RT_AC66U - Wireless Connection Problem

[Alchad]

Hi,

First time poster and a "grey surfer", some technical knowledge but struggling with this and would appreciate help.

Bought the RT-AC66U to replace a Belkin which kept losing internet connection, and the Asus had such good reviews on Amazon.

My system is a desktop PC hard wired to the router and a laptop and ipad connecting wirelessly. I run Win 7 home version. The only slightly unusual fature is that the router is connected to the internet via a satellite broadband modem.

I struggled to get the system set up correctly - probably because I thought it would be plug and play!! - but finally seem to have got it working. However I've been tweaking the 2.4 wireless channel selection to try and get rid of interference on my CCTV security camera. Finally found that channel 2 was perfect - no interference and very pleased. BUT, then found that the laptop wouldn't connect - it sees the wireless connection, but when I try to connect I get a message "cannot connect etc". I've tried the various trouble-shooters that Windows offers on the laptop (it's a 2 year old Acer by the way, and I've updated the wireless adapter driver) but cannot sort. If I go back to "auto" channel selection it finds the connection.

As I'm in the middle of nowhere - I don't use any security on the wireless networks - its all set to open with no encryption.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated.

Alchad

 

[RMerlin]

Channel 2 overlaps with anything that's on channel 1 and 6, so it's a bad choice. The usual channels you should use are 1, 6 or 11.

AFAIK, 802.11n and 802.11ac require you to be using WPA2 to enable their full speed. Having it configured as open is a bad idea, and might not work with those newer wifi standards.

 

[Alchad]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Just got off the phone to the Asus "helpline" - they couldn't really, but in talking the problem through with them I realised that I hadn't tested if the laptop could connect using any of the other channels. I tried a few while I was online to the helpdesk and the couple I did try all allowed connection to the internet - although there was interference on the CCTV screen. I'm guessing that because channel 2 gives virtually zero interference but doesn't allow connection to the laptop then perhaps it's not actually broadcasting? Maybe something to do with the channel bandwidth and the number of channels - presumably it has to be the same width for each channel, perhaps one has to be lost????

Anyway happier now I've come up with a sort of explanation.

Thanks for the comment re WPA2 - will have a play.

Once again thanks for the reply.

Alchad