EX8000 - stability issues

Question

Hi all,&nbsp;&nbsp;I've got the EX8000 running firmware 1.0.1.232 connected to an Asus GTAX-11000 on ASUS WRT Merlin 386.2_6. I've got both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz range extension networks turned on.&nbsp;&nbsp;The EX8000 runs fine after reboot, but eventually it starts to have stability issues. These issues manifest mostly on the 5GHz extended network and take the form of:&nbsp;Failure of connected devices to get an IP addressData transfer instability (sometimes ok, other times very slow)Admin/status page of EX8000 does not fully load (no connection speed data, can't see firmware version, no items from network settings e.g. channel, security type etc).&nbsp;When the EX8000 is in this state, the 2.4GHz connection seems to work ok, but the issues with the Admin/status page are the same. The only resolution is to reboot the extender and then start the countdown again until the next stability problem. This occurs anywhere from 2 to 5 times a week, meaning 2-5 times a week I start to see weird behavior with internet connection, figure out its the extender again and have to reboot it.&nbsp;&nbsp;It's a bad enough problem that I've permanently set some devices, such as PS4, to run on the extended 2.4GHz network to avoid the headaches of connection dropping in the middle of a movie or game.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks on the Asus router have zero problems. I have other devices connected to them with no stability or performance issues. I also tested an older Asus router with the EX8000 and had the same stability problems on the EX8000.&nbsp;Netgear's wonderful support policy re out of warranty products makes it so that my only good option is to post here. I could buy a support contract or simply throw this thing in the trash and put that money towards an Asus mesh device and be done with it.&nbsp;Does anyone have similar issues? Any thoughts? I'm certain the problem is on the EX8000 but I can't report it to Netgear without spending more money, likely to no good purpose.&nbsp;

gigo08 · Answer

Thanks for the reply, plemax&nbsp;. The previous screenshot is how the EX8000 appears when it gets into this unstable state.&nbsp;&nbsp;I did coincidentally do a factory reset today after my initial post in an attempt to eliminate some bogus configuration as the source of my issues. I've attached a new screenshot of the EX8000 after factory reset, before it gets into it's weird state.&nbsp;&nbsp;I'm not sure I understand your suggestion about disabling the 2.4GHz extended network and it's connection to the backhaul. I take it you want to force traffic only through 5GHz extended --&gt; 5GHz router. Is that correct? I can think of two scenarios this helps validate -Issues with 2.4GHz connections (either to router or devices) put the EX8000 in some state that breaks the 5GHz but don't break the 2.4GHz connectionsIssues with 5GHz connection to router mean that the EX8000 falls back to using the 2.4GHz connection as a backhaul instead.&nbsp;&nbsp;Are these what you are thinking might be going on? I've had a look at the LEDs on the front when it's in this weird state. From the manual, it says the "throughput" LED would turn off if it were using 2.4GHz for the backhaul but I haven't obseved that.&nbsp;I'll give it a shot (disable 2.4GHz entirely) and will see what happens. If this fixes the problem then theres some serious bug in the firmware that has it falling back to a slower band without giving any indication of it anywhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;EDIT - no idea why my images aren't working, annoying. Attached one directly. &nbsp;

plemans · Answer

brick and plaster are close to 2 of the worst materials for blocking wifi.&nbsp;Usually when I find people with those types of homes, I advise them to find a way to hard wire in access points/extenders.&nbsp;The plaster/brick makes the wireless connection unstable and unreliable. Some can get it working but most struggle.&nbsp;To hardwire it you can investigate moca adapters (ethernet over coax), powerline, or even running a few runs of ethernet (if you own the home). Sometimes the cost is offset with much better stability. Plus if its hardwired, the cheaper mesh systems (dual band mesh) can be hardwired in and function as well or better than the triband mesh systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;But if you've got it working, great. If it stuggles with stability, I'd look into hardwired connections for your access points.&nbsp;

plemans · Answer

Your screen shot told us nothing as all the important parts where missing. not sure if you did that or if it appears like that.

One thing I recommend with the EX8000 and a solid router is to disable the 2.4ghz "extending"

You can still use the 2.4ghz but it ensures that it uses just the dedicated 3rd band for the backhaul.

Reason I recommend this is the 2.4ghz is sensitive to interference/drops. And when it has to go router----extender and then extender----devices, the chances of drops increases.

Plus it lets you use a different channel from your primary router to help prevent interference as well.

So I'd try factory resetting the ex8000 and during the install process (using the installation assistant), uncheck the "extender 2.4ghz" network. again it'll still work but will only use the dedicated backhaul.

and then just ensure your 2.4ghz networks from the router and the extender are on seperate channels so they aren't interfering with each other.

plemans · Answer

It could also be because you're using channel 100 for the backhaul. If you're in an area with active radar, the router might be going from dfs channels to non-dfs channels and back. That can cause drops/stability issues. Its also possible during those periods that its falling back to the 2.4ghz.

Another thought is your 2.4ghz is only connecting at less than half the potential link speed. It makes me curious how far away the extender is from the router and whats between the 2? 2.4ghz tends to broadcast further and through more materials than 5ghz but it seems like your 5ghz is fairly solid.

plemans · Answer

oh and photos have to be approved by a moderator before they show. versus just adding them as the link as you did.

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EX8000 - stability issues

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