AC66U extremely weak WIFI signal

[BlkBrd]

Hi,

I have a new AC66U router. I set it up and I'm receiving extremely weak signal on both bands:
on 2.4GHz I get -80dB from 2m/6ft away
on 5Ghz I get -80dB if I measure while almost touching the antennas. from more than 1m/3ft I can't detect a signal.

This is true for both Android phone and a Laptop. For comparison, my old Linksys E3000 is registering as -50dB on 2.4GHz/5GHz at 2m/6tft

I flashed several FW versions (including Merlin) - no difference. I played with channels and TX power - no improvement.

The only thing that might be important to note - I had a defective power adapter (LED flashing) after my first hour of use. I ordered a replacement on Ebay, but now the original is working again, so I tried all the above on both the original power adapter and on the replacement adapter, both with same results.

Please help!
Thanks

 

[RMerlin]

Those values are certainly abnormal. See if you get better results after doing a factory default reset.

If it's still the same and you are sure the antennas are properly screwed in I would have the router replaced under warranty.

 

[BlkBrd]

Thanks Merlin,

Antennas are screwed in tight. If by factory reset you mean turning on while pressing reset button or WPS button - I did both.
Unfortunately, I bought the router through Amazon US and I live in Israel, so replacing is not a real option.

Thanks

 

[KGB7]

Thanks Merlin,

Antennas are screwed in tight. If by factory reset you mean turning on while pressing reset button or WPS button - I did both.
Unfortunately, I bought the router through Amazon US and I live in Israel, so replacing is not a real option.

Thanks

Hold the reset button for 10sec when the router has is already been On for few min, so you no longer see Power light blinking during power up.

 

[RMerlin]

Thanks Merlin,

Antennas are screwed in tight. If by factory reset you mean turning on while pressing reset button or WPS button - I did both.
Unfortunately, I bought the router through Amazon US and I live in Israel, so replacing is not a real option.

Unfortunately at this point it does look like a hardware defect, so, not much you can do about it short of having it replaced. Sorry.