RAX120 1.0.1.118 on gigabit fiber getting max of 150mbps/500mbps on wifi 5ghz

[Shahrum]

I've read an extensive amount of older posts but haven't seen any particular comments on firmware 1.0.1.118. I recently purchased a RAX120 that I'm running directly off of CenturyLink gigabit service in Central Florida (no modem or PPoE needed). I get full gigabit speeds (940/940 or higher) on Speedtest built into the Nighthawk app but over wireless clients (e.g. MacBook Pro 13 TB, iPhone 11 Pro) I get a max of ~150mbps download and ~450mbps upload. I can't seem to get any faster of a download speed on wireless.

Traffic meter is off and the usual suspects checked. I realize that getting the full gigabit speeds on wireless (5ghz) is not going to happen, but is there anything I can do to get a faster download speed that is closer to the upload speed that I'm getting?

Thanks!

[Topology]

Shahrum, have you confirmed that “AX” is enabled on the RAX120 (see BASIC | Wireless | Enable AX)?

[Shahrum]

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@Topology wrote:

Shahrum, have you confirmed that “AX” is enabled on the RAX120 (see BASIC | Wireless | Enable AX)?

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Thanks for the quick reply!

I do have it turned on as well as ODFMA on both 2.4 and 5ghz.

[Christian_R]

Hi Shahrum,

May you check to see if disabling AX has any improvements. 

Thanks,
Christian 

[Shahrum]

I just did a test and the speeds remained unaffected. So it didn't get better or worse.

[Topology]

Shahrum, have you eliminated the (unlikely) possibility that the problem is the speed test itself?

You may wish to use multiple speed testing methods on your iPhone 11 Pro (which is a WiFi 6 device and should therefore have excellent download performance). For example, consider downloading the Ookla Speedtest app onto the mobile phone, as well as using the Fast.com website on the phone.

[Shahrum]

Great questions.

I'm actually using the Ookla Speedtest app on both my Mac and iPhone and get the same results on both and even if I use speedtest.net thru Chrome I get the same results.

I tried fast.com and it shows slightly faster download speeds (220mbps instead of 150mbps) but the upload speed is slower (300mbps vs. 600mbps) than I get on Ookla.

[JESierra]

I'm having the same issue and have tried the same steps

[Christian_R]

Hello Shahrum & JESierra, 

May you try reverting to the previous FW version to see if there are any improvements. I would recommend a factory reset after a FW version is uploaded. 

Regards,

Christian 

[Shahrum]

Hey Christian,

Where can I download the older firmware versions?

Thanks,

Shahrum

[Christian_R]

Hello Shahrum,

You may refer to the article linked below on how to upload a firmware manually. Furthermore, I currently have a beta firmware that may resolve your issues. If this is something you'd be interested in, please send me a private message with your email address and serial number. 

https://kb.netgear.com/23960/How-do-I-manually-update-the-firmware-on-my-NETGEAR-router

Regards,

Christian 

[Topology]

Shahrum, message #10 in this thread (interestingly) reports very different speed test results, when using IPv4 versus IPv6. Do you have IPv6 enabled?

P.S.: Only the Xfinity Speed Test, to the best of my knowledge, allows you to select the protocol to be used for testing.

[JESierra]

I went ahead and factory reset the router on Friday and it's been working great... until today. Most of the issue is on the upload front.

On ethernet I get about 475/24 and was getting that on Wi-Fi until today.

Now, I'm only getting about ~12 Up on Wi-Fi. (ethernet still 475/24). Download has been a bit tempermental - sometimes delvering 475 and sometimes 200.

I've tried permutations of OFDMA, Smart Connect, AX and IPv6 on/off and it hasn't changed a thing. Seems only a factory reset works... and it only works for a few days.

Thoughts? Christian - I'm willing to try the new firmware.

[JESierra]

I swapped out the RAX120 for my old Apple Time Capsule AC and my network is back to working like a charm. The NETGEAR is getting returned in the next week unless we figure out a solve ASAP.

Looks like NETGEAR isn’t quite ready for AX yet. Was excited about the upgrade 😞

[Dgonzalez40]

I have the same issue. When I first connected my router to the gig service only my iPhone 11 Pro was connected and I got 400/200 speeds. I have most up to date firmware, and no luck. I want to return my router and get a different brand.