For some background… I have been using mikrotik devices for a few years now. I know enough to configure them and get things setup for home network. I am by no means a pro with these devices and I am also NOT a wirelss pro. There is a very big chance I’m just overlooking a configuration error/flaw that’s causing my issue. Please help me learn from my mistakes!
With that said. I have a cAP AX that i’m using for an AP on my home network, and I’m seeing about 5-10% packet loss when on that WiFI. The loss is within the home network, as I can replicate to my local DNS server. I cannot replicate the loss pinging the AP directly, or from the AP, only on devices utilizing said WiFi.
I live in a relatively quiet development, with mostly retired folk around me. Not a lot of noise that I’ve been able to track down anyway.
My setup consists of a fiber modem from my ISP, copper cat6 to a RB4011iGS+5HacQ2HnD with the wifi disabled (it’s in a basement) handling the NET and DHCP, a cat6 cable going to a TrendNet switch on my desk, to the cAP AX simply advertising for the home network. I’m sitting about 12 feet away from the device, experiencing the loss. My wife was about 25’ away experiencing the same.
I’m unable to replicate the loss with devices connected to the switch on my desk, so I’m fairly confident that the wired network is solid. The loss appears to be isolated to the wireless only.
my config is as follows:
# 2025-02-27 12:17:57 by RouterOS 7.16.2
# software id = 8F0Z-EHAQ
#
# model = cAPGi-5HaxD2HaxD
# serial number = xxxxxxx
/interface bridge
add name=bridge1
/interface ethernet
set [ find default-name=ether1 ] advertise=10M-baseT-full,100M-baseT-half,100M-baseT-full,1G-baseT-half,1G-baseT-full,10G-baseT
/interface wifi security
add authentication-types=wpa2-psk disabled=no name=GOML
/interface wifi
set [ find default-name=wifi1 ] channel.band=5ghz-ax .frequency=5260-5720 .secondary-frequency=disabled .width=20/40/80mhz configuration.chains="" .country="United States" .mode=ap \
.ssid=GetOffMyLawn .tx-chains="" disabled=no security=GOML security.authentication-types=wpa2-psk
set [ find default-name=wifi2 ] channel.band=2ghz-ax .frequency=2300-7300 .width=20mhz configuration.country="United States" .mode=ap .ssid=GetOffMyLawn disabled=no security=GOML \
security.authentication-types=wpa2-psk
/interface bridge port
add bridge=bridge1 interface=wifi1
add bridge=bridge1 interface=wifi2
add bridge=bridge1 interface=ether1
add bridge=bridge1 interface=ether2
/ip neighbor discovery-settings
set discover-interface-list=!dynamic
/ip dhcp-client
add interface=bridge1
/system clock
set time-zone-name=America/New_York
/system note
set show-at-login=no
As I mentioned the RB4011 in the basement is handling the DHCP etc. No issues there, everything works great when wired. I only have loss on the WiFi. Download speeds are good normally, until the loss happens about every few minutes. I’ve ran the spectral-scan and frequency usage tools and didn’t see any overpowering signals there
what am I overlooking here?
I’d prefer devices to connect to either the 5ghz or 2ghz depending on reception. Some devices are in the basement, some are in the garage - both where the 2ghz is likely preferred.
which seems fine, with the exception of the 7300, but that is in the 2 gHz interface, so right or wrong should not affect 5gHz..
This is vey likely unneeded:
/ip neighbor discovery-settings
set discover-interface-list=!dynamic
you can try disabling it.
You could also try reducing the band width to 20/40 only and select a narrower range of 5 gHz channels (or even - for the tests - limit it to a single channel.
Thanks for the reply!
Nothing in the logs, no. just normal disconnect/timeout messages.
I did go ahead and confirm that it’s the 5ghz that I’m connected on, and it is. so the channel frequencies in the 2ghz shouldn’t apply (I did know that was wrong, but thank you for pointing it out anyway!). I will go ahead and fix that. I’ll also give your other suggestion a shot, can’t hurt!
I should also point out that I have already put some restriction on the 5ghz channel to keep it on the must clean channels for my local area.
I’m starting to wonder if the hardware is just defective. I got it on Amazon from a reputable seller, hopefully they will work with me if so.
well, not sure what I would set that discover-interface-list to other than dynamic. there’s only 4 interfaces on this thing including the 2 WiFi. Ended up leaving that alone.
I did update the wifi interfaces though:
no change. still seeing loss every 110 pings or so.
and just to be clear the destination here can be my local DNS server (rpi/pi-hole) or google DNS, no difference.
should I maybe start a conversion with the person I purchased the hardware from?
There are quite a lot of reports related to Ax (devices or drivers) but they are mostly about issue with dropped connection or failure to roam properly, I don’t remember any about packets dropped.
There are also a few issues about updating the Ros slightly changing something in configuration when upgrading, seeing that you are at 7.16.2, did the issues began when you updated to this version, or did they start before? (or did you get the router used with 7.16.2 already installed?)
Before suspecting a (possible but improbable from the symptoms) hardware issue, I would try:
save an export (terse) of your configuration
downgrade to the version that seemingly has the less reported issues related to wi-fi, i.e. 7.14.3
restart with no configuration
re-apply (copy and paste in sections) the saved export
If the situation remains the same, your next step would be:
I’ve only had the device for about a month. Updated it right off the bat, then configured and I’ve been experiencing the issue all along.
I didn’t get much traction here and started talks with the company I purchased the device from. We’ll see if they RMA it or not. If not, I’ll try your suggestions on the downgrade.
quick update, while I’m still going back and forth with GETIC…
I saw that there were several updates since I had installed 7.16.2, went ahead and updated to the latest this morning (7.18.1). Packet loss has improved from the 6-9% on the local LAN to 1-2%. Your suggestion to downgrade is definitely going to be next on my list.
well, there’s since been 3 revision updates, now at 7.18.2. still see about 6% loss, but improved on the 7.16 10% average seen.
downgrading to the suggested 7.14 tree got me down to 0.0167% loss over 5500 pings. I’ll accept that and move along with my life. Thank you for the help