RT-AC87U 2.4GHz channel speed

[HP96]

Hi Guys,

last week I let my provider increase the internet speed from 40/5Mbps to 200/20Mbps in my home. At the same time I just installed the latest firmware (384.11) from Merlin on to my RT-AC87U. Even there is a question/problem which I cant solve.

1. Without the router, direct from the modem via cable the up and down speed is ok. With the router, via cable the speed is ok too.
2. The problem appears wireless. On the 5GHz channel is everything fine. But on the 2.4GHz channel I only get about half of the speed. It means I get only 90-110Mbps download speed.
3. The upload speed is wired and wireless Ok.

What could be the reason for the “limitation” on the 2.4GHz frequency?

 

[Zastoff]

Hi Guys,

last week I let my provider increase the internet speed from 40/5Mbps to 200/20Mbps in my home. At the same time I just installed the latest firmware (384.11) from Merlin on to my RT-AC87U. Even there is a question/problem which I cant solve.

1. Without the router, direct from the modem via cable the up and down speed is ok. With the router, via cable the speed is ok too.
2. The problem appears wireless. On the 5GHz channel is everything fine. But on the 2.4GHz channel I only get about half of the speed. It means I get only 90-110Mbps download speed.
3. The upload speed is wired and wireless Ok.

What could be the reason for the “limitation” on the 2.4GHz frequency?

Think you should be happy with 90-110Mbps on the 2.4Ghz frequency i get around 70Mbps (i have 200/200Mbps at my home)
2.4Ghz:
Wireless Mode: N as it`s fastest option (Turbo QAM option could maybe boost it a bit in theory but client need to support it)
Channel bandwidth 20Mhz - 20/40Mhz - 40Mhz (40Mhz fastest but also most sensitive to interference, 20Mhz recommended for Stability)
5Ghz:
Wireless Mode: AC Much faster less sensitive to interference
Channel bandwidth 20Mhz - 40Mhz - 80Mhz (80Mhz fastest)

Some more info here https://www.snbforums.com/threads/guide-troubleshooting-wifi-issues.12825/

 

[MDM]

I get 140Mbps download with a client (phone) that can connect to 300Mbps Rx/Tx, 40Mhz channel width (2x150Mbps - no TurboQAM).
And as @Zastoff said, it depends on interference from neighbors, channel used, connected device capabilities...

 

[L&LD]

Hi Guys,

last week I let my provider increase the internet speed from 40/5Mbps to 200/20Mbps in my home. At the same time I just installed the latest firmware (384.11) from Merlin on to my RT-AC87U. Even there is a question/problem which I cant solve.

1. Without the router, direct from the modem via cable the up and down speed is ok. With the router, via cable the speed is ok too.
2. The problem appears wireless. On the 5GHz channel is everything fine. But on the 2.4GHz channel I only get about half of the speed. It means I get only 90-110Mbps download speed.
3. The upload speed is wired and wireless Ok.

What could be the reason for the “limitation” on the 2.4GHz frequency?

That limitation you're seeing is the reason 5GHz was created. 2.4GHz is just too slow.

You can try the following to get better 2.4GHz throughput though.

1. If you haven't performed a full reset to factory defaults followed by a minimal and manual configuration (please see my signature for the M&M Config guide) in the last few firmware upgrades, you may want to start there to have the best chance of getting all the speed possible (many have done so and their speeds were brought back to where they expected them).
2. If your coverage area is all on a single level and even if it's not, you want to start with the antennae all pointing straight up.
3. If you are able to reposition the router (sometimes, even a few inches in any dimension makes a difference) to a more central location of the coverage area, do so now.
4. Make sure to set the following in your 2.4GHz wireless settings:
   1. Preamble Type 'Short' in Professional tab.
   2. Universal beamforming 'Disable' in Professional tab.
   3. Wireless Mode 'Auto' in the General tab.
   4. Channel bandwidth '20' in the General tab.
   5. Control Channel '1' or '6' or '11' in the General tab.
      1. Try each channel for an extended period and test not just maximum throughput, but also for the best responsiveness from your network too.
5. Note that you can use '40' for the Channel bandwidth if you are in a remote area or have very few networks close by. While this will give you more throughput, it will also effectively reduce the range of your client devices.

When doing the above tests, I recommend you find a few locations around your home where you can test from and then, be sure to put the client device (ideally, a computer that is plugged into the AC power and on High-Performance mode) in exactly the same spot and orientation each time. Keep good notes and after every change in your wireless settings, it will be well worth your while to test only after a few minutes (10 minutes) after you've applied them (do not test immediately, because the results may not be representative otherwise).

With just 3 channels (do not use the in-between channels, you'll be causing interference for at least two channels every time your 2.4GHz WiFi is in use) to test, you can just use your network normally for a few hours during the day and change it every hour or couple of hours and see which gives the best results in your environment and with your client mix.

You may not get faster speeds than what you're now seeing (which are very good, BTW, ), but you will have a more stable router setup if the changes suggested above are not in place now.

Let us know your progress.

 

[HP96]

Thank you! I’ll give it a try and report about the results!

Think you should be happy with 90-110Mbps on the 2.4Ghz frequency i get around 70Mbps (i have 200/200Mbps at my home)
2.4Ghz:
Wireless Mode: N as it`s fastest option (Turbo QAM option could maybe boost it a bit in theory but client need to support it)
Channel bandwidth 20Mhz - 20/40Mhz - 40Mhz (40Mhz fastest but also most sensitive to interference, 20Mhz recommended for Stability)
5Ghz:
Wireless Mode: AC Much faster less sensitive to interference
Channel bandwidth 20Mhz - 40Mhz - 80Mhz (80Mhz fastest)

Some more info here https://www.snbforums.com/threads/guide-troubleshooting-wifi-issues.12825/

 

[HP96]

I get 140Mbps download with a client (phone) that can connect to 300Mbps Rx/Tx, 40Mhz channel width (2x150Mbps - no TurboQAM).
And as @Zastoff said, it depends on interference from neighbors, channel used, connected device capabilities...

Thank you!

 

[HP96]

That limitation you're seeing is the reason 5GHz was created. 2.4GHz is just too slow.

You can try the following to get better 2.4GHz throughput though.

1. If you haven't performed a full reset to factory defaults followed by a minimal and manual configuration (please see my signature for the M&M Config guide) in the last few firmware upgrades, you may want to start there to have the best chance of getting all the speed possible (many have done so and their speeds were brought back to where they expected them).
2. If your coverage area is all on a single level and even if it's not, you want to start with the antennae all pointing straight up.
3. If you are able to reposition the router (sometimes, even a few inches in any dimension makes a difference) to a more central location of the coverage area, do so now.
4. Make sure to set the following in your 2.4GHz wireless settings:
   1. Preamble Type 'Short' in Professional tab.
   2. Universal beamforming 'Disable' in Professional tab.
   3. Wireless Mode 'Auto' in the General tab.
   4. Channel bandwidth '20' in the General tab.
   5. Control Channel '1' or '6' or '11' in the General tab.
      1. Try each channel for an extended period and test not just maximum throughput, but also for the best responsiveness from your network too.
5. Note that you can use '40' for the Channel bandwidth if you are in a remote area or have very few networks close by. While this will give you more throughput, it will also effectively reduce the range of your client devices.

When doing the above tests, I recommend you find a few locations around your home where you can test from and then, be sure to put the client device (ideally, a computer that is plugged into the AC power and on High-Performance mode) in exactly the same spot and orientation each time. Keep good notes and after every change in your wireless settings, it will be well worth your while to test only after a few minutes (10 minutes) after you've applied them (do not test immediately, because the results may not be representative otherwise).

With just 3 channels (do not use the in-between channels, you'll be causing interference for at least two channels every time your 2.4GHz WiFi is in use) to test, you can just use your network normally for a few hours during the day and change it every hour or couple of hours and see which gives the best results in your environment and with your client mix.

You may not get faster speeds than what you're now seeing (which are very good, BTW, ), but you will have a more stable router setup if the changes suggested above are not in place now.

Let us know your progress.

Wow! Thank you! I’ll try and write about the results!

 

[HP96]

That limitation you're seeing is the reason 5GHz was created. 2.4GHz is just too slow.

You can try the following to get better 2.4GHz throughput though.

1. If you haven't performed a full reset to factory defaults followed by a minimal and manual configuration (please see my signature for the M&M Config guide) in the last few firmware upgrades, you may want to start there to have the best chance of getting all the speed possible (many have done so and their speeds were brought back to where they expected them).
2. If your coverage area is all on a single level and even if it's not, you want to start with the antennae all pointing straight up.
3. If you are able to reposition the router (sometimes, even a few inches in any dimension makes a difference) to a more central location of the coverage area, do so now.
4. Make sure to set the following in your 2.4GHz wireless settings:
   1. Preamble Type 'Short' in Professional tab.
   2. Universal beamforming 'Disable' in Professional tab.
   3. Wireless Mode 'Auto' in the General tab.
   4. Channel bandwidth '20' in the General tab.
   5. Control Channel '1' or '6' or '11' in the General tab.
      1. Try each channel for an extended period and test not just maximum throughput, but also for the best responsiveness from your network too.
5. Note that you can use '40' for the Channel bandwidth if you are in a remote area or have very few networks close by. While this will give you more throughput, it will also effectively reduce the range of your client devices.

When doing the above tests, I recommend you find a few locations around your home where you can test from and then, be sure to put the client device (ideally, a computer that is plugged into the AC power and on High-Performance mode) in exactly the same spot and orientation each time. Keep good notes and after every change in your wireless settings, it will be well worth your while to test only after a few minutes (10 minutes) after you've applied them (do not test immediately, because the results may not be representative otherwise).

With just 3 channels (do not use the in-between channels, you'll be causing interference for at least two channels every time your 2.4GHz WiFi is in use) to test, you can just use your network normally for a few hours during the day and change it every hour or couple of hours and see which gives the best results in your environment and with your client mix.

You may not get faster speeds than what you're now seeing (which are very good, BTW, ), but you will have a more stable router setup if the changes suggested above are not in place now.

Let us know your progress.

Hi!

I tried all the settings you said, but the performance is not better. I got although more stability! Thank you one more time!