RT-AX88U Pro - Merlin Firmware:3004.388.8_2 - WiFi connection problem

[KrautHolg]

Hello all,



I recently bought an RT-AX88U Pro router and successfully flashed Merlin Firmware:3004.388.8_2 which seems to work fine with mobile Android devices, but seemingls has some trouble initially connecting to the WiFi on either Windows 10 or Windows 11. Once the connection is finally established it seems to be stable. I guess I am doing something incredibly stupid here, but I can’t find out what I might be doing wrong or how to find out how to solve it. I would be very glad for some pointers or ideas.



Thanks in advance!



Best,



KrautHolg

 

[bennor]

but seemingls has some trouble initially connecting to the WiFi on either Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Perhaps you can expand in more detail about exactly how Windows 10 or Windows 11 is having trouble connecting to WiFi?
What specific errors is Windows indicating?
Does the router GUI system log indicate any issues?
How is your WiFi configured on the router?
Are you using the WiFi SmartConnect feature on the router?
Are you trying to connect to the router's main WiFi or to the router's Guest Wifi?
In other words, provide more information including what troubleshooting steps you have performed.

 

[Justinh]

Sounds like you might be talking about the same issue I had. Check out this post. I suspect it was the BT NIC, but didn't take the time to narrow down the offender.

 

[KrautHolg]

Perhaps you can expand in more detail about exactly how Windows 10 or Windows 11 is having trouble connecting to WiFi?
What specific errors is Windows indicating?
Does the router GUI system log indicate any issues?
How is your WiFi configured on the router?
Are you using the WiFi SmartConnect feature on the router?
Are you trying to connect to the router's main WiFi or to the router's Guest Wifi?
In other words, provide more information including what troubleshooting steps you have performed.

The Windows system keeps disconnecting from the WiFi again and again. Once the connection in properly established, it works just fine. (See the attached syslog.txt) What exactly do you mean by "How is your WiFi configured on the router?" Should I send a screenshot of http://asusrouter.com/index.asp? Yes, I am using WiFi SmartConnect feature on the router. I am trying to connect to the router's main WiFi. I am not trying to be difficult and I appreciate that you are trying to help, I simply don't know exactly which info I should supply.

Thanks in advance!

Best,

KrautHolg

 

[KrautHolg]

I followed the instructions in this post: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/w...g-time-to-connect-to-wi-fi.89906/#post-907278 to completely reset the Windows network stack. This time it connected the first time immediately. I will try it a few more times and see whether this has permanently fixed the problem.

edit: That wasn't it. Still the same old problem.

 

[Justinh]

Just to be sure, that post doesn't describe resetting the network stack; it mentions disabling the BT wireless and NIC driver changes.

 

[Ripshod]

A quick pointer for you. If the windows machine has an Intel wifi card use the latest Intel drivers, not drivers from board manufacturers. This is especially important to those "Killer" cards, but for best results use Intel drivers for any Intel based card. Don't rely on windows update drivers either, they're always behind.

 

[KrautHolg]

Just to be sure, that post doesn't describe resetting the network stack; it mentions disabling the BT wireless and NIC driver changes.

Hi JustinH,

I was referring to sfx2000’s post starting with “Ok, so it's not the router...” within that thread, where you have to click “expand” at “Resetting the network stack”. Then you can read:


Resetting the network stack

Note that these commands affect all of your networking adapters, both physical and virtual, both used and unused, so you will see some errors when running these commands, where the resets targeted adapters that are not being used. These errors are perfectly normal, and not a cause for concern. Complete each step in order, even if you have done some of these previously, and even if you encounter errors.

1. In the search box on the taskbar click Start, type command prompt, right-click the command prompt result and then select Run as administrator and confirm.
2. At the command prompt (decline restarting your machine until you have entered the final command):
   1. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
   2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
   3. Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter. (This will stall for a moment.)
   4. Type netsh int ip reset and press Enter. (Don’t restart yet.)
   5. Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
3. Now restart your machine using Start > Power > Restart once more and test to see if the issue is resolved.

I haven’t figured out yet how to create a permalink for a single post here. I hope I’ll get there soon.

Best,

KrautHolg

 

[KrautHolg]

A quick pointer for you. If the windows machine has an Intel wifi card use the latest Intel drivers, not drivers from board manufacturers. This is especially important to those "Killer" cards, but for best results use Intel drivers for any Intel based card. Don't rely on windows update drivers either, they're always behind.

Currently I am using a USB dongle with Realtek 8812BU Wireless LAN 802.11ac USB NIC. I suspect that it might cause one of the problems, but as mine is not the only machine with these troubles it gets a bit more complicated....

 

[jerry6]

Currently I am using a USB dongle with Realtek 8812BU Wireless LAN 802.11ac USB NIC. I suspect that it might cause one of the problems, but as mine is not the only machine with these troubles it gets a bit more complicated....

I use the same USB 8812BU USB adapter on one of my computers, are you using the latest Realtek drivers / I had a problem last year until I found the latest drivers , since then it as been problem free . plus I never use "smart" connect

 

[Justinh]

I was referring to sfx2000’s post starting with “Ok, so it's not the router...” within that thread

Yes, I know. That's why I was trying to re-point you to the solution I found in that thread.

 

[KrautHolg]

I use the same USB 8812BU USB adapter on one of my computers, are you using the latest Realtek drivers / I had a problem last year until I found the latest drivers , since then it as been problem free . plus I never use "smart" connect

Thank you. I updated the Realtek 8812BU drivers, switched off "smart connect" in the router and also switched off the other WiFi networks in our home. It seems better, but I will try it for a bit longer before I am convinced that the issue has actually been resolved. Either way, I will post the result here.

Best,

KrautHolg

edit: unfortunately the issue still persists