N66U Wifi connection dropping - known issue?

[apocalypto]

Hey, I researched for a long time before buying the N66U and had huge hopes/expectations from it. So far, it seems to be performing well and I *think* I've noticed better hd movie streaming over wifi versus our previous Medialink N router.

However, our iPad 3 on 5ghz band dropped it's connection twice in succession yesterday for a couple of minutes at a time (that's the first time we've noticed a wifi drop). Our previous router never dropped it's connection to my knowledge.

Is there an issue with the N66U dropping wifi connection?

We are running Asus firmware version 3.0.0.4.276

I thought about upgrading firmware but wanted to check here first as I realize there are plenty of options for firmware with this device.

I would love to confirm if I have a defect in the router before my Amazon return window closes or if there's a common fix out there.

Really appreciate any help! Thanks!

 

[PrivateJoker]

5ghz is really susceptible to signal attenuation with distance, and movement. I use it in 2 places in my home to devices that do not move, and it performs reliably. For everything else I use 2.4ghz which gives me a stronger signal, for any distance outside of within 15-20' of my router vs. 5ghz.

My MacBook Pro is about 10' directly over my RT-N66U and moving it from the left of my desk, to the right, which is roughly 28", can have the connection speed fluctuate from 160ish to 280ish, for no good reason. This is on 5ghz obviously. That's really the only portable unit I have that I keep on 5ghz, because it still doesn't get moved outside of that zone much. If I go one room over, maybe 6-10 ft more if you could draw a straight line, boom, the signal is pretty much useless and I switch to 2.4ghz.

 

[jlake]

Hey, I researched for a long time before buying the N66U and had huge hopes/expectations from it. So far, it seems to be performing well and I *think* I've noticed better hd movie streaming over wifi versus our previous Medialink N router.

However, our iPad 3 on 5ghz band dropped it's connection twice in succession yesterday for a couple of minutes at a time (that's the first time we've noticed a wifi drop). Our previous router never dropped it's connection to my knowledge.

Is there an issue with the N66U dropping wifi connection?

We are running Asus firmware version 3.0.0.4.276

I thought about upgrading firmware but wanted to check here first as I realize there are plenty of options for firmware with this device.

I would love to confirm if I have a defect in the router before my Amazon return window closes or if there's a common fix out there.

Really appreciate any help! Thanks!

Try following the troubleshooting steps in this thread:

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=12453

Also, make sure iPad has latest software. You can reset network settings on iPad
Setting>General>Reset>Reset Network Settings

 

[apocalypto]

5ghz is really susceptible to signal attenuation with distance, and movement. I use it in 2 places in my home to devices that do not move, and it performs reliably. For everything else I use 2.4ghz which gives me a stronger signal, for any distance outside of within 15-20' of my router vs. 5ghz.

My MacBook Pro is about 10' directly over my RT-N66U and moving it from the left of my desk, to the right, which is roughly 28", can have the connection speed fluctuate from 160ish to 280ish, for no good reason. This is on 5ghz obviously. That's really the only portable unit I have that I keep on 5ghz, because it still doesn't get moved outside of that zone much. If I go one room over, maybe 6-10 ft more if you could draw a straight line, boom, the signal is pretty much useless and I switch to 2.4ghz.

I haven't actually noticed any issues with my macbook pro on 5ghz so far. Streamed 1080p movies via Plex without hiccups (2 rooms away) and speed tests have fallen within range of my connection speed. But, it's early, only had the router a week I do hope it will continue to operate that well though.

Try following the troubleshooting steps in this thread:

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=12453

Also, make sure iPad has latest software. You can reset network settings on iPad
Setting>General>Reset>Reset Network Settings

Thanks for the tips, would you recommend I upgrade to the latest Asus firmware or use the Merlin firmware? Interestingly the latest revision of Asus firmware lists 'Upgraded to SDK6 driver to fix 5GHz connection issue' - I wonder if that is related?

 

[PrivateJoker]

I haven't actually noticed any issues with my macbook pro on 5ghz so far. Streamed 1080p movies via Plex without hiccups (2 rooms away) and speed tests have fallen within range of my connection speed. But, it's early, only had the router a week I do hope it will continue to operate that well though.



Thanks for the tips, would you recommend I upgrade to the latest Asus firmware or use the Merlin firmware? Interestingly the latest revision of Asus firmware lists 'Upgraded to SDK6 driver to fix 5GHz connection issue' - I wonder if that is related?

Hold down option and click on menu bar airport icon to get real time readings of your txfr speed established between router & MacBook Pro, and also the signal strength in RSSI (lower #s are better). Those should be better diagnostic info on intra-house wifi than Internet speed tests. Also this is a cool utility, but can be slightly misleading if you ignore the RRSI.

A 1080p movie over Plex should only be 15-40 Mb/s bandwidth demand when streamed from within your LAN. Everyone's RF environment is different, I can get that speed within several hundred feet in any direction of my AP on 2.4ghz, but no so much on 5ghz. If your MacBook has a retina display I believe I've read that Retina's have 3 stream wifi but I only have 2 stream on my non-Retina 2011model (the connection speed report from your airport icon can help reveal this to be true or not).

On your 2nd point - I believe that's only the AC models, but I would probably say that you would want to evaluate the latest factory f/w to get your baseline decisions before you introduce something that might introduce other stuff. That said, Merlin's final versions (non Beta, non experimental) are incredibly solid & reliable IMHO.

 

[apocalypto]

Hold down option and click on menu bar airport icon to get real time readings of your txfr speed established between router & MacBook Pro, and also the signal strength in RSSI (lower #s are better). Those should be better diagnostic info on intra-house wifi than Internet speed tests.

Mine is early 2011 non retina.

~10 ft from router:

Channel: 149 5ghz
RSSI: -46
Transmit Rate: 450


1 room away:

Channel: 149 5ghz
RSSI: -56
Transmit Rate: 450


Oh, also see my other post I just made with some network speed tests I just did, I'd love your opinion on the results. Thanks again!

 

[PrivateJoker]

Mine is early 2011 non retina.

~10 ft from router:

Channel: 149 5ghz
RSSI: -46
Transmit Rate: 450


1 room away:

Channel: 149 5ghz
RSSI: -56
Transmit Rate: 450

Cool, those are good signal strengths, your house is slightly more friendly to high frequency RF than mine is, and you also have 3 stream wifi, and dang, a non-retina? Mine must be a year older than I thought, I'll have to check!

 

[RogerSC]

I've had problems with my iPad 3 from time to time, seem to be related to iOS 6.1.3. My iPad is just fine at the moment. Funny thing is that the problems that I've had have been "fixed" by re-doing the upgrade flash to the same firmware version on the rt-n66u. Can't explain it, but that has worked for me at least a couple of times now. No need to restore or change settings, just re-do the upgrade flash itself. Very odd. No other clients are affected, either before or after the upgrade, everything else has been great, just the iPad problems.

On the other hand, I haven't had connection drops with the iPad, just slower speed (less than 1/2 my ISP download speed), so it isn't clear that we're experiencing the same problems. They both fall under the category of "wireless problems", but not identical, for sure.

Hoping for better from iOS 7 coming tomorrow *smile*.

 

[apocalypto]

A 1080p movie over Plex should only be 15-40 Mb/s bandwidth demand when streamed from within your LAN.

Are you referring to Mega Bits per second?

If so, I got 111 Mega Bits per second over 5ghz on my Macbook pro in a recent test, so that's more than enough for streaming 1080p right?

My results: http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=12866

 

[apocalypto]

I've had problems with my iPad 3 from time to time, seem to be related to iOS 6.1.3. My iPad is just fine at the moment. Funny thing is that the problems that I've had have been "fixed" by re-doing the upgrade flash to the same firmware version on the rt-n66u. Can't explain it, but that has worked for me at least a couple of times now. No need to restore settings, just re-do the upgrade flash itself. Very odd. No other clients are affected, either before or after the upgrade, everything else has been great, just the iPad problems.

On the other hand, I haven't had connection drops with the iPad, just slower speed (less than 1/2 my ISP download speed), so it isn't clear that we're experiencing the same problems. They both fall under the category of "wireless problems", but not identical, for sure.

Hoping for better from iOS 7 coming tomorrow *smile*.

yeah we have just noticed total connection drops (that's not to say there havent been speed problems also, we just havent noticed that)

oh man, iOS7... could fix things, or just introduce more problems!!

 

[PrivateJoker]

Are you referring to Mega Bits per second?

If so, I got 111 Mega Bits per second over 5ghz on my Macbook pro in a recent test, so that's more than enough for streaming 1080p right?

My results: http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=12866

Yes that should be fine. . .

I'm sure a lot of people will correct me quickly if I'm wrong ( ) but yes Mb=Megabits, MB=Megabytes.
1 MB = 8 Mb. 1 MB/s = 8Mb/s.

Usually internet bandwidth and wifi transfer speeds are communicated in Mb/s, which is megabits (one word) per second.

 

[RogerSC]

yeah we have just noticed total connection drops (that's not to say there havent been speed problems also, we just havent noticed that)

oh man, iOS7... could fix things, or just introduce more problems!!

Hoping that a major release like iOS 7 will have gotten more testing than a minor release like iOS 6.1.3...but you never know. It's already tomorrow here, so we'll be seeing soon *smile*.

 

[RMerlin]

Hoping that a major release like iOS 7 will have gotten more testing than a minor release like iOS 6.1.3...but you never know. It's already tomorrow here, so we'll be seeing soon *smile*.

You mean like iOS 6.0 was "thoroughly" tested, down to the mapping application and wireless stability?

 

[apocalypto]

I am considering upgrading the firmware tonight but I'm unsure which version to use.

Asus 3.0.0.4.374.720 or Asuswrt-Merlin 3.0.0.4.374.33 Beta 1 ?

Do people here generally favor the Merlin versions?

I am coming from Asus 3.0.0.4.276

Also, from what I've read I can downgrade back to my current firmware if needed, is that correct?

 

[RMerlin]

I am considering upgrading the firmware tonight but I'm unsure which version to use.

Asus 3.0.0.4.374.720 or Asuswrt-Merlin 3.0.0.4.374.33 Beta 1 ?

Do people here generally favor the Merlin versions?

I am coming from Asus 3.0.0.4.276

Also, from what I've read I can downgrade back to my current firmware if needed, is that correct?

You can always downgrade the FW if needed.

My build is still based on the same driver as used in 276, so expect the same wifi performance. However in the near future I will be switching to the same driver as used in 374.720, so you could give these two firmwares a try to confirm whether you have good wifi stability from both of them.

 

[RogerSC]

You mean like iOS 6.0 was "thoroughly" tested, down to the mapping application and wireless stability?

Notice that I said "we'll see" *smile*...there are two things here, one is that there's a lot more change in a major release, so more testing to do. But it's more clear that the testing needs to be done with a major release. Hopefully they've put in the time to do that. Betas have been out there for some time, and I've been getting large numbers of app updates to play with the new release.

I do have iOS 7 on my iPad now, and it looks pretty good so far...wireless is fine thus far (for 2 hours *smile*).

Interesting GUI redesign, not quite used to it yet. The world looks flatter and a bit more cartoonish now.