Asus RT-N56U router

I have the Asus RT-N56U wireless router. I have been loosing internet connection the past few days. I have been using this one for a few years. I thought it was in need of being replaced. I replaced it with the same model that I had purchased at a good price a few years ago. I replaced it with the new router a few days ago and it was working fine. Now, the new one just began loosing connection. I pushed the reset button for 5 seconds on the back of it. Now I tried going to the login page (192.168.1.1 or router.asus.com). I can't access either of those websites. I must be doing something wrong. What steps should I take to configure my wireless router again?

I tried accessing the Asus login page again and now it worked. My router is connected. I will post back if I loose connection again or have an issue again. Thanks!

Are you losing network connection or internet connection? If you still have WiFi but no internet, then it's more likely a modem or ISP issue.

Midknyte, I seem to be loosing network connection. Whenever I couldn't connect, I connected a direct line from modem to my laptop and I always had internet connection. It seems to be something with my network, but not sure what it could be.

Are you using 2.4 or 5GHz?

Did you check if there are other networks using the same channels?
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wifi_information_view.html

Do you have your router on a UPS?

You could also try updating your WiFi card drivers.

Midknyte, I use the 5GHz setting. I just received the CyberPower UPS yesterday. I have it charging right now. I was waiting until I had some other items to order, so I could get free shipping. I an not one of these fools that buy into that Amazon prime crap. lol I order a lot of stuff online and rarely purchase from Amazon. I always find what I am seeking a bit less in price than Amazon or equal and I usually purchase from another merchant. I am not one of these peeps who only think Amazon is the only place in town from which to purchase. lol Sorry that I went off on that tangent a bit.

I just went into device manager/network adapters/killer wireless-n/a/ac 1535 wireless network adapter and updated it through windows. (I believe I did it correctly). It said windows has successfully updated your drivers.

Oh, and speaking of that tangent. At the time when I ordered the CyberPower UPS from Amazon, I saw that Best Buy online had it about $1-$2 cheaper than Amazon. See my point? :) But, the only reason I decided to purchase it from Amazon is because I have $200 in Amazon gift cards that I received as gifts over the holiday.

Like I stated earlier, I let windows pick the network driver when I updated it. Should I have gone through the link below when I updated it (if I choose the correct network driver associated with my Wifi card drivers on my laptop)?

https://support.killernetworking.com...ndows-10-1803/

I would use the drivers from the manufacturer instead of through Windows Update.

You might as well wait and see if the problem is fixed first.

Update: I just lost connection again for the first time, since I last posted (05/24/20). It came back right after I unplugged the power cord on the router for 10 seconds and plugged it back in. Should I update my network drivers from the manufacturer's website? I have killer wireless-n/a/ac 1535 wireless network adapter and windows 10 pro ver 1909. Is it the correct drivers in link below?

https://support.killernetworking.com...ndows-10-1803/

Ya that looks like the right link. They just updated the drivers recently too.

Release Date May 18, 2020

I opened device manager and right-click on the network adapter and choose update and selected the folder that I downloaded them and tried to update them. It said that the best driver is already installed.
That can't be correct because the date of the driver that I have installed is April 2019. After downloading them, do I just click on the *.exe file and let them install the drivers to the folder where it selects?

I'm not familiar with how Killer does their drivers, but if it's an .exe, you need to run that first.

Midknyte, update on my router. Like I said previously, I had connected a new Asus router of the same model that I had lying around and I had windows update the network card drivers that was dated April 2019. It only disconnected once since 05/24/20. This past Saturday I reconnected my old Asus router of same model and I haven't lost connetion at all and is running smoothly. It looks like there wasn't anything wrong with my old router. My network card driver just needed to be updated.

Like I stated before, I have just started using a VPN. My router is upstairs. I have a fire stick on a tv downstairs with VPN installed on it. I wanted to test my internet speed wit my VPN turned on and with it turned off. I first ran those 2 tests on my laptop upstairs not far from the location of my router (without VPN was approx. 93 Mbps; download with VPN was approx. 83 Mbps). I ran a speed test on my fire tv stick installled on tv located downstairs (without was approx. 83 Mbps; download with was approx. 33 Mbps). I don't notice any lag at all when using my fire tv stick, but is 50 Mbps difference with/without VPN turned on/off normal just because it is located one floor down?

It's really hard to say with VPNs because the packets are encrypted and routed different from a standard connection. If you're not having issues, then I wouldn't worry about it too much. I don't think it's the fact that the fire stick is on a different floor.

https://help.speedtest.net/hc/en-us/...ernet-testing-

Midknyte, thanks for that link. My ISP speed plan is 100 Mbps. I changed the location of my vpn to UK and ran a speed test twice. First test gave me 76 Mbps and second test gave me 94 Mbps and with vpn turned off it gave me 100.9 Mbps. I was surprised that I received those kind of speeds when my location was changed to UK.

Midknyte, I haven't had any issues with my connection and still am using my old router. Thanks again for the help.

Glad to hear it. Let's hope it stays that way.

Hope everyone is safe and doing well. A few months ago, I got rid of my cable and am not solely streaming all my tv viewing. I loose connection several times a day. I have to unplug power cord on router and plug it back in and connection comes back. Is this normal? I know my model router I had for numerous years. Would a better router correct this issue?

A router should not be losing its Internet connection that frequently. The first thing I usually do is make sure that it is on a UPS, in case power glitches are causing issues. This can be a problem even if you do not notice your lights flickering. If that does not fix the issue, then it is likely a router issue.

Links for the Asus RT-N56U:

https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeNetwork..._me_to_reboot/

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt...nection.13834/

A router should not be losing its Internet connection that frequently. The first thing I usually do is make sure that it is on a UPS, in case power glitches are causing issues. This can be a problem even if you do not notice your lights flickering. If that does not fix the issue, then it is likely a router issue.

Links for the Asus RT-N56U:

https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeNetwork..._me_to_reboot/

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt...nection.13834/

Hi, jdc2000. My modem and router are on a UPS. The firmware of my Asus RT-N56U router is 3.0.0.4.380_7378-g7a25649. Should I be using a different firmware? If so, which one?

When did you flash the firmware? If it wasn't recently, then that's probably not the issue. You could try going one version back from your current version and see how it goes.

The Asus RT-N56U is a pretty old N router now, so it might just need to be replaced. Depending on your budget, I would at least look at an 802.11AC router. If you have a big house, you might consider a mesh router setup. 802.11AX (Wifi6) routers are still pricey, and you'd need new hardware to fully take advantage of it.

Hi, Midknyte. Hope you have been doing fine. I never flashed my firmware before. I will try to go back on firmware version and see if that helps at all. Is this the firmware (version 3.0.0.4.380.4180) I would need to download? If this doesn't help, I will look for a new router.

From the first link I posted:

Quote:

---

The latest firmware 3.0.0.4.380.7266 was the root of the issue. I have rolled back to 3.0.0.4.380.3831 and everything is working as expected.

---

JDC2000, I am not using that version (3.0.0.4.380.7266). I am using 3.0.0.4.380_7378-g7a25649. I don't see either of those versions from linke below. Can you only revert back to just the previously version? If so, then I can only revert back to version (3.0.0.4.380.4180) from the link below?

https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/R...HelpDesk_BIOS/

You could try the 380.4180 version to see what happens. It looks like the links for the others are no longer available. There are also other options as detailed in the second link I posted, in case this does not work.

It looks like you are using the newest firmware. You should be able to flash any of the firmwares, but I generally go back one step at a time.

I don't see a xxx.380.3831 firmware either. xxx.380.4180 seems to be the second newest.

If that doesn't help, what is your budget for a new router?

I downloaded xxxx.380.4180 version. Do I just upload the trx file in my router settings?

Midknyte, which model version were you considering?

Possibly useful link:

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

I'm guessing you were asking which firmware version? xxxx.380.4180 is fine.

jdc2000 already posted the link about updating the firmware.

Since I had my router for a number of years and need upgrading, I am going to purchase a new one.

Midknyte, which brand and model would you recommend that would be best and that I don't loose connection numerous times a day?

Your budget $$$, how wide an area you need Wi-Fi coverage for, features, and what devices you plan to connect might all influence what router would be best for your needs.

Some links to look through:

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-wireless-routers

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-wi...view-2498.html

https://www.digitaltrends.com/comput...eless-routers/

https://www.techradar.com/news/netwo...n-test-1090523

https://www.cnet.com/news/best-wi-fi...-netgear-orbi/

As jdc2000 and I have both said, we would need to know your budget. We also need to know about your environment (size, # of floors, concrete walls, etc).

Budget is really a limiting factor. I would start by looking at 802.11AC routers at least. 802.11AX is still fairly new, and a bit pricey. Maybe a mesh router set if you have a big house.

The size is just under 2000 sq ft. It has 3 floors (including the basement) and does not have any concrete walls. I don't want to pay more than I really need. My only issue with the one I am using is that it looses connection few times per day. Which router would you recommend that would be best to fix this issue without spending more money than I need?

That still doesn't tell us your price limit. An exact $ amount would help us narrow it down.

Again, I would at least look at getting an 802.11AC router. I don't think you need to go with an AX router just yet.

For a house like that, it might be good to get a mesh router setup.

That still doesn't tell us your price limit. An exact $ amount would help us narrow it down.

Again, I would at least look at getting an 802.11AC router. I don't think you need to go with an AX router just yet.

For a house like that, it might be good to get a mesh router setup.

With 3 floors and 2000 square feet, how good is coverage with your existing router, at least for areas where you are wanting Wi-Fi coverage?

You can go low-end ($60-$100) with something like a TP-Link system, or middle of the road ($125-$200) with a Linksys, or high-end with a Netgear Nighthawk ($280-$375 and up). Mesh systems will cost more, but should guarantee coverage for all areas.

I have not used the tv in the basement, since I cancelled my cable. I want to purchase a second firestick tv 4k for it to use my wifi with it. I took my laptop in the basement to see how my wifi was using my current router and I didn't have any issues or slowness. I guess I won't want to spend any more than $200-$250. I always used Asus. Which brand/model would you suggest?

ASUS:

Budget:
RT-AC51U
$70

RT-AC66U
$100

Mid-Range:
RT-AC86U
$170

https://www.techradar.com/news/best-asus-router