need help with inconsistent rt-ac68r speeds

[Wonderfrog]

Hi folks,

I bit the bullet and upgraded the home network. I installed a USB3 card in the main pc and added a linksys wumc6300 ac usb adapter, put a linksys wumc710 media bride in the media room (got it for only $49 on sale) and replaced an aging linksys e3000 router with the asus rt-ac68r.

After connecting, I updated the router firmware to 586, did a factory reset, renamed all the SSIDs and followed L&LDs suggestions for the wireless settings.

Everything ran great and I had consistent 42Mbs/4Mbs up down with ookla tests. (ISP rated speed is 40/3...will be upgraded on Friday to 110/10). Speeds on the old linksys were 17-22/2.5 so I was really happy!

Then I slept.

Next morning. Internet chugging...barely responsive. Checked speed 1Mbs down. Very upset. Try tweaking things. Set linksys to ac only for connection and isolate bandwith at 80 Mhz. Speed returns. works for hours at 42/4. Play with it all night...no problems. Go to work. Return home...slow again.

This morning...wonderful speed 42/4. 30 minutes later 1.1/1.

What is going on? Why does the speed plummet when it sees inactivity...then returns..but fluctuates upon return. Is this a router problem or do you think it is the linksys adapter?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[ikoul]

A lot of people were reporting issues with their wireless degrading over time with earlier firmwares. I've had that too, but never that bad (28MB/s to 15 or 20 after several days). Since I've been running Merlin's 38_2 firmware it hasn't really been an issue. Haven't tried the last few Asus betas though, so I can't comment on their wireless driver stability.

 

[Wonderfrog]

thanks

Thanks...I debate it might be the linksys adapter. I ejected it and connected it to a different USB3 port. Speed is back. I will see if it stays after work.

Also correction. I am using firmware 583 not 586 sorry about that.

 

[drabisan]

Wonderfrog, do you have the option to check what happens in 2.4G when you have slow speed in 5G?
I had a fairly similar issue; my issue was in 5G while 2.4 was working properly.

 

[Wonderfrog]

2.4 unaffected

I have a few tablets connected to the 2.4 band. They do not receive the same speed as the 5 band, but they are also N. 2.4 seems to have a consistent 24up/3 down speed.

Since I moved the usb network adapter this morning, the speed seems to have relatively stabilized with good speed. Now it is a waiting game to see if it chokes again.

I'll keep you posted.

 

[icece]

Follow the recommendation of ikoul - update to 38_2

 

[KGB7]

From what i have gathered from the world wide web, the AC routers from Asus have a tendency of wifi degradation over time. Usually after a month or more.

It doesnt happen for everyone one, but it does happen for many. So at this time i can only come to a safe conclusion, that Asus has produced a huge batch of bad routers.


Ive been running DD-WRT firmware on both of my AC68 routers for the past few days, and i still have to manually power cycle both routers every 12 hours. Degradation mainly happens on 2.4ghz band with in 6 hours.



At this time, i have yet to find a solution. I have bought both routers one week apart from two different stores.

 

[Wonderfrog]

problem found

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I finally discovered the ultimate culprit in my bandwidth dilemma...a bad USB 3.0 card. Yesterday, not only did my speed drop to a crawl, it finally just tanked and the pc reported no internet connection at all. I looked at the USB network adapter and it was a no go...no lights...no life. So I told the pc to disconnect from the network and was going to reconnect, but it reported there was no adapter even in the pc.

I pulled the adapter and just placed it into an open USB 2 slot from the original computer configuration. Voila. 42/4 up down speed. All speeds have held rock solid for 24 hours with no drops or hiccups or burps.

Today we upped our bandwidth from the ISP to 110/11 and we are consistently seeing that on all speed tests.

My apologies to my ASUS and Linksys devices...they are performing remarkably...it was the USB 3.0 card.

Lastly, I did not yet convert to rMerlin 38_2 since it was based on the Asusware 374_339 firmware and I currently have the 583 firmware. Is there still a compelling reason to switch to rMerlin, or just wait until he makes a new firmware based on 583? Does anyone know if Merlin is contemplating a new revision based on 583?

Thanks again for all the device.

p.s. I am seeing a few posts about choosing the r7000 vs the rt-ac68r. I too agonized with this, but feel very confident with the ac68 now that my issues have been resolved and they were not router based. The ac68 has phenomenal range and speed. No dead spots anywhere. And no reboots in two weeks other than those I did manually with the new firmware and after the modem was upgraded. Just my 2 cents.

 

[RMerlin]

Lastly, I did not yet convert to rMerlin 38_2 since it was based on the Asusware 374_339 firmware and I currently have the 583 firmware. Is there still a compelling reason to switch to rMerlin, or just wait until he makes a new firmware based on 583? Does anyone know if Merlin is contemplating a new revision based on 583?

374.39 was released tonight.

 

[Wonderfrog]

thanks

Merlin,

Thanks for the personal reply. Just downloaded version 39_0