RT-AC88U (Merlin-384.11_2 FW) frequently "shuts down" 5Ghz interface

[Max Winkler]

Hey, would somebody know how to interpret the logs below?
My 5Ghz interface frequently crashes on my router. I have already done a clean install (new FW, complete reset and new setup)...

I've also a saved CFG file ready, if that helps...

Jun 14 13:15:14 WLCEVENTD: eth2: Assoc 48:88:CA:E09:4A
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: maxitems=512
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317692.604 wlc_ucode_download: wl1: Loading MU ucode
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317692.617 wl1: CORE INIT : nfifo 32 mu_tx_enab 1
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317692.617 wl1: CORE INIT : mode 2 pktclassify 1 rxsplit 0 hdr conve 0 DMA_CT Enabled
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317692.632 wl1: link up (wl1)
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317692.633 wl1.0: wlc_send_bar: seq 0x3cc tid 4
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317692.712 wl1.0: wlc_send_bar: seq 0xcff tid 0
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317692.792 wl1.0: wlc_send_bar: seq 0x2 tid 0
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317692.822 wl1.0: wlc_send_bar: seq 0x163 tid 0
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317693.603 wl1: STA 34:f6:4b:97:d5:60 selected as MU client at index 0.
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317693.603 wl1: STA 48:88:ca:e0:d9:4a selected as MU client at index 1.
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317693.797 wl1.0: wlc_send_bar: seq 0xd35 tid 1
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317699.040 wl1: wlc_ampdu_tx_recv_delba: AMPDU OFF: tid 2 initiator 0 reason 39
Jun 14 13:15:15 kernel: DUMP CONSOLE: 317699.753 wl1: Proxy STA 48:88:ca:e0:d9:4a link is already gone !!??

rest of log is attached as log file...

 

[martinr]

Welcome to the forum.

Maybe it’s me, but it seems we’re forever seeing various problems with 5GHz and the 80 series routers. Did you run a search?

I ran a quick Google search and picked out one example:

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/5ghz-dead-with-merlin-384-9-on-rt-ax88u.55060/

You could also try the forum’s own search facility as well. That tends to list results chronologically, which can be helpful.

By the way, when you did your reset, you did manually enter your custom settings; you didn’t use the config file to restore your settings did you?

 

[Max Winkler]

Welcome to the forum.

Maybe it’s me, but it seems we’re forever seeing various problems with 5GHz and the 80 series routers. Did you run a search?

I ran a quick Google search and picked out one example:

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/5ghz-dead-with-merlin-384-9-on-rt-ax88u.55060/

You could also try the forum’s own search facility as well. That tends to list results chronologically, which can be helpful.

By the way, when you did your reset, you did manually enter your custom settings; you didn’t use the config file to restore your settings did you?

Yes I added all values manually and I didn't import any saved CFG files

Yeah, I've seen a lot of posts about issues "in general", was just wondering if somebody could maybe decipher what specifically the issue was for event based on the logs provided... like, would this be more indicative of hardware or software/settings issue etc.

 

[Max Winkler]

Welcome to the forum.

Maybe it’s me, but it seems we’re forever seeing various problems with 5GHz and the 80 series routers. Did you run a search?

I ran a quick Google search and picked out one example:

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/5ghz-dead-with-merlin-384-9-on-rt-ax88u.55060/

You could also try the forum’s own search facility as well. That tends to list results chronologically, which can be helpful.

By the way, when you did your reset, you did manually enter your custom settings; you didn’t use the config file to restore your settings did you?

(Forgot this earlier, how rude of me !) Thanks for the quick reply , I really appreciate it!

I checked the link you provided,.. looks to me that most of the comments in there have issues getting 5G to work at all on the Asus AX device, or have channel selection/reliability issues. This doesn't seem to be the case for my router.. it all works great, up until every few days it just "disappears". I unfortunately don't have the logs saved from prior occurrences, mostly because I had to keep working and just rebooted the device, which always "fixes" it.

As I'm dependent on a very stable network/Internet connection due to being home based for work, AND my laptop lacking a wired ethernet connection :-( , I have to get this corrected. Asus offered me to replace the device, but that would mean sending it in and waiting for a replacement.. which is very difficult to accomplish (job...).
So, I'm trying to at least know which route I should go.. tinker with device (preferred), replace with Asus for same model.. or go buy a brand new one (argh..).
I did make a bunch of changes lately as I added all my devices to DHCP/fixed assignment, configured AIProtection (kids not doing anything else but Insta-sad) and updated firmware.

I tried to follow the best practice recommendations from snb as well as some other sites, but the issue is currently worse than before.
When I tried to just disable most of the "features" in the Professional settings, as suggested by one of the optimization walk-throughs, the connections becomes "choppy", mostly seen when using Microsoft Mouse-without-borders between my 2 PCs.

Anyhow.. long story... maybe somebody can point me to the indicative lines in the log, and I'll take it from there

 

[gattaca]

I've seen problems with 5GHz "disappearing" before on my AC88U which I am running in AP mode. What worked for me was I locked down all the router's channels (2.4 and 5.0 GHz) to minimize overlap with myself and my neighbors (as much as possible) and I use mostly the wireless defaults for the other settings. I've not seen the 5GHz cut out in in a while since doing that. I am running 384.11_2. If you have a larger setup, and you opt to replace, could go after a RT-AC86U as your primary router and then make the RT-AC88U a WAP if you need better/more coverage. That way you have multiple SSIDs and a backup. That's what I do, roll down the tech to WAPs. YMMV.

 

[martinr]

I can’t help with making sense of the logfile, but as for best snb practice, the authoritative guide - in case you haven’t seen it yet - is L&LD’s at

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/n...l-and-manual-configuration.27115/#post-205573

It’s not the only one: I think Xentrk similarly has a highly respected guide. Do have a read through L&LD’s guide (and Xentrk’s if I can find it): you might pick up something you overlooked. https://www.snbforums.com/threads/n...l-and-manual-configuration.27115/#post-205573

I assume your router has 2.4GHz band that is reliable for your work?

There’s another guide from L&LD; I’ve bookmarked it as the RMA diagnostic - in other words, after following steps 1-9 of his guide, if the fault is still there, it’s a hardware fault:

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/major-issues-w-rt-ac86u.56342/page-4#post-495710

And if you do end up looking for another model, I can’t praise highly enough the RT-AC68U for reliability. So, worth a look or 2.

 

[martinr]

(Forgot this earlier, how rude of me !) Thanks for the quick reply , I really appreciate it!

I checked the link you provided,.. looks to me that most of the comments in there have issues getting 5G to work at all on the Asus AX device, or have channel selection/reliability issues. This doesn't seem to be the case for my router.. it all works great, up until every few days it just "disappears". I unfortunately don't have the logs saved from prior occurrences, mostly because I had to keep working and just rebooted the device, which always "fixes" it.

As I'm dependent on a very stable network/Internet connection due to being home based for work, AND my laptop lacking a wired ethernet connection :-( , I have to get this corrected. Asus offered me to replace the device, but that would mean sending it in and waiting for a replacement.. which is very difficult to accomplish (job...).
So, I'm trying to at least know which route I should go.. tinker with device (preferred), replace with Asus for same model.. or go buy a brand new one (argh..).
I did make a bunch of changes lately as I added all my devices to DHCP/fixed assignment, configured AIProtection (kids not doing anything else but Insta-sad) and updated firmware.

I tried to follow the best practice recommendations from snb as well as some other sites, but the issue is currently worse than before.
When I tried to just disable most of the "features" in the Professional settings, as suggested by one of the optimization walk-throughs, the connections becomes "choppy", mostly seen when using Microsoft Mouse-without-borders between my 2 PCs.

Anyhow.. long story... maybe somebody can point me to the indicative lines in the log, and I'll take it from there

And here’s Xentrk’s guidelines as mentioned above:
https://x3mtek.com/asuswrt-merlin-firmware-upgrade/