5th Generation Airport Extreme - Wifi Slow, dropping connections

I just upgraded my 2nd generation Airport Extreme to a refurbished 5th generation I purchased from Apple.com
I duplicated the configuration of the old one, as I have a static IP address and what not from my ISP. Also, I have a few port mappings for outside access. Everything plugged in via ethernet, seems to be working without issue.
Everything wireless, which is to say - a Roku, a desktop/all in one, 3 laptops, 4 smartphones, and a tablet are not working as expected. Oddly enough, they are slow to resolve. For example, going to www.yahoo.com took nearly 20 seconds to resolve. At first I thought it was a DNS service issu, and changed to another set of DNS servers (went from Level 3 to another provider, just to test)..... same thing. Also, computers would also go from connected to "limited connectivity".
Network is a mixed bag Windows 7, 8, and OS X, same with phones, Windows Phone, iOS, and Android, tablet is webOS or something. Everything is at least 802.11 n compatible.
In my Wireless Settings of Airport Utility I have this configured:
Radio Mode: Automatic - manual 802.11a/n - 802.11b/g/n
Radio Channel Selection - 149 5ghz and 1 2.4 ghz
Security, wpa2
Wireless Network Options: unchecked is 5ghz network name
Multicast = low
Country = USA
Transmit power = 100%
WPA group key timeout = 60 seconds
I unchecked use wide channels, and create a closed network is not checked.
Now, I have a older airport express (I think it's 3rd gen) that I use in a plug that borders my living room / kitchen to extend the network. Nothing peculiar is configured on that thing other than the default network extension settings.
At the moment, it is unplugged, as I was using inSSIDer to make sure my network was configured to the right channels compared to what my neighbors were doing. Everyone else is on 6 or 12, and there are no 5ghz channels in range.
Does anyone know what might be causing the horrific resolution times on my Macbook Pro... it's pretty awful, loading your average websites takes far more time over wifi than over ethernet (also tested this).
Really, nothing changed except some 'newer' hardware was added, the 5th gen airport. Any help is appreciated!

Ok i have a relatively new Extreme and here is what i see on 5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz.
This happens frequently - the 5 GHz wireless connection drops, slows way down, or just does not connect.
I reassociate to 2.4GHz and viola, works perfectly. This is with 7.7.2 firmware.
Pinging a site on the east coast from the west coast, first on 5 GHz:
64 bytes from 24.93.38.29: icmp_seq=8 ttl=113 time=909.161 ms
Request timeout for icmp_seq 9
64 bytes from 24.93.38.29: icmp_seq=9 ttl=113 time=1013.389 ms
64 bytes from 24.93.38.29: icmp_seq=10 ttl=113 time=631.026 ms
64 bytes from 24.93.38.29: icmp_seq=11 ttl=113 time=977.959 ms
64 bytes from 24.93.38.29: icmp_seq=13 ttl=113 time=814.521 ms
64 bytes from 24.93.38.29: icmp_seq=14 ttl=113 time=226.186 ms
^C
16 packets transmitted, 13 packets received, 18.8% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 226.186/818.213/1498.367/334.693 ms
THEN ON 2.4 GHZ THIS IS THE NORMAL PING TIME
bash-3.2$ ping nc.rr.com
PING nc.rr.com (24.93.38.29): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 24.93.38.29: icmp_seq=0 ttl=113 time=76.996 ms
64 bytes from 24.93.38.29: icmp_seq=1 ttl=113 time=99.699 ms
64 bytes from 24.93.38.29: icmp_seq=2 ttl=113 time=76.806 ms
64 bytes from 24.93.38.29: icmp_seq=3 ttl=113 time=71.794 ms
I just did this and was about to post it when i saw this original post. This has been a CONSTANT problem with my Airport Extreme since I bought it.... in general 5 GHz coverage pretty much ***** in my house - a two story wood frame house - and its very flaky... very unpredictable.
I suspect the hardware myself... and i work in the wifi tech business...
Message was edited by: Mark Ennamorato1 AND i just was switching back and forth to 5GHz again..im 60 feet away in another room on the same floor, and Airport Utility (yet another piece of junk software but that's another discussion...) cannot even FIND the A.E....until i switch back to 2.4 GHz... clearly this thing is in a bad state right now for some unknown reason
Message was edited by: Mark Ennamorato1 oops wow...Airport Utility actually saw the AE after about a minute on 5 GHz... finds it in about 1 second on 2.4 GHz.

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My internet speed is super slow with wifi. I have a 5th generation Airport Extreme

I have a 5th generation Airport Extreme and a 2nd generation Airport Express as an extender. I have Xfinity as my broadband provider and live in a decent size condo. In the last two months, the speed through my wifi has been horrible. In most cases, I can only get 2mpbs download and barely 1mpbs upload. The hard line connection through my iMac gives me 150mpbs download and 50+mpbs upload consistently. I've reset my routers and check for the latest software. I'm wondering if the interference from my neighbors wifi signals are to blame. Can someone please help me in restoring some decent speed with my wifi network?

It's entirely possible that the problem is interference, although resetting the Airports should force them to search for and lock in on the clearest channel available to minimize that.
Start by simplifying the network. Shut off the Express. Test while connected to the Extreme via WiFi. How's the performance? Can you ping the hard wired iMac from the Wireless network?

New Airport Extreme (6th Gen) Dropping Connection from Time to Time.

Problem:
6th Generation Airport Extreme drops connection intermittently at random times.
Set Up:
6th Generation Airport Extreme (main router - no hard drive/not a time capsule) located center of house on the main floor. 2 Range extenders each approximately 30+ feet away from main router. First range extender (Airport Express - newest generation) located on the third floor parallel to main. Second range extender (Airport Express - new generation) is located at the end of the kitchen (main floor).
Main Router is connected straight from a Motorolla Surfboard modem on a foyer table at the center of the house.
Range extenders connected to Main Router wirelessly and at wall outlett height.
Previous Setup:
Same setup as above but, with the 5th Generation Airport Extreme instead of the 6th Generation.
Firmware:
All current versions.
Devices:
1 SONY VAIO VGN-FW490J
HP Notebook G60
Several WEMO outlets
1 iPad Mini
1 iPad 2
1 iPhone 5
1 Motorolla RAZR MAXX
Macbook Pro
iMac (wired from main router on foyer table)
Note: All of these routers/range extenders/modem/computers are plugged into surge protected outlets.
Notes:
With the new Airport Extreme my family and I have been experiencing intermettent connection drops. The amber light on the main router turns on and within a few minutes turns green and connection resumes again. This has been happening for a few days now ever since I purchased the new router. This has not happened before with the 5th generation router, which I donated to our church.
I have not exchanged the product yet. I will be initiating a Complete Power Recycle after some suggested solutions in a bit. I have contacted my Internet Service Provider (Comcast) for a line check and found no problems.
Has anyone found any solutions to resolve the intermittent connection drops? Is reverting to the previous firmware going to solve this?
I would like some insights before trying to do all this. Thank you all for your time.
P.s.
I've done a detailed post since posts like these is frequently asked questions on set-up, devices, connections, etc:

Update:
Before I went to exchange my 6th Gen Extreme, I ran through all possible solutions from complete power recycle to no devices connected. I even went out of my way to my cousin's house to test it out. The same problem still kept coming.
I was able to exchange my 6th Gen Airprt Extreme with another 6th Gen Extreme the other day. I set it up how the instructions told me and within an hour it did the exact same problem as the previous 6th Gen Extreme. I gave up and decided to get the ASUS RT-AC66R (ASUS RT-AC66U is the same, just the 'R' is Best Buy's model.)
The ASUS router is just as great as the 6th Gen Router. You can actually get it down to $180 by price matching to Amazon. The ASUS router has 3 antennas that you can adjust according to where the signal is used more. I pointed them more towards the backyard, upstairs, and the living room. The range is by far better than the Extreme because of this. I was able to drive down a good block (3-4 houses down) and still connected to my router. Also it has 2 USB ports which was fantastic for me so I can plug in my external hard drive and a non-wireless printer. It has many more features that I really liked that I didn't even know was possible. The router utility interface is a bit confusing at first but, it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
Some features that I liked with the ASUS was the ability to have multiple guest network with time limits. 3 for 2.4gHz and 3 for 5gHz. I think that Airport guest accounts are only allowed 2.4gHz but not a 5gHz. Though I only needed 1 for each but, I can see this working well for businesses.
Another feature is traffic manager. I am able to set specific bandwith for different types of use such as, high priority 80%-100% bandwith for gaming, medium priority badwith 70%-90% for HD media streaming/data transfer, and 50%-80% low bandwith for casual web surfing. It also has it's own "beamforming" so that data isn't free roamed.
Lastly it has AiCloud sync which is basically like having a hard drive into your router but, much like having a Dropbox at the same time.
More or less I think I'll stick with the ASUS router rather than going with the new Airport Extreme. I think that it's more on firmware issue than it is hardware. If you are not willing to switch to another brand and want to keep staying with Apple, I recommend going back to the 5th generation until a new firmware or rebuilt 6th gen extreme is out.
I have not found any problem with the ASUS router and no intermittent connectivity issues.
Now I am not trying to make you buy the ASUS router. I'm merely expressing how great the product is.
I do have 60 days from Best Buy return policy to try out the ASUS (and report of any malfuntions) and if within that time a new firmware is out for the Extreme. I highly doubt I'll go back to the extreme though.
Hope this helped!!

Difference 4th and 5th generation AirPort Extreme

Hello
what exactly is the difference between the 4th and the 5th generation AirPort Extreme?

I understand. You really have two options at this point:
Add another Express near the stereo and configure it to "join" the wireless network, assuming that you have the "mid-point" Express configured to "Extend a wireless network".
Connect your single AirPort Express using an Ethernet connection. If you cannot run the EThrnet cable, take a look at a pair of Ethernet power line adatpers to send the Ethernet signal over the AC power lines in your home.

My 2nd generation Airport Extreme very slow via wireless (5 and belows mbps) wired over 20. Please help!

My 2nd generation Airport Extreme very slow via wireless (5 and belows mbps) wired over 20. Please help! What could it be?

It is very possible that you may have some form of Wi-Fi interference nearby that is preventing your AEBSn from providing a clean RF signal on the 2.4 GHz band.
I suggest you perform a simple site survey, using utilities like iStumbler, or AirRadar to determine potential areas of interference, and then, try to either eliminate or significantly reduce them where possible.

Where can I find a power supply for 2nd - 5th Generation Airport Extreme?

I have an Airport Extreme that needs a power supply and cord. Where can I purchase one? Is this something Apple sells separately? Or, if someone could supply the part numbef for their power supply that could aid in my search, that would be great. I have a 4th generation AirPort Extreme that needs one. Thanks!

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-EADP-20BB-supply-AirPort-Extreme/dp/B00AAQ3JE8/ref =pd_sim_sbs_e_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=07Z3H174172XDAET831A

Extremely slow speeds on Windows Computers with 5th Generation AirPort Extreme

I just got a new refurbished AirPort Extreme 5th generation. Everything works great for all of my OS X devices and iOS Devices. I am getting my ISPs speeds when doing tests. The issue is when I am using Windows devices. My roommate has a desktop and a netbook and both are getting extremely slow speeds. Speeds like .07Mbps down. Does anyone have any idea what the issue might be?

You have no large file?? Really.. in the whole computer there is not a windows update file.. a backup file... a movie download file.. nothing.. ??
Anyway that is irrelevant.. the issue is wireless.
Download the latest drivers from the wireless manufacturer.
You will need to find out what wireless card is used and locate the correct download for that model.
On the Airport it is well worth doing the following tests.
1. Change the name to SMB standard.. short no spaces pure alphanumeric.
So if your wireless name is Fred Blog's Airport Extreme wireless
Plesae change it to AEwifi
2. Take off all security for a test.
3. Set channels.. I am guessing the computers are only using 2.4ghz, so set 11,6, 1 in that order.
No improvement.. just put the security back to WPA2 Personal with pure alphanumeric password..
Try and test new drivers and use no firewalls on the computer.. ensure that the computer is correctly set for home network.
Beyond that it is just incompatible.

ANOTHER Airport Extreme base station dropping connections

I think my network connectivity problems predate the latest Airport software update by a few days.
Our MacBook Pro's randomly drop an Airport connection when they are near a secondary access point operated in Bridged Mode.
My one-year-old Airport Extreme/Time Capsule had been working fine in 2.4GHz b/g/n mode with a gigabit switch and a link to a Comcast cable modem, all set up in the northwest corner of the house. I decided to replace it with a new, dual-band Airport Extreme/Time Capsule so that we could separately operate a faster 5GHz "n" network for modern notebooks along with the 2.4GHZ b/g/n network for older notebooks and iPhones.
We substituted the new Airport Extreme/Time Capsule for the old model and it now serves IP addresses to 5GHZ network devices. The old Time Capsule was moved to a new location in the southeast corner of the house, connected to the network via Cat 6 Ethernet, and also set it up to join the same 5GHz wireless "n" network in Bridge Mode -- it is an access point, but not serving DHCP addresses.
Now, whenever a laptop is near that device, it accesses the LAN through that Airport Extreme's 5GHz WIFi connection. The problem is this: every few hours (though sometimes sooner - its random), our MacBook Pro's lose their network and Internet connections (not simultaneously though). This only happens if the laptops are physically closest to the older, Bridged wireless access point. It can happen in the middle of Web surfing and always, when they wake from sleep. It NEVER happens if the notebooks are physically closer to the new Airport Extreme (and hitting it's 5GHz signal) and the iPhones NEVER lose their Internet connection to the separate 2.4GHz b/g/n network.
When it does happen, we have to Restart the notebooks to re-establish an Internet connection, though I suppose restarting the Airport Extreme/Time Capsule also might re-establish the connection. Sometimes, I can just move my laptop back to the northwest corner where the main Airport Extreme/Time Capsule is located and get right back online through that access point. But usually, I just sit in the back room, restart and rejoin the network through the secondary, wireless access point. Turning off/on Airport (at the MacBooks) accomplishes nothing and neither does Network Diagnostics.
This affects two new, MacBook Pro "n" laptops running 10.5.8, but does not affect the iPhones. So, it only seems to be a 5GHz issue. I don't think it's RF interference because I've tried three different 5 GHz channels. I've also tried reducing the secondary Airport Extreme's transmission power to 50% and, more recently 25%, to no avail.
This morning, it started happening again, so I finally used the Airport Utility to turn off the Wireless Mode of the secondary device for my next test (thanks to the Ethernet connections, it's still visible on the wireless network). We'll see if this solves the wireless connectivity problem.
Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this? I wonder if it is some odd, configuration issue.

I just started having a similar problem in the last week. I have three devices: the Gigabit AEBS is connected to my cable modem and is the DHCP server. An Airport Express (N) extends the wireless network. A second (G-Only) Airport Express is connected to one of the gigabit ports on the AEBS and creates a second wireless network for iPhone, G-devices and guests.
Lately, the connection from my May 2009 MacBook Pro has started acting strange. The Airport icon in the menubar shows I have full signal strength, but I'm no longer connected to the Internet and I can't browse other N computers on the network. Devices that are connected via the G network continue working fine and remain connected to the Internet. This is interesting because even the G network has to go through the AEBS to get to the Internet. It only appears to affect the Internet connection via the AEBS's own WiFi but not its ethernet ports. If I open Airport Utility from the MacBook Pro, the AEBS status shows as Normal. Turning off/on the Airport on the MacBook accomplishes nothing but I can restart the AEBS from the Airport Utility and then everything goes back to normal. A few hours or more later, the problem occurs again.
By holding the Option key when clicking on the Airport icon and looking at the Airport MAC address I can tell that the MacBook Pro is connected to the WiFi-N via the Airport Express extender. Like you, I may have to try and shut that one off and see if the problems occurs when it is connected directly to the AEBS. The problem with that is that since it is farther away in the house, the signal strength and thus my transmit rate will be slower. I'd be curious to see if your experiment by shutting down your secondary AE will still cause drops.

Time Capsule + Airport Extreme very slow internet connection

first time post here, looking for some help.
I have a small wireless network at home which runs as follows.
Modem - time capsule (acting as wireless router to macbook pro) - ethernet connection to iMac
I would like to extend the range of the wireless network as we dont get signal upstairs. To do this I have added an airport extreme to extend the signal (as someone gave me one for christmas!).
The network works fine, signal is great all over the house however internet traffic is very very slow when devices are connected to just the extreme station (ie when out of range from the time capsule).
Does anyone have any suggestions as to why my internet connection upstairs is very very slow?

Thanks for the reply. It seems to have helped a little - should I expect slower speeds from the extended network?

Have Pixus and 3rd gen Airport extreme. Unable to replace with 5th gen airport extreme

I have Pixus and a 3rd generation Airport extreme . Unable to replace with 5th generation airport extreme. Problem?

Ok, thanks for the clarification. I assume that Pixus has provided you with a modem that provided an Ethernet connection to your 3rd Gen AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) ... correct? If so, then anytime you change networking hardware, it is a good idea to completely recycle power on all of the networking components.
Please try the following:
Power-down the Pixus modem, AEBSn, and computer(s); leave them powered off for at least 10-15 minutes.
Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it sufficient time to initialize.
Power-up the AEBSn; wait at least 5-10 minutes or until its status light is a solid green. (Note: It may continue to flash amber. This is ok, as it may just require some additional configuration settings, like wireless security to attend to.)
Power-up the computer(s).
Network clients connected to the AEBSn, either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the Pixus modem. Please post back your results.

What is the newest Model or Generation Airport Extreme?

What is the newest Model or Generation Airport Extreme? And would the Time Capusle have all the same fuctions as an Airport Extreme with the added benefits of storage?

What is the newest Model or Generation Airport Extreme?
5th Generation AirPort Extreme
And would the Time Capusle have all the same fuctions as an Airport Extreme with the added benefits of storage?
Yes. Newest Time Capsules are 4th Generation models available in 2 TB and 3 TB versions.
Just so Apple can confuse things though, the AirPort Extreme in the 4th Generation Time Capsule is the same AirPort Extreme as the 5th Generation Extreme.

What is the current generation Airport Extreme?

My current Airport Extreme is less than a year old and is the fourth generation model. However, I keep seeing "Airport Extreme 5th generation" online and I am not sure if there is a 5th generation available now.

Shipments of the 5th Generation AirPort Extreme started in June 2011.

My Windows Airport Extreme wifi connection keeps dropping on a partitioned MacBook Pro.

My Windows Airport Extreme wifi connection keeps dropping on a partitioned MacBook Pro. I have read many online threads without a solution. Do you have one?

My Windows Airport Extreme wifi connection keeps dropping on a partitioned MacBook Pro. I have read many online threads without a solution. Do you have one?

How to set up 6th Generation AirPort Extreme to cable modem as a wireless router and then connect my 3rd Generation Time Capsule to AirPort Extreme as a wireless extender?

What is the best way to set up my 6th Generation AirPort Extreme (A1521) to my cable modem as a wireless router and then connect my 3rd Generation Time Capsule (A1355) to my AirPort Extreme as a wireless extender? I live in a small 1 story house and I currently have the Airport Extreme connected to my cable modem in the living room and the Time Capsule plugged into the wall in my bedroom. I am able to wirelessly connect to the internet using the AirPort Extreme as my router and I can also do wireless back ups to my Time Capsule. My problem is that my connection seems to be really slow! My 1TB Time Capsule back up is only half way complete and it has been 3 days! My computer has been backing up all day and night for almost 72 hours and its still not even 75% complete. I have backed up to this Time Capsule in the past and it never took this long. I am thinking that when I set up my AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule using AirPort Utility I must have set it up incorrectly or something.
How do I set up my Airport Extreme and Time Capsule for the fastest possible internet speed and back up speed?
Thank you,

AirPort Utility 5.6 works with AirPort Extreme 802.11g base stations.
It works with N version airports.
It will also show details of the AC model but cannot be used for the setup.. mostly.
I purposely got the new 6th Gen Airport Extreme so my internet connection would be a lot faster!
Your network will be much faster when you have AC client directly connected to the AE. Older client will go no faster.. but what is worse.. extend wireless is mixing new and old wireless standards.. guess what one wins.. OLD.. So when you extend wireless.. you have no improvement whatsoever. This whole post is about extending wireless.. so you cannot extend to older equipment and do any better.. maybe slightly better signal although from your comments that isn't happening either.
I would rather not have to use an ethernet at all with the TC and I don't know EOP adapters are!
If you do not use ethernet then you are going to be forced to accept slow speed.
EOP (ethernet over power). Also called homeplug in the US.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HomePlug
Provides a method of networking over power cabling that already exists in your house.
So what your saying is for the fastest internet speed and back up speed possible I should keep my Airport Extreme plugged into my Modem and keep my TC set up as a wireless extender? Then when I want to do back ups I should plug an ethernet cable from my TC to my MacBook Pro?
To spell this out.
A wireless link to an extended device will go very slowly.. if it is not direct.
So lets say you have a laptop sitting in the lounge.. Your connection goes.. Laptop- - - - - AE- - - - -TC.
That means two wireless links.. wireless has this nasty half duplex and single channel nature.. it can send or receive (Tx or Rx) but not at the same time.
Ethernet by contrast does both at once. It is full duplex.
Wireless can talk to one client at a time.. so if there are multiple items using wireless lets say 4 devices.. then your computer gets a 25% time slice. Since wireless cannot handle multiple simultaneous connections.
Ethernet by contrast can connect multiple computers to multiple destinations at the same time.. all transmitting and receiving at full speed.
When you put all this together.. there are a couple of rules for fast connection.
1. Use ethernet at all times. Where you cannot use ethernet use anything but wireless.. eg EOP (homeplug) at least to try and get rid of wireless.
2. Where you must use wireless use it sparingly and make sure it is never more than one hop.. ie never have an extend wireless (repeater is more usual term). Repeater will cause instant slowdown of 50% and maybe up to 75% just because it is so inefficient.
3. Fastest wireless is 5ghz but it has very short range.. you need to be up close and personal to get it working.
Apple routers however unless you do manual setup I suggest are set to connect to best signal strength not best speed. It will therefore use 2.4ghz at 25% less speed than 5ghz because it is 1db better signal.. this madness means you need to setup manually for the best setup.

SLOW download on Airport Extreme wifi. WireThe download speeds are next to nothing above 25 feet away. When i stand next to the AEB it is fine. Anyone know why? Doubt ill get another AEB, very unreliable and has been for some time.

SLOW download on Airport Extreme wifi. Wired is great. The download speeds are next to nothing above 25 feet away. When i stand next to the AEB it is fine. Anyone know why? Doubt ill get another AEB, very unreliable and has been for some time.

No cordless phone (two iPhones and two iPads though). It does have one or two walls on line of sight. A few wireless door security zones. And a large china cabinet that my wife sure wouldn't let me move. Do any of these sound significant enough to drop the dowload from 30Gb to .1GB...while upload stays consistent. I have had better signal strength through two walls 100 feet out from my house, havent tried recently though. I am suddenly aware as my switch is acting up and i had to use wifi on my xbox.

5th Generation Airport Extreme - Wifi Slow, dropping connections

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