Hello everyone,
I am having the most bizarre problem that I’ve ever had with a router, and I’ll do my absolute best to explain what’s going on. First things first though; I am not new to setting up routers. I have a very technical background and am very used to fixing problems and setting up networks.
I’ve had the WRT1900AC since release, replacing an ASUS RT-AC66U with Merlin’s firmware which had next to zero issues.
In short, it almost seems like the WRT-1900 AC is having some sort of firewall conflict, but there’s a blatant contradiction happening. Here’s what’s going on:
I have an Xbox 360 setup in my office via Ethernet to a power line 4-port adapter. In my living room, the router is setup directly connecting to the other power line device. Essentially this is a ‘wired’ connection. Everything works great, no issues with Xbox Live and an ‘Open’ NAT reported from Xbox Live. However, I recently decided to go the wireless route and purchased a Linksys WUMC710 (4 ports) to hookup my 360 to. As soon as I go this route, the Xbox360 instantaneously has issues connecting, staying connected, and doing anything Xbox Live related. Pretty much, error after error after error. I figured it must have been the WUMC710, so I connected through the built in WiFi on the 360, and it has the same exact problem.
What? So, in summary – I can connect perfectly fine if it’s ‘wired’ via power line, but as soon as it goes wireless it’s all downhill from there. I tested the WUMC710 adapter with a wired MacBook pro and everything works great. I can browse websites and do everything as you’d expect. Also, my two Xbox One’s (one wired, one wireless via a second WUMC710 unit) works with little to no issues. Which brings me to my next problem:
I figured, even though a stretch, to try port forwarding. I went to setup some DHCP reservations for my Xbox 360, and as soon as I setup ANY DHCP reservation – the router crashes. No internet connection – not even after a full power cycle. I have to remove the reservation to get an internet connection as I can still access the UI just fine. This also happened after everything I tried below
What I’ve tried:
Current firmware (1.1.07.165082)
- Power cycled numerous times
- Reset to Factory defaults multiple times
- Re-flashed current firmware (because I can’t find any of the older versions online anywhere)
- Tried to roll back the firmware under the troubleshooting tab, it appeared to keep the exact same firmware and only – essentially – do a factory reset.
Other potentially useful information:
- Very much so narrowed it down to the router. I was able to (with permission) connect to a friends network next door via the built-in WiFi from my 360 and everything worked 100% fine.
- Very strong signal 80-90%, live in a small condo.
- Have phones, tables PC's & Macs connected wirelessly with zero issues.
What in the world is going on?
tl;dr – Router only works properly for Xbox Live on my Xbox 360 when it’s ‘wired’ via power line. Tested multiple times, only issue is when it’s being connected wirelessly which causes NAT errors, disconnects, 10x longer to sign in (if it ever does). DHCP reservation kills internet connection until factory reset is performed or reservation is removed. Tried extensive troubleshooting steps and nothing is resolved.