Same situation here and i did some digging and found the solution.2.4GHz wifi Channel bandwidth 20MHz and Control Channel 6. If not working try change to channel 1 or 11 depends on wifi interference around you.

Yes. Correct recommendations.



Refer to the following link https://www.metageek.com/training/resources...els-1-6-11.html

Regards

Dear geep.

Current interests are 5 GHz (WiFi 5) and the latest WiFi 6.

2.4 GHz is legacy. Actually good for distance but not speed in comparison to WiFi 5 and WiFi 6.

Of course you need the proper router and client side to support WiFi 5 and WiFi 6.

Nevertheless, 2.4 GHz still offers reasonable performance for daily use.

I think DIR-868L is giving comparable 2.4 GHz WiFi performance to other routers.

The Asuswrt-Merlin firmware may give a bit more performance based on experience from performance at 5 GHz WiFi.

And the cooling does help too. Keep the radios at top performance.

Sorry could not be much help on this.

Regards,

Dear geep,

Good way to go back to Tomato from Asuswrt-Merlin.   

Interestingly, Tomato recognized the router as an Asus RT-AC66U B1 and not DLink DIR-868L. 

I suppose the firmware could only read the motherboard firmware/hardware but not the shell of the router.

Nevertheless, it is a good option for those still restricted to 2.4 GHz and wanted more performance.

BTW, did you get the firmware from freshtomato.org website?

https://freshtomato.org/

I noticed the firmware version is 2021.1.

It seems that both is using the same firmware K26ARM, which explains a lot why it worked. 

Nevertheless, the 32K NVRAM limit is still an issue if your flash straight from DIR-868L.

Unless you follow the earlier part of my original post how to overcome that or if your already flashed your DIR-868L to Asuswrt-Merlin firmware can follow like you did.

Regards,

Please don't. I tried to change the odmpid to RT-AC68U and it will brick.

Then need to unbrick through the serial pins.

Yes there's a weird bug. Even if I change the odmpid through NVRAM (not flashing the CFE with modified values), it will brick straight away. So you can't even clear NVRAM using the WPS button.

Can you link me the tips? I don't really understand the photos

I've edited my post with new links and instructions. Please try again.
Weirdly enough, now my Internet LED lights up green eventhough it's on AC68u. Seems to have fixed itself.