AirPort Express base station needs frequent power-cycling

Hi, I've got an AirPort Express base station, roughly three years old at this point. Every so often I can't connect to the internet --- not wirelessly from my laptop, nor from the desktop that is cabled to the base station. The solution is to power-cycle the base station. Other, less drastic attempts to restore my internet connection never work.
This used to happen just every once in a while, but it's been increasing in frequency --- to the point where it happens almost every day now.
Anyone know what's going on? Time to take it in for service, or maybe time to buy a new one?

Thanks for the clarification. This will make troubleshooting somewhat easier.
Suggest that you pick a time when you can turn the wireless off on the AirPort Extreme for a few days. Keep as many things as possible connected using ethernet cables. If you find that you do not have to restart the AirPort Extreme daily as you do now, that's a pretty strong indication that the problems are being caused by wireless interference of some sort.
Remember that devices connected using ethernet and devices that are connected using wireless are all still on the same network. So, if the wireless is picking up stray interference, it can certainly affect other devices on the network, including loss of your Internet connection.
If you find that you still need to restart the AirPort Extreme with wireless turned off during your "test", then that narrows the possible issues down to several things:
o The modem is experiencing intermittent problems
o The AirPort Extreme is experiencing intermittent problems
Assuming that you know you have good ethernet cables, you can plug a computer directly into the modem for a day or two and keep tabs on things. If you continue to experience a connection loss, the modem is likely acting up.
If you have no problems connecting directly to the modem, then it's time to take the Airport Extreme to an Apple store to let them have a look and perform some diagnostics. If it's an intermittent problem, it will be hard to find, as the product will likely perform perfectly during the tests.

Similar Messages

  • 1st generation airport express base station not showing up in network utilities

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    Your new iMac should not have any issues connecting to the 1st generation AirPort Express Base Station (AX).
    When having difficulties accessing the AirPort thru the AirPort Utility, try the following, in order checking accessibility with the utility after each step:
    Check the local connection. If you are trying to access the AirPort wirelessly, make sure that you are connected to its wireless network before running the AirPort Utility to administer it. If you are still unable to access it with the utility, temporarily connect your computer directly using an Ethernet cable to one of the base station's LAN ports.
    Power cycle the base station. Remove the power adapter's plug from the power outlet, and then, wait 15 seconds before plugging it back in.
    Perform a "factory default" reset on the base station.

  • Profiles in New Airport Express Base Station

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    The AirPort Express Base Station (AX) can store up to five different configuration profiles. You will need to use the AirPort Utility, located in Applications/Utilities to create & save these profiles.
    To create a new profile:
    o Open AirPort Utility, select your AX from the list, and then, click "Manual Setup."
    o From the AirPort Utility menu, select "Base Station," and then "Manage Profiles."
    o Click "+" to create a new profile; give it a name, and then, click OK.
    o Set options, such as network name, passwords, Internet connection method, etc.
    o When done setting the options, click Update.
    To switch profiles:
    o Open the AirPort Utility, select your AX from the list, and then, click "Manual Setup."
    o From the AirPort Utility menu, select "Base Station," and then "Manage Profiles."
    o Click on the desired profile, and then, click OK to apply the new profile and restart the AX.
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  • Airport Express Base station turns itself off

    I recently had an airport express base station that died completely. Apple replaced it on warranty. Now my new base station behaves very erratically. After a while without activity, the airport turns itself off. The only way of getting it back is to unplug the power and plug it in again. This works most of the time, but sometimes I need to repeat several times or reset it as it locks itself with a steady yellow light and my computer cannot see it. I guess one could live with this if it wasn't for the fact that my DSL modem (Motorola) and base station are kind of hidden and difficult to access...
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    To Apple Discussions!
    Suggest that you post over in the AirPort Express Forums. It's where the AP users hang out.
    "Now my new base station behaves very erratically."
    I would give Apple a call first.

  • 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.

  • Can you add new AirPort Express Base Station Simultaneous dual-band 802.11n with a 1st Gen time capsule network

    Hi
    Has anyone tried using the AirPort Express Base Station with a first generation Time Capsule and used it to extend their network, while still being able to use the Simultaneous dual-band 802.11n on their network?
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    The first generation Time Capsule was not a simultaneous dual band device.
    If you add the "new" AirPort Express to the network and configure it to "Extend a wireless network", it will extend the one single band signal that it is receiving from the Time Capsule.
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  • Can't read airport express base station configuration wirelessly

    The setup:
    2TB time capsule that takes the ethernet feed from the cable modem for internet access.
    Airport express 802.11g plugged into speakers for Airtunes. No ethernet connection, just a wireless network.
    The problem:
    I can only read the airport express base station configuration when the mac is plugged into the time capsule by ethernet cable. This does not happen with the other mac I have on the network. It can connect to both the time capsule and the airport express without any problems. So unless I'm plugged in, iTunes and airtunes doesn't connect to the base station, and neither can Airfoil 3.5 or Airport Utility. Airport Utility does see the airport express. It just doesn't read the configuration wirelessly.
    I think this had something to do with elgato eyetv not liking airfoil, but I can't say for sure.
    Any thoughts?

    When I switch it on all three lights flash, but then after a while the middle one stays on and nothing happens.
    You posted in the AirPort Express area, but it sounds like you have an AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS)--correct?
    If so, let's start by performing a complete power recycling of your network components to make sure that the BT Voyager router "recognizes" the AEBS.
    Modem/Router Power Recycling - Quick
    - Power-off the BT Voyager modem, AEBS, & computer(s); Wait at least 5 minutes.
    - Power-on the BT Voyager modem; Wait at least 5 minutes.
    - Power-on the AEBS; Wait at least 5 minutes.
    - Power-on the computer(s)
    If this fails to get the modem to "recognize" the Internet router, then try the "Full" version.
    Modem/Router Power ReCycling - Full
    - Power-off the BT Voyager modem, AEBS, & computer(s). (Wait at least 30 minutes. If possible, leave the modem off overnight.)
    - Power-on the BT Voyager modem; Wait at least 30 minutes.
    - Power-on the AEBS; Wait at least 5 minutes.
    - Power-on the computer(s)

  • After downloading firmware for airport utility, airport express base station no longer registers with airport utility on my Mac. Now the base station is blinking amber with no info of what is causing all this to happen. Any suggestions?

    After downloading firmware for airport utility last night, airport express base station was deleted from airport utility and only Time Capsule remains. When I plug in the base station, an amber light blinks without being able to verify the cause. Any suggestions to remedy this problem?

    There are only a couple of things you can do to resuscitate a nonresponsive Express:
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    If that does not work,
    "Factory defaults reset":
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    Release the button.
    In either case you will have to reconfigure the Express as a new device. A moment or two after it has been reset, the LED should be blinking slowly. It must then appear in your Wi-Fi menu like this:
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    If it does no appear in your Wi-Fi menu after it has been reset using one of the two techniques above, it is defective. Other than attempting another reset, there is nothing you can do.

  • Airport Express Base Station and HP Laserjet 1020 printer connected

    Dear all,
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    The Airport Admin Utility recognises the printer (I can see it listed). I have updated the Airport Express software to the Firmware version 6.3 as well as downloaded the latest driver available on HP's website for my printer. I've also substituted the USB cable. Can anybody help me here? Thank you very much and best regards.

    Hallo everybody,
    Thanks for all the answers. I have contacted HP's chat online and gone through the problem with 3 different technicians. I've tried a lot myself too. The issue was partially solved by restarting the printer spooler, i.e. stop, then start and then restart it.
    However after I was so happy that the printer worked, I turn off everything. When I turn on again, it was not working anymore. Then I tried to see by exclusion what the problem is, I had to restart the Hardwar I don't know how many times.
    Conclusion:
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    2. Turn on the printer first.
    3. Turn on the airport express and the computer.
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    5. Disconnect the USB cable from the airport express and connect it to the PC directly.
    6. Print a document.
    7. Disconnect the cable and reconnect it to the airport express.
    8. Now you should be able to print wireless. You may need to reset the airport expresst with the utility softwar, but I managed to print without having to do it.
    9. The pörinter works even if you turn off and on again the computer, or you suspend the windows session and restart it, or if you put it in standby and restart it.
    10. The printer works even if you turn off the airport express and the computer, or the airport express alone and restart them/it.
    11. The printer doens't work anymore if you turn it off and onn again. In such a case you have to plug in/out as discribeb above.
    Solution: Leave the printer always on, or make the plug in/out every morning when you start the computer and print one page direclty before being able to print wireless.
    Does anybody have a solution to this problem? I mean it prints, but it is annoying to plug in/out every day, no?
    HP's technician says that it is not a recommanded solution the HP Laserjet 1020 with the airport express, since the printer works on a host based server basis... I mean it is easy to say that, but one expects to buy a printer that works always and not to have to plug in/out everyday, restart spooler and so on.
    Can anybody comment or suggest anything I can do to avoid this? Thank you and I hope this helps others too.

  • I want to set up my Airport Express Base Station again but do not remember how. Please walk me thru it.

    I am trying to hook my Airport Express Base Station up to be a router again and have forgotten how to do this. Before I had it hooked through the modeum and would like to have it that way again but for some reason the process has completely left my memory. I know it has something to do with the little icon on the top of the computer but not what it has to do with it. Because it is not hooked up I am unable to get my printer to work unless I connect to another wireless that I have but do not want to use all of the time since I have to pay for it and do not have  many GB. I am also paying for another that I want to use all of the time (unless necessary to use the other) so It only cost me when I am away from home. Please walk me through the process of hooking the Apple router back up.

    All apple routers are setup via Airport Utility.. there is no icon for it in the top menu area.. I think you are confusing the airport network setup (ie the internal wireless card in the Mac) with the airport express setup.. Apple insist on calling everything the same name which makes it more confusing.
    Open the airport utility which you find under applications/utilties.
    Router setting will depend on what version of the utility you are using.
    In version 5 it is under Internet tab and in v6 utility under network. You need to set it to DHCP + NAT.
    Download and read the manual for setting up the express if you have forgotten the details.. manuals are always good.. all the manuals are listed at the head of the section. But you are in Time Capsule instead of extreme/express specific area.
    https://discussions.apple.com/community/wireless/airport
    Manuals link http://support.apple.com/manuals/%23airport
    If you want the express as router the modem should be bridged or it should be a pure modem for it to work without Double NAT issues. There is nothing wrong with bridging the Express.. that is not the same as using it in wireless bridge modes.. that is router bridge.
    What modem do you have?
    I am at a loss to understand the rest.. why the printer is not part of your own network.. and how setting up the airport this way is important. You need to give us specific details if you need more help.
    How exactly is the airport setup now?
    How do you connect to the modem?
    How is the printer connected? What kind of printer?

  • Where can I purchase a replacement CD for the Airport Express Base station A1264?

    Where can I purchase a replacement CD for the Airport Express Base station A1264?
    I'd like to sell my Airport Base Station, but I believe I need a CD with the software on it for the new owner. Anyone know where I can find one?
    Thanks!
    Meredith

    I doubt it is available.. and since a new Mac doesn't even have an optical drive.. there is no need whatsoever today for the cd.. it is all available in the OS or download. In fact the stuff on the cd will now be totally out of date.

  • Airport express base station too old?

    I keep intermittently losing my wifi connection with my Macbook Pro. However, my iPhone and my iPad have no problems jumping on the wifi connection.
    I have an XBridgeDSL ethernet router modem which is paired with an Airport Express base station and both of them are about 13 or 14 years old. I installed Mavericks when it came out, everything seemed fine, but am wondering if it was a step too far for my poor old kit.
    I can get wired connection with the computer no problem, and right now I've managed to get Wi-fi - but it randomly disappears, and the network doesn't show up in the list of available networks.
    I've just run Airport Utility and it finally showing my base station, but says it doesn't support it.
    Am I having these problems because my base station is too old now?
    I don't really want to incurr any unnecessary expense of buying new kit if I don't need to...
    At the moment I have to switch between wired and wifi depending on which device I want to use which isn't great.
    Any further advice or tips would be great.
    Best
    Heather

    Hi,
    Yes, that's exactly the same message I got with my base station (but in English). This has worked for me:
    -Disconnect from wifi
    -Moved computer very close to the router
    -Place ethernet cable from router modem to computer, connect to internet wired.
    -Left it for a few hours, then put the ethernet cable back into the airport express
    -After about 20 mins I went back to the computer and noticed it was connected to wifi again
    -Haven't turned it off since so OK so far
    -Found a new internet supplier who will supplier a wireless router modem free of charge and signed up. I just have to hang on till 11th Jan!
    Slightly unorthodox perhaps, but it's worked
    Good luck with yours, my feeling is that my Apple base station is now too old and no longer supported. Also I suspect I'll get better internet download speeds with the new router modem, currently only getting 4000mbs compared to a possible 120,000mbs in our area, and my upload speed is about 0.4mbs.
    H

  • Samsung CLP-300 attached to Airport Express Base Station: Issues

    I have found that my Samsung CLP-300 printer, which is connected to my Airport Express Base Station via USB, refuses to print after printing one document. After restarting my Airport Express Base Station, I found that the printer would start printing again, but only one document - afterwards, I required a base station restart before the printer could print again.
    Does anybody know how to rid this problem? I would like to be able to print consecutive documents without needing a reboot.

    Hi Eric. I've had the same troubles for quite some time. I've had limited success setting the printer up as an IP Printer. Here's a link to another discussion that might help you out. Good luck!
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8804705#8804705

  • I want to re-use my old airport express base station but airport utility doesn't recognise it anymore (it dates from 2005) i would like to use it to connect to my speakers only

    I have an old airport express base station from 2005
    I would like to have a network on it so i can put it upstairs in a room and connect my speakers to it so i can send my music (from itunes) over the airport to my speakers.
    I reset it and now i want to configure but the Airport utility doesn't recognise it anymore.
    Can i update the firmware? has it become useless because too old or what can i do?
    I work on macbook pro with macOSX 10.9.4
    Can someone give me some tips please
    thanks
    J

    Please locate the model number on the side of the AirPort Express. Hard to see.....gray lettering on a white background....so you may likely need a magnifying glass and good lighting to see it.
    The model number starts with a "A" followed by four numbers. If you see A1084 or A1088, unfortunately AirPort Utility 6.x in Mavericks OS X (10.9.4) does not support these older models. However, you can still administer these models if you have a Mac.....or can borrow one for a few minutes....using Leopard (10.5.x) or Snow Leopard (10.6.x), or a PC with AirPort Utility installed on the device.

  • Steady green light on A1084. Airport Utility 5.6 says set up is complete.   Airport Express base station does not appear in the menu bar, so I cannot select it.  Is there a fix?

    Steady green light on A1084. Mac OS X 10.7.5. IMac. Verizon DSL Actiontec GT704-WGB modem. Airport Utility 5.6 says set up is complete.   Airport Express base station does not appear in the menu bar, so I cannot select it and send a signal to airport express to play airtunes through my stereo amplifier.  Is there a fix?

    I plugged a model A1034 Airport Extreme Base Station into the Verizon DSL Actiontec GT704-WGB modem with an ethernet cable and now the AirPlay icon appears in the Itunes window immediately to the right of the volume control and I can select it and play Airtunes wirelessly through the A1038 Airport Express Base Station in another room connected to a stereo amplifier by a Monster mini-to-RCA left/right audio cable running from the output jack on the A1034 Airport Express Base Station into the CD jacks on the amp.  The problem is that I have to select the Apple Network Airport Express Base Station as my network in order to select the Airport Express Base Station when I click the AirPlay icon, which means I have no Internet signal to the Imac. If I select the Airport Extreme Base Station or the Verzion modem as my network, then I have an Internet signal to the Imac, but the Airport Express Base Station is grayed out when I click on the AirPlay icon, so I cannot select the Airport Express Base Station and send tunes to the Airport Express.  It would be nice to play Airtunes while simultaneously accessing the Internet.  I don't understand your question about what program I am using for which I require AirPlay.  I am not learned about computers in general, and even less so about Macs than PCs.  I thought the program I was running was Itunes, and there was no separate program to run to use AirPlay for the purpose of sending a signal from the Itunes on the Imac to the A1084 Airport Express base station in a another room, and then out as described above to the stereo amplifier to listen to Itunes music remotely in the other room, without any kind of cable, wire, etc., connecting the Imac to the stereo amplifier.  I would guess that the most common use for the A1084 is to play Itunes through a stereo in another room without the need to run wires from the computer to the stereo.  I realize it would be easy simply to run a very long mini-to-RCA left/right audio cable across the floor connecting the Imac to the amp without the need to use AirTunes, Airplay or any kind of AirPort, but it would be both unsightly and a tripping hazard.

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