Two major issues with RT-AX68U

[ojigi]

RT-AX68U with 386.3_2. Following is used:

• USB with external power connected (NFS enabled)
• 1 x OpenVPN Server
• entware
• diversion (installed, but disabled)
• swap file (deleted)

The two major issues are as seen below.


* Issue #1

Lagging/freeeze/bad ping for the last couple of days. obvious during videostreaming, especially with Zoom/Teams/Skype etc.

I don't see anything obvious in the logs. CPU and Memory seems fine as well.

However, ping says it all. Any ideas?

64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1474 ttl=64 time=1.19 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1475 ttl=64 time=1.39 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1476 ttl=64 time=1.49 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1477 ttl=64 time=1.86 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1478 ttl=64 time=1.21 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1479 ttl=64 time=1.24 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1480 ttl=64 time=10.4 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1481 ttl=64 time=10.3 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1482 ttl=64 time=3.00 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1483 ttl=64 time=1.17 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1484 ttl=64 time=1.44 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1485 ttl=64 time=2.03 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1486 ttl=64 time=7962 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1487 ttl=64 time=6986 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1494 ttl=64 time=1.61 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1495 ttl=64 time=1.69 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1496 ttl=64 time=1.25 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1497 ttl=64 time=1.74 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1498 ttl=64 time=1.77 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1499 ttl=64 time=1.85 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1500 ttl=64 time=20.4 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1501 ttl=64 time=1.37 ms

* Issue #2

WIFI connection issues.

2.1 my Chromecasts randomly lose connection, rebooting it usually works and sometimes I have to redo the setup
2.2 my Android phone (Mi9) all of a sudden won't connect to wifi. authentication fails.

For 2.1 I followed the instructions from others threads regarding airtime fairness etc and it worked for a week or so but then back to lost connections.

E.g.

Connection issue with Chromecast and Asus RT-AX58U

Hi! I have bought a new rt-ax58u router and i am having some issues with the connection to my chromecasts. The wifi itself works flawless, both in smart connect mode and with separate bands (2.4 & 5 ghz). But when i try to connect my chromecasts to the new wifi, i can only get as far as to the...

www.snbforums.com

https://www.reddit.com/r/Chromecast/comments/780xs4

For 2.2
* I turned on SmartConnect to troubleshoot and then it worked instantly.

Again, any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bbunge]

If you are using the USB drive as network storage it is a good idea to have a swap enabled on another drive. Preferably a thumb drive.
Disconnects could be related to the router switching channels. Good idea to have both the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands on fixed channels and bandwidth.
I do use Dual Band SmartConnect and it works well for me. Others recommend not using it but if you do use 160 MHz bandwidth on 5 GHz there is a chance the router could be RADAR bounced and the 5 GHz go off air for a while. If this happens with SmartConnect the clients will switch to the 2.4 GHz band.
Disable WPS.

 

[L&LD]

Why did you change the Wireless Mode from 'Auto' to 'Legacy'?

 

[ojigi]

If you are using the USB drive as network storage it is a good idea to have a swap enabled on another drive. Preferably a thumb drive.
Disconnects could be related to the router switching channels. Good idea to have both the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands on fixed channels and bandwidth.
I do use Dual Band SmartConnect and it works well for me. Others recommend not using it but if you do use 160 MHz bandwidth on 5 GHz there is a chance the router could be RADAR bounced and the 5 GHz go off air for a while. If this happens with SmartConnect the clients will switch to the 2.4 GHz band.
Disable WPS.

Thanks for the input. I've had a USB drive connected for years without any issues, so I honestly doubt that that is the issue. But, I'll disconnect it and shutdown my k8s cluster during the weekend to see if there is a difference.

I'll change to fixed channels and bandwidth. Are they're channels who are more likely to work with say Chromecast (since I've had problems with them disconnecting)?


WPS has never been on.

I'll get back with results.

 

[L&LD]

As the RT-AX68U is a brand-new model, you have not had a USB drive connected for years.

Test each Control Channel not just for maximum speed and stability, but also for maximum reach, throughput, and lowest latency too (make a channel change, reboot the router, keep good notes, repeat. Use the Control Channel that your notes give you the best balance of all aspects that are important to you.

Did you specifically check WPS isn't on?

 

[ojigi]

Correct. Let me clarify, I had the same setup with my oldie RT-AC68U (for years) and now with my RT-A68U for some time.

I'll try to rotate the different control channels. Can one see what other WIFIs are using as their control channel, e.g. with an app like WIFI Analyzer?

Yes, I checked that WPS is off on WPS page and "WPS Button behavior" on System page is set to LED on/off. I appreciate you double-checking.

 

[L&LD]

Yes, you can use an app to check what Wi-Fi signals are in your immediate vicinity. But I suggest you don't.

The issue with those types of apps is that they degrade the observed performance of the network when they're being used. They also show what the (usually) mobile device 'sees', not what the router is affected with. They also do not show actual Wi-Fi activity, nor do they show non-Wi-Fi sources of interference (of which there are many).

Simply testing each Control Channel for an extended period and keeping good notes is the best you'll do for your wireless environment, today. Unless you can hire, buy, or rent (and know to use) multi-thousand-dollar equipment that will do all of the above and let you see a complete picture of your wireless environment (which no app can attempt to do, particularly from a mobile device that doesn't have the same RF specs as the router you're trying to optimize for.

Control Channel Setup 2021

Reset Mini Guide + Control Channel Setup Details

Control Channel Setup (more)

(The links above are from the link below).

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