Asus RT-AC88U 5Ghz not working

[drshah]

I just got a used Asus RT-AC88U wireless router for use with my Gigabit internet service. After setting the router up and updating to the latest firmware, via Ethernet I got great speeds 900 Mbps down/ 950 Mbps up. However when I tried to test it via Speedtest on wifi, I could only get the 2.4 GHz working and got 130/130Mbps. I tried rebooting, disabling and re enabling the radio for 5 Ghz but I still can't seem to get the 5 GHz to work. The LED light for the 5 Ghz never even turns on. I even tried calling the ASUS tech support and honestly the people seemed clueless. Am I doing something wrong? I appreciate any input or insight, thank you.

 

[anotherdrew]

First the silly question ... are you sure the device you are using is compatible with 5 GHz?

Log into your router and check some of the wireless settings: Are the SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5 GHz unique? Are the SSIDs hidden as suggested in the manual (I wouldn't hide them until you are happy with your setup)? Is wireless mode set to AUTO?

When you search for available WiFi networks from your device, do you see both the 2.4 and 5?

Let us know.

 

[RealBeast]

First the silly question ... are you sure the device you are using is compatible with 5 GHz?

Log into your router and check some of the wireless settings: Are the SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5 GHz unique? Are the SSIDs hidden as suggested in the manual (I wouldn't hide them until you are happy with your setup)? Is wireless mode set to AUTO?

When you search for available WiFi networks from your device, do you see both the 2.4 and 5?

Let us know.

Not a silly question -- a great first question: if your client device is not 5GHz capable that's it. If your adapter does have 5GHz support insure that you are attempting to connect to that band. You can run THIS free PC wifi analyzer app to look for 5GHz signals by band and strength.

Never bother to hide your SSID, it can be immediately found even using a cell phone app now (i.e. it provides 0 security), but as Drew suggests do label them distinctly like XXX_24 and XXX_5 so you can select the radio that the device connects with.

To check your router radio you can download a simple cellphone wifi analyzer app (lots of good free ones) and see if the 5GHz shows up and at what strength.

 

[drshah]

First the silly question ... are you sure the device you are using is compatible with 5 GHz?

Log into your router and check some of the wireless settings: Are the SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5 GHz unique? Are the SSIDs hidden as suggested in the manual (I wouldn't hide them until you are happy with your setup)? Is wireless mode set to AUTO?

When you search for available WiFi networks from your device, do you see both the 2.4 and 5?

Let us know.

Yup I have plenty of devices that use the 5Ghz band, my iphone, macbook, apple Tv 4k, before trying this AC88U I was using the AC68U with no issues. Both SSIDs are unique and visible. When I searched for Wifi networks the 5Ghz band just doesn't show up when I am trying with the AC88U but shows up fine on the previous AC68U.

 

[anotherdrew]

It sounds like you are doing everything right. I think the last thing to try is a factory reset. Log into your router and click Administration > Restore/Save/Upload Setting and click Restore. You will have to do the setup again. If it still does not work I suspect the unit is faulty and would consider returning/replacing it.

 

[drshah]

Yup I tried the factory reset as well, looks like a faulty 5Ghz radio I guess. I got it on eBay and when I told the seller it didn’t work he immediately refunded me, so I am stuck with a fancy free 2.Ghz router I guess. Thx though.

It sounds like you are doing everything right. I think the last thing to try is a factory reset. Log into your router and click Administration > Restore/Save/Upload Setting and click Restore. You will have to do the setup again. If it still does not work I suspect the unit is faulty and would consider returning/replacing it.

 

[anotherdrew]

Asus claims to have a 2 year warranty on this unit. I know you got it used, but if there is a date of manufacture on the label and it's less than 2 years, it might be worth an email.

 

[drshah]

Asus claims to have a 2 year warranty on this unit. I know you got it used, but if there is a date of manufacture on the label and it's less than 2 years, it might be worth an email.

so you are right, I finally spoke to a different ASUS support technician and he did say the warranty covers me for 2 years, this unit was manufactured in 2017 so he gave me a RMA# and I am sending it in for repair, pretty sweet if they can fix, ended getting it for free, just cost me the shipping fee to ASUS. Fingers crossed! Thanks again Anotherdrew!