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Devices Connect to Wi-Fi but No Internet

lpiddi

Occasional Visitor
Hi all,

After upgrading to the newer firmware, my Wi-Fi devices are connecting to the network but often without internet access. Occasionally, turning Wi-Fi off and back on the device helps establish a connection, but most of the time, it doesn’t work.

I’ve already tried factory resetting everything and rebuilding the setup from scratch, but the problem persists. I also downgraded back to the previous firmware version, but the same issue occurs. Interestingly, I can tell when my device connects with internet access because it uses Wi-Fi 6.

I’ve checked the log files, and I’m not seeing anything unusual. The devices connect and obtain an IP address immediately without any issues reported.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

I’m at a loss and don’t want to purchase a new main router only to face the same issues, especially since the problem persists even when connected to my AiMesh nodes. It would make sense if I were only experiencing issues with one of the systems, but this seems broader.
Here’s my setup:
  • Main Router: RT-AX88U
  • AiMesh Nodes: RT-AX92U (wired), RT-AX58U (wired), and RT-AC92U (Wi-Fi)
I also have 3 WireGuard and 1 OpenVPN connections for traffic passthrough, but otherwise, the setup is as close to factory default as possible after the reset.

Thanks in advance for any advice!
 
It may help if you list the specific firmware you are running on each of the devices.
Which devices are the WiFi clients connecting to?
Does the issue present itself if you disable the Wireguard and OpenVPN connections?
Are you using Guest Network WiFi? (There is a known issue with Guest Network WiFi clients being unable to access the internet in certain cases.)
 
Hi Beenor,

Thanks for the response, and apologies for the delay—I had a late night rebuilding everything.

Here’s the firmware I’m currently running on each device:

  • RT-AX88U: Asuswrt-Merlin 3.0.0.4.388.8_4
  • RT-AC92U: 3.0.0.4.388_23695
  • RT-AX58U: 3.0.0.4.388_25139
The issue persists even before enabling the WireGuard and OpenVPN clients.

I do use a guest WiFi network, but after rebuilding the entire system from scratch, I initially didn’t set up the guest network, and the issue was still present.
 
What devices are not connecting to internet although connected to wifi, similar issue is floating around?
 
Thank you for all the replies. I believe i found the issue. Bennor was right. I forgot to hit apply on disabling wireguard VPN clients.

Seem when i have them enabled WiFi i.e phone, tablets and TV's connect but don't have internet.

Any one seen this before? and is there a fix?

 
Seem when i have them enabled WiFi i.e phone, tablets and TV's connect but don't have internet.
Because you are using VPN and the issue (if I understand what you posted correctly) appears to happen when a VPN client is enabled; have you created the proper routing rules for the WiFi clients under VPN Director?
 
Yes i have OpenVPN and 3x wireguard VPN's with rules assigned using VPN Director
Post a screen shot of the rules along with the IP addresses (or range) of the WiFi devices that are at issue so others can review to see if there is a problem with your VPN Director rules. Redact any sensitive information if needed.
 
I’ve confirmed that WireGuard VPN client is 100% causing the issue. When I turned it on, within 20 minutes, all my Wi-Fi devices lose connection to the internet but still maintained a connection to the router.

Here is the current setup. OpenVPN does not cause any issues.

VPN Director.png

VPN Client setup.png
 
anyone got any ideas?
You have the kill switch set to ON so it is doing its job. When the WG tunnel is determined to be down by the router clients are blocked from connecting to the Internet. Try setting the kill switch to off and see if that solves the connectivity issues. If it does and you want to use a VPN then find a more reliable provider. I run a WG client, and it seems to be very reliable, and I have never noticed it going down.
 
You have the kill switch set to ON so it is doing its job. When the WG tunnel is determined to be down by the router clients are blocked from connecting to the Internet. Try setting the kill switch to off and see if that solves the connectivity issues. If it does and you want to use a VPN then find a more reliable provider. I run a WG client, and it seems to be very reliable, and I have never noticed it going down.
I've tried with the kill switch off and on last night and still having the issues
 
What does the router log show around the time the wifi clients drop off the wifi?
Sorry it took longer then planned. Last night i cleared the logs before i connected please see below. my phone is b2:6e:4b:52:f2:9c Lee-s-S23-Ultra

1 log.png
2 log.png
 
Not only Samsung phones was just giving you a device for checking. The issue happens on all WiFi devices. Including Samsung phones/tab/tvs, iphones, robo vacuum and firesticks.

After turning wireguard VPN client on 20 mins or so later all WiFi devices are connect the lan but have no internet
 
I was having an awful time getting (2) Samsung phones to connect on my router and have an internet connection. Without any VPN client settings, the phones would connect to WiFi and have internet connections. As soon as I setup an OpenVPN client or a Wireguard client, the phones would still connect to WiFi, but with no internet connection. Turning the VPNs off did not make a difference.
After many hours of testing, flashing different firmware, etc. I thought. What if it's the VPN service I'm using. So I paid for a one month trial of a different VPN service, downloaded and setup an Open VPN client and a Wireguard client, rebooted the router and restarted the phones, and at this point (4 days since last reboot) the phones have not lost internet connections while connected to WiFi.
 
I was having an awful time getting (2) Samsung phones to connect on my router and have an internet connection. Without any VPN client settings, the phones would connect to WiFi and have internet connections. As soon as I setup an OpenVPN client or a Wireguard client, the phones would still connect to WiFi, but with no internet connection. Turning the VPNs off did not make a difference.
After many hours of testing, flashing different firmware, etc. I thought. What if it's the VPN service I'm using. So I paid for a one month trial of a different VPN service, downloaded and setup an Open VPN client and a Wireguard client, rebooted the router and restarted the phones, and at this point (4 days since last reboot) the phones have not lost internet connections while connected to WiFi.
What VPN provider did you have issues with and who are you using now?
 
What VPN provider did you have issues with and who are you using now?
My subscription is for SurfShark, and I used the manual setup on a router, Wireguard and OpenVPN clients.
The month long "test" subscription is Proton VPN, using both Wireguard and OpenVPN setups for clients
 

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