Netgear R6220, ramips/mt7621 - hostapd: handle_probe_req: send failed

czezz · May 14, 2026, 6:38pm

Hi everyone,
I noticed that with latest OpenWRT series v25.12 on Netgear R6220, ramips/mt7621, Wi-Fi frequency bands 2.4 GHz fails.
Note - 5 GHz works fine.

Symptoms:
APN does not show up and readlog throws a lot of:
Thu May 14 17:47:02 2026 daemon.notice hostapd: handle_probe_req: send failed

What has been tried:

1. Reset all network interfaces
2. Disable 5 GHz band and run 2.4 GHz only
3. Change channels (i tried all)
4. Reinstall entire OS
5. Power off/on

None helps.
I did test it on v25.12.2 and v25.12.3 (did not try v25.12.1 but probably it is also there).
For the moment I am back to v24.10.6 where it works fine (I need 2.4 GHz for some of my devices).

Does anyone experience similar issues OR have some idea how to fix it?

lleachii · May 14, 2026, 7:33pm

Please connect to your OpenWrt device using ssh and copy the output of the following commands and post it here using the "Preformatted text </> " button (red circle; this works best in the 'Markdown' composer view in the blue oval):

Remember to redact passwords, VPN keys, MAC addresses and any public IP addresses you may have:

ubus call system board
cat /etc/config/network
cat /etc/config/wireless

czezz · May 14, 2026, 8:02pm

root@OpenWrt:~# ubus call system board
{
	"kernel": "6.6.127",
	"hostname": "OpenWrt",
	"system": "MediaTek MT7621 ver:1 eco:3",
	"model": "Netgear R6220",
	"board_name": "netgear,r6220",
	"rootfs_type": "squashfs",
	"release": {
		"distribution": "OpenWrt",
		"version": "24.10.6",
		"revision": "r29141-81be8a8869",
		"target": "ramips/mt7621",
		"description": "OpenWrt 24.10.6 r29141-81be8a8869",
		"builddate": "1773709139"
	}
}

root@OpenWrt:~# cat /etc/config/network

config interface 'loopback'
	option device 'lo'
	option proto 'static'
	option ipaddr '127.0.0.1'
	option netmask '255.0.0.0'

config globals 'globals'
	option packet_steering '1'
	option ula_prefix 'fdf9:4d45:1cd9::/48'
	option dhcp_default_duid '00049e181bb9bfef49a3a519c86d6af9d91b'

config device
	option name 'br-lan'
	option type 'bridge'
	list ports 'lan1'
	list ports 'lan2'
	list ports 'lan3'
	list ports 'lan4'

config interface 'lan'
	option device 'br-lan'
	option proto 'static'
	option netmask '255.255.255.0'
	option ip6assign '60'
	option ipaddr '192.168.1.1'

config interface 'wan'
	option device 'wan'
	option proto 'dhcp'

config interface 'wan6'
	option device 'wan'
	option auto '0'
	option proto 'dhcpv6'
	option reqaddress 'try'
	option reqprefix 'auto'

config interface 'wwan'
	option proto 'dhcp'
	option auto '0'

config interface 'MobileUSB'
	option proto 'dhcp'
	option device 'usb0'
	option auto '0

Note: wifinet2 is unused/disabled.

root@OpenWrt:~# cat /etc/config/wireless

config wifi-device 'radio0'
	option type 'mac80211'
	option path '1e140000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.0/0000:02:00.0'
	option channel '1'
	option band '2g'
	option htmode 'HT20'
	option cell_density '0'

config wifi-iface 'default_radio0'
	option device 'radio0'
	option network 'lan'
	option mode 'ap'
	option ssid 'wifi-1'
	option encryption 'sae-mixed'
	option key '###'
	option ocv '0'
	option disabled '1'

config wifi-device 'radio1'
	option type 'mac80211'
	option path '1e140000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0/0000:01:00.0'
	option channel '36'
	option band '5g'
	option htmode 'VHT80'
	option cell_density '0'

config wifi-iface 'default_radio1'
	option device 'radio1'
	option network 'lan'
	option mode 'ap'
	option ssid 'wifi-2'
	option encryption 'sae-mixed'
	option key '###'
	option ocv '0'

config wifi-iface 'wifinet2'
	option device 'radio0'
	option mode 'sta'
	option network 'wwan'
	option ssid 'backup'
	option encryption 'psk2'
	option key '###'

lleachii · May 14, 2026, 8:29pm

?

How have you disabled wifinet2?

Your config doesn't show wifinet2 disabled - which is quite important!

Aside from not having the county code set on the radios, it appears that the STA config is still enabled. This means the 2.4 GHz AP will not come online until the STA connects first. Lastly:

Keep channel set to auto if you have a STA config. Since the STA connects first, the STA determines the channel the radio will use.

czezz · May 14, 2026, 8:41pm

@lleachii - thank you very much for your replies BUT did u actually read the opening post?
wifinet2 - by disconnecting my phone from USB. (it is a backup link in case ISP is down). 24.10.x and previous versions were never bothered by that.

lleachii · May 14, 2026, 8:43pm

Yes, I read your opening post - which is why I inquired why posted information is contrary to your written statements.

You need to disable the OpenWrt configuration for the same rationale I stated:

To be clear, disabling the hotspot on your phone will not solve the problem.

I'm referring to this wireless configuration:

it's not USB
it appears enabled

czezz · May 14, 2026, 8:51pm

I see - i will try again tomorrow upgrade to 25.12 and I will completely remove wifinet2. We will see if that helps.

On the other hand wifinet2 does not bother 5GHz band.
Also, i am running at the moment 24.10.6 - and wifinet2 does not conflict with 2.4 GHz band.

I will get back here with the results. Thanks!

lleachii · May 14, 2026, 8:53pm

Correct, you have the wifinet2 STA configuration set on 2.4 GHz, hence your issue.

I noticed.

I'm not sure why you [incorrectly] believe this, the wifinet2 configuration is for radio0 (2.4 GHz).

czezz · May 14, 2026, 9:13pm

czezz:

and wifinet2 does not conflict with 2.4 GHz band.

I'm not sure why you [incorrectly] believe this, the wifinet2 configuration is for radio0 (2.4 GHz).

Because, I am running 24.10.6 right now and I am connected to wifi-1 (radio0) whereas /etc/config/wireless is as follow.

It has never been a problem up to 25.12.x.

config wifi-iface 'default_radio0'
	option device 'radio0'
	option network 'lan'
	option mode 'ap'
	option ssid 'wifi-1'
	option encryption 'sae-mixed'
	option key '###'
	option ocv '0'
	option disabled '1'
...
config wifi-iface 'wifinet2'
	option device 'radio0'
	option mode 'sta'
	option network 'wwan'
	option ssid 'backup'
	option encryption 'psk2'
	option key '###'

lleachii · May 14, 2026, 9:27pm

Maybe I should ask for clarification:

You are having issues with 2.4 GHz radio, correct?
Are you altering your configurations upon each post?

I ask because:

czezz:

config wifi-iface 'default_radio0'
	option device 'radio0'
	option network 'lan'
	option mode 'ap'
	option ssid 'wifi-1'
	option encryption 'sae-mixed'
	option key '###'
	option ocv '0'
	option disabled '1'

This 2.4 GHz AP SSID appears disabled now

So I assume you intend to use the STA (WiFi client) connection?

If so, did you fix the channel settings?

Or provide more clarification on the issue switching versions (are you saying that disabled doesn't work in 24)?

In other words, you're saying version 24 had a bug where the AP didn't disable?

The behavior you describe in 25 seems correct.

czezz · May 14, 2026, 9:39pm

You are having issues with 2.4 GHz radio, correct?

Correct.

Are you altering your configurations upon each post?

I see the confusion.
In my previous post I mistakenly took configuration from troubleshooting session (disable 2.4Ghz enable 5Ghz). Sorry for that.

Here is the current /etc/config/wireless which I am running now on 24.10.6 and I am connected to wifi-1.

config wifi-iface 'default_radio0'
	option device 'radio0'
	option network 'lan'
	option mode 'ap'
	option ssid 'wifi-1'
	option encryption 'sae-mixed'
	option key '###'
	option ocv '0'
...
config wifi-iface 'wifinet2'
	option device 'radio0'
	option mode 'sta'
	option network 'wwan'
	option ssid 'backup'
	option encryption 'psk2'
	option key '###'

lleachii · May 14, 2026, 9:41pm

Please provide the wifi-device for radio0 as well
Please verify you wish to use AP and STA simultaneously, just AP, or just STA
Verify the description of the behavior on version 24 and version 25 for AP and/or STA

czezz · May 14, 2026, 9:51pm

config wifi-device 'radio0'
	option type 'mac80211'
	option path '1e140000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.0/0000:02:00.0'
	option channel '1'
	option band '2g'
	option cell_density '0'
	option htmode 'HT20'
	option legacy_rates '1'

config wifi-iface 'default_radio0'
	option device 'radio0'
	option network 'lan'
	option mode 'ap'
	option ssid 'wifi-1'
	option encryption 'sae-mixed'
	option key '###'
	option ocv '0'
...
config wifi-iface 'wifinet2'
	option device 'radio0'
	option mode 'sta'
	option network 'wwan'
	option ssid 'backup'
	option encryption 'psk2'
	option key '###'

As stated earlier - only AP only.
wifinet2 - is only a backup. In case my ISP is down, i connect to the router my mobile phone.

Im not sure what do u mean by that.
However, tomorrow I will run upgrade to 25 again and for peace of mind i will remove wifinet2.
I will post here the result.

lleachii · May 14, 2026, 10:23pm

Change to auto (rationale discussed above).

This is new too. Was it testing?

Then you'll need to do the following:

config wifi-iface 'wifinet2'
	option device 'radio0'
	option mode 'sta'
	option network 'wwan'
	option ssid 'backup'
	option encryption 'psk2'
	option key '###'
	option disabled '1'    #<<-------THIS

(rationale explained above)

Or you'll need to use a package like Travelmate that handles this.

Or simply disable it as I've mentioned a few times in the thread.

czezz · May 15, 2026, 11:32am

Thanks @lleachii
This seems to be a solution.

I upgraded to newly released 25.12.4.
Before the upgrade, I did what you suggested (in /etc/config/wireless):

Set option disabled to 1 for wifinet2 interface

config wifi-iface 'wifinet2'
	option device 'radio0'
	option mode 'sta'
	option network 'wwan'
	option ssid 'backup'
	option encryption 'psk2'
	option key '###'
	option disabled '1'

Set option channel to auto for wifi-device 'radio0'

config wifi-device 'radio0'
	option type 'mac80211'
	option path '1e140000.pcie/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.0/0000:02:00.0'
	option channel 'auto'
	option band '2g'
	option cell_density '0'
	option htmode 'HT20'
	option legacy_rates '1'

Thank you very much for your help!