GT-AC5300 with RT-AC5300 mesh node - No internet connection sometimes

[turbosl2]

I am new to the forum as I been trying to solve this problem for weeks, i am lost and need some help.

Problem: While browsing the internet, talking through facetime or a voice call (setup with ATT wifi calling due to a low signal from cell towers nearby) on my phone, my wifes phone, or daughters phone, suddenly there will be no internet. The devices still remain connected to the router or mesh node. They NEVER drop and signal strength is always excellent (as you can imagine with 2 of these routers in my home). For instance, i may be browsing facebook or the web, the page will just hang there and wont load. I will pop over to my speedtest app and it will just spin and say connecting as it try's to find the network. This is how i know the device is not reaching the internet, it always shows connected and the connection on the devic e does not say NO INTERNET, it all appears fine. If I turn the wifi on the device off then back on, in less than 5 seconds works perfect. for a short bit then the problem starts again. Also when this happens i try to open my ASUS router app, it will not connect to the router so i know its not making a connection somehow. I have tried to pinpoint and see if this is when its on the mesh node or main router and i cannot seem to see a pattern. Now i think (could be wrong) that the internet is still up and the speed is down in the kb/s vs mb/s. The internet is not dropping out because i have nest cameras displaying video that are still connected, music playing on a network reciever... all of which never drop out. I cant understand it. The hardwired devices i will also check when this happens and they always so 450mbs (i pay for 400) so it does not appear to be a service problem. it appears to be a network problem. I always have about 60 devices connected but 50 of them are just light switch's on 2.4 band that are not pulling any bandwidth.

Setup:
GT-AC5300 in basement where my cable line and modem are located
RT-AC5300 upstairs - wired backhaul to basement router

GT-AC5300 set to router mode and RT connected as mesh node. Firmware versions are now both Beta. I had updated and rolled back 2 versions with no change.

Some pics below. I can also post a router log but i am not sure anything shows a problem there either.

HELP, lol?

 

[turbosl2]

Router log attached after last full system reboot about 11 hrs ago.

 

[turbosl2]

Also here is a wireless log snapshot. Interesting thing is my iphones MAC address or "private browsing address" does not show up

SSID: "Law"
noise: -91 dBm Channel: 11
BSSID: 40:B0:76:A7:57:10 Capability: ESS RRM
Supported Rates: [ 1(b) 2(b) 5.5(b) 6 9 11(b) 12 18 24 36 48 54 ]
VHT Capable:
Chanspec: 2.4GHz channel 11 20MHz (0x100b)
Primary channel: 11
HT Capabilities:
Supported HT MCS : 0-31
Supported VHT MCS:
NSS1 Tx: 0-11 Rx: 0-11
NSS2 Tx: 0-11 Rx: 0-11
NSS3 Tx: 0-11 Rx: 0-11
NSS4 Tx: 0-11 Rx: 0-11

Interference Level: Acceptable
Mode : AP Only

Stations List
----------------------------------------
idx MAC Associated Authorized RSSI PHY PSM SGI STBC MUBF NSS Tx rate Rx rate Connect Time
08:70:45:68:0F2 Yes Yes -58dBm n Yes No No No 1 65M 65M 00:14:55
64:16:66:84:AE:EF Yes Yes -85dBm n No Yes No No 1 57.8M 19.5M 00:40:02
CC:50:E3:CB:63:7E Yes Yes -63dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 72.2M 54M 01:16:16
CC:50:E3:CB:63:0F Yes Yes -72dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 52M 48M 01:16:16
5C:CF:7F:E0:40:9C Yes Yes -62dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 58.5M 54M 01:16:17
2C:F4:32:CA:B5C Yes Yes -61dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 65M 54M 01:16:17
50:02:91:1F:97:EB Yes Yes -60dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 72.2M 54M 01:16:17
2C:F4:32:A6:EB:F8 Yes Yes -60dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 72.2M 54M 01:16:17
50:02:91:40:9E:61 Yes Yes -57dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 65M 54M 01:16:17
CC:50:E3:79:BE:24 Yes Yes -69dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 57.8M 54M 01:16:18
CC:50:E3:7D:B43 Yes Yes -79dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 26M 36M 01:16:18
2C:F4:32:CA:28:63 Yes Yes -64dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 65M 54M 01:16:19
00:0A:E2:801:EA Yes Yes -57dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 65M 65M 01:16:23
80:7D:3A:79:50F Yes Yes -56dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 72.2M 54M 01:16:23
2C:AA:8E:E1:ED:69 Yes Yes -57dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 65M 39M 01:16:25
1C:66:AA:0A:E4:94 Yes Yes -62dBm n No No No No 1 65M 52M 01:16:25
2C:F4:32:A6:F1:A7 Yes Yes -72dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 52M 54M 01:16:25
50:02:91:40:A9:2A Yes Yes -75dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 39M 48M 01:16:26
2C:F4:32:A3:5C:2C Yes Yes -56dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 52M 54M 01:16:26
CC:50:E3:79:97:68 Yes Yes -68dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 39M 54M 01:16:26
3C:71:BF:32:99:FE Yes Yes -66dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 72.2M 54M 01:16:26
2C:F4:32:64:77:66 Yes Yes -66dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 57.8M 54M 01:16:26
CC:50:E3:79:93:AE Yes Yes -41dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 72.2M 54M 01:16:26

SSID: "Law"
noise: -90 dBm Channel: 44/80
BSSID: 40:B0:76:A7:57:14 Capability: ESS RRM
Supported Rates: [ 6(b) 9 12(b) 18 24(b) 36 48 54 ]
VHT Capable:
Chanspec: 5GHz channel 42 80MHz (0xe22a)
Primary channel: 44
HT Capabilities:
Supported HT MCS : 0-31
Supported VHT MCS:
NSS1 Tx: 0-11 Rx: 0-11
NSS2 Tx: 0-11 Rx: 0-11
NSS3 Tx: 0-11 Rx: 0-11
NSS4 Tx: 0-11 Rx: 0-11

Interference Level: Acceptable
Mode : AP Only

Stations List
----------------------------------------
idx MAC Associated Authorized RSSI PHY PSM SGI STBC MUBF NSS Tx rate Rx rate Connect Time
6C:56:97:64:AD:98 Yes Yes -70dBm n Yes Yes Yes No 1 135M 6M 01:16:33
AC:AE:19:3B:16:19 Yes Yes -65dBm ac No Yes No No 2 117M 6M 01:16:35
30:FD:38:9B:C62 Yes Yes -71dBm ac No Yes No No 1 390M 263.2M 01:16:35
C8:3A:6B:A1:74:90 Yes Yes -66dBm ac No Yes No No 2 156M 6M 01:16:36
64:16:66:B8:73:3E Yes Yes -49dBm n Yes Yes No No 1 72.2M 72.2M 01:16:37
64:16:66:B8:F87 Yes Yes -63dBm n Yes Yes No No 1 72.2M 72.2M 01:16:37
78:E1:03:39A:35 Yes Yes -75dBm n No Yes Yes No 1 150M 81M 01:16:38
64:16:66:83:63:F0 Yes Yes -65dBm n No Yes No No 1 150M 121.5M 01:16:38
4C:7C:5F:94:4E:31 Yes Yes -72dBm ac Yes Yes No No 1 325M 24M 01:16:39
F8:0F:F9:60A:A7 Yes Yes -66dBm ac Yes Yes Yes Yes 1 351M 6M 01:16:40

5 GHz radio is disabled

 

[turbosl2]

Anyone have any thoughts. I am really stuck. So stuck I am removing the RT and have another GT coming Saturday. Not sure if I wasted another $400 but I need a stable internet for the family. Kids learn from home school, work from home...etc

 

[Tucu]

The logs show a lot of Disassoc events and some unexpected Link Up/Link Down events on the ethernet side. The ethernet event could be normal if you have been plugging and unplugging cables (or rebooting some devices).

I would try disabling the Asus "advanced" settings and just run them as a router plus a dumb access point. Split the network into a 2.4Ghz SSID (shared by both routers) and 5Ghz SSID (again shared by both routers) and see how it goes.

 

[turbosl2]

I will try this. I have not plugged in or unplugged any ethernet cables.

I see alot of them as well. Does this mean its an ethernet problem? I posted two of them, both show Ethernet 6 and 7 which keep repeating. I am going to see what devices this is tied to. Maybe its normal? I am asking if its normal because would they drop if the wired mesh node is having a connection issue, or could it be as simple as a computer in sleep mode? Just looking for clarity as what this is telling me.

Mar 16 11:46:28 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(508): eth6: Disassoc C4:4F:33:A7:E8:08, status: 0, reason: Disassociated because sending station
Mar 16 13:06:48 wlceventd: wlceventd_proc_event(508): eth7: Disassoc E4:F0:42:5BE:1A, status: 0, reason: Disassociated because sending station

 

[turbosl2]

The logs show a lot of Disassoc events and some unexpected Link Up/Link Down events on the ethernet side. The ethernet event could be normal if you have been plugging and unplugging cables (or rebooting some devices).

I would try disabling the Asus "advanced" settings and just run them as a router plus a dumb access point. Split the network into a 2.4Ghz SSID (shared by both routers) and 5Ghz SSID (again shared by both routers) and see how it goes.

So here is a weird issue that may just be a firmware glitch? The events you are referring to for Disassoc events, (ETH6 or 7) that repeat in the logs are NOT wired ethernet devices. These are all wireless devices. I notice that as signal drops they show as a wired device for a short period in my router. See picture. I Put a red box around a wireless device that corresponds to one of the Disassoc events and then a yellow box around a device that shows as WIRED but is actually wireless. It appears they show wired when connection drops for a second.

Not sure if this is normal and just a glitch in firmware but i did some search's and it seems it may be normal to show as wired when connection drops, now why is connection dropping, i am not sure.

 

[Tucu]

It could be normal, but worth checking which devices are on those ports.

 

[Tucu]

Do you see a pattern on which devices are affected? Maybe the routers are struggling with something like Apple's mac address randomization.

 

[turbosl2]

It could be normal, but worth checking which devices are on those ports.

LAN 6 & 7 show as UNPLUGGED

 

[turbosl2]

Do you see a pattern on which devices are affected? Maybe the routers are struggling with something like Apple's mac address randomization.

So i took your advice above. Turned off smart connect and for most of the day, all way good. SO i thought. I was excited and about to cancel my amazon order of another GT 5300 , however, about 10 mins ago my iphone is now down to <20 Mbps and a 1000ms jitter. I am sitting 3 feet from the mesh node router "RT5300". I have verified its connected to this node on 5-1 (RT-5300). I see no issues with anything in the system log, connection shows full, speed is horrible, dropping all my wifi calls to the point its a doorstop, lol.

Here is where things are interesting and i am scratching my head. While this issue is happening i just began to troubleshoot. I verified with my PC that i am sitting in front of which is hardwired to this mesh "node" router (RT5300) , shows 483mbps at the same time my phone continues to show <20...all the way down to now my speedtest app on the phone now reports NO INTERNET CONNECTION. Verfified again in the router GUI its connected with excellent signal, phone shows the same. This tells me the router uplink or ethernet cable to this RT5300 node is not the problem and its something strange with the wifi. Next i run downstairs to my lower level and stand right next to my router (GT-AC5300) and wait a second for my phone to drop the RT and connect to the GT. I touch no settings, ran the speedtest and it reports 463 Mbps with a ping of 23ms and jitter 3.5ms and 0% loss. I return back up to my main level office, sit in front of the PC, log into the router GUI and my phone is now connected to the RT5300 node on 5-2, speedtest reports 449, ping of 22ms and jitter 3.5ms, 0% loss.
All is fine for now.
This is the revolving issue.

Back to square one, but at least i have alot of good data.

Question:
Is it possible my mesh node RT5300 is having wifi issues with hardware?

 

[turbosl2]

Maybe i am not an expert but this does not look right to me. When i do a test using the wifi radar tool in the GUI i get 2 signals shown for 2.4ghz both on Channel 2 and 1 for 5ghz on channel 42. This does not make any sense to me. The 5Ghz-2 is missing, and it should be on channel 157. And is the red line my wired backhaul? Should be the other way around on a tri band router, one 2.4 and 5 under 5Ghz???

 

[Tucu]

Try running the scan using a PC/Mac application like the free version of Netspot. Worth checking if the 5GHz-2 radio is still marked as hidden.
The MAC address for the second wifi signal in channel 2 matches a Phorus device (wireless audio). Could be yours or from a neighbour.

 

[turbosl2]

Try running the scan using a PC/Mac application like the free version of Netspot. Worth checking if the 5GHz-2 radio is still marked as hidden.
The MAC address for the second wifi signal in channel 2 matches a Phorus device (wireless audio). Could be yours or from a neighbour.

haha you must really know your stuff. So you are right on the money here. This is my polk audio soundbar. I am installing netspot right now. No neighbors near me. I have 7acres and not a house within 1000' doubtful i will pickup much. Should be a good thing but still a struggle for wifi for the family. I am glad that i am anal and i name everything i add to my network. Took me along time with 65 devices but it really helps.

 

[turbosl2]

Update: Completely removed my RT5300 and replaced with the GT5300. So now i have 2 GT-AC5300 routers, one as a router and the other a AIMesh node. Updated both firmwares to the latest non beta. 3.0.0.4.386_41793
Rebuilt my entire network via resetting to default. Thought all was good, now my wifes iphone 11 pro max says she is connected to 5ghz-1 and i am on 5ghz-2. Both phones sitting next to each other and showing excellent signal. 3' from my mesh node router. Hers cannot connect to the internet but shows connected without any issues. Mine pulls 448mbps...i am lost!!! I have other devices on 5ghz-1 that are connected and operating normally.

Turned her phone off and restarted, reconnected to same 5ghz-1, all is good for a short time and problem repeats.

 

[checkyourmirrors]

I am having similar problems with smarter devices that I would think work well in a Mesh environment and I am wondering if this is due to Smart Connect and do you have that enabled?

 

[turbosl2]

I am having similar problems with smarter devices that I would think work well in a Mesh environment and I am wondering if this is due to Smart Connect and do you have that enabled?

I do but I have tried it with, without, just 5g...all the same problem. Never had this issue until 4mon ago. I literally Just bought all new routers to replace what I had.

 

[checkyourmirrors]

Ditto, I just bought two new GT-AC5300's and it's frustrating for what we paid for these. I'm running the Beta software and I disabled the Smart Connect just a few hours ago so I'm hoping that does it and if not, it would mean killing Mesh altogether.

 

[turbosl2]

Ditto, I just bought two new GT-AC5300's and it's frustrating for what we paid for these. I'm running the Beta software and I disabled the Smart Connect just a few hours ago so I'm hoping that does it and if not, it would mean killing Mesh altogether.

I just disabled all smart connect to. Reverted back to the latest non beta. Nothing helps! I originally had the GT with the RT but the RT doesn’t have the newest 386 firmware unless you run beta. I originally thought this was the problem, hence a new GT for $347 on amazon and the same dam problem. My setup is wired backhaul and my PC that is plugged into the node is rock solid so I am positive this is a Wi-Fi configuration/firmware problem.

 

[lufiel]

I have same problem on my router.
I'm using GT-AC5300(Main router), RT-AC5300(Node) and GT-AC2900(Node).
All the node devices connected under wireless and my Mac Pro has a problem same as you.
When the Mac pro connected to the RT-AC5300 with 5Ghz-1, there is no internet connection after using internet for one or two minute.
I have newest beta version firmware which is same as you.
My another devices working well, there are no problem with 5Ghz-1.
So I tried to change the Mac Pro connection from 5Ghz-1 to 5Ghz-2.
At that time, there was no issue.
Also I tried to find out what the problem is.
But I can't find it, so I just go back to the formal firmware.
Finally, my all problem is gone after using formal firmware.
So my RT-AC5300 router working under AiMesh 1.0, instead of 2.0.
If you are fixing the beta version issue, please give me a solution.
Thanks