WPA2 compatibility issue with WPA2/WPA3 Setting

[Smokindog]

RT-BE96U

I recently replaced an RT-AX88U with a RT-BE96U.

There appears to be a backward compatibility issue with some WPA2 devices when the wireless is set to WPA2/WPA3 Personal.

I've been up and running on Merlin now for a couple of days. As it was with my RT-AX88U on Merlin, the WPA2/WPA3 Personal selection creates connection issues with some of my IOT devices and streaming devices. On my AX88U I reverted to WPA2 only and the problem went away. That's not really an option on the RT-BE96U in my setup.

I've got almost 50 IOT devices, all homed to my main network SSID along with another 50 or more tablets, phones, laptops, desktops, cars, ................ I VERY MUCH want to AVOID going back to rehome one or the other groups of devices. Along with the main router I have in AP mode 2 AX88U, 1 AX86S and 2 remote AC3100 nodes to cover my house, shop, and property that I don't want to have to reconfigure.

I don't know if this is a MERLIN issue or an ASUS-WRT issue that the WPA2/WPA3 Personal is NOT backward compatible with some WPA2 devices.

Does anyone know if ASUS-WRT exhibits similar issues? I suppose I could go reflash a node to stock and experiment but thought I'd ask first.

 

[dave14305]

Merlin doesn’t modify much with WiFi at all, especially something as low-level as Wireless authentication.

 

[bennor]

Does anyone know if ASUS-WRT exhibits similar issues? I suppose I could go reflash a node to stock and experiment but thought I'd ask first.

Reflash to stock and find out.
Generally the WiFi is closed source from Asus so problem with WiFi in Asus-Merlin are likely present in stock Asus firmware.
Some of us have discovered some WiFi devices (in my case IoT devices) have trouble when using the WPA2/WPA3-Personal WiFi setting on Asus firmware, and instead have to change it to use WPA2-Personal.

 

[Smokindog]

Reflash to stock and find out.
Generally the WiFi is closed source from Asus so problem with WiFi in Asus-Merlin are likely present in stock Asus firmware.
Some of us have discovered some WiFi devices (in my case IoT devices) have trouble when using the WPA2/WPA3-Personal WiFi setting on Asus firmware, and instead have to change it to use WPA2-Personal.

Ya, that's also what I did on my RT-AX88U and my friend's RT-AX88U PRO. Unfortunately the WPA2 Personal isn't an option in the setup on the RT-BE96U.

I opened a support chat with ASUS. Guy claims I found 2 bugs that he's escalating. According to him the WPA2 Personal SHOULD be available and it appears to be a GUI bug. He also agrees that since I saw it on both a 3004 and a 3006 firmware on the two separate RT-AX88U flavors AND switching both to WPA2 Personal fixed things that they need to look into the WPA2/WPA3 Personal firmware for the issue.

Should I have this thread moved to ASUS WRT, start a new one there, or just wait to see what happens?

 

[bennor]

Unfortunately the WPA2 Personal isn't an option in the setup on the RT-BE96U.

The Asus stock firmware indicates WPA2-Personal is or was an option. At least it was back in 2023 with ASUS RT-BE96U Firmware version 3.0.0.6.102_32882.

Version 3.0.0.6.102_32882 61.89 MB 2023/12/08
1. Fixed android 14 compatibility issue while using WPA2-personal.
2. Fixed compatibility issue of 6GHz WiFi devices.

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