Airport Express - Extender Configuration

I bought the Airport Express hoping to extend my signal with a Vizio Router/Model from Comcast. I'm able to get it to "Join" the network, but not to "Extend" it and I don't even know if joining the Network lets me connect through the Airport... or if it's still going through the Vizio, because it won't allow me to setup a separate SSID for the Airport Express. Last I'm doing this wirelessly, because running an Ethernet cable from the Vizio to the Airport is just not something I want to deal with.
Any suggestions???

An Apple AirPort Base Station can only "wirelessly extend" a wireless network created by another Apple AirPort Base Station.

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Airport Express extends 5 Ghz and 2.4 Ghz or just one at a time?

I recently switched my dual band Time Capsule to use different names for the 5 Ghz and 2.4 Ghz networks.
Will the Airport Express extend both or just one at a time, if so, which one will it extend?
I have two Airport Express modules, bought a long time apart, is there any difference in functionality and how do I tell them apart if this is the case?
All are running the most recent firmware version.

Welcome to the discussion area, Mike!
Will the Airport Express extend both or just one at a time, if so, which one will it extend?
The AirPort Express is a single band device, so it can extend either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band, +but not both at the same time+. Since you have different names for the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands, the Express will extend the 2.4 GHz band by default. Using AirPort Utility, the setup application for the AirPorts, it is possible to configure the AirPort Express to extend either band.
If you are perhaps thinking of extending the 5 GHz band, this can be a bit tricky because 5 GHZ signals do not travel effectively over distance or penetrate obstructions as well as 2.4 GHz signals. You almost have to have a line-of-sight relationship between the Time Capsule and the AirPort Express to be able to extend the 5 GHz band.
I have two Airport Express modules, bought a long time apart, is there any difference in functionality and how do I tell them apart if this is the case?
Look on the side of the AirPort Express for the model number in the small print. You'll need Model No A 1264 to be able to "extend". If you have the older Model No A 1084, that version will not be able to "extend" a wireless network, but you could use it to "join" the wireless network and stream AirTunes to the device.
All are running the most recent firmware version.
That would be 7.5.2. If you have the older version of the AirPort Express, the latest firmware version for that device would be 6.3.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Issue w/ Airport Express extending a network (intermittently)

Hi -- I have an Airport Extreme and Airport Express currently configured to "extend" the network that my Extreme base station creates. But its not working right -- here's whats up.
Basically the Extreme is on the ground floor, and I got the Express so that we'd have good signal in our master bedroom, all the way at the other end of the house, upstairs. The Express _definitely_ has good signal from the Extreme. And the master bedroom where the weak signal was is about 30 feet from that airport express I put upstairs.
However, for whatever reason, most of the time in that master bedroom from any computer (macbook pro, imac, and our ipads, iphones) connnect to the extreme downstairs, not the express upstairs. This results in one or no signal bar, and crappy internet access. Hmm.
Green lights are on and steady on both the extreme and express.
I've rebooted the express, reset it, reconfigured it, and the ONLY time I can get it to work properly is right after a reset and reconfigure (choosing "extend a wireless network). Both have the most recent updates.
Any ideas? Is my airport express just not working right ? Any ideas ?

The key here is that if you locate your MBP at the location of the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), leaving the AX unpowered, if it can get a good signal from the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS), then the AX would as well.
The AX can only extend the range of the AEBS effectively if it is within a 25+ dB SNR range of the AEBS. Anything beyond that, you may get a "strong" signal (indicated by full bars), but the actual bandwidth will be useless.
SNR = Signal-to-Noise Ratio = Signal (in dBm) - Noise (in dBm)
You can easily find the Signal and Noise value using System Profiler on your MBP.
ref: Click on the Apple icon on the menu bar > About This Mac > More Info... > Contents > Network > AirPort > Interfaces > en1 > Current Network Information > Find your wireless network > Signal / Noise
While your still in the System Profiler, note the value for Transmit Rate.
These values should be negative numbers. For example, mine currently read: -67 dBm / -95 dBm, with a transmit rate of 27 (Mbps). Plugging in these numbers yield: SNR = -67 - (-95) = 28. My Mac Mini is about four rooms away from my AEBS with about five walls between them. As you can see, the signal is still quite useable ... but the bandwidth is minimal, especially for streaming.
SNR Guideline
40dB+ SNR = Excellent signal
25dB to 40dB SNR = Very good signal
15dB to 25dB SNR = Low signal
10dB to 15dB SNR = Very low signal
5dB to 10dB SNR = No signal

Problem with airport express extending wifi from extreme

My setup is an airport extreme wired to the internet with two iMacs connected by wire and an airport express to extend wifi from the extreme to the further parts of my house. When originally installed about a year ago this arrangement worked perfectly, but I noticed a few weeks ago that neither my iphone, ipad, nor my MBP 13" is connecting to the aitport express anymore and the network extension is not working as intended.
Last night I investigated the isue and found that the express is connected wirelessly to my extreme because when I wired my MBP to the express and turned off the wireless connection it could still reach the internet. But, even with the express sitting plugged in next to my iPhone I could not get it to connect to the express - it always uses the extreme and while I'm in range there is no problem. The problem is that my house is old and the wals tend to cause problems with reception and I can't get wifi in the garden and some parts of the house.
I have the express and the extreme configured to allow access only by the client macs that I have provided and it looks like the two devices share this information when they are in extend mode (but not sure about that). When I set up the system I added the aitports mac addresses to the approved list in the access control screen, which seemed to be necessary then though I removed them (the airport mac addresses) fromt he list last night to see what effect this had and biefly the airport did connect to my MBP. But after returning it to its location where it usually is I have not been able to reconnect to it.
In brief; I have an airport express extending an airport extreme wifi, it used to work, but now all wifi clients will only connect to the master. I have a suspicion that a recent airport update has caused this (both airports are up-to-date) but can't be sure. I have the express correctly configured to extend the wifi of the extreme as it was originally working.
One thing I have noticed - I had the express set to use a fixed IP by setting 'static' in the internet screen - this is not the current setting (it's reverted to DHCP) and I cannot force it to update to and remain set to static.
Does anyone know how I can restore the correct functioning of the express as an extension of the wifi network?
Thanks
Damon

Perform the Factory Default Reset one more time. Hold the reset button until the amber light has been blinking rapidly for 8-10 seconds before you release the reset button
Run the setup wizard, and wait for screen similar to this to appear, then click on Other Options:
Select the Add to an existing network option, then click Next and follow the prompts.
If you are still having difficulty, try running the setup utility on an iPhone or iPad, since Yosemite has a number of bugs in the setup process.

Should airport express be configured with the same network as my existing router

Should airport express be configured with the same network name as my Verizon router.

Carolyn1962 wrote:
I am new to apple,used to windows.Apple store advised airport express in order to boost my DSL router.In order for it to be most effective should it be under the same settings.Still learning
A router signal can not be boosted as all routers put out the maximum allowed by law. However, proper placement of a secondary router will enable it to "repeat" or extend the signal.
An Airport can "extend" the WiFi created by another Airport. It can not extend a non-Apple WiFi. You need TWO Airport units, one to function as the main radio and the other to function as an extender. I used two Express units.
Configuration is simple if you start from a factory default condition. Connect the main Airport to AC power and finally to the Internet modem (or modem/router). Open Airport Utility on your Mac or other computer and accept all of the recommendations. After confirming that it works, insert your desired administrative and WiFi passwords.
Then connect the extender to AC power. As before, open Airport Utility on your Mac or other computer and accept all of the recommendations. No need to add password info.
Do not expect the Airport to respond instantly to the configuration commands. BE PATIENT!

Airport Express Extends 5GHz at 2.4GHz?

My second generation(802.11n) Airport Express extends my 5GHz network, Net5, at 2.4 GHz. The express is about 20
feet from its "target," an iPad 3 serving as an internet radio. I know this because a scan turned up the 5GHz network on the same
channel as the 2.4GHz one and identified as "Net5."
As far as I can tell, all my settings are correct, etc. I'd be grateful for any ideas, comments, etc.

Ok, thanks for clarifying that for me. By default, the 2nd generation Express should extend both radios of your 5th generation Extreme. The key is placement. As you are already aware the range of the 2.4 Ghz band is greater than that of the 5 GHz one.
Even if you have the Express within 20 feet of the Extreme there may be some form of Wi-Fi interference (like walls) that may be preventing the 5 GHz band to be extended properly.
To rule out a possible placement issue, please check out the following AirPort User Tip for details on how to best place your base stations.

Do I have to use airport extreme to be a main network if I want to use Airport express extend my wifi range

Do I have to use airport extreme to be a main network if I want to use Airport express extend my wifi range.

You cannot extend wifi from a different brand router..
Only apple to apple.
But the apple router does not have to be the main router.. it can be in bridge.. as long as it is creating a wireless network it will work fine.

Airport express extending - n AND g

I have an airport express extending a dual band airport extreme network. The extreme has one band on n (for laptops) and one band on a/g (for iphones and an older laptop). The airport express extends the network, connecting wirelessly to the extreme in another room, and sharing its connection with an iphone and an old laptop.
My question is this: will the airport express connect with the airport extreme (receiving its internet connection) at n speeds, but then connect with my iphone and old laptop (sharing its internet) at a/g speeds? I know the express is not dual band and thus cannot share its connection on different bands, but can it connect on a different band than it shares?
Thanks!

From what I've tried the Airport Express will only extend as it connects to. I've tried and it doesn't seem to "auto-convert" from one to another.
Also, you might want to look at the 802.11n 5ghz and 802.11n b/g/n 2.4ghz. Set this in your Airport Extreme accordingly (which you already might have), and let Airport Express automatically extend the 802.11n b/g/n 2.4ghz. This way, the iPhone will connect as fast as it can and the older laptop can connect.
BTW here is my "poor man's dual band" setup if anyone's interested:
DSL modem is connected to Netcomm 802.11b/g/n wireless router. This supplies the 802.11b/g/ 2.4ghz N signal for iPhone, Xbox360, and anything else.
Then, I connect via ethernet from Netcomm wireless router to my existing Airport Express. Airport Express supplies a pure 802.11 5ghz N signal for my Mac, iPad2, new iPad and AppleTV.
This way, the Mac, iPads and AppleTV always "see" only the Airport Express network, hence WiFi iTunes syncing as well as AirPlay streaming is great, and the 5ghz network with maximum N speed doesn't suffer interference and/or dropouts such as when my microwave is running.
As for the iPhone, I'll just use a cable when I need to, but this way my iPhone and Xbox360 can access the Internet as needed without degrading the connectivity of the Mac, iPads and AppleTV. I don't play online games, I only need connectivity to update or download stuff on Xbox360.
Yes, the disadvantage is double-NAT, but I haven't encountered issues yet.

Iphone will not connect to airport express extended network - macbook and ipad will - Help

Iphone will not connect to airport express extended network - macbook and ipad will without problems.
iphone will connect to base station no problems, I've restored settings and started again but still the same, the iphone picked up the network for the last couple of months, but not now ?

I'm having the same issue. My AExpress used to give a good signal strength on the far side of the house extending he network created by my Extreme. However, I've noticed lately that my iPhone does not receive the same strong signal it once did. AE has a green light, I've rebooted it, and my Extreme but there is no change in signal strength. Other than the green light, how can I tell if the Express is working if I don't get a good network signal?

Airport express extending wifi extremely slow

Hello,
I have a time capsule creating a wireless network and a airport express extending the wireless network.
When I'm connected to the time capsule I have around 12mbp of speed but when I am connected to the airport express I have around 0.2mbp
In the airport utility it says the connection is good she connected to the airport express.
Everything was working fine a few days ago.
I was reading the the forum that it may be interference from a neighbour and to change the channel but I can fine where to change the channel.
Is changing the channel the solution? How can I access where to change the channel?
Or is there another solution?
Anyone knows how to fix this speed problem in airport express?
Cheers
Francisco

What is the distance between the Time Capsule (TC) and the AirPort Express Base Station (AX)? Are they in the same room, different room, different floor from each other? If in different rooms/floors, what is the basic building material used in the walls/floors/ceilings?
It is important to understand that the AX can only extend the TC's wireless network at the same bandwidth that it receives it. If you are only getting around .2 Mbps at the AX, then either there is too much distance between routers or there is some form of Wi-Fi interference (other Wi-Fis or the builiding material) between them that is preventing the AX from getting a strong enough signal to extend.
Changing channels is one possible solution. You would do so using the AirPort Utility. If you are using version 5.x of that utility, you would change channels as follows: AirPort Utility > Select the AX > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless tab > Channel. By default Channel is set to "Automatic." Click on the up/down arrow to the right of the Channel window to get the other channel options.
If this doesn't resolve the problem, please check out the following AirPort User Tip for details on how to best place each base station for maximum bandwidth in an extended network.

Time Capsule & Airport Express Extended Network loses connection!

OK, so I am an Apple virgin of 2 months experience, after many many years with Windows based PCs, so please be patient and gentle with me. Sorry about the long explanation.....
My set-up comprises of a Time Capsule, which is connected to the Internet via a NetGear ASDL modem. Both pieces of equipment are situated in my wife's office on the first floor of our house. My office is on the ground floor, where I have a 27" iMac and an Airport Express which is connected to a printer via the USB port. The Airport Express is sited about 10 feet from the iMac.
All software and firmware are lastest versions - TC v7.5, AX v7.4.2 & Airport Utility v5.5.
For the past 2 months, I have only been using the AX to print wirelessly and the set-up has worked faultlessly.
Earlier this week, I decided change the configuration to extend the network to allow me to use my laptop & iPhone in areas of the ground floor where I had no signal. I followed the online instructions and first changed the TC to check the box to 'allow this network to be extended', after updating the configuration successfully I moved to the AX. Here I changed the wireless mode to 'Extend a wireless network', selected the network name and checked the 'Allow wireless clients' box. This also updated successfully.
Everything ran correctly and the range of the network was greatly increased.......great, job done...not!
After about 3 hours the iMac lost the connection and the TC disappeared from the Airport Utility pane and refused to reappear. I checked but also couldn't connect or see any network on the laptop or iPhone, so have dismissed a fault with the iMac. I finally got things back up after doing a power reset of the TC, but after a few hours same problem occurred, and occurred and occurred. By clicking the Airport Utility icon on the top right of the screen and following the prompts from 'no Internet connection', I can at least get things up and working without a power reset of the TC, but the connection still drops after 2-5 hours each time.
My first call to Apple Support led to a full reset and re-config of both the TC and AX, setting the extended network up as I had done originally. The only difference was an iMac reset (alt/cmd P&R on power up) and changing the 2.4Ghz channel from 1 to 11. This had no affect and the connection drop-out problem continued.
My second call to Apple Support led to me being passed to a Level 2 Techie, who first suggested that I tried disabling the Guest Network - tried it, and it made no difference. I was then told to try a WDS network, which whilst not losing connection, is slower and has less range than the original extended network and frankly sounds a cop-out.
Has anyone had a similar problem, anyone solved the problems, can anyone offer any help or advice please.. I'd appreciate any input....thanks.

Similar problem here. Cable Modem (Moto SB6120)->AEBS (802.11n dual-band)>AX (802.11n) for wireless connection to MacBook Pro running Mac OS X 10.6.2. AEBS configured as dual-band: 801.11a/n at 5GHZ and 801.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHZ. AX configured to wirelessly extend the AEBS 5GHz 802.11a/n network. I am able to run on the extended 5GHz network (via AX) for varying lengths of time, until the internet connection dies. When this occurs, I am able to switch over to the 2.4GHz network to get back online. Solution up until now has been to unplug the AX, then plug it back in. After the AX restarts, I am able to hop back onto its 5GHz signal and get to the internet. However, the internet connection on this band will drop again after some time.
I was on the phone with Apple Support twice in the past week to get this resolved, but no joy. Senior Advisor seemed to think that my AX was working properly, and that that the problem could be with my AEBS -- perhaps the 5GHz antenna might be bad in my AEBS? Seems odd to me, since both my AEBS and AX are less than 2 months old...
I just read the post from LocoDoc and decided to see if I could replicate the problem. Sure enough, when I am connected to the internet via my AX extended 5GHz network signal and a Time Machine backup starts, the internet connection quits. Only recourse is to restart the AX. Note that I do not experience this problem with Time Machine while connected wirelessly straight to the AEBS 5GHz signal. Only when I am connected to the "extended" signal via the AX.

Airport Express extending network needs to be restarted daily

I'm having a really annoying problem with my Airport network. Here's the configuration:
Den: Latest generation simultaneous Dual-Band Airport Extreme
Living Room: older 802.11g Airport Express used only for AirPlay
Office: older 802.11n Airport Express wired to the Airport Extreme via ethernet, extending network
Hallway: 802.11n Airport Express wirelessly joining and extending network
Bedroom: Latest generation simultaneous Dual-Band Airport Express wirelessly joining and extending network
I have an older house which is not terribly big but the radio-opaque walls make it difficult to propogate wireless, thus the need for so many units.
It all works pretty well except for my bedroom Airport Express (simultaneous Dual-Band). On a daily basis it will lose connection with the network or go so painfull slowly that it's pointless. The only solution is to do a reboot of the unit which works temporarily (good connection / good speeds) My son likes to watch Roku in our bedroom and that Roku uses the WiFi that the Airport Express should provide. Needless to say troubleshooting wifi when your 3 year old is crying because he can't get 30 seconds of streaming before the signal craps out is not fun. Anybody have any suggestions???

"Hard reset" the bedroom Extreme to preclude the possibility that some corrupted internal parameter is limiting its performance. Consider doing that with all of them. They will subsequently need to be reconfigured.
Configure the den Extreme to provide a unique name for its 5 GHz network, and ensure all the devices capable of using it are using it, and not 2.4 GHz. Find out what your Roku is capable of using.
The key to solving problems, if your challenging requirements are solvable, is to start with as simple an installation as possible, then progressively add to it. Find out the maximum usable range of your den's Extreme in both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, then position any devices used to "wirelessly extend" its signal roughly half the distance to that Extreme - not a different base station. The ideal location for the Roku's Express may not necessarily be in the bedroom.
Run speed tests each time and make sure you are not trying to "extend" a weak signal. "Extending" a weak signal makes it stronger, but no faster that what it receives.
That's all you can do.
... I thought "N" networks minimized that problem.
You're right about that.
The thing is I get decent wireless reception in the bedroom WITHOUT the express plugged in.
I wonder if those devices are really using the Express you think they are. That's the problem with multiple base stations. There are ways of addressing this question but not with the current AirPort Utility version.

Airport Express: Extend vs. Join

I have a 1TB TC as my base station and an older Airport Extreme (.n) upstairs to extend the network coverage throughout the house. I just bought a new Airport Express (.n) to add to my living room for streaming music. The Express has the option of extend or join existing network. Both will work to stream music, but I was wondering if there will be a degradation of overall system performance if I select the "Extend" option. Thoughts?

As Tesserax mentions, the "extend" configuration will tax the bandwidth of the system a bit, but I think it's fair to say that most users find the improved wireless coverage more than compensates for the slight bandwidth loss.
There are no hard and fast rules here with "extending" although I will mention that in general, most users tend to position the Express too far away from the main base station for it work at its maximum capability. If you configure your Express to "extend", try experimenting with an initial placement position of 1/2 to 2/3 of the distance from the main base station to the area you want to extend to.

Airport Express extending the range of my network HELP!

Greetings!
I know there are similar posts on this topic, but I can't seem to find a solution so I'll just ask again!
Equipment: AirPort Extreme and two Airport Expresses (all are N)
We live in a long house and the AirPort Extreme sits on one end with the cable modem and I'd like to place two AirPort Expresses in the middle and other end of the house so we can get wireless.
I've tried WDS and extended and I can't get them to configure! What can I do? I'm out of ideas and time spend trying to set up an extender!!
Help!!
Message was edited by: Scott Rowan

AE-----AX1-----AX2<---MacBookPro</div>
Ok, this can be done with a static WDS.
Here is the basic steps to do so:
Static WDS Setup
(Note: To facilitate the WDS set up, temporarily connect both 802.11n AirPort Express Base Stations (AXn) to any available LAN port on the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn). When setup is complete, you can then relocate them to the desired locations. Be sure to jot down the AirPort IDs (MAC addresses) for each of the base stations to be used in the WDS. The AirPort ID is printed on the label on the bottom/side of the base station.)
Main Base Station Setup - AEBSn
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the AEBSn.
o Open AirPort Utility.
o Select the AEBSn, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Click Wireless in the toolbar, and then choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu. (Note: You may have to hold down the Option key before clicking the menu for this option to appear on the 802.11n models.)
o Click WDS and then choose “WDS main” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
o Select the “Allow wireless clients” checkbox.
o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of AXn#1.
o Click Update to send the new settings to the base stations in the WDS.
Remote Base Station Setup - AXn#2
o Open AirPort Utility.
o Select AXn#2, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar and click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and choose the same channel as the main base station from the Channel pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and choose “WDS remote” from the pop-up menu.
o Enter the AirPort ID of the main base station in the WDS Main field.
o Click Update to transfer the settings to the base station.
Relay Base Station Setup - AXn#1
o Open AirPort Utility.
o Select AXn#1, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar and click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and choose the same channel as the main base station from the Channel pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and choose “WDS relay” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
o Enter the AirPort ID of the main base station in the Main AirPort ID field.
o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of the remote base station this relay base station will connect to.
o Click Update to transfer the new WDS settings to the relay and remote base stations.
(ref: Pages 42-46 of "Designing AirPort Networks.)

Iphone will not recognize an Airport Express extending a wireless network

Hi. I asked elsewhere in the support community and someone suggested I also ask here. I have two Airport Expresses, one in my living room that is creating a wireless network, and another in the back of my house, extending a wireless network so it will reach in to the back yard. The one in the living room is the new 2012 model, and the one in back is the pre-2012 model. They both have the latest firmware, and I configured them both using the Airport Utility, and can confirm they are working as configured, to create and extend a wireless network.
My mid-2010 Macbook with Lion shifts between devices effortlessly, switching to the stronger signal when I move between the house and the back yard. I can verify this by selecting Option+Click on the wireless widget in the menu bar and checking the BSSID against the Airport Utility. But the signal from the living room unit still reaches in to the back yard, and as far as I can tell, and the iPhone 4S cannot recognize the existence of the extending unit (outside of the Airport Utility). I know the former is a well-known problem, the iPhone is unique in that it will annoyingly hold on to the existing connection for dear life, even when a stronger one is available. I thought I could work around that by power cycling or disabling/reenabling Wi-Fi when out of range of the living room unit to get around that problem but even that doesn't work.
When I go some place out of range of the living room unit but still within line of sight of the back yard unit, say the neighboring field, the laptop can connect to the back yard unit with about -75 RSSI, but the iPhone does not even see the wireless network. Even after a power cycle at that location. If I approach my back yard from the field while constantly scanning Wi-Fi (switching between the front pane in the Settings app and the Wi-Fi pane), the iPhone does not see my network until it sees the living room unit, at which point it tries to connect, and the Airport Utility shows the iPhone is connected to the living room unit, not the back yard unit. This is in contrast to the Macbook which both sees the extending Airport and happily connects to it when it has better signal than the living room unit.
Any idea why the iPhone cannot see the extending Airport Express but the Macbook can?

Anyone? Has anyone had experience with this problem? I've reset the extending Airport and reapplied the settings and still have the same problem.

Airport Express - Extender Configuration

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