AiMesh - devices show signal but no internet

[puhs]

Hi everyone,
I have two ASUS routers in an AiMesh setup.
Main router: TUF-AX5400
node: RT-AX1800U (wireless backhaul)

The node is not far from the main router and they connect wirelessly.
I often see that devices connected over Wi-Fi (like phones) show a strong signal, but they don’t receive any data. They can’t load websites, and apps like WhatsApp or Telegram stop receiving messages.
The only thing that fixes it is turning Wi-Fi off and on again on the device.

I don’t know how to debug this issue. I already tried many settings, including changing Wi-Fi channels, but nothing helped.
If anyone has an idea what could be wrong, or how I can troubleshoot this, I would really appreciate it.

For reference, I just updated to these firmware versions:
AX5400: 3.0.0.4.388_24305-gf054f28
AX1800U: 3.0.0.4.386_69155-g0a07ff2

Thanks in advance!

 

[Tech9]

There is nothing much to debug on the user side. AiMesh is ASUS proprietary software and if you followed all the FAQs about setting up AiMesh and it still doesn't work - call ASUS Support and good luck. Perhaps even ASUS don't know how well AiMesh works with mix-and-match random "AiMesh Compatible" routers.

 

[degrub]

turn off the node. Does the issue go away ?
If so, maybe try the AX1800U in AP or wireless bridge mode ?