Optimizing wifi

[ludespeedny]

Since I recently reset the router, I have noticed some odd issues. Almost all of my clients connecting via wifi are on the 2.5ghz band and not 5ghz. Can you help me get stuff set up correct?

 

[bbunge]

Since I recently reset the router, I have noticed some odd issues. Almost all of my clients connecting via wifi are on the 2.5ghz band and not 5ghz. Can you help me get stuff set up correct?
View attachment 43785

Router model?

 

[ludespeedny]

AC68U

 

[joegreat]

Since I recently reset the router, I have noticed some odd issues. Almost all of my clients connecting via wifi are on the 2.5ghz band and not 5ghz. Can you help me get stuff set up correct?

The simplest way to force clients on to 5GHz is to use different SSIDs (network names) - in my case I have only 2 (really only two) devices which are not capable to use 5 GHz - they stay on 2.4 GHz with a different SSID.

By the way: Do not mess around with Wireless Settings (especially with the Professional ones) - only if you really know what it means and you need it, you should move away from the default ones.

 

[bartj12]

Which region are you located?
I'm in the Netherlands and many devices don't like the higher 5ghz channel, you could give channel 32 a shot which works best for me.

 

[BreakingDad]

Your current channel (on auto) on 5ghz is set to 157 for some reason. This is a short range device channel in the EU. Try manually setting to 48.

 

[heysoundude]

The simplest way to force clients on to 5GHz is to use different SSIDs (network names)

= Smart Connect OFF

 

[ludespeedny]

I am in the US. I'll try setting to 48. Where is the Smart Connect option?

 

[BreakingDad]

I am in the US. I'll try setting to 48. Where is the Smart Connect option?

Wireless/general at top, contentious argument over turning this off. For me I have no issues with it on, try it off by all means.

 

[Akore]

Per RMerlin: "Smart Connect does not exist on the RT-AC68U."

Like mention above, I just use two different SSID, one for 2.4GHz and another for the 5.0GHz

 

[ludespeedny]

Ok, well glad I wasn't missing it as it should have been obvious. Seems like those changes helped things. Thanks!

 

[drinkingbird]

Per RMerlin: "Smart Connect does not exist on the RT-AC68U."

Like mention above, I just use two different SSID, one for 2.4GHz and another for the 5.0GHz

Most devices these days will prefer the 5Ghz band (if the SSID is identical) even if the router doesn't steer them. I run both on the same SSID and every dual band device I have connects to 5Ghz until it goes out of range then fails to 2.4. But yes the dual SSID gives you more control, the main drawback is some devices don't let you set one as higher priority than the other so you can't put both of them in and expect it to prefer one over the other, but still be able to fail to 2.4.

 

[drinkingbird]

Since I recently reset the router, I have noticed some odd issues. Almost all of my clients connecting via wifi are on the 2.5ghz band and not 5ghz. Can you help me get stuff set up correct?
View attachment 43785

Change your 2.4 channel bandwidth to 20 (you can do 20/40 but attempting to use 40mhz channels on 2.4 is often going to cause issues, for you and anyone around you). Definitely don't force 40 like you have. 5ghz should be set to 20/40/80. Trying to force 80 may be causing the issues you're seeing.

In the US you should be able to leave the channel at auto on 5ghz. On 2.4, it will select channels other than 1/6/11 so I like to hardcode that one, look for one of those 3 that is least utilized using a wifi scanner or the site survey function in the router.

Personally I would disable the Band 1 channels option on 5ghz, avoiding the DFS band is good unless there is a ton of congestion on the others. Since your router has picked a channel outside of that range, appears there is not congestion so best to not let it even consider those. I thought that option was eliminated from the more recent firmwares, mine no longer has it showing.

 

[Morris]

There is nothing wrong. The 2.4-Ghz band came up first so your devices connected to it. They will stay there unless they have a reason to move. Many devices care more about signal strength than speed when deciding when to roam. Turn off the 2.4-Ghz radio and all that can will move to 5-Ghz. Then turn the 2.4-Ghz band back on

 

[ludespeedny]

Thanks for all the suggestions I'll try them. I put some devices on a MAC filter set to deny, but I think splitting networks is good.