Struggling with Asus ZenWiFi BE30000 aka 3 node BQ16 Pro bundle

[garysteel]

@garysteel Have you tried the new FW?

Hi, installed and seems to improve wifi, but still in ap mode rather than aimesh, so unknown on our apple inconsistent access? U, so far?

 

[MultiDoc]

BQ16 (NonPro) asus showing firmware update

ASUS ZenWiFi BQ16 Firmware version 3.0.0.6.102_36869
Version 3.0.0.6.102_36869
63.66 MB
2025/01/24
SHA-256 ：D2CA354A408BB204F4D5B0F0A72372D1BA7DC31D7EF37873D51DD825C1E2234C
Release Note:
Bug Fixes and Enhancements：
1. Enhanced Client Connection Stability.
2. WPA Encryption Settings Update.
Added new configuration options for WPA encryption, including the option to select AES for improved client compatibility. This setting can be found under "Network > Main Network".
3. Improved AiMesh Backhaul Compatibility.
4. Strengthened certificate protection, providing enhanced data security.

but file return 404 on download attempt

Same for me (non Pro BQ16), gives 404 error when attempting to download the newest firmware.

 

[Stepalex]

Hi, installed and seems to improve wifi, but still in ap mode rather than aimesh, so unknown on our apple inconsistent access? U, so far?

The f/w is still error 404 on the webpage, but I updated via the UI, and it actually looks solid. I will take another 48h for a better test and post a more feedback

 

[greatmalt]

I haven't seen anyone with this setup so I thought I would share. I have a GT-BE98 Pro as the main router and it sits in the lower level of my house due to where the existing network box is located. I bought the ZenWifi BE30000, aka the BQ16 Pro 3 Pack at Best Buy, to act as AiMesh Nodes for the main router. Side note if you have any old router or modem, you can take it Best Buy to recycle and get a 15% off coupon for a new router which the BQ16 PRO did qualify for. I sacrificed an old AT&T 2Wire modem from like 2011 sitting in my closet for this haha.

Back to the setup, I am running a single SSID for all bands as I worried about the 6 GHZ band compatibility with iOS devices and my only IoT devices are Philips Hue products connected to a Hue Bridge. At first I had issues adding the BQ16 Pros as AiMesh Nodes to the GT-BE98 PRO. The symptom was that it would complete the setup but the nodes would reboot and go back to a solid blue LED as if it wasn't paired to anything. I resolved this by setting up each node as its own router first and uploading the latest firmware to it via my laptop. After the firmware was updated on all nodes and resetting them, they were able to be added as AiMesh nodes to the GT-BE98 Pro without any further hitch. For the backhaul, all these nodes are connected via Cat 6 throughout the house.

Since the setup has been completed about a month ago I haven't experienced any issues so far. All iOS devices in my house have not been dropping and are maintaining the 6 GHz band connection throughout the house. I mainly bought the BQ16 Pros as a cheaper alternative to buying 10 Gb switches for various computers throughout the house and in that regard these are doing a great job as well since I am maxing out my ISPs provided speeds. Hope this maintains true as newer firmware updates get released!

 

[garysteel]

The f/w is still error 404 on the webpage, but I updated via the UI, and it actually looks solid. I will take another 48h for a better test and post a more feedback

The firmware file is now directly downloadable.

 

[Momo80]

Tried using the latest firmware with 4 BQ16 with wired backhaul. Made a mess with my IOT devices which were in a separate iot SSID (2.4GHz only). Devices kept disconnecting.

WIFI 7 enabled with MLO disabled under aimesh mode.

Had to revert to 36801 firmware which was giving me less issues but I have to forgo DoT which was giving me issues with my mobile devices.

 

[Stepalex]

My update on BQ16:

After running 3.0.0.6.102_36869 for 8 full days of uptime, I must say I am now extremely impressed with this router, it's nothing short of a transformative experience.

What I did after this F/W was released: take 2 brand-new BQ16s, update each one separately to the latest firmware, reset them and create a mesh, in that order (a reviewer on Amazon suggested updating both routers prior to creating a mesh even before this F/W was released, and he seems to be right).

I then created a wireless mesh network with wireless backhaul using the default settings (i.e. MLO on for backhaul, MLO off for the fronthaul), with one main network and one IoT network (again, with default settings with both 2.4 and 5 bands on), switched on AI Protect and AdGuard DNS in the UI.

What I got is an extremely fast and stable mesh:
- no disconnects from my Apple devices (iMac Pro, many iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, Homepods)
- no disconnects of the backhaul
- no issues with Sonos (Arc, Era 300s, Sub 3s)
- no issues with my Aqara cameras, Meross IoT devices and others
- when connected to the 10Gbps port on the node (which is connected to the router by MLO), I consistently get full 3Gbps on my iMac, i.e. saturating my broadband. The node is one floor and a couple of walls away from the router, including the thick 'external' Victorian wall. For comparison, the same combo with 2 XT12s would max out at 1.2Gbps, but only until DFS was affected when it would drop to 800Mbps, so I had at at auto-reboot every night.
- my PS5 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max give me about 700Mbps 2 floors above the main router to which they connect.

Now BQ16 is a world away from the very poor experience I had in Aug 2024 (after which I returned 3 of those), tbh it even exceeds my initial expectations to the point that I am not sure I need the 3rd BQ16 in my system as originally planned, and what I had with XT12. Touch wood my experience stays the same and Asus does not ruin it.

 

[garysteel]

My update on BQ16:

After running 3.0.0.6.102_36869 for 8 full days of uptime, I must say I am now extremely impressed with this router, it's nothing short of a transformative experience.

What I did after this F/W was released: take 2 brand-new BQ16s, update each one separately to the latest firmware, reset them and create a mesh, in that order (a reviewer on Amazon suggested updating both routers prior to creating a mesh even before this F/W was released, and he seems to be right).

I then created a wireless mesh network with wireless backhaul using the default settings (i.e. MLO on for backhaul, MLO off for the fronthaul), with one main network and one IoT network (again, with default settings with both 2.4 and 5 bands on), switched on AI Protect and AdGuard DNS in the UI.

What I got is an extremely fast and stable mesh:
- no disconnects from my Apple devices (iMac Pro, many iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs)
- no disconnects of the backhaul
- no issues with Sonos (Arc, Era 300s, Sub 3s)
- no issues with my Aqara cameras and Meross IoT devices
- when connected to the 10Gbps port on the node (which is connected to the router by MLO), I consistently get full 3Gbps on my iMac, i.e. saturating my broadband. The node is one floor and a couple of walls away from the router, including the thick 'external' Victorian wall. For comparison, the same combo with 2 XT12s would max out at 1.2Gbps, but only until DFS was affected when it would drop to 800Mbps, so I had at at auto-reboot every night.
- my PS5 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max give me about 700Mbps 2 floors above the main router to which they connect.

Now BQ16 is a world away from the very poor experience I had in Aug 2024 (after which I returned 3 of those), tbh it even exceeds my initial expectations to the point that I am not sure I need the 3rd BQ16 in my system as originally planned, and what I had with XT12. Touch wood my experience stays the same and Asus does not ruin it.

Thanks for taking time to provide update, I’m still in APMode for my second BQ16 rather than AiMesh but also no issue , would love to return to AiMesh but as it would mean a factory reset on both as advised .. i’m currently in if it ain’t broke don’t poke

 

[skypx]

8 days with no disconnections using the iPhone PM? What reset method did you use?

 

[skypx]

Thanks for taking time to provide update, I’m still in APMode for my second BQ16 rather than AiMesh but also no issue , would love to return to AiMesh but as it would mean a factory reset on both as advised .. i’m currently in if it ain’t broke don’t poke

Me too, I’m so scared to switch back

 

[Stepalex]

8 days with no disconnections using the iPhone PM? What reset method did you use?

Sorry, what is iPhone PM? I used the quick 'press and hold the reset button' method.

 

[skypx]

Sorry, what is iPhone PM? I used the quick 'press and hold the reset button' method.

iPhone Pro Max. Was this after it was up and running?

 

[Stepalex]

iPhone Pro Max. Was this after it was up and running?

I did not reset my iPhone, but I did reset the 2 routers during set up (as unavoidably both had to be set up as 'main' routers first in order to get updated - the FW was not available on the website at that point, so it had to be done via UI).

Yes, no issues with my family's iPhones 15/14/13 Pro Max and some older SE for 8 days.

 

[skypx]

I did not reset my iPhone, but I did reset the 2 routers during set up (as unavoidably both had to be set up as 'main' routers first in order to get updated - the FW was not available on the website at that point, so it had to be done via UI).

Yes, no issues with my family's iPhones 15/14/13 Pro Max and some older SE for 8 days.

Ok, 2 more questions, where are most of the iPhones connected, Router or node? Also do you have IPV6 enabled?

 

[skypx]

@garysteel
If this works I’ll need a volunteer!

 

[garysteel]

@garysteel
If this works I’ll need a volunteer!

 

[JohnNadeau]

take 2 brand-new BQ16s

Hey @Stepalex thanks for the update. Sounds promising!

Can you look at your Hardware Version (label on bottom) and let us know if it has changed from version A1?

I'm running a Single Node BQ16 as my Main/Only Router & AP. Latest Firmware.

I remain cautiously optimistic as I noticed a couple other issues in this firmware:

1. Started giving friendly names & icons to Client Devices, but it reboot several times. Reboot When Naming Devices - Asus ZenWiFi BE30000 BQ16 Pro
2. N-Only appears to be missing as an option in the 2.4GHz Wireless Mode Drop Down.

 

[Stepalex]

@JohnNadeau

Mine is still A1.

I have renamed devices before with no issues (had 3 done at a time), might try more later.

I have 'Auto' only for 2.4GHz Wireless Mode Drop Down, I think 'it's a feature, not a bug'... Tbh I am for once happy not to have to fiddle with any options since it seems to work so well as is!

A limitation/bug, confirmed by Adguard as being on Asus side, and I think related to all routers on 3.0.0.6, is that router UI will not allow you to log in to Adguard if you have 2fa enable on the latter... but is a v minor thing.

 

[vit5421]

I am trying to setup mesh Guest network with 5ghz/6ghz bands only but this option is not available only 2.4/5/6 or 5 or 6.
Please let me know if there is a way to do this

 

[Stepalex]

I am trying to setup mesh Guest network with 5ghz/6ghz bands only but this option is not available only 2.4/5/6 or 5 or 6.
Please let me know if there is a way to do this

Same settings in my system. Maybe the selection is related to MLO configuration? Otherwise seems like a strange limitation imo.


To confirm after another 10 days - the system is v stable and I am a happy bunny.