Apple Watch Fix for RT-AX86u

[KeithW]

I have a lot of apple products that connect to my new Asus RT-AX86U and found an issue with my apple watch connecting.
For some reason on the 2.4 Ghz band My Apple watch wouldn't connect.
I found the issue in one setting on the 2.4 Ghz band under the Professional tab.
Disabled "Enable WMM No-Acknowledgement"
And that fixed the issue now my Apple Watch 6 can now connect on the 2.4 Ghz band.
Odd thing it has no issue on the 5 Ghz Band with this same setting on.
I suspect that Apple has more updated firmware for the 5 Ghz band.

Hope this helped anyone experiencing this issue.

This is for all Asus RT-AX86U firmware versions from Asus and ASUSWRT-MERLIN.

 

[KevTech]

Default setting for Enable WMM No-Acknowledgement on stock firmware is disabled so not sure how it was enabled.

 

[KeithW]

I enabled it I typically flip all features on and only turn them off if there is a compatibility issue.

 

[Tech9]

Don’t do that. Some features slow down communication rates, increase latency or limit compatibility.

 

[bbunge]

The only apple product I have issues with is a very old iPod. That does not like WPA2/WPA3 so I set up a guest WIFI with just WPA2 and it is fine.
Otherwise use:
Dual Band SmartCOnnect
2.4 GHz at 20 MHz on fixed channel
5 GHz at 160 MHz on channel 36
WPA2/WPA3
SSID and passphrase alpha numeric only!
Leave the rest of the settings at default.
If you are not on Asus firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_45375-ge5f218b you need to upgrade. Now has DoT and DNS Filter.

 

[Tech9]

5 GHz at 160 MHz on channel 36

Why you always recommend using 160MHz wide channel, @bbunge? What is it good for with your 100/100 ISP, for example?

For best compatibility and stability I would set:
SmartConnect disabled
2.4GHz @20MHz fixed (best throughput channel)
5GHz @80MHz fixed (non DFS channels only)
WPA2