Killer wi-fi only sees one 5GHz SSID

[bobcheese]

Hello,
I have an RT Ac5300 with the latest Merlin WRT firmware. I have separate SSIDs (1 x 2.4 and
2 x 5) but neither my Windows laptop or Windows desktop can see one of the 5GHz networks.
I can see both on iPad, iPhone and a MacBook Air running Windows 10.
The desktop and laptop both have killer 1525 cards. I have tried searching for anything in this but no luck so far. had anyone come across this problem?
Many thanks,
Ian

 

[oso2276]

What channel and wireless mode are you using?
I'm using channel 36 and N/AC mixed mode.

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[Neil62]

See link below a really good guide for your router, from the first post:

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac5300-performance-security-guide.45710/

 

[oso2276]

Looks like the band selected by your router is the culprit
https://support.killernetworking.com/knowledge-base/verizon-fios-5-ghz-issues/

Just need to select the 5Ghz Chanel in your router. Try 36.

Change your router’s 5 GHz channel. You can use the Killer Control Center’s Wi-Fi analyzer to find which channel has the least traffic, but changing to any channel that is not a DFS channel should allow your devices to connect. Channels 36-48 and 149-165 are non-DFS channels in the United States. Your area may vary. You can reference this chart to find out which channels are DFS channels, and which are not, in your area of the world – – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels#5_GHz_(802.11a/h/j/n/ac/ax)

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[ColinTaylor]

Looks like the band selected by your router is the culprit
https://support.killernetworking.com/knowledge-base/verizon-fios-5-ghz-issues/

Just need to select the 5Ghz Chanel in your router. Try 36.

I find it interesting that Killer are blaming it on a "problem" with the router, whereas if you actually read what's happening it's clearly a "limitation" of the client. But it may only be a software driver issue. This isn't the first time we've seen people report problems with Killer's dodgy software.

 

[Grisu]

Think there has been some reporting that Intel driver has no issues and working very well with it.

 

[pege63]

There has been som errors/problems with the latest builds og Windows 10 with the INTEL and Qualcomm drivers on some PCs.

 

[bobcheese]

Hello,

Thanks for all your replies!

There are 2 5GHz networks on an ASU RT AC5300. You can set them up as separate SSIDs. However, the available channel ranges for the two are quite different:

1st 5GHz - auto,36, 40,44, 48
2nd 5GHz - auto, 149, 153, 157,161, 165

So the Killer wireless card cannot see networks that use the range 149-165 (I've tried all of them).

Is it possible to change the range of the second 5GHz?

many thanks,

Ian

 

[oso2276]

Can you try 36 in one and 149 in the other?

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[bobcheese]

Can you try 36 in one and 149 in the other?

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Yes - it was on 36 for one and 149 for the other to start with. The devices with Killer wifi cards cannot see the 149.

I have latest drivers for Wifi cards. I was looking for a reason to dislike these cards with their childish name and logo!

 

[ColinTaylor]

As suggested above, people have reported success with other Killer network adapters when they uninstalled all the Killer drivers and bloatware and just used the regular chipset manufacturer's drivers. YMMV

Can you confirm that your Killer adapter was purchased in a country that supports those higher channels, e.g. the US?

 

[bobcheese]

Hi Colin,
It is a region thing but the other way round. I’m in the UK and my Killer cards are on Uk- purchased devices but the router is 2nd hand and judging by the bootscreen when I reset it is a Chinese model..
I can see UK 5GHz ranges are 36-64 and 100-140.
Obviously Apple are more flexible as those devices can see the 149 channel.
So I guess I need to either return the router and buy a UK/EU version or hope that the transmitting channel range can be adjusted somehow. Or try the standard driver instead of Killer’s and see if it works.
Thanks for helping me with this.
Kind regards,
Ian

 

[ColinTaylor]

Ah, OK. Yes, trying to use those channels in the EU is always going to be hit and miss (I speak from bitter experience). Sometimes you can get away with it but not always, as you have discovered.

Ultimately the real answer is to have your router operate on the correct channels and then your client devices shouldn't have any problems.

 

[bobcheese]

Hi Colin,

Yes - this seems the best option and I am going to return the router and make sure I get an EU one next time. One last throw of the dice could be to try a stock Microsoft/Qualcomm driver but I'm not having any luck finding one. Can anyone link me to one? A lot of dubious links when I Google!

Cheers,

Ian

 

[ColinTaylor]

Side note: I remember some people reporting that when they bought their RT-AC86U's from China it was a "world" version and had the option to set the region under the Wireless Professional settings. I've never heard of that option being available on any other models but it's worth looking to see if you have it.

 

[bobcheese]

Hi Colin,

Spot on! That setting does exist on the RT Ac5300. It had reset to China when I rest the router. Changed it back to EU and the channel range changed with it. Three lessons learnt:

1. Beware of Chinese imports on eBay.
2. Avoid Killer cards in future.
3. Return to this forum as for once I have found a forum that actually has really people who know stuff!

Cheers again,

Ian

 

[ColinTaylor]

That's excellent news @bobcheese! Looks like we all learnt something today.

 

[Grisu]

exactly same as with RT-AC86U from last year: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/region-change-on-ac86u.47596/page-2#post-422454
from this thread: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/region-change-on-ac86u.47596/
this could be helpful too: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/a...less-router-reviewed.42195/page-9#post-412345
and same newly reported for RT-AX88U: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-rt-ax88u-experiences-discussion.49427/page-25#post-525969

 

[beboptrumpet]

Definitely looks like your Wi-Fi Card in your computer needs to be updated to the US version of the FW.

The US allows for using more Wi-Fi power. Wider Chanel’s than most countries.

I have an AC5300 at one house.
I use two 80mhz wide channels....one low and one high.

I also use another router and have it on ch 165, so I think it’s using every channel available.

Coverage is amazing....I have enough space that my neighbors don’t hate me.

I wired all my TiVo’, TV areas, gaming areas, and a couple computers desks a good while back...that in combination with the 5300, which has far better range than any other router I’ve tried before..and I’ve had some nice ones.

 

[RMerlin]

Don't mess with regions. Use your real reagion, otherwise you will be potentially breaking your local laws, AND will face issues with your clients that might not support out of region APs.