Sudden 2.4GHz WiFi Issues

m1dori · June 3, 2025, 1:23am

Hello,

I have been having issues lately with the 2.5 GHz Wifi on my GL.iNet GL-MT6000. I have spend many day trying to troubleshoot this issue.

Setup:

PFSense with 4 VLANS to the GL.iNet GL-MT6000 in which I was kindly helped with configuring at the beginning of the year. There is no issue with connecting to these.

I tested speeds from multiple devices on both 2.5 GHz and 5 GHz and this is the results consistently.

I've used a WiFi Analyzer and assigned it to channels with less traffic.

I have exhausted where to look next.

Could this possibly be hardware related? It was working fine from when I configured it in January until two weeks ago.

Thanks for your time.

brada4 · June 3, 2025, 3:44am

Look in the 'hood - your neighbours got on the 'net

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:

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

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

m1dori · June 3, 2025, 11:36am

Thank you so much for the response, here are the outputs.

root@OpenWrt:~# ubus call system board
{
        "kernel": "5.15.167",
        "hostname": "OpenWrt",
        "system": "ARMv8 Processor rev 4",
        "model": "GL.iNet GL-MT6000",
        "board_name": "glinet,gl-mt6000",
        "rootfs_type": "squashfs",
        "release": {
                "distribution": "OpenWrt",
                "version": "23.05.5",
                "revision": "r24106-10cc5fcd00",
                "target": "mediatek/filogic",
                "description": "OpenWrt 23.05.5 r24106-10cc5fcd00"
        }
}

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 ula_prefix 'fd86:8ff4:82db::/48'

config device
        option name 'br-lan'
        option type 'bridge'
        list ports 'eth1'
        list ports 'lan1'
        list ports 'lan2'
        list ports 'lan3'
        list ports 'lan4'

config bridge-vlan
        option device 'br-lan'
        option vlan '100'
        list ports 'eth1:t'

config interface 'Trusted'
        option proto 'dhcp'
        option device 'br-lan.100'

config device
        option name 'lan1'
        option macaddr '**:**:**:**:**:**'

config device
        option name 'lan2'
        option macaddr '**:**:**:**:**:**'

config device
        option name 'lan3'
        option macaddr '**:**:**:**:**:**'

config device
        option name 'lan4'
        option macaddr '**:**:**:**:**:**'

config device
        option name 'lan5'
        option macaddr '**:**:**:**:**:**'

config device
        option name 'eth1'
        option macaddr '**:**:**:**:**:**'
        option ipv6 '0'

config interface 'admin'
        option proto 'static'
        option device 'lan5'
        option ipaddr '192.168.69.1'
        option netmask '255.255.255.0'

config bridge-vlan
        option device 'br-lan'
        option vlan '110'
        option local '0'
        list ports 'eth1:t'
        list ports 'lan1'
        list ports 'lan3'
        list ports 'lan4'

config bridge-vlan
        option device 'br-lan'
        option vlan '120'
        list ports 'eth1:t'
        option local '0'

config bridge-vlan
        option device 'br-lan'
        option vlan '130'
        option local '0'
        list ports 'eth1:t'
        list ports 'lan2'

config interface 'IOT'
        option proto 'none'
        option device 'br-lan.110'

config interface 'guest'
        option proto 'none'
        option device 'br-lan.120'

config interface 'mobile'
        option proto 'none'
        option device 'br-lan.130'

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

config wifi-device 'radio0'
        option type 'mac80211'
        option path 'platform/soc/18000000.wifi'
        option channel '6'
        option band '2g'
        option htmode 'HE40'
        option cell_density '0'
        option country 'US'

config wifi-device 'radio1'
        option type 'mac80211'
        option path 'platform/soc/18000000.wifi+1'
        option channel 'auto'
        option band '5g'
        option htmode 'HE80'
        option country 'US'
        option cell_density '0'

config wifi-iface 'wifinet0'
        option device 'radio0'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid '********'
        option encryption 'psk2'
        option key '********'
        option network 'Trusted'

config wifi-iface 'wifinet1'
        option device 'radio0'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid '********'
        option encryption 'psk2'
        option key '********'
        option network 'IOT'

config wifi-iface 'wifinet2'
        option device 'radio0'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid '********'
        option encryption 'psk2'
        option network 'guest'
        option key '********'

config wifi-iface 'wifinet3'
        option device 'radio0'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid '********'
        option encryption 'psk2'
        option key '********'
        option network 'mobile'

config wifi-iface 'wifinet4'
        option device 'radio1'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid 'm1dori-5'
        option encryption 'psk2'
        option key '***********'
        option network 'Trusted'

config wifi-iface 'wifinet5'
        option device 'radio1'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid '********'
        option encryption 'psk2'
        option key '********'
        option network 'IOT'

config wifi-iface 'wifinet6'
        option device 'radio1'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid '********'
        option encryption 'psk2'
        option key '********'
        option network 'guest'

config wifi-iface 'wifinet7'
        option device 'radio1'
        option mode 'ap'
        option ssid '********'
        option encryption 'psk2'
        option network 'mobile'
        option key '********'

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

config dnsmasq
        option domainneeded '1'
        option localise_queries '1'
        option rebind_protection '1'
        option rebind_localhost '1'
        option local '/lan/'
        option domain 'lan'
        option expandhosts '1'
        option cachesize '1000'
        option readethers '1'
        option leasefile '/tmp/dhcp.leases'
        option resolvfile '/tmp/resolv.conf.d/resolv.conf.auto'
        option localservice '1'
        option ednspacket_max '1232'

config odhcpd 'odhcpd'
        option maindhcp '0'
        option leasefile '/tmp/hosts/odhcpd'
        option leasetrigger '/usr/sbin/odhcpd-update'
        option loglevel '4'

config dhcp 'admin'
        option interface 'admin'
        option start '100'
        option limit '150'
        option leasetime '12h'

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

config defaults
        option input 'ACCEPT'
        option output 'ACCEPT'
        option forward 'REJECT'
        option synflood_protect '1'

config zone
        option name 'lan'
        option input 'ACCEPT'
        option output 'ACCEPT'
        option forward 'ACCEPT'

config zone
        option name 'wan'
        option input 'ACCEPT'
        option output 'ACCEPT'
        option forward 'REJECT'
        option masq '1'
        option mtu_fix '1'

config forwarding
        option src 'lan'
        option dest 'wan'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-DHCP-Renew'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'udp'
        option dest_port '68'
        option target 'ACCEPT'
        option family 'ipv4'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-Ping'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'icmp'
        option icmp_type 'echo-request'
        option family 'ipv4'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-IGMP'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'igmp'
        option family 'ipv4'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-DHCPv6'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'udp'
        option dest_port '546'
        option family 'ipv6'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-MLD'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'icmp'
        option src_ip 'fe80::/10'
        list icmp_type '130/0'
        list icmp_type '131/0'
        list icmp_type '132/0'
        list icmp_type '143/0'
        option family 'ipv6'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-ICMPv6-Input'
        option src 'wan'
        option proto 'icmp'
        list icmp_type 'echo-request'
        list icmp_type 'echo-reply'
        list icmp_type 'destination-unreachable'
        list icmp_type 'packet-too-big'
        list icmp_type 'time-exceeded'
        list icmp_type 'bad-header'
        list icmp_type 'unknown-header-type'
        list icmp_type 'router-solicitation'
        list icmp_type 'neighbour-solicitation'
        list icmp_type 'router-advertisement'
        list icmp_type 'neighbour-advertisement'
        option limit '1000/sec'
        option family 'ipv6'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-ICMPv6-Forward'
        option src 'wan'
        option dest '*'
        option proto 'icmp'
        list icmp_type 'echo-request'
        list icmp_type 'echo-reply'
        list icmp_type 'destination-unreachable'
        list icmp_type 'packet-too-big'
        list icmp_type 'time-exceeded'
        list icmp_type 'bad-header'
        list icmp_type 'unknown-header-type'
        option limit '1000/sec'
        option family 'ipv6'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-IPSec-ESP'
        option src 'wan'
        option dest 'lan'
        option proto 'esp'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

config rule
        option name 'Allow-ISAKMP'
        option src 'wan'
        option dest 'lan'
        option dest_port '500'
        option proto 'udp'
        option target 'ACCEPT'

I also have the firewall disabled on my OpenWRT. Thank you so much for taking the time to look at this.

brada4 · June 3, 2025, 12:21pm

Set auto channel in 2.4 band?
conf looks quite ok

andrewjlamarche · June 3, 2025, 12:32pm

I’d also suggest setting 2.4GHz to 20MHz channels only. You’re adding a lot of noise to the environment by setting a 40MHz channel.

m1dori · June 3, 2025, 12:56pm

Thank you both for the reply's, I appreciate your time.

@brada4 I started off on Auto, and then during troubleshooting tried the other channels. Auto doesn't seem to fix the bandwidth issue

@andrewjlamarche I will had this at 20 for a while, and will switch it back but it didn't seem to have any effect.

lleachii · June 3, 2025, 2:35pm

It seems quite normal to me. You have 3 SSIDs on 2.4 GHz.

How many of your 2.4 devices are capable of 802.11ac or ax?
How many devices are connected to these 3 SSIDs?
Have you added more devices recently?

(IoT and older 2.4 GHz devices rarely do AC and AX.)

What device did you perform this test on (so we can determine if the WiFi chip does AC or AX on 2.4 GHz)?

It didn't, as you see your device connected at 20 MHz. Most 2.4 GHz clients are only capable of 20 MHz anyway.

m1dori · June 3, 2025, 3:20pm

Yes, they are. I did switch to N and left it for about a day, and it didn't change anything. They should all be capable of WiFi 6, the only devices that really use the 2.5 GHz band is the Eufy Ecosystem that I have [desperately want to replace but waiting....]. From what I read, most of the Eufy stuff is connected to the homebase3 [which is hardwired] and then routes to the internet that way. There are about 7 cameras, then the rest of the Eufy stuff probably barely creates traffic. The rest is all 5 GHz. [7 devices connected right now]
There are actually 4 SSIDs, but the Guest one is rarely used. First two use DHCP reservation only.

Trusted network has 3 devices that connect rarely and are computers
IOT is the big network has 9 currently connected.
Guest has nothing
Mobile has anywhere from 5 to 10 devices
*No new devices recently

I replaced my PFSense firewall to a Protectli vault this past weekend, but the problem is present in both my previous firewall and current firewall. So, I ruled that out.

I tested from a Dell Precision 3470 and an Pixel 7 Pro. The speed remained the same on all 4 SSIDs for the 2.5 GHz bandwidth (same speed if next to router or across the house) and 5 GHz remained good on all 4.

Also, I did speed tests when I was the only one using the Wifi and it would go from 19 Mbps and drop to like 6 Mbps then go back up.

Thank you for your help

ed8 · June 3, 2025, 4:10pm

Wild shot: update 23.04.5 to 24.10.1 and see if issue disappears?

lleachii · June 3, 2025, 5:24pm

I was inquiring about 2.4 GHz devices, you can look at the list on the LuCI web GUI and see if they're connecting at WiFi 4, 5 or 6.

So about 22 devices on 2.4 GHz?
Wow.

How did they connect (look in the web GUI to see)?

gameinn · June 3, 2025, 6:09pm

You didn't happen to add a USB stick to the router did you?

m1dori · June 3, 2025, 6:20pm

I went ahead and updated the firmware, no difference sadly.

I did not.

Pixel 7 Pro 5 GHz & 2.5 GHz

No, my mistake on this. There are 9 currently on 2.5 GHz and normally around 12 to 15. Some devices fluctuate online and offline due to the fact that i need to add a range extender for those devices but that's a separate issue entirely.

My mistake again, these are my current WiFi connections. The bottom two, one is a TLC TV and one is an Air Conditioner [doesn't matter most likely].

I appreciate the help.

lleachii · June 3, 2025, 6:39pm

That's not a separate issue. This means you have known poor signals on some clients (i.e., retransmitted frames).

It definitely matters!

You're sharing your 2.4 GHz with 802.11b/g devices. Disconnect the 2.4 GHz b/g client and test (and the weak signal ones).

m1dori · June 3, 2025, 6:51pm

So I have been noticing that most of the 2.4 GHz connections are fluctuating. The AC is now connected with an N connection and others dropped down to a b/g client. It seems to be fluxuating within the 2.5 GHz network. Any ideas?

lleachii · June 3, 2025, 8:10pm

Yes:

I think the 2.4 GHz band is saturated in your area
You won't get good bandwidth with b/g clients connected

m1dori · June 3, 2025, 11:51pm

Would adding a mesh device or extender mitigate some of the issue, not including the b/gclients?

brada4 · June 4, 2025, 12:02am

Yeah, mesh triples radio usage, it will help to kill b/g devices for good.