E4200 N 2.4 GHz substandard, faulty and defective. [ Edited ]

[cge4200]

I try to connect my IPod touch to the wireless router E4200 Firmware 1.0.02 build 13 and I got this error Unable to join the network “n2”.

This is my 2.4 GHz Wireless Settings:

Network Mode: Wireless-N only

Network Name (SSID): n2

Channel Width: Auto

Channel: 9 – 2.452GHZ

Security Mode:  WPA2

I spoke with customer service and I went through all the setting change possible without success, she told me maybe the problem was with my iPod and I have to call apple customer service. 

I can connect the iPod to my old wireless router successfully with not issues, using 2.4 GHZ only N Wireless Settings.

The another issue I is when I use 2.4 GHz N is not connecting with a good speed (Max speed 64 Mbps) I know my pc have a max of 300 Mbps and again when I connected using old wireless I get max speed. I analyze all spectrum around the router is located; I change the channel to the one that are not in use for another router. Same speed, no improve of performance.

I found in the report from the Wi-Fi spectrum analyzer said band N 5 GHz max rate 450 Mbps that is the speed that is supposed to be, but for 2.4 GHz N max rate 144 Mbps, so there is a problem with the router that is no giving the right speed and standard specification for band 2.4 GHz N. I did same test with older firmware release and same issue.  So there is hardware or firmware issues I don’t know wish one is the problem.

I tried all setting possible and I get same outcome, no iPod connection and low speed rate with a max of 144 Mbps (It’s supposed to be 300 Mbps)

I have read a lot people complaining about same issue, I am wondering if they bought this router from BestBuy…

Anybody else have the same problem?   

(Mod Note: Edited for guideline compliance.)

[hiptechboy]

Try using the "forget" feature on the ipod to forget the network settings. Just click the blue arrow and you'll see the forget button at the top. 

The reason why you aren't getting 300mbps is becausing the E4200 isn't bonding channels (40mhz). This is necessary to get that link rate. It seems that the E4200 is a little more "considerate" when it comes to determining whether or not it should bond channels. SInce doing so will consume a lot of spectrum and create problems for your neighbors. 

[cge4200]

I already did the forget future every time a change the setting of the router, but that not fix the problem.

O.K. The E4200 try to be little more "considerate" but from 300 Mbps to 64 or 144 Mbps is really huge difference, particularly
when the advertisement says this is good for multimedia use. And why another wireless router can get 300 Mbps?

Absolutely there is a problem with the firmware or hardware that need to be fix.

I apologies if I upset or I was against the forum guidelines in my original post, that was not my intention.

[hiptechboy]

Try changing the channel to auto. Also make sure that you haven't enabled mac address filtering in a way that would block wireless access for the iPod. I also found it weird since I was able to use channel bonding on my previous router 24/7 with good speeds. What rates are you getting when transferring files wirelessly to a wired computer? Try channel 6 for channel bonding. It might work.

[HiSpeed]

Hi,

The Linksys products have a wrong management of 40MHz bonding.

With my E3000 last firmware, I'm obliged to use only the channel 6 to reach 300Mb/s.

At the opposite, my TP-Link router works fine with all the channels.

For details:

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless-N_Configuration

[cge4200]

Transferring a 6 GB file using 2.5 GHz Only N a 144 Mbps I get speed rates 7 MB/second taking 16 minutes. With a full 2.5 GHz Only N a 300 Mbps the speed is 19 MB/second taking no more than 5 minutes. There is a huge difference.

 I change to channel 6 same issues router speed max rate 144 Mbps and no ipod connection.

[hiptechboy]

For the iPod problem, try unplugging the router for about 30seconds. If that doesn't work, try disabling the security.

[cge4200]

I did a hard reset router and iPod, I right now I am not using any wireless security.

I am giving up, I will do what the Cisco customer service representative said return it to store. I think if I exchange for same router I will have the same problem. I am thinking to buy another brand. I don’t know which one will be good. I will try Netgear, I will miss the usb printer connection, which was one of the reason I choose the Linksys E4200 over Netgear. I still don’t understand why they advertise something that is no truth. Right now I am packing the router back to the box and I read everywhere Maximum speed up to 300 + 450 Mbps it’s truth for the 450 but not for 2.5 GHz 300 Mbps.

Anyone have a good reason to keep the Linksys E4200 knowing the bonding issues with the 2.5 GHz band? Anyone knows if Linksys are planning to fix this issue, I see the price is dropping that make me think... I don’t want to buy something and then the company discontinues or not gives more support.

I will leaving in 2 hours to the store to return it, any advice I will appreciate… I am really disappointed with this issue…

Thanks guys for your responds…     

[hiptechboy]

Download ssider and tell us how many networks are around you. I feel sorry for this guy http://members.cox.net/pgm1972/inSSider.JPG

[marco1983]

I am very pleased with my e4200 BUT.

This is the thread i opened:http://homecommunity.cisco.com/t5/Wireless-Routers/E4200-channel-bonding-problem-2-4-GHz/td-p/412413

It's very much the same problem.

This comment is peeep: SInce doing so will consume a lot of spectrum and create problems for your neighbors. 

My neighbors and all other brand router give nothing about me and linksys so i think it is a shortcoming of the routers firmware.

It need to be fixed ASAP it is the ultimate router as said by linksys than earn the name and let channels bond