RT-AC86U an unreliable network

[McFNP]

Hi guys, I need some advice

I'm having random connection issues with network. Here's my gear and the issues underneath

AC86U both 2.4G and 5G on the same SSiD, Samba, FTP and Aidisk on.
Western Digital HD installed on USB 3.0
TP LINK AC1750 Extender on same SSiD
a bunch of Chromecasts, Nvidia shield, smart tvs, phones and laptops.

- extender cant maintain the network, devices keep disconnecting. Previously had asus extender which would overheat and jam.
- After streaming for a while, Wifi connection freezes and new devices cant sign in anymore. needs reboot
- samba network and upnp service is moslty unavailable for no reason. needs reboot, and sometimes the hdd remains unmounted after reboot.
- Chromecast, and smart tvs constantly come and go randomly from phone menus, streaming mostly impossible or unstable

For the extender, I have read the thread and applied the recommandations: port forwarding, 20 for 2.4G, 40 for 5G, etc...
Anyways, it's really a pain and I used to have an apple router that never game me any issues but I thought Asus was more powerful so I migrated, not without some disappointment.

Thanks in advice for helping me diagnose the problems.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Hi guys, I need some advice

I'm having random connection issues with network. Here's my gear and the issues underneath

AC86U both 2.4G and 5G on the same SSiD, Samba, FTP and Aidisk on.
Western Digital HD installed on USB 3.0
TP LINK AC1750 Extender on same SSiD
a bunch of Chromecasts, Nvidia shield, smart tvs, phones and laptops.

- extender cant maintain the network, devices keep disconnecting. Previously had asus extender which would overheat and jam.
- After streaming for a while, Wifi connection freezes and new devices cant sign in anymore. needs reboot
- samba network and upnp service is moslty unavailable for no reason. needs reboot, and sometimes the hdd remains unmounted after reboot.
- Chromecast, and smart tvs constantly come and go randomly from phone menus, streaming mostly impossible or unstable

For the extender, I have read the thread and applied the recommandations: port forwarding, 20 for 2.4G, 40 for 5G, etc...
Anyways, it's really a pain and I used to have an apple router that never game me any issues but I thought Asus was more powerful so I migrated, not without some disappointment.

Thanks in advice for helping me diagnose the problems.

USB 3.0 interference can cause 2.4 connection issues.

Have you reset and configured the AC86U from scratch lately for a clean install of the firmware?

How old is the AC86U? My two 2018 China units died at 24 and 30 months, beginning with odd symptoms.

I prefer no Smart Connect with different SSIDs and fixed channels for more predictable/stable WiFi.

OE

 

[bbunge]

To counter OE I do use Dual Band SmartConnect with the 2.4 GHZ set to CH 1, 6, or 11 @ 20 MHZ, the 5 GHZ set to fixed non-DFS channel (I use 36), USB 3 port set to USB2 and I do not use a USB drive, turn off SMB and media sharing, turn off WPS, AiProtect and QOS enabled. Dump the range extender. You can get an AC66U_B1 or AC68U and make it a mesh node. If you must use the range extender use the 2.4 band to connect to the AC86U and broadcast out on the 5 GHZ band.