RT-AC3100 with latest firmware. Nothing but bugs!! No support at all!

[jph1589]

I have been an ASUS fan for years. From the mother boards to graphic cards to laptops, I have had them all. This past fall I bought the RT-AC3100 and updated the firmware as it came out. This last update has more issues that I can count. The biggest one is that they broke the bandwidth limiter after fixing it in an earlier release. I tried entering a technical question online about it and that just doesnt work. If they do respond the tell you to reset the router to factory for everything you ask. Or this last time they said to RMA it!!!

I called telephone support instead and after an hour I got a senior specialist who admitted that they broke the bandwidth limiter in this release and they would give it a priority to fix it. He gave me a case number and encouraged me to check on the status occasionally. That was 3 weeks ago. I checked on the status yesterday and they told me to reset the router to factory or RMA it LOL!!.

Neeless to say I am losing patience with ASUS!!

I know I could load Merlin but that will void my warranty and isn't really what I should have to do. I got used to ASUS being a good support company and would like to just have it fixed.

Ok I am done with my Rant now!! Thanks for listening.

I forgot to mention the IOS App to manage the router that used to work very well until they broke it in the last update. It won't even connect to the router anymore. Everything is going downhill for ASUS!!

 

[RMerlin]

that they broke the bandwidth limiter in this release and they would give it a priority to fix it.

They already fixed it internally, just need to wait for the next firmware release to occur.

I know I could load Merlin but that will void my warranty

It doesn't void your warranty.

and would like to just have it fixed.

You can flash firmware 3.0.0.4.380_3941 in the mean time, that release was a fairly good one.

 

[jph1589]

They already fixed it internally, just need to wait for the next firmware release to occur.



It doesn't void your warranty.



You can flash firmware 3.0.0.4.380_3941 in the mean time, that release was a fairly good one.

Thanks for your answers. I was told by ASUS about the warranty thing. Probably depends on who you talk to there.

So does the bandwidth limiter possible work in 380_3941?

 

[pdoyle]

I believe my RT-AC68W uses the same firmware as yours, 3.0.0.4.380_7266; after reflashing and then factory default reset, it's still buggy; it keeps losing my 3.0 USB external hard drive. When it does recognize the drive, Download Master cannot connect to the server, 404 cannot display that page. I did not have this problem with the previous firmware 3.0.0.4.380_4164, released in December. I emailed Asus; they sent me links to restoration tool, and the previous version of firmware from December; not the newest. They advised using restoration utility to reflash to 3.0.0.4.380_4164. Sounds like Asus knows the newest firmware is buggy, but haven't fixed it or removed it from their site.
If that doesn't work, I can RMA the router. Does that mean I send the router out for repairs? I only bought it in december so it should still be under warranty.

 

[RMerlin]

Thanks for your answers. I was told by ASUS about the warranty thing. Probably depends on who you talk to there.

Yes, since someone else who talked to tech support had the representative speak to his manager, who confirmed at the time that it would not void the warranty. Combined with the fact that Asus used to advertise DD-WRT compatibility on their own website (they had a page listing compatible models), I'd say it would be hard to reject any warranty claim if there's a hardware defect while the router has a third party firmware installed.

So does the bandwidth limiter possible work in 380_3941?

Yes. The issue only appeared with 7266. I generally don't recommend 4180 because a few users experienced WAN/wifi issues with it (tho not everyone, and I suspect people did very little troubleshooting of their own, as the wifi issues are usually resolved by disabling Airtime fairness in that build).

 

[jph1589]

Yes, since someone else who talked to tech support had the representative speak to his manager, who confirmed at the time that it would not void the warranty. Combined with the fact that Asus used to advertise DD-WRT compatibility on their own website (they had a page listing compatible models), I'd say it would be hard to reject any warranty claim if there's a hardware defect while the router has a third party firmware installed.



Yes. The issue only appeared with 7266. I generally don't recommend 4180 because a few users experienced WAN/wifi issues with it (tho not everyone, and I suspect people did very little troubleshooting of their own, as the wifi issues are usually resolved by disabling Airtime fairness in that build).

So I assume I can use the firmware update page on the router admin screen and point it to the downloaded file for 3914?

 

[RMerlin]

So I assume I can use the firmware update page on the router admin screen and point it to the downloaded file for 3914?

Yes (after you unzipped it).

 

[jph1589]

Works like a charm. And what do you know? The Bandwidth limiter works now. Thank you so much for you help!!

None of this would be needed if Apple would just fix their icloud backup code so that it didnt completely flood the upstream bandwidth on a backup or phote transfer. Just had to get that dig in!!

 

[pete y testing]

None of this would be needed if Apple would just fix their icloud backup code so that it didnt completely flood the upstream bandwidth on a backup or phote transfer. Just had to get that dig in!!

not however just limited to icloud , many of these so called could based sync apps do exactly the same , drop box , google drive , onedrive etc etc , without a way to limit upload locally they all flood and eat as much upload bandwidth as they can

 

[jph1589]

not however just limited to icloud , many of these so called could based sync apps do exactly the same , drop box , google drive , onedrive etc etc , without a way to limit upload locally they all flood and eat as much upload bandwidth as they can

I didn't realize it was an issue with the others. I've only had trouble with icloud. If I had speeds like yours, the issue would be over so fast I wouldn't notice though! LOL

 

[pete y testing]

If I had speeds like yours, the issue would be over so fast I wouldn't notice though! LOL

they will still gobble up my 40M upload speed if i dont keep an eye on them , esp if bringing a new mobile or portable device online and it syncing for the first time

 

[jph1589]

Yes, since someone else who talked to tech support had the representative speak to his manager, who confirmed at the time that it would not void the warranty. Combined with the fact that Asus used to advertise DD-WRT compatibility on their own website (they had a page listing compatible models), I'd say it would be hard to reject any warranty claim if there's a hardware defect while the router has a third party firmware installed.



Yes. The issue only appeared with 7266. I generally don't recommend 4180 because a few users experienced WAN/wifi issues with it (tho not everyone, and I suspect people did very little troubleshooting of their own, as the wifi issues are usually resolved by disabling Airtime fairness in that build).

Shortly after we had this conversation I rolled my firmware back to 380.3941. The bandwidth limiter works fine there but I keep worrying about how to move forward with any confidence if ASUS should ever decide to publish the fix in their current version. I have heard for a couple of weeks that they have it fixed but I never see any update.

I also wonder about all the things that were fixed in the versions that I am not able to use because of the broken bandwidth limiter. There is quite a list of bugs fixes and updates and modifications in those two releases that I am not able to take advantage of.

So in trying to plot my strategy for going forward I have looked at other routers and talked to other support departments at those companies. I have come to the conclusion that there arent any companies that have service that is any better than the sub par service I got from ASUS.

Is there a router and firmware that is so much better and stable that I won't need to have to deal with their service organization? Sad state of affairs that I had to ask that question.

 

[RMerlin]

I have heard for a couple of weeks that they have it fixed but I never see any update.

Bandwidth Limiter was fixed with 3.0.0.4.380_73xx. The RT-AC3100 version isn't available yet, due to remaining issues that need to be fixed first.

Is there a router and firmware that is so much better and stable that I won't need to have to deal with their service organization? Sad state of affairs that I had to ask that question.

So-called business class products is the way to go if you need more advanced support services. There's a reason why those devices cost more - part of it is because their technical support representative are better trained, and able to go beyond just following a flow chart. Companies that provide support for home users will only spend as much as necessary to be able to handle their most common support requests, which are "where do I plug this?" or "Why is there no LED turned on?".

For business product providers, tech support department is a service, part of the product they sell. For home product providers, they are a necessary expense.

 

[mikep809]

I have been an ASUS fan for years. From the mother boards to graphic cards to laptops, I have had them all. This past fall I bought the RT-AC3100 and updated the firmware as it came out. This last update has more issues that I can count. The biggest one is that they broke the bandwidth limiter after fixing it in an earlier release. I tried entering a technical question online about it and that just doesnt work. If they do respond the tell you to reset the router to factory for everything you ask. Or this last time they said to RMA it!!!

I called telephone support instead and after an hour I got a senior specialist who admitted that they broke the bandwidth limiter in this release and they would give it a priority to fix it. He gave me a case number and encouraged me to check on the status occasionally. That was 3 weeks ago. I checked on the status yesterday and they told me to reset the router to factory or RMA it LOL!!.

Neeless to say I am losing patience with ASUS!!

I know I could load Merlin but that will void my warranty and isn't really what I should have to do. I got used to ASUS being a good support company and would like to just have it fixed.

Ok I am done with my Rant now!! Thanks for listening.

I forgot to mention the IOS App to manage the router that used to work very well until they broke it in the last update. It won't even connect to the router anymore. Everything is going downhill for ASUS!!

 

[mikep809]

Hi,

Need your help, I just installed the rt-3100a few days ago, due to the fact that my 66u which worked flawlessly power button broke. Anyway I worked fine the first day until all of a sudden while at work dropped connection. The error code "Ethernet does ot have a valid I configuration" Rebooted/reset countless times to no avail. Now it justs stays stuck with the power light, tried everything Called Asus to today the told me to upload the latest firmware. I don't believe this is going to work. I asked them for a replacement they stated it was their policy, need an rma number and to ship to repair. I know what's going to happen 3 weeks or more, without a modem ! I run everything wifi in my house I complained but to deaf ears. So from your experience with these isues what do you recommend ? thxs Mike

 

[jph1589]

Hi,

Need your help, I just installed the rt-3100a few days ago, due to the fact that my 66u which worked flawlessly power button broke. Anyway I worked fine the first day until all of a sudden while at work dropped connection. The error code "Ethernet does ot have a valid I configuration" Rebooted/reset countless times to no avail. Now it justs stays stuck with the power light, tried everything Called Asus to today the told me to upload the latest firmware. I don't believe this is going to work. I asked them for a replacement they stated it was their policy, need an rma number and to ship to repair. I know what's going to happen 3 weeks or more, without a modem ! I run everything wifi in my house I complained but to deaf ears. So from your experience with these isues what do you recommend ? thxs Mike

Take if back where you bought it. If you just did this, it has to be under their return policy.

 

[mikep809]

unfortunately didnt buy it at a store to return too.

 

[jph1589]

unfortunately didnt buy it at a store to return too.

Well.....what does that mean? Is it new? or did you buy it used? or what?

 

[mikep809]

bought it new with the wrapper still in place.

 

[jph1589]

bought it new with the wrapper still in place.

Is this an ASUS RT-AC3100 router? And you said you got some error code? "The error code "Ethernet does ot have a valid I configuration". Where did you see that?