Intermittent wifi with ASUSWRT Merlin

[kevindd992002]

I have Merlin 380.63 installed on my ASUS RT-AC66U and is randomly acting up. Wifi connection to my devices is on and off but after manually resetting the router everything works again. This happens randomly so I cannot recreate it. What do I need to do? Do I want to reset it to factory defaults, upgrade to 380.64, and re-configure the router? Also, I noticed that when using 80MHz channel bandwidth, it is more unreliable. Isn't 80MHz compatible with devices that can only handle 20/40MHz?

 

[Reinvented]

Flash your router, then factory defaults from GUI, and then re-set up from scratch.

 

[kevindd992002]

Ok. Any thoughts on the 80MHz issue?

 

[hggomes]

No, if the client doesn't support 80MHZ.

 

[kevindd992002]

But if the router is set to 80MHz, it should support 20 40 and 80, won't it? I'm mobile so I won't be able to check, but I reckon that there's also a setting for 20/40/80, right? If there is, it's the setting I set it to and that's where I'm having problems with it.

 

[Reinvented]

But if the router is set to 80MHz, it should support 20 40 and 80, won't it? I'm mobile so I won't be able to check, but I reckon that there's also a setting for 20/40/80, right? If there is, it's the setting I set it to and that's where I'm having problems with it.

Only if the client can support all ranges of 20-80 Mhz. That's why there's options also for the Router/AP to broadcast on 20/40/80.
I think you may be having problems with it because you either didn't set up your router correctly, or because you are using the wrong wireless settings. Flash first, and then come back when you have it set up. Then show us your 5 GHz settings. I can almost guarantee you don't have something set properly, or the correct combination.

 

[kevindd992002]

So I just got the chance to upgrade the firmware of my RT-AC66U to 380.65_beta1 as suggested. My process was:

1.) Reset to factory defaults before upgrade
2.) Upgrade
3.) Reset to factory defaults after upgrade
4.) Re- do all my settings from scratch

As advised in this thread, here are my Wireless settings:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tc7u1k4it09tkbx/AABWGpJYltXI_MPDVWqzwIyPa?dl=0

Please take note that the settings here are mostly the default one and if there are changes the decision to change them was based on the Wiki explanation/recommendation of those particular settings.

Let me know if there's something off so that we can discuss it. Thanks.

 

[Reinvented]

So I just got the chance to upgrade the firmware of my RT-AC66U to 380.65_beta1 as suggested. My process was:

1.) Reset to factory defaults before upgrade
2.) Upgrade
3.) Reset to factory defaults after upgrade
4.) Re- do all my settings from scratch

As advised in this thread, here are my Wireless settings:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tc7u1k4it09tkbx/AABWGpJYltXI_MPDVWqzwIyPa?dl=0

Please take note that the settings here are mostly the default one and if there are changes the decision to change them was based on the Wiki explanation/recommendation of those particular settings.

Let me know if there's something off so that we can discuss it. Thanks.

You have some stuff missing. Is that because you aren't running it in router mode?

And why do you have roaming assistant on? Are you just using this as an AP? If you are having Wifi problems, roaming assist isn't going to do anything for you, unless you have another AP somewhere to help connect elsewhere when signal is below threshold.

1) Disable b/g protection, unless you have legacy clients connecting
2) Disable TX bursting for both 2.4/5 GHz Professional
3) Leave preamble at Long
4) Turn roaming assistant off.

 

[kevindd992002]

You have some stuff missing. Is that because you aren't running it in router mode?

And why do you have roaming assistant on? Are you just using this as an AP? If you are having Wifi problems, roaming assist isn't going to do anything for you, unless you have another AP somewhere to help connect elsewhere when signal is below threshold.

1) Disable b/g protection, unless you have legacy clients connecting
2) Disable TX bursting for both 2.4/5 GHz Professional
3) Leave preamble at Long
4) Turn roaming assistant off.

What stuff am I missing that pertains to it being in router mode?

Correct, I'm using just as an AP connected to my pfsense box (main firewall/router). I also have other AP's (Linksys consumer devices) over the other areas of my house and is the exact reason why Roaming Assistant is enabled.

Ok, so I've done items 1, 2, and 3 in your post. Can you explain items 2 and 3?

 

[kevindd992002]

BUMP! Help please?

 

[kevindd992002]

The problem occurred again just now. The wifi disconnects from our phones and tablets and we have to reconnect every 5 minutes. What is my next step?

 

[mstombs]

Are you using the higher channel Nos in the 5GHz band? For regulatory compliance the "DFS" Channels do appear to disappear occasionally when 'radar detection" etc are detected.

 

[kevindd992002]

I'm using control channel 36 and the extension channel is set to Auto. So no, that is actually one of the lower channels and not the higher DFS channels. And when the issue happens, the radio does not disappear completely. I can still connect to the 5GHz SSID but the connection drops every 5 minutes or so.

 

[MyNameIs]

You have some stuff missing. Is that because you aren't running it in router mode?

And why do you have roaming assistant on? Are you just using this as an AP? If you are having Wifi problems, roaming assist isn't going to do anything for you, unless you have another AP somewhere to help connect elsewhere when signal is below threshold.

1) Disable b/g protection, unless you have legacy clients connecting
2) Disable TX bursting for both 2.4/5 GHz Professional
3) Leave preamble at Long
4) Turn roaming assistant off.

Do you have a list of recommending setting for AC88U wireless running in router mode?

 

[Reinvented]

Pretty sure your setup is working as intended, since you are using Roaming Assistant. Turn it off, and see what happens. I'm sure you will stay connected. If not, then you have a configuration problem.

 

[Reinvented]

Do you have a list of recommending setting for AC88U wireless running in router mode?

Depends on your setup. Make another thread if you need help, or PM me.

 

[kevindd992002]

But if it was Roaming Assistant, won't the issue be consistent? The thing is that it randomly happens but when it happens ypu just have to restart the router to have it working normally again.

 

[Reinvented]

But if it was Roaming Assistant, won't the issue be consistent? The thing is that it randomly happens but when it happens ypu just have to restart the router to have it working normally again.

Nope, your signal isn't consistent. It's constantly changing. AC66U doesn't have beamforming at all, hence why it fluctuates. Use Wifi analyzer to see what's around, and the distance. I can guarantee you it's roaming assist causing the disconnections. If you are getting disconnected, and it's dropping randomly it's because signal gets dropped. Hence why you can still see the SSID, and wireless still functions.

 

[kevindd992002]

I see, that makes sense. But sometimes it cango for several days (exact example would be the interval between when I upgraded and posted here and my recent post wherein I said the issue is back) before it happens again. What could be the explanation to that?

Since I have another wifi router in the far area of my home, what alternative can I use for router co-existence?

 

[Reinvented]

I see, that makes sense. But sometimes it cango for several days (exact example would be the interval between when I upgraded and posted here and my recent post wherein I said the issue is back) before it happens again. What could be the explanation to that?

Since I have another wifi router in the far area of my home, what alternative can I use for router co-existence?

Signal is strong then...turn it off and test. I'm sure when it disconnects, you aren't in the same spot either. Hence, why it drops. This is due to roaming assist dropping the connection for getting too low.

I don't know what your other router is. Or what it can support. Is it hooked up via wired? Map out your network and show us.