WiFi dropping on RAX30 used as an AP

Hi all, so I recently purchased a Nighthawk AX2400 RAX30 router to replace my Vodafone Pro 2 'super hub' - because some of my IOT devices that operate on 2.4Ghz weren't able to connect, even when that...

Kitsap
Apr 16, 2023
Cheiro1 wrote:
Hi all, so I recently purchased a Nighthawk AX2400 RAX30 router to replace my Vodafone Pro 2 'super hub' - because some of my IOT devices that operate on 2.4Ghz weren't able to connect, even when that router was set to 'compatibility mode' (separating out the 2.4/5/6 bands). I also wanted to be able to create some VLANs to segregate the network, for additional security.

Originally I planned to use the RAX30 as the main router on my FTTP connection, so I could ditch the Vodafone one altogether. However, I just couldn't get the RAX30 to register the internet connection - even when plugged directly into the openreach terminal, and having entered the PPPoE login details, provided to me by Vodafone. (For some reason, on the router management page the PPPoE email address kept getting cut short, every time I clicked 'apply' settings).

So after a lot of frustration, I decided to just set the RAX30 to AP mode, keeping the original Vodafone router in place - with WiFi disabled. I did the following:

- Disabled DHCP on the RAX30
- Assigned a static IP to the RAX30 of 192.168.1.2
- Excluded x.x.1.2 to x.x.1.10 from the DHCP scope on Vodafone router
- connected with a Cat6 cable
- set the same SSID and password to RAX30, so devices would automatically connect

At first everything worked well, and I was getting 500+ Mbps on 5Ghz and around 150Mbps on 2.4Ghz (I believe due to '20/40 Mhz Coexistence' being enabled, which I left in place). All my IoT and other devices connected effortlessly, and all seemed good in the world...

However - within a day or so, the WiFi signal had slowed right down on the RAX30 (not the Vodafone router). It took a couple of restarts to see the original speeds return. The devices I had connected via Ethernet seemed absolutely fine.

Now just another day later, it's difficult to even connect to the 2.4Ghz band, and when I can, speed tests show between 9 - 40mbps on 2.4Ghz. Again, in the 5Ghz band the connection keeps dropping completely, although when I can connect, it's showing full speeds.

I've tried some more restarts of the router, disabling 20/40 Mhz Coexistence, unticking the 'Enable AX - this mode allows features such as OFDMA'... All to no avail.

Any help appreciated, before I throw the damn thing in the trash!!
Based on the steps you listed above (highlighted in bold), you have not successfully configured your RAX30 as an access point.
Go to the the downloads section above, feed in your model number (RAX30) and download the user manual. In the RAX30 user manual, start on page 70 for step by step instructions for configuring your device as a Wi-Fi access point.

The results you are experiencing are as expected with two routers cascaded in a double NAT configuration.

michaelkenward
Guru - Experienced User
Apr 17, 2023
Cheiro1 wrote:
Very limited download of 30Mbps
Upload speed of average 20Mbps
Fluctuating heavily

The downloads are, indeed, slow. Uploads may depend on your internet service. That is higher than some ISPs supply.

Is this all wifi clients? Any local interference?

Tried different channels? Disable AX?

Visit the support pages:

Support | NETGEAR

Feed in your model number and check the documentation for your hardware.

Specify Basic WiFi Settings.

You may have done that already. I can't tell from your message.

I mention it because Netgear gave up on supplying paper manuals and CD versions some years ago and people sometimes miss the downloads.

I guess the Vodafone box is one of those things they typically supply in the UK, no modem only (bridged) mode. How does the service get to you?

FTTP is one of those labels that gets slapped on different things.

Is there an "ONT" in there somewhere?
- Cheiro1
  Aspirant
  Apr 17, 2023
  Yes you're correct - there's an ONT which I tried plugging directly into when attempting router mode on the RAX30.
  
  The Vodafone router does not allow for modem / bridged mode, sadly.
  
  For some unknown reason, the RAX30 user interface wouldn't accept the Vodafone PPPoE login details - kept cutting the email address short and denying internet access.
  
  Re the suggestions for AP mode - indeed, I've tried disabling AX mode, changing channels etc., and configuring the WiFi settings as per the manual. RAX30 is showing that it's got the full 500Mbps download speed and 70Mbps upload, and I'm hitting these numbers on the 5Ghz band. I don't believe it's interference as initially I was getting 150Mbps on the 2.4Ghz band, and on the Vodafone router close to 300Mbps.
  
  Ideally I'd like to use the RAX30 as main router, but can't seem to fix the PPPoE login issue!
  - michaelkenward
    Guru - Experienced User
    Apr 17, 2023
    Cheiro1 wrote:
    
    Ideally I'd like to use the RAX30 as main router, but can't seem to fix the PPPoE login issue!
    
    I'd pursue that one. It would make your life a lot simpler.
    
    It shouldn't be impossible.
    
    Search - NETGEAR Communities – vodafone
    
    Search - NETGEAR Communities – vodafone Pppoe
    
    Have you tried the Internet setup wizard on the RAX30. It can't handle every ISP, but it is getting better.
    
    I assume that you have asked Vodafone. Sadly, most ISPs are rubbish at tech support.

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WiFi dropping on RAX30 used as an AP