RT-AC68U with random LAN & WAN issue

[3clypse]

*********
Hi there!

I already used the search functionality here in the forum, but I couldn't find the same issue, so here I am.

My setup:

• I have 2 different Asus RT-AC68U routers (one V3 hardware (12v power supply) and other a bit older(19v power supply)).
• Both were working great with the latest FW Asuswrt 386.12, one as a main router and other as node of the mesh network.

Issue:

• Suddenly, the main router started failing (only WiFi connected devices can take LAN IP and can ping the router or other WiFi connected devices).
• The WiFi devices are not loosing connectivity.
• WAN and Ethernet LAN connected devices are not reachable.
• A software reboot is not helping. Both (LAN & WAN) keep unreachable forever.
  • The 'ip route' command shows routes correctly, but traceroute or ping cannot reach those devices.

The weird thing is: The issue appears each 24/48/72h more or less. It doesn't matter if I have a reboot schedule in the main router or not.
To recover the situation, I have to physically turn off the router for at least 5-10min. Then, turn it on and normally LAN and WAN are back...

Things I tried:

• I tried to change the main router with the other one.
• Downgrade the firmware to an older version
• Remove the Mesh network.
• Clean and later remove, the USB fan in the main router.
• Remove any other USB.
• Between firmware downgrade/upgrade, I also did a factory reset.

Things I could try:

• Factory reset with WPS button pressed + create a new config from scratch (not using config backup)

It could be a software issue? Like a "logic bomb"? Is a temperature issue (for both routers?????).

Thank you so much!

 

[follower]

Hi there!

I already used the search functionality here in the forum, but I couldn't find the same issue, so here I am.

I have 2 different Asus RT-AC68U routers (one V3 hardware (12v power supply) and other (19v power supply)). Both were working great with Asuswrt 386.12, one as a main router and other as node of the mesh network.
Suddenly, the main router started failing (only WiFi connected devices can take LAN IP and can ping the router or other WiFi connected devices). WAN and Ethernet LAN connected devices are not reachable.

I tried to change the main router with the other one, downgrading the firmware and removing the Mesh network. I also had a router USB fan in the main router.
Between firmware downgrade/upgrade, I also did a factory reset.

The weird thing is: The issue appears each 24/48/72h more or less. It doesn't matter if I have a reboot schedule in the main router or not.
To recover the situation, I have to physically turn off the router for at least 5-10min. Then, turn it on and normally LAN and WAN are back...

It could be a software issue? Like a "logic bomb"? Is a temperature issue (for both routers?????).

Thank you so much!

Try with another Power Adapter.

 

[3clypse]

Try with another Power Adapter.

Thanks for replying

Ok, I can do it, but having the same issue with 2 different routers is not weird? I mean, 2 different devices with 2 different power adapters? They can both fail, OK, but

 

[OzarkEdge]

Hi there!

I already used the search functionality here in the forum, but I couldn't find the same issue, so here I am.

My setup:

• I have 2 different Asus RT-AC68U routers (one V3 hardware (12v power supply) and other a bit older(19v power supply)).
• Both were working great with the latest FW Asuswrt 386.12, one as a main router and other as node of the mesh network.

Issue:

• Suddenly, the main router started failing (only WiFi connected devices can take LAN IP and can ping the router or other WiFi connected devices).
• The WiFi devices are not loosing connectivity.
• WAN and Ethernet LAN connected devices are not reachable.
• A software reboot is not helping. Both (LAN & WAN) keep unreachable forever.
  • The 'ip route' command shows routes correctly, but traceroute or ping cannot reach those devices.

The weird thing is: The issue appears each 24/48/72h more or less. It doesn't matter if I have a reboot schedule in the main router or not.
To recover the situation, I have to physically turn off the router for at least 5-10min. Then, turn it on and normally LAN and WAN are back...

Things I tried:

• I tried to change the main router with the other one.
• Downgrade the firmware to an older version
• Remove the Mesh network.
• Clean and later remove, the USB fan in the main router.
• Remove any other USB.
• Between firmware downgrade/upgrade, I also did a factory reset.

Things I could try:

• Factory reset with WPS button pressed + create a new config from scratch (not using config backup)

It could be a software issue? Like a "logic bomb"? Is a temperature issue (for both routers?????).

Thank you so much!

Suddenly (hardware failure?)... router USB fan (power overload? heat overload?)... scheduled reboots (why?)... it's hard to know what's going on there... probably failing hardware.

I would recommission a router from scratch and start over there. Don't add to it to build out your network until you trust it to be a healthy router... and then add one thing at a time until you isolate the trouble.

Me, I'd retire the AC68Us... just waiting for the webUI to refresh is slow.

OE

 

[3clypse]

Suddenly (hardware failure?)... router USB fan (power overload? heat overload?)... scheduled reboots (why?)... it's hard to know what's going on there... probably failing hardware.

I would recommission a router from scratch and start over there. Don't add to it to build out your network until you trust it to be a healthy router... and then add one thing at a time until you isolate the trouble.

Me, I'd retire the AC68Us... just waiting for the webUI to refresh is slow.

OE

I'm gonna follow what you said and gonna try making a complete hard factory reset + create a new config from scratch to only one router.
No mesh, no USB, no USB fan, no scheduled reboots, etc

I'll post any update in few days. Hopefully is "just" a corrupted-bugged configuration.

Pd: I'm also thinking on retiring these AC68U routers, but they were expensive and I'm trying to keep them working for a bit longer

Thank you!

 

[OzarkEdge]

I'm gonna follow what you said and gonna try making a complete hard factory reset + create a new config from scratch to only one router.
No mesh, no USB, no USB fan, no scheduled reboots, etc

I'll post any update in few days. Hopefully is "just" a corrupted-bugged configuration.

Pd: I'm also thinking on retiring these AC68U routers, but they were expensive and I'm trying to keep them working for a bit longer

Thank you!

FYI

FW Reset FAQ

Reset button/webUI Restore/node removal - clears settings in NVRAM; reboot restores fw defaults from CFE

Hard Reset via WPS button/webUI Restore+Initialize - also clears data logged in /jffs partition

OE

 

[follower]

Thanks for replying

Ok, I can do it, but having the same issue with 2 different routers is not weird? I mean, 2 different devices with 2 different power adapters? They can both fail, OK, but

Yes, it's not weird.

 

[Tech9]

Things I tried

Did you look at the System Log? This router has issues with TrendMicro Data Collection Daemon crashing constantly and impacting the performance. Asuswrt-Merlin 386.12_2 release addresses the issue. Stock Asuswrt is not fixed yet.

Release - Asuswrt-Merlin 386.12 is now available for AC models

So, put in the 2nd update with TrendMicro off. Clean logs and smooth ops. I've just turned on the TM engine and am waiting to see... After 15 minutes, here are the only new log entries: Nov 8 12:57:55 kernel: *** ERROR: [tdts_shell_ioctl_sig_op_load:95] tdts_core_rule_parsing_trf_load()...

www.snbforums.com

This router also had recently issues with Asus Security Daemon after Asus pushed a wrong update. Some routers recovered after factory reset, but some had to be recovered manually. The bug was causing severe memory leak and lock up.

 

[3clypse]

Thank you all for the help!

OK, quick update:

I applied a new config from scratch after a forced factory reset. Everything working... until Today. After 5 days, the same issue appeared again.

So, I think the only bullet I have left is to apply that 386.12_2 release. I don't use any script or Asus feature (only the DDNS).
Any other Asuswrt release I can DOWNGRADE safely? Just to try if it works...


I'm even thinking on trying DDWRT, to see if is a software issue or not.

 

[follower]

Thank you all for the help!

OK, quick update:

I applied a new config from scratch after a forced factory reset. Everything working... until Today. After 5 days, the same issue appeared again.

So, I think the only bullet I have left is to apply that 386.12_2 release. I don't use any script or Asus feature (only the DDNS).
Any other Asuswrt release I can DOWNGRADE safely? Just to try if it works...


I'm even thinking on trying DDWRT, to see if is a software issue or not.

Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.

 

[3clypse]

Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.
Power Adapter.

True! I'll buy a standard 12v (with the enough Amperage output) for this router and try it too!!
Thank you

 

[Tech9]

By the way, both routers will work fine with 12V power supply. All step-down regulators inside, nothing uses 19V. Tested and confirmed.

 

[BNolet]

I experienced something similar a while back and it turned out to be a device was spamming my network. I had the same symptom where a reset or reboot of the router would fix the issue temporarily but then suddenly it would be back.

In my case, it was a Dell docking station NIC that would just suddenly wake up and start flooding the LAN with packets, preventing all devices from communicating in a wired fashion. Wi-Fi devices would remain connected but they couldn't reach the internet.

Hope this helps!