Airport Express ap appears on scans intermittently

My wife uses an Airport Express with her Mac notebook to connect to my modem.
I have a notebook with a wireless card. I use Linux on the notebook. My understanding was that I could use the Airport Express to connect to my modem in a similar fashion to my wife and so I went about configuring the software on my notebook for the purpose.
However, I've struck a problem. When I boot up, I scan for available APs. Sometimes the Airport Express shows up in the scan. When it does, I can connect to it without difficulty.
Sometimes, however, the Airport Express doesn't show up in the scan. When that happens, I can't connect to it, even though I have configured my software to find APs that don't accept broadcast SSID.
I should add that I don't believe that the failure of my card to find the Airport Express sometimes has anything to do with strength of signal problems. While I have been trying to solve this connection problem, I've kept my notebook in the same location throughout, very close to the Airport Express.
If anyone can give me any clue as to why the Airport Express shows up in my scans only part of the time, I'd be very grateful.
Thanks for reading this,
Leslie

Cheers, just checking.
Couple of things I'd try:
disconnect from your virgin router, reset the airport (again!) for good measure and run airport utility. If it shows up then this proves that the airport is ok and the problem is something between it and the router.
connect the airport to the router via ethernet. it should then pick up a network connection from the router and appear ok when you run the utility
You might have a similar problem to what I have with my O2 router. I never got fully to the bottom of it but it's something to do with security. Basically the airport express can't join the router's network, so when I'm connected to the router, likewise I can't see the airport. I had to create a new network on the airport and switch between the 2 as needed - quirk of how I 've got things set up really.

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Airport Express support of wireless scanning

I know that Airport Express does not support the scanning function of an all in one printer when the printer is connected to the Airport via USB. But, can anyone tell me if the scanning function is supported when the printer is connected wirelessly? If not supported, is there a reason or is Apple going to do something about it?

Welcome to the discussions!
The scanning function (and other functions like copy, fax, maintenance, etc) are supported on most all-in-one machines if the device is connecting to the network using wireless only. If your device has the option to connect using ethernet, all functions are usually supported with this type of connection as well.
As far as answering your question about whether Apple is going to do anything about it, we can't answer a question like that on this forum because we're all users here...just like you. And Apple does not respond on this forum.
If you think about it though, and realize that Apple can only use the drivers that are being furnished to them from other manufacturers, it is the all-in-one manufacturers that will determine when and if other functions like scan, maintenance, etc will be available at the USB ports on the AirPorts.
So far, it appears that none have chosen to offer this option. You might want to contact the manufacturer of your all-in-one in regard to their plans to offer this type of functionality in the future at the USB port on the AirPorts.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Does AirPort Express support fax and scanning?

From the AirPort information on the Apple website there does not appear to be any reference to support for multifunction wi-fi printers and specifically fax and scanning across a network. I see one image of the AirPort Express device that appears to have a phone line connected and that's all.

The USB port on the AirPort routers will only support a compatible printer.
So, if you have a compatible All-in-One device connected to the USB port on any of the AirPort routers, only the print function will work.
If you need to fax, copy, scan, perform maintenance, etc., you will need to connect the AIO device directly to your computer.

Airport Express not Appearing in iTunes/Airport Admin Utility

After upgrading to iTunes 7, Airtunes did not work, so I followed the tips on the forum discussions, on MacOSXHints.com (resetting the IPv6 preference) and so on.
However, now iTunes will not recognise the base station at all. I think this is connected to the fact that the base station will also not appear on the Airport Admin Utility list. BUT... I am able to access the Airport Express by entering its IP address and password via the "Other" button. This has allowed me to check the AEx configuration settings, reset the hardware, re-upload the firmware, and even re-configure the AEx from scratch.
I am able to use the Internet through the AEx, and the network appears in my airport menu bar list, so I can select it and other wireless networks in range... It seems that iTunes and Airport Admin Utility just cannot see it. I have tried every combination of 'soft reset', 'hard reset' of the Aex, trashing of various airport admin utility and itunes preferences, and restarting software and the whole computer but this problem still persists.
Any ideas?? iTunes 7 is great, but I want my Airtunes back!!
Thanks in advance - Danny
iMac G5 20-inch Mac OS X (10.4.7)

you may be suffering from wireless interference.
download iStumbler and note the channels other networks in the vicinity are broadcasting on, then change the channel your network is using as far away as possible from those.

How do I set up multiple Airport Expresses to connect over ethernet for Airtunes only?

I am trying to set up an Airtunes network using an Airport Extreme and three Airport Expresses connected together via ethernet (CAT5 cable). At each Airport Express there will be a speaker setup. I don't need/want internet connectivity on the network, but not sure if it is required for setup or not. I have made this work over wifi, using the Expresses to extend the network, but struggling to get this to work over ethernet.
I would be verry grateful of a step-by-step method to setting this up! I am also looking to set up 6 airport expresses to do the same thing in another location.
Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the info.
I assume that the AirPort Extreme is setup and working at this point.
Work with one AirPort Express at a time to get them all configured, and then you can locate them where they will be needed.
AirPort Setup will configure the Express devices to "extend a wireless network" using Ethernet, so they will be broadcasting the same wireless signal as the AirPort Extreme and provide more wireless signal coverage as well.
I have yet to meet the first person who thought that they had too much wireless coverage, but you would have the option to turn off the wireless on the Express if you wanted. Most users like having extended wireless for their devices.
Temporarily, move an Express close to the AirPort Extreme
Connect a spare Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the Express
Power up the Express for a few minutes
Hold in the reset button on the back of the Express for 10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
Click the Airport icon at the top of the Mac's screen and wait a few seconds for AirPort Express to appear just under the listing of New AirPort Base Station
Click directly on the AirPort Express
AirPort Setup will open up automatically and take a minute to analyze the network, then announce that the Express will be configured to extend the AirPort Extreme network.
Enter a device name that you want to use....example.....Express1.....and click Next
AirPort Setup will configure everything for you. Notice that the message will say that the Express is being set up to extend using Ethernet. When you see the message of setup complete, click Done.
Now you can move the Express to the remote location where it is needed, hook it up to the Ethernet connection there, power up the Express and set up AirTunes on the device.
AirTunes is enabled by default, to other than make the speaker connection, you won't have much to do on that.
Set up other Express devices the same way, except assign a different name to each device....example....Express2, Express3, etc.....to keep things organized.

Why does Airport Utility not support Airport Express A1084?

Airport Utility 1.3.4 (134.22) on my iPad (iOS 8.1.2 (12B440)) and the version of Airport Utility included with the very latest issued version of OSX on my iMac do not recognize Airport Express model A1084. I can still get on the internet via the AE A1084. Because I cannot configure the AE A1084 I am unable to set password protection on the wifi network or perform other functions.
Is there a fix or work around?
Has Apple abandoned these older AE's (programmed obsolescence), meaning I'll have to buy a new device?
Safari on the iPad has been having problems with web sites, dropping and reloading them - attempts to fix that by resetting network settings resulted in losing access to the AE wifi network. The Airport Express network appears in the "Set up new Airport Base Station" window, but attempts to access it produce the message "The Airport Express named "Apple Network XXXX" cannot be set up by this software."

That is a complex question, and would assume that you had Snow Leopard on the Mac at one time. Best to post your question in the support forum for the operating system that you are using now. Click the link and select your current operating system.
Mac OS & System Software
Doing something like this not for the faint of heart, and should be best left to an IT technician. That is going to be a significant expense.
For far less money, and many less headaches trying to revert to an earlier operating system, and knowing that most Express devices only lasted about 5 years, on average, if it were me, I would buy a new Express device or devices and be thrilled that I got about twice as much use as normal from the older A1084 model.

Airport Express flashing amber, but shows normal in airport admin utility

I just replaced a Microsoft wireless router with an Airport Extreme base station. I've had 2 airport express stations on the old wireless network working fine with solid green lights - 1 streams airtunes and the other is a print server. I installed the extreme base station and now the 2 airport express stations appear as normal / working in the airport admin utility but have flashing amber lights. the print server actually works - I can print. The airtunes streams, but it cuts out every 5-10 seconds. Can't figure out how to get rid of the flashing amber and can't find the error since the airport admin shows them as green and working normal.
Any ideas??

Hi ...... I am having the same problem but am having difficulties finding out why.
How did you solve it ?
Many thanks in advance

Time Capsule and Airport Express network extension

Hello,
I have a time capsule using 5GZ network. However i have an issue, as in my bed room the signal is too weak.
I also get an airport express and would like to use it in order to make the signal reach my bed room.
Would you please tell me how i could do so ?
I checked WDS but this option is not available for my time capsule.
Thanks for your reply.

Hello both,
thanks for you reply.
Actually Tesserax, it's what i did from my Time Capsule + Airport Express.
However in my room i cannot get enought signal and only see the Time Capsule wifi network.
Is this normal or shall the airport express network appears differently ?
Thanks for your reply,
Pierre

Adhoc airport express

I need to set up my airport express as an adhoc network without internet access. I will then use it with my iPad and projector.
My first problem is setting up the AE. I seem to be missing something in the settings because as soo as I remove the ethernet cable I used for setup, it fails and goes back to blinking orange.
ANy help would be appreciated

You can use an Ethernet cable from your Mac to the AirPort Express for the setup if you want.
Once you open AirPort Utility and click to start the setup process, ignore the setup recommendation and click on Other Options.
Choose the Create a wireless network option, name the device and enter a password, set up the wireless network, etc.
Ignore the message about cycling the power during the setup and click Next and wait for the message that the wireless network is available and click Done.
Disconnect the Ethernet cable and then log on to the new wireless network that you named by selecting the network name and entering the password.
Open AirPort Utility again and now the AirPort Express will appear with a red letter with a "3" or "4". Click on that red number to display the issues.
Next to Status, click on each amber dot one at a time and choose to Ignore the problem it will take about 30 seconds or so for each update.
Once you have all the issues "ignored", you should have a green light on the Express.
You should be all set.

Airport Express Unit - No Life

Checking over my system today and found that my Airport Express unit appears not to be working....i.e. no Green Light.
I've unplugged it, tried different mains sockets , reset & change the fuse....
Do you folks have any other solutions...?
Regards

you can try a hardware reset, b ut I think your APX is dead, as thousand os them before, and so far Apple does not care.
this forum is full with reports of dead APX, working in average for 16 months then dying suddenly due to a bad quality capacitor used on the power board.
hereafter is a review of our news about this issue, the last news is the final investigation showing the bad capacitor and how so users have revived their APX after setting up an external power unit.
Unfortunate users can record references of their defective APX at the
following page in order to allow unfortunate users to collect enough
information to prove to Apple that there is something wrong with the
APX:
http://www.macbidouille.com/apxdefect.php
additional info can be found here:
http://www.hardmac.com/news/2006-05-23/#5521
http://www.hardmac.com/news/2006-06-16/#5625
http://www.hardmac.com/news/2006-06-21/#5645
http://www.hardmac.com/news/2006-08-10/#5824
http://www.hardmac.com/news/2006-08-25/#5851
http://www.hardmac.com/news/2006-10-20/#6054
http://www.hardmac.com/news/2006-11-17/#6139
without mentionning that a Australian newspaper has publish an article
about this issue:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/troubleshooter/crash-landing/2006/08/09/1154802945862 .html.

Airport Express Appears Connected, But No Music

I have the oldest version of Airport Express, and a 2009 vintage Macbook Pro with Yosemite recently installed, iTunes 12.0.0.140. Yosemite does not support the Airport Utility needed for the AE I have, but I was able to configure using Airport Utility 5.6.1 launcher from Corey Mahler. So, the light is green on the AE, and iTunes shows clean connection to the AE, but there is no sound. I have checked the connection from the AE to the receiver, and from receiver to speakers.
Prior to upgrading to Yosemite I was on Snow Leopard, the AE worked OK, except it tended to drop out and then only work intermittently the longer it was in use in any given session. But at least then I knew I had a connection. Now with Yosemite and latest iTunes I'm wondering whether something else is preventing the music from playing. Would think that iTunes would flag this if that were the case.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.

You are correct on all counts.
I have a fairly new Linksys 6200 main router which does provide dual band Wi-Fi.
Since last writing, I did follow your recommendation to purchase and download Wi-Fi Explorer. It gave me an excellent graphical view of the strengths of the various Wi-Fi networks, and I did confirm that my network was putting out the dual bands, that my extender was also putting out, etc. I could also walk around the house and see how the signals rose and fell, depending on location.
Signal seems to be strong enough in all areas that the airport express should work, however it only seems to work, and then just intermittently, when I have it close to the main router, where the signal strength according to Wi-Fi Explorer reads 84%. If I move my laptop to the AE's original location, the signal is about 68%, and is coming via the extender. Most of the neighbors' signals were below 50%, but there are a lot of them. Too bad the AE does not supper 5GHz bands because they seem wide open except for my router.
Not sure how the signal strength % relates to signal to noise ratio.
What I could also see is that the 2.4GHz band where most of the neighborhood networks were broadcasting. I tried to assign my main router to specific bands (only choice is within the 2.4GHz for the AE), instead of automatic, and sometimes it helped when the AE was close to the router, but it would still cut out.
So, when the AE is close to the router, I get some intermittent sound, but further away, nothing at all. So it appears that there is something either wrong with the AE or its just not getting the quality of signal it needs from the newer routers.
Our iPads, iphones, Apple TV seem to work fine - though the Apple TV occasionally pauses to re-load.
The variables over the last few months have been:
1. The newer Linksys main router, which replaced another older Linksys (both cases used default settings except for network access password).
2. A Linksys extender added recently so that my son could use his "smart" TV.
3. My upgrading from Snow Leopard to Yosemite two weeks ago (on 10.10.1 now).
Prior to these, the AE would sometimes go for hours without a problem, but then stop playing for seconds or minutes (green light on regardless). It was when I installed Yosemite that I lost even intermittent sound coming from the AE, in its original location.
I am tempted to try a newer AE to see whether access to the 5GHz band would solve the problem.
Thanks again.

I have two airport express base stations that I want to configure on two separate sets of speakers in two separate rooms. How do I do this? Airport Utility only seems to scan one express at a time.

I am currently running a PowerPC G5 imac and have a wired broadband modem via ethernet with airport wireless network turned on, on the G5. I have the computer in the bedroom and have an airport express wired into a mixer that connects to my stereo. I have recently bought another airport express base station to connect to a pair of active monitors in the kitchen. When I try to scan these on Airport Utility version 5.42 I am only managing to scan one base unit at a time. I have plugged them in separately and reset them, they both have firmware updates, however the utility will only read one at once. I have read that you can link base stations to the same WDS. I would like to know how to go about doing this if it will only scan one airport express at a time. I have looked it up on the net and not found anything that is a simple fix. Can anyone help? In Apple Support it says that multiple Base Stations can be used. I would like to get both Apple Airport Express units to be able play airtunes separately or at the same time depending where I am in my flat. I do not need different music in each room. I would like to stream music from the computer to multiple rooms in the flat without having to continually unplug and configure the Base Stations. Has anyone come across such a challenge? Any help would be welcome.

How do I configure the AX to connect to the hub's wireless network? It will only scan one base station Airport Express at a time in the Airport Utility. I think what I am trying to do is use the hub as a router to the two AX's. Is there a specific way to set this up?
To set up the AX to join a wireless network as a "Wireless Client," using the AirPort 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:
Launch the AirPort Utility.
Select the AX.
If not already connected to the AX's wireless network, go ahead and switch to it when prompted.
AirPort Utility > Select the AX > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless
Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
Network Name: <type in the network name/SSID of the wireless network that you want to join or select it from the pop-up menu>
Wireless Security: None OR, if you are using security on your wireless network:
Wireless Security: <Select the appropriate level of security for the existing wireless network: WPA/WPA2 Personal | WPA2 Personal>
Password: <enter your wireless network security password>
Verify Password: <re-enter the same security password>
Click Update to write the new settings to the AX.

After upgrading to OS 10.8.1 I can no longer scan from my Canon MP240 printer when it is connected to Airport Express.

I can no longer scan from printer (Canon Pixma MP240) when it is connected to Airport Express, although printing is no affected. However, when connected directly to MBP scanning works fine. I have tried all the standard remedies; reinstalling drivers, resetting printer system, selecting sharing options, but no luck. Previous to Mountain Lion this function worked fine. Any ideas how to regain this capability?
Thanks,
J.

I'm almost completely certain that the scanning feature worked before the update. Having said that though, I don't scan a great deal and it may be the case that when I have done, the printer was directly connected to the MBP. However, since I have a laptop it's far more logical that I would have had the printer connected to Airport Express for reasons of portability so I can't really see that I would have had the printer connected directly to the laptop. Besides this, I have no memory of having this problem previously. Therefore, I don't think my memory is to blame although of course, if it were I'd have no way of knowing!
J.

Airplay won't connect to my Airport Express & is intermittent with Airport Utility

Hi
Yesterday, my iTunes 10 stopped connecting via Airplay to my Airport Express. It spent a long time displaying a Connecting message, then finally gave me this error message: "An unknown error (-15006) occurred while connecting to the AirPlay device AirPort Express”.
I have a Macbook Pro 2.5 Ghz Intel Core i5 (6 months old). 4 GB 1600 MHz DDR3.
Running OS X 10.7.5.
My main modem/router is a Livebox and I usually going my Airport Express to the Livebox network to play music.
My Airport Express is 802.11g
All my equipment is within a radius of 2 or 3 feet.
I'm aware of at least one other recent thread about this problem (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4150757?tstart=0), but none of the solutions suggested have resolved my problem, so I have summarized a list of the actions I have so far taken to try and resolve the problem. Hopefully, this will help others sort this issue out for themselves.
ACTIONS TO SOLVE ISSUE
1. Ran Airport Utility 6.1, which was unable to find my AX.
2. Downloaded, installed & ran Airport Utility 5.6. AU 5.6 still couldn't find my AX, giving me this error message:
"AirPort Utility was unable to find any AirPort wireless devices. Make sure the AirPort wireless device you want to set up is plugged in and in range of your computer, and then click rescan to try again."
3. Unplugged the AX and did a hard reset. AU found my AX and I configured it to join my Livebox network. After being configured, the green light came on the AX, which also appeared on the AU list of devices. However, AU still had the message "Waiting for Airport Express to reset…" with a spinning ball for several minutes. So, I closed the AU window (as AU advised), and reopened it. Happily, the AX was still listed.
4. Reopened iTunes and tried to select my AX as speaker output. At that exact moment, the AX vanished from the AU list of devices and, after the long wait, iTunes gave me the same error message as before:
"An unknown error (-15006) occurred while connecting to the AirPlay device AirPort Express”.
When I tried to rescan for devices in AU, I got the same error message:
"AirPort Utility was unable to find any AirPort wireless devices. Make sure the AirPort wireless device you want to set up is plugged in and in range of your computer, and then click rescan to try again."
5. Hard reset and configuration of AX. This time I didn't close the AU window, I waited for the AX to reset. When the spinning ball finally vanished, I got this error message:
"An error occurred while reading the configuration. Make sure your Apple Wi-Fi base station is plugged in and in range of your computer or connected via Ethernet and try again. (-6753)"
6. Apple help pages suggested updating the AX firmware. I downloaded the firmware update, did the AX hard reset/configuration routine, then tried to run the firmware installer and got this error message:
"An error occurred while attempting to communicate with the AirPort Express. (-8)"
7. Ran all the software updates, including upgrading to iTunes 11.
8. Spent over 5 hours doing many many hard resets of the AX, combined with iTunes restarts, MBP restarts etc. Along the way, I discovered that if I hard reset & configured the AX, after a few minutes, AX would disappear from the AU device list without me doing anything.
9. Attempted to change IPv6 options, using following methods:
a. System Preferences -> Network -> Advanced -> TCP/IP -> IPv6 _> Link-local only
b. In Terminal.
networksetup -listallnetworkservices
networksetup -setv6off Wi-Fi
Neither method had any effect on the ability of AU to see my AX.
Phew! I'm now exhausted & rather demoralised. Anyone got any other ideas?

I have been dealing with this for days now. I'm not sure what the solution is either, I've spent most of my vacation from work attempting to get it to work with my speakers and printer, none work still!!
It seems like a lot of ppl are dealing with these errors but there isn't one solid solution out there.
Try to set the AX wirless setting to "off" and only have it work for Airplay, Does it work for you?
One last thing, could this be an update problem? As in, you update your firmware/software and it renders the AX obselte. My AX is old probably a little older than 4-5 years, what about your?
I would really like to get this to work as I do not think I need a new AX to make this work.
Let me know your thoughts.
B.

Airplay intermittent with Apple TV, but fine with Airport express

I have a strange issue with airplay that I can't figure out.
At home: (Apple TV, Airport Time Capsule, and everything is within 10 feet of each other). Usually just using airplay from iTunes, but the same problem exists when I navigate to the library via apple TV.
•My MBP will stop playback randomly (A few seconds to a half hour). I assume that this is a buffer / streaming issue. However my iphone streams music without interuption for hours! So it would appear as though the problem is specific to the MBP
HOWEVER...
At work: (airport express and computer is within 5 feet)
•My MBP streams perfectly for hours (no issues)
I just can't figure out why my MBP is having problems at home. I've ran updates for everything I own (MBP, apple TV, Time capsule), but I still get inconsistent streaming! Frustrating.
Any insights, guesses, or other airing of grievances would be greatly appreciated!
thanks,
Brett

Intermittent problems are often a result of interference. Interference can be caused by other networks in the neighbourhood or from household electrical items.
You can download and install iStumbler (NetStumbler for windows users) to help you see which channels are used by neighbouring networks so that you can avoid them, but iStumbler will not see household items.
Refer to your router manual for instructions on changing your wifi channel or adjusting your multicast rate.
There are other types of problems that can affect networks, but this is by far the most common, hence worth mentioning first. Networks that have inherent issues can be seen to work differently with different versions of the same software. You might also try moving the Apple TV away from other electrical equipment.

Airport Express ap appears on scans intermittently

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