RT-AC68U - Regular disconnection from internet

[ctrlz]

I just upgraded my router to a RT-AC68U. I'm experiencing seemingly random disconnections every few hours (but not at regular intervals) from the internet and router.

I'm using Merlin 378.55 firmware.

Usually the problem results in having to power off the router and power back on again, because I can't even access the router admin page.

I've tried factory resetting, followed by re-loading the firmware the factory resetting again and configuring the router from scratch with no luck.

No errors / drops showing in the HG612 modem logs. Can anyone help me to interpret the router's logs so I can try and figure out what's happening?

Having searched through old threads, I've seen similar logs posted but always with subtle differences. A lot of them mention switching the DHCP mode from aggressive to normal, but I have no such option, I think because it's a PPPoE connection.

Here's an example:

Aug 29 12:31:37 pppd[535]: LCP terminated by peer
Aug 29 12:31:37 pppd[535]: Connect time 22.9 minutes.
Aug 29 12:31:37 pppd[535]: Sent 108115559 bytes, received 557780813 bytes.
Aug 29 12:31:37 dnsmasq[480]: read /etc/hosts - 5 addresses
Aug 29 12:31:37 dnsmasq[480]: using nameserver 212.159.6.9#53 for domain local
Aug 29 12:31:37 dnsmasq[480]: using nameserver 212.159.6.10#53 for domain local
Aug 29 12:31:37 dnsmasq[480]: using nameserver 212.159.6.10#53
Aug 29 12:31:37 dnsmasq[480]: using nameserver 212.159.6.9#53
Aug 29 12:31:40 pppd[535]: Connection terminated.
Aug 29 12:31:40 pppd[535]: Sent PADT
Aug 29 12:31:40 pppd[535]: Modem hangup
Aug 29 12:31:41 WAN Connection: Fail to connect with some issues.
Aug 29 12:31:41 stop_nat_rules: apply the redirect_rules!
Aug 29 12:31:51 pppd[535]: PPP session is 771 (0x303)
Aug 29 12:31:51 pppd[535]: Connected to a0:f3:e4:34:d8:6a via interface eth0
Aug 29 12:31:51 pppd[535]: Using interface ppp0
Aug 29 12:31:51 pppd[535]: Connect: ppp0 <--> eth0
Aug 29 12:31:51 pppd[535]: CHAP authentication succeeded
Aug 29 12:31:51 pppd[535]: CHAP authentication succeeded
Aug 29 12:31:51 pppd[535]: peer from calling number A0:F3:E4:34:D8:6A authorized
Aug 29 12:31:52 pppd[535]: local  IP address 84.51.165.204
Aug 29 12:31:52 pppd[535]: remote IP address 195.166.130.166
Aug 29 12:31:52 pppd[535]: primary   DNS address 212.159.6.9
Aug 29 12:31:52 pppd[535]: secondary DNS address 212.159.6.10
Aug 29 12:31:52 rc_service: ip-up 1135:notify_rc start_firewall
Aug 29 12:31:52 dnsmasq[480]: read /etc/hosts - 5 addresses
Aug 29 12:31:52 dnsmasq[480]: using nameserver 212.159.6.10#53 for domain local
Aug 29 12:31:52 dnsmasq[480]: using nameserver 212.159.6.9#53 for domain local
Aug 29 12:31:52 dnsmasq[480]: using nameserver 212.159.6.9#53
Aug 29 12:31:52 dnsmasq[480]: using nameserver 212.159.6.10#53
Aug 29 12:31:52 start_nat_rules: apply the nat_rules(/tmp/nat_rules_ppp0_eth0)!
Aug 29 12:31:52 wan: finish adding multi routes
Aug 29 12:31:52 rc_service: ip-up 1135:notify_rc stop_upnp
Aug 29 12:31:52 rc_service: waitting "start_firewall" via ip-up ...
Aug 29 12:31:54 rc_service: ip-up 1135:notify_rc start_upnp
Aug 29 12:31:56 WAN Connection: WAN was restored.
Aug 29 12:31:58 rc_service: ip-up 1135:notify_rc start_firewall
Aug 29 12:31:58 start_nat_rules: apply the nat_rules(/tmp/nat_rules_ppp0_eth0)!

 

[My_dogs_White]

I know very little when it come to networking so take what I have to say for what it is, free advice. I experienced all kind of issues with both a 68U and an 87U. I tracked the issue down to my ISP. They set my 2wire modem into bridge mode but the issues persisted. I eventually changed over to static ip's. One for the 68U and a second for the 87U. I have been running issue free since making this change.

I would start with speaking to your ISP and make sure your modem is in bridge mode. Give that a try and see how things go. If issues still continue consider a static ip.

 

[ctrlz]

I'm now thinking it's a cabling issue. I bought some new Cat 6 cables when I replaced the router and switched back to the old Cat5e ones a couple of days ago to rule them out as the problem. No dropouts since then!