AX86U-Pro Aimesh with AC86U Issues

[bortek]

Hi

I have AX86U-Prod as a main/primary router. Is it running asuswrt merlin 3004.388.8_4.

Have added AC86U unit as a secondary AiMesn node but it dissapears after primary is rebooted. Not sure which firmware it is running but it one of 386.* it is.
Is there any compatibility issues with that setup? There is no 388.* for AC86U units.

There is a latest firmware 3006.102.4.0 available for my primary node. Shall I upgraded it in the hope that it would work better? There are many other enhancements in 3006 versions too which would be good to have.

 

[bbunge]

The issue with the AC86U may be hardware related. But, there is a newer Asus firmware: ASUS RT-AC86U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_51967
For me the Asus firmware for the AX86U Pro works best.

 

[Tech9]

Shall I upgraded it in the hope that it would work better?

Make sure you have enough time to do this because most people recommend factory reset after upgrading to 3006 firmware. For your node - latest stock Asuswrt and try again. This model was known for multiple hardware and software issues, if still not good - replace.

 

[bortek]

I am waiting with upgrading fw on primary node.

So far I have tested both latest merlin and stock FW on two AC86U units, connceted them as secondary but both behave in similar way.

Doing factory reset then search and add as secondary node. Node added OK. Then after 2 mins it gets disconnected and never ever comes back online regardless if I reboot/power cycle it several time. Leds are blinking like in normal operation. One observation is if I initiate reboot via GUI within these 2 mins after it has been added as a secondary, it never reboots, like it ignores reboot command via GUI.

What a crap

 

[bortek]

Tested now adding another AC86U-Pro (same FW as primary) as a secondary node and guess what? Exactly the same issue. I though Merin was rock solid and stable FW. Now going back to stock will require reset and reconfigure the whole worlds from scratch. Doh...

 

[Tech9]

There are multiple reported issues with wireless AiMesh when the main router is running Asuswrt-Merlin. Works for some, doesn’t for others. Wired AiMesh has better success. Test with stock firmware only on both main and node routers.

 

[bortek]

Yes I will be switching to stock in both primary and secondary. Will do it in 2 weeks. Let you know how it goes.

 

[Tech9]

Two RT-AX86U Pro on 3006 firmware is ideal combination. They will run exactly the same firmware, be updated at the same time and available main router 3006 features will propagate to 3006 node. Don't waste your time with older EoL routers.

 

[jpthsd]

Two RT-AX86U Pro on 3006 firmware is ideal combination. They will run exactly the same firmware, be updated at the same time and available main router 3006 features will propagate to 3006 node. Don't waste your time with older EoL routers.

Exactly,,, I was trying to use the same with my old AC86U...and everytime if 5G client connects to AC86U and the 5G interface stopped accept client connection BUT Ac86u maintained Aimesh connection with the AiMesh router in 5G , weird right.... I tried to use it but it was EoL ...I retired it and replace with another AX86U!