ASUS RT-AX88U (original, not the new Pro): 2.4GHz Band not turning on at reboot

[rush_ad]

I have an AX-88U running as the main router on an AiMesh setup with 2 satellite AX-92Us. All routers are running factory firmware, latest .388 series.

Over last several months, I've noticed that my primary router (AX-88U) does not turn on the 2.4GHz band after a reboot. For example:
1) When I reboot the system via web interface or the Asus app, the router will restart. However 2.4GHz band will not be active.
2) After a power outage, the router seems to restart on it own. And 2.4GHz band will not be active.

I can tell that 2.4GHz band is not active; because:
1) Only devices that support 5GHz band seem to connect to the internet. My IoT devices that only connect to 2.4GHz stay disconnected.
2) 2.4GHz LED on the router is off.

My solution is to pull the power cable from the back of AX-88U and plug it back in after 10-15 seconds. When I repeat this action a couple of times, eventually 2.4GHz LED turn on and my IoT devices can connect back. This isn't a very elegant solution to the problem.

Anyone else experiencing similar problem? Got a solution?

 

[OzarkEdge]

I have an AX-88U running as the main router on an AiMesh setup with 2 satellite AX-92Us. All routers are running factory firmware, latest .388 series.

Over last several months, I've noticed that my primary router (AX-88U) does not turn on the 2.4GHz band after a reboot. For example:
1) When I reboot the system via web interface or the Asus app, the router will restart. However 2.4GHz band will not be active.
2) After a power outage, the router seems to restart on it own. And 2.4GHz band will not be active.

I can tell that 2.4GHz band is not active; because:
1) Only devices that support 5GHz band seem to connect to the internet. My IoT devices that only connect to 2.4GHz stay disconnected.
2) 2.4GHz LED on the router is off.

My solution is to pull the power cable from the back of AX-88U and plug it back in after 10-15 seconds. When I repeat this action a couple of times, eventually 2.4GHz LED turn on and my IoT devices can connect back. This isn't a very elegant solution to the problem.

Anyone else experiencing similar problem? Got a solution?

I would re-commission the router from scratch, perhaps try a different firmware version... if you can't recover a normal/working 2.4 radio, then I would assume it's failing/failed.

OE

 

[L&LD]

Are you using Ports 5-8 on that router? If so, try unplugging those LAN cables, rebooting (or better yet, performing an electrical reset after you've removed them), and see if the issue goes away.

If the issue seems resolved, buy a $30 8 port switch and do not plug anything into Ports 5-8 again.

If 'just' doing the above still doesn't resolve the issue for you, a full/nuclear reset is in order, to further test the hardware and know a little better if the hardware is failing or not.

Either way, don't use Ports 5-8 if you want a stable network going forward.

[Wireless Router] When Standard Reset Isn’t Working: Hard Factory Reset - Models list | Official Support | ASUS USA

Merlin on ASUS ax86U Question

I have an ASUS AX86U and contemplating the installation of Merlin firmware. The DDNS settings on the AX86U are limited to select dns providers. If I install Merlin, will I have more flexability (choices) with the DDNS Settings? Thanks in advance!

www.snbforums.com

Am I all set to start fresh with the latest stable release? And a request for L&LD...

After creating the checklists two weeks ago to save the pages with settings, I've made all the screenshots (I think at least) of all the relevant guides written by @L&LD and the very useful tip by @netware5. The only thing is, those guides are great, except when you'll be offline at least for a...

www.snbforums.com

L&LD

www.snbforums.com

 

[rush_ad]

I would re-commission the router from scratch, perhaps try a different firmware version... if you can't recover a normal/working 2.4 radio, then I would assume it's failing/failed.

OE

Let me try recommendation by L&LD and see if the issue goes away.

Factory reset will be my next step.
This isn't a huge issue (now what I know what's actually happening), something I can even live with as is.

 

[rush_ad]

Are you using Ports 5-8 on that router? If so, try unplugging those LAN cables, rebooting (or better yet, performing an electrical reset after you've removed them), and see if the issue goes away.

If the issue seems resolved, buy a $30 8 port switch and do not plug anything into Ports 5-8 again.

If 'just' doing the above still doesn't resolve the issue for you, a full/nuclear reset is in order, to further test the hardware and know a little better if the hardware is failing or not.

Either way, don't use Ports 5-8 if you want a stable network going forward.

[Wireless Router] When Standard Reset Isn’t Working: Hard Factory Reset - Models list | Official Support | ASUS USA

Merlin on ASUS ax86U Question

I have an ASUS AX86U and contemplating the installation of Merlin firmware. The DDNS settings on the AX86U are limited to select dns providers. If I install Merlin, will I have more flexability (choices) with the DDNS Settings? Thanks in advance!

www.snbforums.com

Am I all set to start fresh with the latest stable release? And a request for L&LD...

After creating the checklists two weeks ago to save the pages with settings, I've made all the screenshots (I think at least) of all the relevant guides written by @L&LD and the very useful tip by @netware5. The only thing is, those guides are great, except when you'll be offline at least for a...

www.snbforums.com

L&LD

www.snbforums.com

There are LAN hardwired devices plugged in. Let me try your solution and see what happens.

Anything particular about ports 5-8 that could lead to this problem?

 

[L&LD]

Ports 5-8 are known to cause issues for some people (all people, eventually?) using Asus 8 port routers. Many reports of random issues that magically disappear when those ports are not used anymore. It may be because of how Asus is using 2x 5 port switches, bridged.

 

[rush_ad]

Ports 5-8 are known to cause issues for some people (all people, eventually?) using Asus 8 port routers. Many reports of random issues that magically disappear when those ports are not used anymore. It may be because of how Asus is using 2x 5 port switches, bridged.

I've tried this but still no luck. 2.4ghz doesn't turn on.

I tried factory reset on the latest firmware and still no luck.

This is so frustrating. Anything else to try?

 

[L&LD]

You may want to perform the reset/flash (same firmware)/reset procedure as many times as you're willing. You may get lucky and get a working router again.

Nuclear Reset https://www.snbforums.com/threads/major-issues-w-rt-ac86u.56342/page-4#post-495710

Myself? I would order a new router (if you haven't already) while I was doing that though.