Big trouble joining an existing network

Last year I bought 2 of the new AirPort Extremes. I have another device as my network gateway, so I configured the first AirPort on Bridge Mode and made the second one extend the wireless network created by the first one. Both AirPorts are connected by a network cable.
This setup has worked great. However yesterday I tried reconfigure my home network by setting the first AirPort to be the network gateway. This worked fine. I was able to reserve IPs for my computers that need them and to map ports to get my mail, web, ssh and other services in. The disaster was when I configured the second AirPort to extend the wireless network created by the first one. As soon as it came online, I lost all internet connectivity and the AirPort utility could not access the first AirPort, until I turned off the second.
I spent the entire afternoon trying different things. I reset both AirPorts to factory settings. I tried alternating the Primary and the Secondary. The result was exactly the same. When the second AirPort is configured to extend the wireless network and reboots, I loose all internet connectivity and the primary AirPort disappears from the AirPort utility until I power the off the secondary.
This definitely looks like a bug. I have for the time being reverted my network to it's original configuration but I'd very much like to give this another try. I've saved the configuration files for both airports in case someone wants to examine them.
Thanks,
Erasmo.

Jazz22: Am guessing that you have Verizon FIOS, with Verizon provided wireless router. I have same. Had been using default 64 bit WEP encryption for the network until I got my Airport Express. Try as I might, could not get it to connect to the network with 64bit or 128bit WEP encryption. Finally gave up and went into the router settings and changed to WPA. Airport Express connected easily after that. You may find you have to do the same.
Note: while this seems like a happy ending, all was well for weeks until a couple of days ago when Airport Express ran into problems. Per a previous post, light is green, but Airport Utility will not recognize the Airport Express unit. Based on a number of posts by others, I have a suspicion this is a problem with recent update to Leopard, not with the encryption type.
Best of luck.

Similar Messages

Joining an existing network as a client

I've had an Airport Express for about 3 years...recently needed to reconfigure because of upgrade to my Belkin wireless router security.
I need the steps to join an existing network as a client, including providing the WPA password. I've been throught the setup guides...have gotten as far as a) connecting to the network using the Windows utility
b) seeing the AEBS in the Airport Admin utility
....but from this point, I'm lost.
Windows XP Home, SP2.
Thank you.

Hello showbizkid41. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
To set up the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) as a "Wireless Client," using the AirPort Admin Utility, either connect to the AX's wireless network or temporarily connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then, try these settings:
AirPort tab
o Base Station Name: <whatever you wish or use the default>
o Wireless Mode: Join an Existing Wireless Network (Wireless Client)
o Wireless Network: <type in your wireless network name or select it from the pop-up menu>
o Wireless Security: WPA Personal
o Password: <enter your wireless network security password or key>

I connected the TC T2 with the iMac and used Air Port Utility to have it join my existing network. Now I have green lights on Apple Base Station and TC with the cable connected to the Base Station because hen connected to TC -- I get only yellow lights fl

I connected the TC T2 with the iMac and used Air Port Utility to have it join my existing network. Now I have green lights on Apple Base Station and TC with the cable connected to the Base Station because hen connected to TC -- I get only yellow lights flashing on both devices>
When Connected through the Apple Base station I have perfect internet wireless capability thru-out house.
Lamont

I connected the TC T2 with the iMac and used Air Port Utility to have it join my existing network. Now I have green lights on Apple Base Station and TC with the cable connected to the Base Station because hen connected to TC -- I get only yellow lights flashing on both devices>
When Connected through the Apple Base station I have perfect internet wireless capability thru-out house.
Lamont

I'm trying to extend the range of an Airport Extreme 802.11g by adding an Airport Express 802.11n. I set the Express up to join the existing network, but it does not make any difference in the range of the network. What's wrong?

I'm trying to extend the range of an Airport Extreme 802.11g by adding an Airport Express 802.11n. I set the Express up to join the existing network, but it does not make any difference in the range of the network. What's wrong?

Let me see if I can help you with the basic WDS configuration steps:
Note: To help facilitate the setup, temporarily connect the AXn directly to the AEBS LAN port using an Ethernet cable. Once the setup is complete, you can move the AXn to the desired location. For all configuration steps you will be using the AirPort Utility. Before starting, be sure to jot down the AppleIDs for both base stations.
802.11g AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) Configuration
AirPort Utility > Select the AEBS > Manual Setup > Wireless tab
Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
Manual Setup > WDS tab
WDS Mode: WDS main
Allow wireless clients (checked)
WDS Remotes: <enter the AppleID for the AXn here>
Click on Update and allow the base station to restart.
802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) Configuration
AirPort Utility > Select the AXn > Manual Setup > Wireless tab
Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network (Note: You may have to hold down the Option (Mac) or Control (PC) key to see this option in the list.)
Manual Setup > WDS tab
WDS Mode: WDS remote
Allow wireless clients (checked)
WDS Main: <enter the AppleID for the AEBS here>
Click on Update and allow the base station to restart.

I have a 3rd party "TPLink ADSL wireless" router controlling DHCP , Now require Airport Basestation and Timecapule to merely join the existing network. I know this was a work around once posted, but can't find it again? Help....

I have a 3rd party "TPLink ADSL wireless" router controlling Internet and DHCP , Now require my (Airport Basestation and Timecapule) to merely join the existing network. I know this can be done but it was a bit of a work around the automatic setup. The autmatic setup only offers (Create new/WDS/Extend) Does anyone know how to do it, or can point me to the post.
Many thanks

Unfortunately, I need to connect both devices (Extreme and Timecapsule) via wireless. The ADSL router is not conveniently located to allow me to cable them directly. They are both being used to drive a bank of non networkable printers and external harddrives via the USB ports on each.
My frustration with myself is I had it setup, but failed to record for future, the trick in how to unhide the "join network option". I then had a failed firmware update from Apple and then needed to reset the routers and bang the settings were gone.
The Security setting is not an issue I know those I am using WPA2 personal.
I would be grateful for the wireless setup if you have it handy...
Thanks do much

I have bought a new airport express and using it with my macbook (iTunes 10.2.2). I have joined an existing network for internet in my home and with that i am trying to play the music via itunes but there is audio dropouts every 60 secs or so. any soln ?

I have bought a new airport express and using it with my macbook (iTunes 10.2.2). I have joined an existing wireless network for internet in my home and with that i am trying to play the music via itunes but there is audio dropouts every 60 secs or so. I am using a set of speakers from kenwood connected to the airport express. The operating system on my macbook is mac os X 10.5.8. i am sure it is not a problem of streaming music online because i have even tried playing music which are stored in my macbook.
Is there any problem with the setting in itunes or quicktime ? Kindly reply...... I am waiting for your valuable suggestion.
Thank you a lot in advance.

I am shocked to have found this same AX audio dropout problem starting TODAY, every few seconds the audio just drops for a couple seconds and then resumes: Latest software versions of everything. No iPad, iPhone or Touch. Internet hardwired to D-Link DES1105 (1000baseT Switch) hardwired to new 80211N AX, AX optical to stereo, AX Wi-Fi internet to basic 1st-gen MacBook operating at 80211G, and an older 'G' AX extender at the far end of the house, away from all this. The MacBook streaming iTunes is usually 12 feet from AX. I've used this setup for years of trouble-free AirTunes / Airplay until today. Today I also found 2 very reliable fixes and 1 way to force a dropout, but first, I read some posts and tried ALL following settings one-at-a-time and restored them ALL because NONE of them helped: Turned off IPV6. Streamed to multiple speakers 'Computer' and 'AX' (restored to just AX). Turned off 'Ask to Join new (WiFi) Networks'. Turned off Bluetooth (can't live without Magic Trackpad, so glad that wasn't it). Here's my discoveries: Lo and behold, each time I click the Airport icon in the Menu (you know it shows you've got 4 bars from AX) when the status switches to 'Looking for Networks' for a second it CAUSES the AX audio to drop out for a couple seconds (it never did that before today.) iTunes still playing, streaming, AX laser still lit, but the 'PCM' light on stereo and the sound GOES OUT EVERY time I click the Airport icon in the menubar, just like the regular, annoying dropouts. So, to reduce traffic I quit Safari (3 tabs, no streaming, just Gmail, Google, and Netflix browsing). Lo and behold, the dropouts stopped altogether. No other Web apps going (not iTunes Store, Genius, Ping, nothing), so I launched Chrome to the same 3 tabs and the dropouts HAVE NOT RETURNED. That's right, not only did simply QUITTING SAFARI cure it, and Chrome doesn't contribute to it, but I can demonstrate it just by forcing my Airport to re-scan. Works for me, written using Chrome. The other reliable fix is to hardwire MacBook to the Switch. This is obviously not ideal, but Airplay audio doesn't drop out over Ethernet. Also, in all my tests, it made no difference whether iTunes did the streaming, or Airfoil did.

Need Time Capsule to join new existing network after Uverse box swap SSID

When I first bought my Time Capsule it was creating my wireless network.
Then last year we moved to a new house, and got Uverse service. I successfully changed Time Capsule's config to join the existing Uverse network, so the TC does backup and nothing else. (The Uverse box is in the basement, so the TC connects to that network and all client machines over the Uverse wifi.)
Now I just had problems with Uverse (lost voice service, and so they swapped their box, which means I have a new SSID (and password). So I need to change the config of the TC to join the different existing network. I've tried connecting an Ethernet cable to both the WAN and other-Ethernet ports on the back of the TC, but the Airport Utility on that desktop still doesn't recognize the TC.
What do I do?

Welcome to the discussions!
The problem is that the ethernet ports on the TC are not enabled when it "joins", so that type of connection between your computer and the TC won't work.
The other issue is that the TC is remembering the old wireless network and you can't access it that way any longer.
You'll need to perform a "hard reset" on the TC by holding in the reset button until the amber light blinks more quickly, then reconfigure the device using the settings from the new wireless network.
This will not affect your existing backups, but you will need to reset Time Machine to point it as the Time Capsule again.
Open System Preferences
Click Time Machine
Click Select Disk
Click your Time Capsule
Click Use for Backups
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Time Capsule external HD slow after joining an existing network.

Hi all,
I have recently moved and had to reconfigure my TC accordingly. Previously my TC was connected to the internet and an external HD which hosted my iTunes music (amongst other files). After moving home, I was required to join the existing wifi so changed the configuration of my TC. Now I am unable to play music from the external HD as the performance is so slow. I'm also assuming backups will have lousy performance too as I havent yet seen evidence that a backup has successfully concluded.
The house has a netgear DGN2000 connected to ADSL. Internet access from my mac seems OK. I'm using Remote with Client Association in the configuration, adding the TC's MAC address to the netgear router.
Any ideas why disk performance has gone down so much ? I can discount iTunes as previewing photos in Finder from the same HD is also painfully so.

Hello Shogododo. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
The house has a netgear DGN2000 connected to ADSL. Internet access from my mac seems OK. I'm using Remote with Client Association in the configuration, adding the TC's MAC address to the netgear router.
I don't think this Netgear feature is supported by the TC. How do you have the TC configured? That is do you have it so that the option "Wireless Mode = Join a wireless network" is selected?

Problem with setting up Airport Express to join an existing network

I want to use an Airport Express to stream music from iTunes to my stereo. I've followed all of the instructions in Airport Utility (latest update) to the end, when the Airport Utility starts to update and loses sight of my airport Express. I get the following message: "Airport Utility was unable to find your AirPort device after restarting. The setting for this AirPort device was successfully updated, but there was a problem in joining the network or the Airport device." After this, the only way I can get back on the internet is to use the Network panel in System Preferences. When I start that off, I get this message: "Airport has the self-assigned IP address x.x.x.x and will not be able to connect to the internet." After rejoining my network, I'm back where I started from, but the MacBook cannot see the Airport Express device. I have to do a Factory Reset, in order to start over. But I end up just where I was: with Airport Utility losing sight of Airport Express and I having to return to Network Preferences to get back on the Internet.

Welcome to the discussions, Matt!
"Airport Utility was unable to find your AirPort device after restarting. The setting for this AirPort device was successfully updated, but there was a problem in joining the network or the Airport device."
This error occurs when the AirPort Express does not receive the correct information to join the wireless network. The settings that you provided were stored successfully on the AirPort Express...what the message does not tell you is that unfortunately they were not the right settings. It's almost always a security setting that causes this error.
Please go into your wireless router and locate the settings page. We need to know the exact type of wireless security that your router is using. When we have this information, we should be able to recommend a compatible setting for the AirPort Express or another setting on your wireless router that will allow a successful connection.

Trouble joining an existing wireless network

I've followed the directions in this: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1731
Here's my situation... I moved to a new apartment where we have a linksys wireless network that is password protected. I want to use my Airport Express so that I can access the linkysys in my apartment and use my printer and listen to music wirelessly. But I have trouble accessing both on this network.
However... I can pick up my neighbor's signal perfectly (it's not password protected) and use the printer and speakers. (it is also a linksys router).
My question is what am I doing wrong or what do I need to do differently to access this on the router in my apartment?

Try this.
You need to create a WEP 40/128-bit hex wireless network which requires a 26 character password for your older mac to connect. There should be a security option to make this type when you set-up your wireless router/network. I did it with my Linksys router. All laptops, iPod Touch and iMac G4 work great. However, this network (WEP) is not as secure as WPA/WPA2.
Good luck.

Trouble joining an existing windows network when connected through airport

Need help!
I can connect fine to the internet and to my office's windows xp based network when i connect my Pbook directly ( with ethernet cable), but if i try connecting through my airport extreme the network connection just doesn't work, i mean the internet connection works fine but my network is gone. as soon as i go back to the cable it all works fine again.
Can anybody give me a hand? im sure its possible, i just dont know how to overcome this problem. and it keeps my laptop glued to the desk.
tks

I think this might be the fix, even though the symptoms stated are a bit diff...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304482

HT1515 I have moved from windows to mac and had to reset my airport. I am trying it to join the existing wireless network. the process ends in an unexpected error. The ethernet connection seems to work OK

I have moved from windows to mac and had to reset my airport express. After the reset I enter the name of the existing network, name the base unit, enter its password twicw and select additional options as join the existing network. It comes back with a screen asking for the name of the base unit and password. Aftre which it starts cycling between "waiting for airport express", "connecting to 'network name'" and ends with an error message. When I try to set up using ethernet cable evrything works but I need wireless (it worked OK just hours ago). Any advice?
Thank you

Hello, vgafromva.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
Sometimes a simple power cycle of the AirPort can resolve this issue. However, here is an article I would recommend going through when experiencing issues connecting to Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4628
If these steps do not resolve the issue, please reply back with the exact error message received.
Cheers,
Jason H.

Join existing network option missing from Airport Extreme

I am resetting an Airport Extreme because of network issues (not the airport side). It used to join an existing network which is still there. but now, when i go to set it up, the only options are Create a Wireless Network, Participate in a WDS network, and Extend a Wireless Network. I can not extend because of the way our network is set up. Can anyone tell me how I can get the plain old Join and Existing Network option back? I miss it...

emcfins, Welcome to the discussion area!
Unlike the AirPort Express (AX), the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) does not have the ability to join a wireless network as a client.
The only way the AEBS can wirelessly join a network is if it is configured to participate in a WDS network (802.11g mode) or extend a Wireless Network (802.11n mode).

Join airport express to existing network

I am trying to set up a new airport express device to join an existing network (airport extreme). Airport utility does not display the device when I plug it in. How do I set it up?

The AirPort Express is broadcasting a default wireless network with a name like Apple Network xxxxxx, where the "x" could be a letter or number. If you are trying to configure the Express using wireless only, you must first log on to this network from your computer....there is no password required.....then open AirPort Utility.
If you have a spare Ethernet cable handy, connect the Express directly to your computer, restart the Express and then open AirPort Utility to configure the Express that way. Once you have the Express configured and updated, you can disconnect the Ethernet cable.

Join existing network overwritting router settings

Hi there,
Trying to set up the express to run airtunes (only) and I know that I have to set the express up as a client of my existing wifi network by joining my existing network but in doing this (by following the setup wizard) the express is not actually joining the network but is becoming the router which is what I do not want.
I'm uk based have sky netgear router.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the discussion area!
I suggest that you start over by holding in the reset button on the AirPort Express (AX) until the amber light blinks rapidly and then keep holding another few seconds before releasing the reset button.
Temporarily, connect an ethernet cable from your computer to the AirPort Express and open AirPort Utility to select the AX. If you are asked, you want to return the AX to factory default settings.
Then click Continue to follow the guided setup. On about the third page of setup instructions, you will be asked how you want to configure the AX. You want to choose the "Join a wireless network" option at this point.
The name of your wireless network created by your Netgear router should appear as a choice to "join", so select that network. Then you must enter the exact same type of Security settings that your Negear is using and password so the AX will "join" your wireless network correctly as a client.
Continue with the setup by enabling AirTunes, etc and Update the AX with the current configuration settings. As soon as you see a message that the settings have been stored on the AX, close AirPort Utility and disconnect the ethernet cable that you were using with the setup.
If you have entered the security and password information correctly, the AX will restart in 20-25 seconds and the light will turn green.
You can now move the AX to the location that you need and hookup headphones or a stereo to the device for AirTunes.

Big trouble joining an existing network

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