having this exact issue attaching a couple of AC68Us to an AC86U. Followed your steps and things sync'd up perfectly. Cheers!

 

[SyK112]

Based on 386.3_2

I created an account to thank you, thank you very very much. I'm grateful.

 

[hancox]

Damned sorcery. Still unfixed with latest firmware. Thanks!

 

[udem1234]

I had the same problem with firmwares 386.8 (RT-AX88U) and 386.7_2 (RT-AC68U as a node).

The solution worked for me too !!! Thank you very much !!!

 

[Redbot]

Based on 386.3_2

From my experience, the following way of configuration will always fail.
Condition 1. ac86u or ax86u as the top router
Condition 2. ac68u as Aimesh node
ac68u
1. From page Administration - Operation Mode
2. Switch to AiMesh Node from fully configured Wireless router Mode(default)
3. Automatic reboot
4. Without powering off even once.
ac86u
1. From page Aimesh - Add AiMesh Node
2. Search
3. Ac68u will be discovered( with Wifi mark)
4. It will fail at about 35%
5. Showing unable to add Aimesh.
Following this path it fails every time.

To break this ice, after switching to AiMesh Node.
You need to do,
1. Power on ac68u
2. Wait until it is fully booted
3. Check if WebUI is accessible.
4. Power off
5. Do 1 to 4 power on/off at least twice.
6. Power on and wait WebUI to be up
7. Connect ac86u LAN to ac68u WAN
8. ac86u From page Aimesh - Add AiMesh Node
9. Ac68u will be discovered( with ETH mark)
10. Progress bar will exceed 40% , and pairing will be a success

Crown this person

 

[Tech9]

You just need to use Ethernet connection during AiMesh setup. Wireless node discovery doesn't work in Asuswrt-Merlin.

 

[Dbar74]

@Tech9, thank you! I have spent countless hours fighting with AiMesh setup and now connecting both nodes (RT-AC86U and RT-AC68U) wired has officially worked on both of them!! Wish I had seen this months ago

 

[Tech9]

Never Asuswrt-Merlin versions have a fix for AiMesh wireless node discovery issue. See changelog and experiment.

 

[hoot_spoot]

...
7. Connect ac86u LAN to ac68u WAN
8. ac86u From page Aimesh - Add AiMesh Node
9. Ac68u will be discovered( with ETH mark)
10. Progress bar will exceed 40% , and pairing will be a success

That last step (#7) made it work. AC66U/68U running Merlin 386.11 (386.12 seems to have a memory leak). Had to plug the node (temporarily) WAN port into the LAN port on the Master / main router, as described.

 

[kdawg]

This is the way. Worked with RT-AX88U Pro (router) and RT-AX1800S (node). Both were new out of the box and would not pair wirelessly.

Based on 386.3_2

From my experience, the following way of configuration will always fail.
Condition 1. ac86u or ax86u as the top router
Condition 2. ac68u as Aimesh node
...
7. Connect ac86u LAN to ac68u WAN
8. ac86u From page Aimesh - Add AiMesh Node
9. Ac68u will be discovered( with ETH mark)
10. Progress bar will exceed 40% , and pairing will be a success

 

[Wistuplu]

You just need to use Ethernet connection during AiMesh setup. Wireless node discovery doesn't work in Asuswrt-Merlin.

Thank you. I had the expectation that it would be possible to "pair" over wifi; and even that it would be required to do so... Connecting through Ethernet first was "first time right". Thanks again. (2 x AC86U: 1 Merlin and 1 Asus Official)