Extreme slow speeds with two Asus RT-AX56U routers.

[TheUserName]

Hi all.
New user here, it's my first post, hope it's the correct subforum to post it, as my Reddit post didn't solve my problem.
Hope you gurus can help me with the issue I'm having.
I recently bought two Asus RT-AX56U routers to have one as a dedicated router for my Quest 3 (in AP mode).
I recently realised that I'm having very slow speeds - both Ethernet and WiFi. I contacted my ISP's useless customer support and first advice was to restart the router.
I thought - ok, since two routers are newly connected to the modem, maybe restart will help.
And it did - but for short periods of time.
I upgraded the firmware to the latest original one and yesterday flashed the latest available Merlin.
I was checking the speeds frequently and they were fine - going 340mbps. Then it first dropped to 160-200, later on they dropped to 1.5 - 3mbps - on 350mbps broadband.
I got hold of a different RT-AX56U to replace the main router (not the one in AP mode).
Factory reset, flashed Merlin, followed the instructions from Reddit (separate 2.4ghz and 5ghz bands on both routers, set them on lower and higher channels accordingly).
It was fine, but same happened after a while - speeds dropped to 8-10mbps.
My pc is connected to the router directly via Ethernet.
Speeds are slow for both - wired and WiFi.
Any ideas what might be causing this and how to solve it?
I attached a photo of how I've got it connected.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
I'm really losing hope now.

PS. For anyone interested here's the link to my Reddit thread
Reddit link

 

[ColinTaylor]

From what you've said this has nothing to do with Wi-Fi settings or the second router. So stop messing with those as you're just wasting your time.

When you have the slow downs log into the main router's webUI and perform a speed test if you have that option (Adaptive QoS > Internet Speed). Also run a speed test from a PC that is directly connected by Ethernet to the main router.

If both are showing the very low speeds then it's likely to be a problem on the ISP's side.

 

[TheUserName]

From what you've said this has nothing to do with Wi-Fi settings or the second router. So stop messing with those as you're just wasting your time.

When you have the slow downs log into the main router's webUI and perform a speed test if you have that option (Adaptive QoS > Internet Speed). Also run a speed test from your PC that is directly connected to the main router.

If you're still seeing the very low speeds then it's likely to be a problem on the ISP's side.

Thank you for quick response. If you take a look at my Reddit post I questioned relation between WiFi settings and Ethernet speed. If it was WiFi only then yes. Guy (with questionable attitude) said that it's called "interference".
But yes, you're right - speeds in QoS are slow as well. I've had a quite a big log on previous router before I switched them during the process.
I should not have cancelled engineers appointment when had one booked - only did it because speeds improved after restarting. And booking one with Virgin Media in the UK is an absolute nightmare.
When I spoke to them however they said that on their end there were no issues.
I'll see if others have any suggestions.
Thank you!

 

[ColinTaylor]

I'm also with Virgin Media so I feel your pain when dealing with their customer "support".

I would encourage you to look at the Hub's Network Log (http://192.168.100.1/). If there are issues with your line then it should be obvious.

Please confirm that you are not using a VPN client on the router.

 

[Tech9]

It was fine, but same happened after a while - speeds dropped to 8-10mbps.

Speeds are slow for both - wired and WiFi.

When this happens - look at the port speed in GUI. The issue can be as simple as bad Ethernet cable/connector.

 

[TheUserName]

I'm also with Virgin Media so I feel your pain when dealing with their customer "support".

I would encourage you to look at the Hub's Network Log (http://192.168.100.1/). If there are issues with your line then it should be obvious.

Please confirm that you are not using a VPN client on the router.

Thanks, I'll take a look. Although I'm tech savvy, networking has never been my strong thing

When this happens - look at the port speed in GUI. The issue can be as simple as bad Ethernet cable/connector.

Thing is that before I replaced the routers it was all working fine with my previous RT-AC86U. Having said that I replaced one of the routers (main router if you look at the diagram I attached) - still slow speeds, then also bypassed router in AP mode - used Ethernet coupler to make direct connection from main router to my PC. Problem persisted.

I'm quite sure it's related to router configuration rather than hardware issue. But again - even with setup wizard it SHOULD work out of the box.

 

[Tech9]

You have an ISP provided modem/router. Switch it to router/gateway mode temporary and observe the behavior. If the same thing happens - the ISP has to fix. If it works with no issues - something behind the ISP device is not working properly. RT-AX56U model is End-of-Life for some time. Did you get the routers used or new old stock?

 

[TheUserName]

You have an ISP provided modem/router. Switch it to router/gateway mode temporary and observe the behavior. If the same thing happens - the ISP has to fix. If it works with no issues - something behind the ISP device is not working properly. RT-AX56U model is End-of-Life for some time. Did you get the routers used or new old stock?

Was thinking the same thing to connect it back to the ISP's router/modem. But I think I'll get normal speeds - as mentioned above I started noticing drops after I connected the "new" routers (bought them used, as they were recommended for great Quest 3 performance + they are wifi6).

Also I was thinking about completely resetting the (not)SuperHub 4 and start from scratch.

 

[Tech9]

as they were recommended for great Quest 3 performance + they are wifi6

Unrelated to your issue, but Meta Quest 3 supports Wi-Fi 6E. RT-AX56U is an entry-level Wi-Fi 6 router. Not sure who recommended to you this older and EoL now model for this specific purpose. VR set users usually go for routers with 6GHz band dedicated to the VR. Using 5GHz band gives you only one 80MHz wide non-DFS channel at your location. This channel is most likely used by other networks around as well.

 

[TheUserName]

Unrelated to your issue, but Meta Quest 3 supports Wi-Fi 6E. RT-AX56U is an entry-level Wi-Fi 6 router. Not sure who recommended to you this older and EoL now model for this specific purpose. VR set users usually go for routers with 6GHz band dedicated to the VR. Using 5GHz band gives you only one 80MHz wide non-DFS channel at your location. This channel is most likely used by other networks around as well.

The purpose is to stream VR games from my PC to my headset via Virtual Desktop instead of have it connected to the PC using the cable.
Basically playing PCVR games wirelessly.
And it does a good job to be fair.

 

[Tech9]

Understood, but Wi-Fi 6E router could provide higher bandwidth with lower latency (both important for VR) on clear channels. Anyway, you have the routers already... Test the ISP device first to rule out or confirm ISP issues. Test with one router after in minimal configuration and close to default settings. You can do this test in double NAT to your ISP device. Check the cables and router ports for something lose/dirty just in case.

 

[TheUserName]

Understood, but Wi-Fi 6E router could provide higher bandwidth with lower latency (both important for VR) on clear channels. Anyway, you have the routers already... Test the ISP device first to rule out or confirm ISP issues. Test with one router after in minimal configuration and close to default settings. You can do this test in double NAT to your ISP device. Check the cables and router ports for something lose/dirty just in case.

Thanks mate, will try all the suggestions. Also what came to my mind is to check whether other Ethernet cables are cat6e ones - but again I had this configuration working properly and only swapped and added routers.
Thanks again for your help so far!