Asus RT-AC66U issues connecting to 5 ghz band

[psfc_yojimbo]

Hi all, this is a cross-post from the SmallNetBuilder forums, I hope you don't mind me posting this here, but I'm pretty perplexed on this

I ordered the AC66U a month ago and finally got it yesterday due to back-order. I immediately flashed the latest 3.0.0.3.164.15 firmware from Merlin (love the extra features, even though I don't use them yet) and configured my wifi/network.

My issue is that both my dad's iPad 2 and my Samsung Galaxy S2 Skyrocket phone will not obtain an IP address from the 5 ghz band, 2.4 is no problem. They both detect it, I can enter in the password and even try to set up a static IP, but in the end they don't connect. I've tried making it an open network with no security and that makes no difference. My phone has the option of only using the 5ghz band and so I also tried that, but no luck. Distance shouldn't be the issue as I'm in the same room as the router. Currently the 5ghz is set to N only.

Has anyone had this problem or can someone suggest something to try? Is this a problem with the devices? I appreciate any response you may have!

 

[ericloewe]

Is that an unofficial firmware? Sounds like it is, also sounds like a likely source of your problem.
I suggest flashing the latest stable official frimware. If that doesn't fix it, try an older version that is supposedly working fine (as far as 5GHz connectivity goes).

Neither device should have a problem with 802.11n, but try running it in a+n+ac mode or n+ac mode (not that they'll use ac, but it's worth a shot).

 

[cantholdanymore]

So you buy a brand new product based on a not fully finalized standard and you expect some third party not-certified firmware to make it work? :whiste:

 

[psfc_yojimbo]

Is that an unofficial firmware? Sounds like it is, also sounds like a likely source of your problem.
I suggest flashing the latest stable official frimware. If that doesn't fix it, try an older version that is supposedly working fine (as far as 5GHz connectivity goes).

Neither device should have a problem with 802.11n, but try running it in a+n+ac mode or n+ac mode (not that they'll use ac, but it's worth a shot).

Yeah it's technically unofficial, but I guess ASUS supports it and actually gave the guy their code. This router is very new and the shipping firmware is broken, and this "Merlin" version has fixed many issues. I've been reading up on it at that other forum and read that it's supposed to be better than the ASUS firmware. At any rate, I should mention I've used their official firmware versions (only 2 at this time), and the same issue occurs.

I've tried adjusting the channel bandwith and control channel that another user recommended who was having the same issue (and claimed was resolved by this). That didn't seem to do the trick either.

I tried your recommendation to not use "N-only", and set to "Auto", then"Legacy" (b/g/n) as well. Those are the only options for wireless mode. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

 

[psfc_yojimbo]

So you buy a brand new product based on a not fully finalized standard and you expect some third party not-certified firmware to make it work? :whiste:

Well it's true that I bought a brand new product and am considered an 'early adapter' or whatever, but I don't have any AC devices right now, so I'm only using N mode. My reasons for using the 3rd party firmware are because it fixes many bugs with the ASUS versions. I just read they have an newer official version coming next week, so I'll give that a go. I never expected this Merlin version to do anything except fix known bugs. Out of those known bugs, 5ghz band issues are not mentioned I don't think.

 

[JackMDS]

Well the rule is: Early adapters might have late success.

Unless something uncommon occurs, I would not touch ac for at least another years.

Remember how many years it took to go through pre-N draft-N whatever-N.

 

[ericloewe]

I'd say try the new firmware they're supposed to release soon and hope for the best. If that doesn't work, you can keep hoping (after all the updates, the RT-N66U was a pretty good router) or return it, depending on how annoyed you are.

 

[kbp]

Check in over at SmallNetBuilders forum. They will solve you problem in the Asus section.

 

[BillyBatson]

Not sure if it is too late but did you resolve your issue?
I upgraded my linksys wrt400n dual-band N router yesterday (I've had it 4-5 years) for the Asus ac66u. I know I don't need 11ac for another 18 months but its cheaper to pay the $40 above the n66u price today instead of selling the n66u in 18 months for $60 and pay for a top tier router again.
I did as much online research as I could and couldn't decide between the asus, Cisco ea6500, or netgear 6300. I went with the asus with hopes of having the best signal range but in having similar problems. I love the router so far but signal is only great when I am near the router, my linksys would reach my garage (it's our hangout spot and connected to the house with a door from inside the house but does have the thickest wall) on the 5ghz band but so slow that it wouldn't be useable but 2.4ghz worked in there fine. With the ac66u the moment I step into the garage I lose the 5ghz band completely and if it does appear briefly for some reason I can't connect to it just like the OP despite it asking me for a password. The 2.4 ghz band reaches the garage but so slow that it's now unusable and will cut out every few mins.
I'm running the latest asus firmware nothing 3rd party, no house phones or other wireless devices near the router, router is actually 2 feet closer to the garage than the old router was, I live in a house not not an apartment with only 2 neighbors with wifi both running 2wire 54g, and I'm only running two iPhone 5's an iPad 2 and HP laptop all on the 5ghz band, and 1 iPhone 4 on the 2.4ghz band.

Any help is appreciated! I am also going to go to smallnetbuilder with this. If I can't resolve within a week I might return and try the Cisco 6500 if that doesn't work I would want the asus n66u dark knight however it is supposed to have nearly identical N performance which isn't looking great right now.....

 

[kbp]

My N66 has the best 2.4 range I have ever had. The 5g works fine anywhere in my condo but as soon as I step outside it's gone. I doubt any router on the 5g band will get you into another building. 2.4g on 20MHz will get you the most distance. 2.4 on the 40MHz band a little less but more bandwidth. There is no 5g frequency from any manufacturer that will get you through much more than 2 or MAYBE three walls and a much shorter range distance. If distance is a must - 2.4g on 20MHz is about the only way.

 

[Synomenon]

If you need help with an Asus router, stick to the SmallNetBuilder Forums. Most people here won't know about Merlin and his stable (but unofficial) firmware builds.

I had an AC66U and experienced the same issues as well. I could not find any fix for the 5GHz connection issue. Returned the AC66U and got a N66U instead. Couldn't be any happier and Merlin's latest release for the N66U is pretty solid now.