RT-AC66R - BestBuy's version of the RT-AC66U

[NachoZoolndr]

I'm posting this here since my ongoing research has not turned anything up yet. I got this router back in Nov. (election day to be exact) from a local best buy. worked great at first. loved coming home and having my bionic get great speeds when it was connected, same for my desktop PC, and Xbox.

Last couple of weeks, I noticed it was really slowing down. Meaning lag on any device there was connected to it, gaming is pretty much not worth doing, and speed tests show significant reduction. Like normally I should get around, 8.5 Mbps down and 600 Kbps up. recently it's been more like 1 Mbps down and 250 Kbps up. I have CenturyLink as my ISP.

When I connect directly to the modem speeds are good. and when I first connect through the router it's fine. But after the router has been on a while, it gets really warm and starts to throttle everything down. I'm using the most recent Asus firmware for it (3.0.0.4.270).

I have flashed the firmware again. It it's also the most up to date fw from Asus's site. It's also the same from the Auto downloader within the router.

Air flow is clean and clear around the router too.

Should I hold on to it and wait for better firmware? I'm open too pretty much any suggestion.

 

[dcaplinger76]

I installed Merlins firmware and couldnt be happier. Worth a shot.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

 

[RMerlin]

Are you using DownloadMaster? This can quickly drive your router performance to the ground.

 

[NachoZoolndr]

Are you using DownloadMaster? This can quickly drive your router performance to the ground.

what is DownloadMaster? I downloaded the firmware from Asus's site, then logged into the router thru a browser (Chrome), then went to the firmware UI page and selected the firmware (after unzipping) and updated that way.


If DownloadMaster is something different please let me know what that is, and I'll check again. Thank you.

 

[NachoZoolndr]

I don't have any USB device (external drive nor flash drive) plugged into the router. so I don't 'think' I'm using DownloadMaster.

However, where can I check in the router settings to make sure it's 1)turned off, and 2) disabled?

Is there anything else I can try?

I've tried 4 different FW versions... .260, .266, .270, and Merlin's .270.24. when I connect my desktop PC (every other device is turned off, no wireless connections) directly to the modem/router from my ISP (CenturyLink - Actiontec PK5000) speeds are consistent and there's no discernible dropoff. It's when I connect the RT-AC66R to the modem then test speeds that I notice it significantly slower.

Not sure if there's a setting somewhere that I should've/shouldn't have changed or what. I'm pulling my hair out. :/

 

[RMerlin]

I don't have any USB device (external drive nor flash drive) plugged into the router. so I don't 'think' I'm using DownloadMaster.

However, where can I check in the router settings to make sure it's 1)turned off, and 2) disabled?

Download Master can be accessed on the USB Application page. If you don't have any USB disk plugged then this shouldn't be an issue.

 

[NachoZoolndr]

well, crap.... I've run out of ideas then. this is so odd. I don't suppose anyone knows anything about the modem I'm using with this router, Actiontec PK5000

CenturyLink version here

it would be nice if I could get just a modem, not a modem/router combo from them, or an approved one then I could eliminate more potential issues. of course they'll say everything is fine on their end because the connection is good whem it's just the modem plugged into my computer.

 

[NachoZoolndr]

I cloned the MAC address of my desktop PC to the router, and saved it. after that, I shut off the router for about 4 or 5 minutes. then turned it back on. It ran fine all weekend so either that helped the issue or things magically worked themselves out.


Thanks Merlin

 

[NachoZoolndr]

I'll take screenshots of my router settings and post them here (later tonight) in case Merlin or anyone else wants too look at what I have currently running.

 

[NachoZoolndr]

here are the screenshots:

2.4GHz General tab -

2.4GHZ Professional tab -

5.0GHz General tab -

5.0GHz Professional tab -

 

[NachoZoolndr]

Administration system tab Pt1 -

Administration system tab Pt2 -

LAN Dhcp Server ui -

LAN SwitchControl ui -

 

[NachoZoolndr]

WAN Internet Connection ui Pt1 -

WAN Internet Connection ui Pt2 -

WAN PortForwarding ui -

 

[LoneWolf]

Have you disabled the wireless on your Actiontec modem? I would do this to ensure there is no interference with the ASUS router.

 

[NachoZoolndr]

Have you disabled the wireless on your Actiontec modem? I would do this to ensure there is no interference with the ASUS router.

yes, I have disabled the wireless on the modem. I also disabled the DHCP server, QoS, and put it into Transparent bridging mode.

A few minutes ago I switched to a new cable from the router to my desktop pc. so far speeds are in the normal range (of what I'm supposed to be receiving). Fingers are crossed.

Thank you

 

[NachoZoolndr]

ok, so it wasn't the cable just happenstance. because after merely changing around from page to page in the UI of the Router (RT-AC66R) it becomes slow in navigating, and thus the download speed is reduced terribly. Reboot and it's fine. Until I start moving around long enough, then it slows down again.

moral of the story thus far, save settings then reboot the router and leave it alone.


it's almost like it becomes overwhelmed if you take too long in changing/saving settings. I believe it's definitely a FW issue. Just hope it gets resolved soon.

 

[NachoZoolndr]

nachozoolndr,

Our team understands how frustrating service issues can be and would like to help resolve them. Please send account & contact details via the link http://t.co/lm5JYoPO or email talktous@centurylink.com for further assistance.

Regards,
Patti
CenturyLink Help Team

I used the link and explained my issue, I hope someone and Century Link can help, but I'm not overly optimistic. Thank you I do appreciate your help