Problem with AiMesh (AX88U / AX55)

[asusjoe]

Hi, trying to do my first AiMesh setup moving away from Orbi. Had a AX88U for a while that worked great; just recently got an AX55 to connect as an AiMesh node.

- I was unable to get the node to connect wirelessly, so I plugged in an ethernet cable - that solved that piece.
- When I remove power (to move it from the 1-3 meters to the place I want the node) and plug it back in, it won't reconnect. Even if I leave it where I originally connected it and unplug it / plug it back in it will not reconnect unless the ethernet cable is connected. If I switch the backhaul connection priority to wifi, then even with an ethernet cable it won't reconnect.

Both routers are the latest stock Asus firmware.

Any ideas? TIA.

 

[L&LD]

Welcome to the forums @asusjoe.

Be sure you have the backhaul set as Auto in both the node's Management tab and also on the main AiMesh System Settings Tab, be sure the Ethernet backhaul is disabled. Reboot the main router and try again.

How far away are you trying to locate the node? How many walls/floors and what types of construction materials are they made out of?

Does it connect wirelessly in the same room as the main router?

 

[asusjoe]

Thanks @L&LD.

Rebooting the router seemed to let it reconnect. However, the range seems very small. I am trying to move to node to ~25 linear feet away, down one floor; everything is through drywall/plywood (no concrete) and it simply won't connect. Even when I move it to ~15 feet away on the same floor with just one wall in between it drops to a poor connection. Is this a problem with the AX55? A problem with AiMesh? Or is there some way to change the backhaul to 2.4 GHz? My orbi system had no problem with that setup.

 

[L&LD]

Is your main router the 5 year old RT-AX88U (original)?

Have you been toggling settings on/off on it?

When is the last time you performed a full reset to factory defaults on the main router? You may need to do this now to get the router in a good/known state.

What options and defaults do you change after a full reset?


You may want to reset the node and try re-associating it again.

I do not use or recommend the RT-AX55U. And pairing it with an RT-AX88U (or RT-AX88U Pro) is not something I would suggest either. (I suggest two identical models running RMerlin firmware).

Use the following link/steps to save a copy of your current setup. Then, perform a full reset to factory defaults on both routers to test for AiMesh range and compatibility. This is your quickest way to see if the RT-AX55U is working as expected (and if it's not, a return is needed, asap).

Is it a good idea to keep up with Firmware updates?

I have had issues in the past when updating firmware and Internet speed, But it may have just been a fluke, Should I keep up with the updates? If so On all routers or the nodes as well? What about ones acting as access points? Thanks

www.snbforums.com

 

[asusjoe]

The main router is the AX88U Pro. I have tried toggling some settings. I've never done a full reset to factory default, but haven't really done anything 'special' on it. All that is set up is the main network, that's it - vanilla. So perhaps it's the combo of those 2 routers.

 

[L&LD]

Another possible point of contention is that the main router is running 3.0.0.6.xxx level firmware while the weaker RT-AX55U is running 3.0.0.4.xxx code from April. Certainly, I would not expect this to work seamlessly.

 

[asusjoe]

Copy - so another reason to use 2 of the same is so the same firmware is running?

 

[L&LD]

Or, at least two models that are updated fairly quickly, relative to each other. Yes.

 

[asusjoe]

Appreciate all the help