In addition to disabling “Airtime Fairness” which was stickied at the top, here are my RT-AC86U router settings which focuses on 2.4GHz band for Wyze cameras and my smart light switches. These are settings just what I used mainly for my environment and I found them to be quite stable.
Wireless - General 2.4GHz band
Wireless Mode - Auto (you can set it as N/AC mixed, but I have 1 really old wireless G printer. Also I disabled 11b because I don’t have any of those devices)
Channel bandwidth - 20 MHz (for better range and wall penetration)
Control Channel - 1, 6 or 11 (you can pick which ever has the least interference)
In most cases, Wyze wired cameras needs to first establish an internet connection with a NTP server to provide the proper timestamp and record into the correct folders. Wyze’s app relies the recordings being in the correct folder to align the footage chronologically. If it can’t establish an internet connection to a NTP server, then it will start recording into a dated folder based on the firmware build date with its corresponding wrong timestamp. Your only choice will be then to physically remove the micro SD to view the footage in a PC or phone.
Cam V3 / V3 Pro / Cam Pan V2 with firmware 4.xx.13.0416 or newer will automatically restart itself after 30 minutes of internet outage (not power cycled). As there is no internet to connect to a NTP server to sync the correct time, it will start recording into dated folder based on firmware build date with an incorrect timestamp. Flashing that firmware will cause it to act exactly like the Cam OG cameras.
In comparison, the older firmware of 4.xx.11.8391 can playback without any problem (under the same condition) as it doesn’t restart itself. Although it will still record properly after 30 min of internet outage, if you power cycle them (without internet) then the recordings start saving in a dated folder based on firmware build date with a incorrect timestamp (this is is expected behaviour).
To work around this issue, you can enable local NTP server and intercept NTP client requests on your Asus router in Advanced Settings > Administration > System > under Basic Config. Set your timezone and your choice of NTP server link (ex. pool.ntp.org).
This will allow your Wyze cameras to establish and sync timestamps with your router so it will record properly (footage in proper folders) even when the internet is down or power cycled / surge (without internet). The Wyze app now should be able to playback the footage without issue even in the event of an internet outage and power surge.
I noticed this phenomena the other day when I tried to install a new Asus BE88U router (which I spent over an hour till I gave up).
Once I put the old router back, the V3 cameras started recording again. I did NOT pull the SD cards to see where the footage went, but it looks like you have already done extensive testing on firmware 4.36.13.0416 on the V3 cameras.
I had time the other day to give the “upgrade” another shot before sending the router back.
I performed a hard reset on the new router and got it to connect to my Cable Modem FINALLY. I got it done in a 20 minute window so the cameras did not miss any footage this time.
I don’t see that “Enable Local NTP Server” on the Asus RT-BE88U, nor the “Intercept NTP Client Requests”. I have updated to the latest Asus firmware too.
Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with the latest Asus WiFi 7 routers. It is entirely possible they have changed the settings layout as my WiFi 5 router is several years old now.
On firmware 4.36.13.0416, you can find the footage on July 3 2024 on the Wyze app without needing to inspect the microSD card. This is the firmware build date for that particular firmware which it defaults to when it can’t connect to a NTP server to sync the date and timestamp.
There is a new beta firmware 4.36.14.2259 for Cam V3 which I’m currently testing which seems to fix the auto restart issue after 30 minutes of internet outage.
I’m confused why you would disable these?
My understanding is they are responsible to improving throughput, reducing interference, etc in order to reach nodes. So if garage is on far side of the house, then to reach your Wyze Cam v3 (for example) then you’re going to want these on, surely?
I would have thought creating a dedicated guest network, just for Wyze devices would have been a better approach??
This is my standard setup for most clients. Given there are so many devices that don’t play friendly with a Asus Smart Connect WiFi networks, it’s beneficial to not tamper with the global Advanced WiFi settings and rules, and instead have a dedicated WiFi just for those devices, plus enable/disable QoS (based on your preference).
EDIT: Make sure you try out the latest ‘Merlin’
or ‘Merlin Gnuton’ firmware to get access to more features and functionality in your Asus device. Does not void your warranty.
In theory, they are supposed to help. However, I experience with a lot of other legacy IoT devices they don’t play nicely with those settings enabled. In fact, Merlin specifically mentioned to disable those settings on the 2.4GHz band. None of my IoT devices support MU-MIMO anyways. On SNBForums, it is generally recommended to disable those settings now especially on my RT-AC86U. I don’t know what is the situation for other routers.
You can definitely put Wyze into the Guest Network. For routers on the older Merlin 386 firmware, it is ideal to put it in Guest Network 2 or 3 because Guest Network 1 doesn’t abide by the local NTP server and intercepting NTP client requests setting which I mentioned earlier. I believe this was eventually fixed for ASUS WiFi 6 routers with Merlin-Asuswrt firmware 388.1.
Hey mate, really impressed to find someone with such attention to detail and capable of clearly documenting these steps without inserting numerous assumptions and “it” everywhere.
May I ask if you have you experimented using guest network 2+ for WiFi 2GHz and enabling local network access, etc. Then turn Airtime Fairness (plus MIMO & 2x Beam forming) back on?
Also TX Bursting is an interesting option. I would have thought in 2025, all these Cam 3 and Cam 4 devices would support these common tricks / hacks to get greater throughput thru SMB / SOHO / Home routers? They’re certainly not unique to Asus and have been around 15+ years!
I wonder if Asus will adopt either any of the Zigbee, Thread and Matter functionality down the track? Would certainly make them stand out. (or introduce more issues!)
Edit: I’m using an AX82U router on Gnuton. While a step down from AX86U, I couldn’t justify the jump from $200 AUD to $350+. Far more responsive and stable since upgrading from AC86U.
(or introduce more issues!)