RT-AC68U 2.4GHz Channel 1 and 2 Broken?

[coolbho3k]

I just got my AC68U in the mail today. Tried the latest ASUS firmware that was released a few days ago (thread somewhere in this forum) as well as Merlin's latest firmware. It seems as though the 2.4GHz radio on my unit doesn't like channels 1 and 2. As soon as I switch to either channel, my 2.4GHz network breaks and the router just doesn't seem to broadcast it anymore, or if it does, I can't connect. Channels 3-11 with the same settings all seem to work.

I'm using channel 11 right now but I don't want to be stuck with a broken channel 1 if I ever need it. It feels strange since "Auto" defaults to channel 6 and I would not have noticed this had I not tried to switch to channel 1!

It definitely isn't interference because I can be 1 ft away from the router and still not be able to connect! I've been troubleshooting this all night: resetting the NVRAM, flashing a different firmware, changing around the channel bandwidth setting, etc.

Anyone else have these issues? Is my unit a dud? Should I get an exchange from Amazon?

EDIT: Also tried dd-wrt... same issue. Nothing on channels 1 and 2.

 

[coolbho3k]

I put in a replacement request on Amazon. Hopefully the new router won't have any of these "hidden issues." I'll double check the 2.4 GHz radio on my new unit when I get it to see if I'm not going crazy.

 

[jlake]

Try using the troubleshooting steps in link below.

Can you post a screenshot of inSSIDer?

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

 

[coolbho3k]

Try using the troubleshooting steps in link below.

Can you post a screenshot of inSSIDer?

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

I did those troubleshooting steps and could not get channels 1 or 2 to work!

I got my new router in today. Strangely Amazon replaced my 68U with a 68R unit with which seems like an older manufacturing date (2013 on the box instead of 2014)... and IT EXHIBITS THE SAME ISSUE! I'll try inSSIDer today.

EDIT: Nevermind, I'm stupid, the new router is fine. I just thought it was broken because I tried to connect with my Nexus 5 which has trouble with the 2.4GHz band itself... My MacBook Pro worked fine with the 68R set to channel 1. The old 68U also had issues with detecting a strong 2.4GHz network in the neighborhood on channel 1 in the site survey tool... I'm going to say it was a dud.