ASUS RT-AC66U Tweaking and Optimization

Hi guys,
as a new owner of the AC66u I have searched a lot for some tips about optimizing it for best performance and ended up finding almost nothing.
So I`m starting this thread (sorry if it has been already posted, but really could not find it) in search of some advice.

Once I got the router, I immediately updated it to the latest official firmware (3.0.0.4.372_1300). Just done the usual quick setup and haven`t made any changes to any options, except creating 2 different SSIDs for both 2,4Ghz and 5Ghz mode and securing them with the WPA2 passwords.

I`m using only wireless connection on 2 separate floors - PC with a usb wifi adaptor (connected to 2,4Ghz, because the wifi adapter is a low cost TP Link one and the PC is not used a lot), Dell notebook with Intel 5300 wireless card (connected to 5Ghz SSID - cant see any difference in range or performance between 5Ghz and 2,4Ghz), HTC One (capable of connecting to ac, but I`m getting a very low signal with the 5Ghz mode, and 2,4Ghz is working normally), Nexus 7 (cant see the 5Ghz SSID), and another old notebook (connected to 2,4Ghz... can`t see the 5Ghz either).

The range I`m getting is not perfect at all, but it`s capable of showing the full potential of my network almost on any dB (30Mbps download and 15Mbps upload). Router is placed next to the front door. Distance to Dell notebook is around 10 meters (placed in living room and getting around 55-60dB signal for both 2,4Ghz and 5Ghz). Using the HTC mainly from my bedroom (10 meters from router with signal around 70dB on 2,4Ghz and 80dB on 5Ghz). PC is getting around 75dB signal from 20 meters on 2nd floor.

I`m writing all those data, because I don`t really know how exactly should the router behave... are these normal stats and is there a way to boost the performance, stability of the connection and range. Forgot to mention ... I keep an eye on the Wireless Speed from the status of the network I`m connected with my Dell notebook. The 5Ghz shows 450Mbps right after a router restart and then fluctuates between 120-240Mbps (but not more at any time).

Any advices or links to information about tweaking and optimizing will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance !

 

Checked your channel numbers for both wireless bands? I tend to keep my 2.4ghz and 5ghz the same name and let the network card decide which mode it needs to be in.

I would recommend if you can moving the router to a more central position, using a powerline or ethernet cable. Wireless is always going to be interfered with so there is no guarantee you have full performance even if you are right next to the router.

Your nexus might not see the 5ghz band since it will use the 40mhz band size which i know the nexus 4 isnt compatible with. No big difference anyways tbh unless your constantly at the maximum of your bandwidth transferring files.

 

Thanks for replying. Any advice on the channel numbers, or I should experiment? As I said, all is set to auto, incl channels, but there is no other 5Ghz network around, so I assume every channel works almost same (except the 2,4Ghz ones, but I mainly use 5Ghz on my notebook). My biggest concern is the Signal strength atm. Those dB look awfully low based on the distance between the router and any of my devices. I will try changing the position of the router with a powerline device... hope it changes something.

 

Usually leaving it on Auto for channel numbers should be fine. Download inSSIDer and you can get an idea of how crowded your wifi channels are. 5ghz channels are not ideal if there are a few walls/floors between you and the router, they don't have the penetrating power, and those low decibel values confirm that.

If your signal strength allows you to reach full speed on your internet I wouldn't be too worried tbh. So check if you can max out your internet first, if you can't then maybe consider a powerline from your modem to router. They are pretty cheap, just any 500/200mbps one would be fine.

 

Thanks !!!