Question Asus AiMesh Node (RP-AX56) - Keeps disconnecting

[guruabyss]

AiMesh Router: RT-AX89X (Firmware: 3.0.0.4.386_47468-g73fe1fe)
AiMesh Node: RP-AX56 (Firmware: 3.0.0.4.386_42862-ga9f43cc)

Issue: Bought the RP-AX56 to expend my network, used WPS to quick connect to the node/ router. Worked great for two months. Today my routed needed to be rebooted. Noticed my node light blinking blue like if I actived the WPS button on the node but it wasn't connecting to the router, so I tapped the WPS button on my router and waited 5 min, Node didn't connect. Unplugged/ plugged back in the Node. Went from white light to blinking blue. Tapped the WPS button on the router, node light turns green. Hazzah. On or about 20 min later node disconnects and blinks blue again like it want's to connect to the router. Tap WPS button on Router. Node doesn't connect. Only time the node will connect back to the Router is if I unplug and plug back in the Node. Again it only lasts for 20-30min before it just disconnects.


Problem solving: I tried to factory reset the Node, no luck there. Tried a different power cable, that wasn't the issue. I have the late firmware for both the Node and the Router. Googled terms "ASUS RP-AX56 keeps disconnecting" and "ASUS AiMesh node keeps disconnecting" no such luck on this particular use case. Any clue what it could be?

 

[bill001g]

Put the unit next to each other and see if it will connect.

Even though the marketing for mesh acts like you can just place the remote unit anywhere the facts are the remote unit must be places in a location that it can get a very strong signal from the main router yet be able to deliver the signal to remote room.
1/2 way between would be the location in a open room but in a house with walls and ceilings there might not be a optimum location.

Could be you have a new source of interference, ie a neighbor got a new router. You might try to change the radio channels your are using. Going to be very hit and miss since all channels are very heavily used.

Note make sure you disable the WPS feature in the router settings except for the short time you are using it. It is still very insecure. It is not supported on the newest form of data encryption WPA3.

 

[gotenks_]

While I can't provide any solutions I just wanted to add that I have been using the RT-AX82U with the RP-AX56 without hardly any issues for about a year. But since today I am experiencing the same issues as you are and I'm using the same firmware version as you are for the RP-AX56.

 

[smh71]

I have the same issue with my AX-56, started last night, weird! It's been working fine for 2 months.

 

[guruabyss]

Welp, looks like someone found out what caused the issue with ASUS routers:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1659031695721627650

View: https://twitter.com/RyanSmithAT/status/1659031695721627650


Here is the Sub Reddit from that tweet: https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeNetworking/comments/13k5itk/asus_rtax89x_randomly_disconnecting/

 

[guruabyss]

Here's another thread on the issue: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-rt-ax89x_9-0-0-4_388_31185-beta.82276/page-6

 

[smh71]

Here's another thread on the issue: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-rt-ax89x_9-0-0-4_388_31185-beta.82276/page-6

Wow, thanks for the links. Sounds like a pretty widespread issue. Still no word from Asus either, wtf.

 

[gggplaya]

Wow, thanks for the links. Sounds like a pretty widespread issue. Still no word from Asus either, wtf.

They're busy denying people's motherboard warranty issues, lol. They botched their motherboard bios and overvolted the new Ryzen 7000 cpu's causing them to burn up, literally, when using EXPO settings on their RAM. Then they had a statement in the updated beta bios which fixes the issues, but telling customers that warranty is not valid on beta bioses. It's their biggest PR nightmare right now.

This is not a good month for Asus.

 

[bill001g]

I didn't know routers auto updated firmware....I am just waiting until microsoft takes half the world down with a oops like this.

I never let my routers update and I disable all that stupid firewall/virus stuff. Now we are going to have to firewall the routers to prevent them from talking to things they shouldn't.

 

[Lynzaddy]

I am glad to see this post here today. My teenage daughter first reported the issue yesterday Before that I've had this setup going for at least a year.

Firmware is current on router and the two RP-AX56 nodes. I have a ranch house with the router on the main floor. I have a node in the basement and a node in the garage to service security cameras that needed a stronger signal. The two node keep going offline and traffic all goes to the router now. I'm trying to do a factory reset on the nodes with them located < 6 feet from the router right now to see if that does anything.

I'm slammed with work and don't have time to debug and mess with this right now! Thanks for the links to anything that can help.

 

[RaananZvi]

Have similar issue.
I have ASUS TUF-AX3000 and an RP-AX56 setup that was running smoothly for months.

Yesterday I woke up to the RP-AX56 with blinking blue light.
I tried unplug it several times and it didn’t help.
Eventually I reset the device with a pin (pressing the reset button) and setup again the mesh connection.
The light was green indicating weak signal. The device didn’t change location since I first installed it.

This morning it seems to work better, but it might just be temporary?

 

[smh71]

I did a complete reset of the AX-56 last night after work and it’s been working fine ever since, fingers crossed! The main router AX-88U didn’t appear to be affected at all, thankfully!

 

[guruabyss]

Reporting back in:


Router seems stable, issue with: AiMesh Node: RP-AX56 (Firmware: 3.0.0.4.386_42862-ga9f43cc) (Product Link: https://a.co/d/1fL9diz)
still remains. I unplug, plug back in (white slow pulsing light), after it boots up (blue blinking), Connects to my router: AiMesh Router: RT-AX89X (Firmware: 3.0.0.4.386_47468-g73fe1fe) (Product Link: https://a.co/d/6GnccP6)

Connection works for 10-30 min, node goes back into seek mode (blinking blue), Hit the WPS button on my router to see if that it will connect it back and maybe this time keep that connection. It does not, still blinking blue. My network is still crippled going on a week.

ASUS, your net revenue for 2022 was $17.85 billion. You're telling me you can't sandbox your devices in-house for two weeks to see if there are any issues before pushing a live update that crippled everyone's hardware world wide... Far more $$$ than sense, SMH.

Botched Asus Update Kicks Routers Offline Worldwide, Company Apologizes

A faulty AiProtection definition update is the suspected culprit.

www.tomshardware.com

 

[guruabyss]

ROUTER: AiMesh Router: RT-AX89X (Firmware: 3.0.0.4.386_47468-g73fe1fe) - Same as first post
NODE A: ASUS AX1800 Dual Band WiFi 6 (RP-AX56 - Factory Default Firmware)
NODE B: ASUS AX3000 Dual Band WiFi 6 (RP-AX58 - Factory Default Firmware)

Had a major T-storm so unplugged my electronics. Plugged everything back in and noticed my camera system wasn’t online. Now there’s issues again with the ROUTER/ NODE A. Plugged NODE A right next to the ROUTER. NODE A boots up *white light” then it goes out for a second or so then it displayed a green light (connected to the router). Logged into the ROUTER under General > Network Map, in the middle/ bottom AiMesh Node: 0, on the right under ‘AiMesh’ I don’t NODE A. Held the WPS button on NODE A (blue blinking), hit the search button in the ROUTER settings under ‘AiMesh’ to see if it would discover the node, it did not, it said the following:

Unable to find any AiMesh node nearby.
a. If this device is assigned as a AiMesh router, please check the following and try again.
1. Your AiMesh node is powered on
2. Your AiMesh node has the latest firmware
3. Your AiMesh node has been reset to default
4. Move your AiMesh node close to the AiMesh router
b. If this device is assigned as a AiMesh node, please check the following and try again.
1. Push the reset button on this device and then wait.
2. Login to your AiMesh router GUI and click on the AiMesh
icon.
3. Upgrade your AiMesh router's firmware if you cannot find the AiMesh icon on the router GUI.

I then factory reset NODE A and started the same process again. This time during AiMesh search in the ROUTER software it found NODE A, GREAT! Clicked NODE A in the ROUTER software and a % from 0 - 100 started. Thinking it would of connected since it displayed that it saw NODE A, nope, I got the following:

Unable to add your AiMesh node RP-AX56 (some long alpha/num) to your AiMesh system due to the following situations. Please check and try again.
1. Someone else is trying to set up an AiMesh system. Please wait 1 minute and try again.
2. your AiMesh router and node should be within 3 meters of each other during the setup process.
3. Make sure your AiMesh node is powered on.
4. Your AiMesh node has been upgraded to AiMesh-supported firmware.
5. Your AiMesh node has been reset to default

I then tried holding down the WPS button on the ROUTER then on NODE A to see if it maybe it would connect that way. Same results, light turns green, check to see if it shows up in the ROUTER software but it’s still now showing up. Restarted my ROUTER and tried the above all over again with the same results. 

Onto the next steps…

1. Bought two new power strips (just in case)
2. Bought two new Cat cables (just in case)
3. Bought a new upgrade ASUS: NODE B

I tried the above again with the new node, NODE B, I bought and hardware (1 & 2) held down the search button on NODE B (blue blinking light), hit search in the ROUTERs software, still not found. Tried holding the WPS button on the ROUTER thinking NODE B’s light would turn green, still just blinking blue, won’t connect. Then I tried saving out my prefs and factory resetting my ROUTER. After factory reset I added my profile back and tried again. Still nothing. NODE A still connects (green light) doesn’t show up in the ROUTER software, NODE B still just blinking blue. I do see however under General > Network Map, on the right under ‘Client status’ NODE A in the ‘Wired’ Tab. It has an IP and everything, how can the router see NODE A there but not under 'AiMesh Node'? Why won’t NODE B connect at all but NODE A will??

One more odd thing that it does sometimes when searching for the Node in the ROUTERs software it will auto log me out of the ROUTERs software. Why would it do that??

 

[gggplaya]

ROUTER: AiMesh Router: RT-AX89X (Firmware: 3.0.0.4.386_47468-g73fe1fe) - Same as first post
NODE A: ASUS AX1800 Dual Band WiFi 6 (RP-AX58 - Factory Default Firmware)
NODE B: ASUS AX3000 Dual Band WiFi 6 (RP-AX58 - Factory Default Firmware)

Had a major T-storm so unplugged my electronics. Plugged everything back in and noticed my camera system wasn’t online. Now there’s issues again with the ROUTER/ NODE A. Plugged NODE A right next to the ROUTER. NODE A boots up *white light” then it goes out for a second or so then it displayed a green light (connected to the router). Logged into the ROUTER under General > Network Map, in the middle/ bottom AiMesh Node: 0, on the right under ‘AiMesh’ I don’t NODE A. Held the WPS button on NODE A (blue blinking), hit the search button in the ROUTER settings under ‘AiMesh’ to see if it would discover the node, it did not, it said the following:



I then factory reset NODE A and started the same process again. This time during AiMesh search in the ROUTER software it found NODE A, GREAT! Clicked NODE A in the ROUTER software and a % from 0 - 100 started. Thinking it would of connected since it displayed that it saw NODE A, nope, I got the following:



I then tried holding down the WPS button on the ROUTER then on NODE A to see if it maybe it would connect that way. Same results, light turns green, check to see if it shows up in the ROUTER software but it’s still now showing up. Restarted my ROUTER and tried the above all over again with the same results. 

Onto the next steps…



I tried the above again with the new node, NODE B, I bought and hardware (1 & 2) held down the search button on NODE B (blue blinking light), hit search in the ROUTERs software, still not found. Tried holding the WPS button on the ROUTER thinking NODE B’s light would turn green, still just blinking blue, won’t connect. Then I tried saving out my prefs and factory resetting my ROUTER. After factory reset I added my profile back and tried again. Still nothing. NODE A still connects (green light) doesn’t show up in the ROUTER software, NODE B still just blinking blue. I do see however under General > Network Map, on the right under ‘Client status’ NODE A in the ‘Wired’ Tab. It has an IP and everything, how can the router see NODE A there but not under 'AiMesh Node'? Why won’t NODE B connect at all but NODE A will??

One more odd thing that it does sometimes when searching for the Node in the ROUTERs software it will auto log me out of the ROUTERs software. Why would it do that??

386 firmware had problems. Upgrade everything to at least 388 firmware.

 

[guruabyss]

386 firmware had problems. Upgrade everything to at least 388 firmware.

3.0.0.4.386_47468 is the latest for the RT-AZ89X, where did you find 388?

 

[gggplaya]

Nevermind, the last update for your model was oct 2022. For some reason it never got the 388 update this year that other Asus routers got.

 

[guruabyss]

UPDATES:

ROUTER: AiMesh Router: RT-AX89X (Firmware: 3.0.0.4.386_47468-g73fe1fe)
NODE A: ASUS AX1800 Dual Band WiFi 6 (RP-AX56 - Factory Default Firmware)
NODE B: ASUS AX3000 Dual Band WiFi 6 (RP-AX58 - Factory Default Firmware)


User "jzchen" said the following (source: https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/gamin...p-ax56-keeps-disconnecting/td-p/930168/page/6)

I checked and that is latest firmware for RT-AX89X. Please check for and update firmware for RP-AX56 and RP-AX58.


For hard reset of the nodes:

Unplug from power outlet.

Press WPS button and HOLD.

Plug into outlet keep holding WPS. It will very soon start blinking white. Keep holding WPS button until it stops then it will start blinking alternating white/yellow (not sure these colors but it will blink again). Unplug and release WPS. Plug back in.

Use AiMesh search function on RT-AX89X to find node.

(You should be able to do all this while Ethernet cable is connected between LAN port and port on RP. Hopefully it can find it with Ethernet outlet image).

I first tried with NODE A, Press and held the WPS on NODE A, pugged it in still holding the WPS button. The yellow/white blinking combo DOES NOT happen. It would slowly pulse white then blinking green back to pulsing white, then nothing (like it was off) for a second, and repeats the same patter again and again. I then unplugged NODE A, no longer holding the WPS button, plugged back in. Booted up (white light) then it moved onto blinking blue (pair mode). I first tried to connect via the ROUTER's UI, hit the ‘search’ button then pressed/held the WPS button on NODE A. NODE A starts blinking blue, sees the ‘RP-AX56’. Click it and connect to it. Then there’s a %, waiting for it to connect, for some reason it logs me out of the ASUS ROUTER UI, NODE A reboots. I log back in and now it’s at 40% and still waiting to connect. At about 65% it fails to connect (added a screenshot). I then try and connect via ROUTER’s WPS, pressed/held button, then moved onto NODE A WPS button, pressed/held. After a few seconds it connects, NODE A light is green. Refresh ROUTER’s UI, AiMesh Node is still 0, not connected to the node. Sign…

Next is NODE B, Press and held the WPS on NODE B, plugged it in still holding the WPS button. The yellow/white blinking combo DOES happen (doesn’t with the AX1800 (RP-AX56)). I then unplugged NODE B, no longer holding the WPS button, plugged back in. Boots up (white pulsing light) then a solid blue light. I hit the ‘search’ button in the ROUTER’s UI, press/held the WPS button on NODE B till the blinking blue light appeared and waited for it to show up in search. After a few seconds NODE B light turned a solid white and I again was logged out of the ROUTER’s UI. After logging back in it still doesn’t show up. Last step I tried was to unplug NODE B, plug it back in to reboot (white pulsing light) and then blinking blue light (pair mode). I pressed/held the WPS button on the ROUTER waiting to see if NODE B would pair. All of a sudden NODE B light turns solid white, it auto logs me out of the ROUTER’s UI and does nothing like it locked up. I can't even get NODE B to connect at all (green light) like I can NODE A, even though it doesn't show up in the ROUTER with that green light. Back at square one. Am I alone with this issue?

Another question I had , If there is new firmware for the node but I can’t connect to the node via the router, how would you be able to update the firmware?

 

[Ralston18]

Are you able to directly connect to the node with a desktop or laptop?

Perhaps:

https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1008000/

Method 2.

Check the node's documentation.