Airport express problems - complex network

My network is a little more complex than a typical home network.
I have a broadband router from my service provider (BT) which is then connected via ethernet to my Airport Time Capsule. This time capsule is connected to an iMac and to a couple of ethernet cables which run elsewhere in the house. I have successfully added two Airport Express units to wirelessly extend the network. Neither of these have ethernet connections back to the Time Capsule.
The third airport express is further away and therefore is connected via ethernet. The connection is as follows:
ISP BB Router > Time Capsule > Ethernet to 4 port ethernet switch > Ethernet from switch to Airport Express
Now the problem:-
I can see the Airport Express in Airport Utility as a new device awaiting configuration, but when I select it (after gathering information on the network) I receive the error message "An unexpected error occurred. Try again". I have tried soft, hard and factory resets to the airport express, but none of these have resolved the problem.
I need the 4 port ethernet hub in the network as there are other devices which are also connected to this hub (xbox etc.) and I only have one ethernet cable into the room...hence using the hub to share this single connection.
Any help/guidance much appreciated

Bob,
Thanks for the advice. I've made the changes you suggested and restarted the iMac and was then able to successfully configure the AE as a wifi extender using Airport Utility. However, when I then moved it to the room in question and connected it via ethernet to the hub and from there back to the time capsule, strange things started happening!
Firstly, my internet connectivity dropped out completely (meaning I lost all wifi in the house..including the time capsule). Airport Utility was showing the Internet as 'disconnected' and I checked this on both my iMac and iPad and got the same result. However, I know the DSL connection was fine, because a hard connection into the Service Provider BB router gave me connectivity. So, I did a soft reset of the time capsule and this seemed to resolve the main problem (I have my main wifi network back)
However, I now see the following in Airport Utility under 'WiFi':-
The master bedroom AP is showing as 'not connected'...which really can't be down to wireless signal (the Master bedroom is directly above the study where the iMac and time capsule are. Will a soft/hard reset resolve this? I didn't want to change anything at this stage.
The Airport Express which I have just configured is the Morning room AP. It was previously showing as 'green', but now became 'orange' with no intervention from myself. Is there a way of seeing what the error message is?
Strangely, when I switch to the 'Ethernet' view in Airport Utility, I see the following:-
Not sure why this would look like that?
Any guidance most welcome.

Similar Messages

How do I remove an unwanted Airport Express from my network?

I have been using a Time Capsule for several years. I am having trouble backing up to my Time Capsule. I have discovered an unknown Airport Express in my network. I've changed networks, added passwords to the network, etc. How do I remove this unwanted Airport Express from my network? I think he is wreaking havoc with my system!! Help...

Maybe this is an issue I should consult my ISP about??
No question about that. If you can "see" Travis's device, then he can likely "see" your Time Capsule.
I'm just concerned that whomever the APExpress belongs to could be changing settings on my computer or Time Capsule that would cause the issues with me not being able to backup.
Make sure that you have a Time Capsule base station password. Unless a user has that password, they might be able to "see" your Time Capsule, but they cannot access any of the data on the Time Capsule or change the settings.
Open AirPort Utility, click on the Time Capsule and click Manual Setup
Then, click the Time Capsule tab below the icons to see the device name and password for your device. Make sure that you have entered the password and confirmed. Click Update if you have made any changes.
The message I get is "The backup was not performed because an error occurred while copying files to the backup disk. The problem may be temporary. Try again later to back up. If the problem persists, use Disk Utility to repair your backup disk."
I am not sure what this error means, because I cannot duplicate it here to test.
If it were me, I would try this "fix".
http://pondini.org/TM/A5b.html

HT1515 Just installed Airport Express on Mac 10.6.8 Can't see base station. Hard Reset the Airport. Rebooted machine. How can I tell if this is a Mac problem or Airport Express Problem?

I have a Mac 10.6.8. Just installed Airport Express. I can't see any base stations. I did a hard reset on the Airport Express, turned off all devices, turned them back on. I see plenty of Airport networks in the neighborhood. How can I tell if I have a Mac problem or an Airport Express problem? Airport Express blinks Amber.

Obviously, I'm still using ethernet to be able to reply to this.
Alright, use the same ethernet cable to plug directly into the airport express. This will FORCE the airport utility to now see it regardless of weak signals & interference. You can set it up that way.
BTW, what is the original intent on the express?

I'm trying to add my airport express to my network. The airport utility shows a message that its gathering info about my network then suddenly an unexpected error message appears. Why is that?

i'm trying to add my airport express to my network. The airport utility shows a message that its gathering info about my network then suddenly an unexpected error message appears. Why is that?

Until Bob Timmons gets back to you, first decide what you would like the Express to do. I understand you want it for AirPlay remote speakers, which you can certainly do.
I am assuming that you are not using an Apple AirPort router; if that's not the case stop here and let me know.
If your existing router is not an Apple AirPort Base Station, the Express:
can "join" an existing wireless network as a client, for the sole purpose of streaming music. If that's what you want to do, do not connect it to your router with an Ethernet cable.
can "extend" an existing wired network to serve as an additional wireless access point, which can also stream music. If that's what you want to do, connect its WAN port to an available LAN port on your router using an Ethernet cable.
Then, "hard reset" the Express according to the instructions below, and configure it. The prompts should be self-explanatory. If you run into trouble, describe which of the above two configurations you decided upon, and the point at which you're getting the "unexpected problem".
To "hard reset" an AirPort Base Station: make sure it's powered up, then gently press and hold its tiny reset button. Don't apply any more force than required to feel a tactile click. Keep it depressed for five to ten seconds, long enough for its LED to flash amber rapidly. Release the reset button. Then, the LED will glow amber steadily for about a minute. Then, it will flash amber, slowly, about once every second or two, waiting for you to configure it with AirPort Utility.

Can't connect Airport Express wirelessly to network so that AirTunes and internet are available simultaneously

I can't connect Airport Express wirelessly to network so that AirTunes and internet are available simultaneously. My old AE allowed this but can't make the new one work that way.

In your instructions, you say to use the same encryption type as the router has set up. well, I am using the WEP 64 bit encryption and the Airport Utility does not have this...it has 40 bit. Is this a problem, or do I have to be using a the same type of encrytion ?
WEP is available in either 40 or 104-bit, but is usually "advertised" as either 64- or 128-bit respectively. For example, 64-bit WEP uses a 40 bit key (also known as WEP-40), which is concatenated with a 24-bit initialization vector (IV) to form the 64-bit RC4 traffic key. So, WEP 64 on the Linksys & 40-bit is equivalent.
What concerns me more is the loss of bandwidth performance you are experiencing when connecting the AX. When the AX is configured as a wireless client it is acting just like any other wireless devices (computer, laptop, printer, etc.) and not like another router. This should cause little or no bandwidth loss. True the more secure the wireless encryption used WPA2 vs. WEP, the more overhead is required for security, but the differences you are seeing seem excessive.
It is very possible that you may have some form of Wi-Fi interference in the immediate area that is preventing your Linksys from providing a good clean signal.
I suggest you perform a simple site survey, using utilities like the following to determine potential areas of interference, and then, try to either eliminate or significantly reduce them where possible:
For Macs:
o MacStumbler
o iStumbler, or
For PCs:
o NetStumbler

Airport Express: Extend a network and do Airtunes at the same time?

Hi, I'm trying to organize the people in my apartment building to share an internet connection wirelessly.
The connection is originating from a friend's apartment; he has a Linksys router, probably "g" flavor.
We're going to put one Airport Express in a neighbor's apartment to extend that.
I have an Airport Express connected to my stereo which I use only for Airtunes.
So I'm wondering: can I connect my Airport Express to this network and extend it and ALSO use it for Airtunes?
Also: Can I prevent my neighbors from seeing my Airport Express for Airtunes purposes? IE, I don't want my stereo to show up in the "multiple speakers" drop down of iTunes for other people connecting to the network...
Hope there's a way to work this out...

can I connect my Airport Express to this network and extend it and ALSO use it for Airtunes?
In order to extend the wireless range of the Linksys router, you would have to configure your AX and the Linksys in a Wireless Distribution System (WDS). Unfortunately, very few non-AirPort router are WDS-compatible. The few Linksys models that are reported to be compatible are the WRT54G & WRT54GS.
If you can create a WDS, streaming iTunes should not be a problem.
Also: Can I prevent my neighbors from seeing my Airport Express for Airtunes purposes? IE, I don't want my stereo to show up in the "multiple speakers" drop down of iTunes for other people connecting to the network...
No, but you can establish an iTunes Speaker password so they would not be able to stream to it.

Another Airport Express problem thread.

Hi Everyone,
I got a Powerbook recently and like many on these threads I am beset with Airport Express problems.
Here's my story. I purchased my Powerbook about a month ago and popped into the Apple Store to ask about the best way to have wireless internet access at home. They recommended the D-Link DSL-300T ADSL modem and Airport Express. I purchased these items and set everything up at home. This didn't work. After a week of talking to Apple, I got the answer to my problem from a Mac message board. Supposedly the ADSL modem recommended by Apple and stocked in their online store wasn't compatible with the lastest version of Airport Express 6.2.0. So I dowgraded the firmware to 6.1.1 and everything worked fine. My next problem was after running an OS X software update which I can presume also updated the Airport Express back to 6.2.0. So again I downgrade to 6.1.1 and it works again. Then I have to get my Powerbook replaced as the refurb Apple sold me didn't have the superdrive in it that Apple advertised, so I transfer my settings and files and i can go online for a couple of days and then it stops working again. I do the downgrade again but this doesn't help. So I take it to see a genius at Apple who performs the AE update 2005-001 which he says will solve the problem of incompatability with 3rd party modems. Take it home, it doesn't work. Powerbook almost gets thrown out of the window.
Why is something that should be so simple so difficult.
My questions are does anyone have a D-Link DSL 300T modem that works with the update 2005-001 ???
Why do Apple recommend an ADSL modem which doesn't work with their products ???
What ADSL modem for the UK does work with Airport Express ???

Hi Bollard, not sure whether this would work with the current model of the modem, but I ran into problems with the DSL300+ when first using it wit an airport extreme, back in 2003.
I eventually resolved the problems by using the modem in bridging mode. Not sure if this would be applicable with the new model, or whether it work if you are needing PPPoA rather than PPPoE, but for what its worth my experiences and solution can be found at http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=607296&#607296 I've had a fair bit of positive feedback from people who found it worked for them, at least with similar equipment and connection protocol.
Cheers
Rod

15" MacBook Pro randomly loses connection to my AirPort Express wi-fi network.

My 15" MacBook Pro randomly loses connection to my AirPort Express wi-fi network. I have to switch off wi-fi on my Mac then switch on again to reconnect. Any reason why this random occurrence keeps happening which never happened before? Any solutions and fixes would also be welcomed.
Jazz

In the airport utility, you can alter the radio modes... and change the channels from automatic to a manual one.
Hold down the Option key, and click on your wifi icon, it will tell you what channels are currently being used on your OSX.

AirPort Express disappears for network until it is rebooted, Arp problem

Hi,
I have just configured my AirPort Express as a remote speaker for iTunes.
After the AirPort is powered on I can access it via AirPort admin tool and from iTunes.
After a while, the AirPort can no longer be connected to, either by the admin utility or iTunes.
I am running firmware 6.3, and have reinstalled this version. The unit is around 4 months old
Anyway, what I have noticed is that the AirPort does not seem to respond to TCPIP ARP requests which means that if a computer flushes or expires its ARP cache it will not be able to connect to the AirPort.
A network sniffer shows the ARP packets being broadcast on the network but there is no response from the AirPort.
I can see that the AirPort sends out ARP requests after a reboot, but will not respond to ARP requests that other machines on the network send out.
Any ideas?
Ta
Gavin

I have had the AU running at all times but the AX's would still disappear.
The latest think I have tried is "not allow wireless clients" check box on the AX units. Since I have done this, I have not had an AX actually disappear. I now just deal with music skips and chops, if I turn on more than 2 units.
I also realize that using the AX units in for an Ethernet bridge is actually slower than using the Wireless G adapter. I use wireless to transfer shows on Tivo.
At this point, I am back to square one. The AE router gives me no benefits over a linksys or other wireless router. I can't use WDS, I can't use Ethernet Bridge.
The next thing I will try is to go back to Wireless G adapters on all the Tivos, then "allow wireless clients" and the AX units. At least I will get the WDS feature and be able to extend the range on my network.
I am guessing, if I just set up the AX units they way they were before (non-wds) and use the Tivo Wireless G adapters (essentially the way my networks was originally set up minus the AE router), that everything will work fine.
I would think Apple would do a better job before marketing products to do this.

Can't figure out my Airport Express problem...

I can't connect to the internet with my Airport Express. I've tried every option but none seem to work.
I have a RCA Digital Broadband box, which has a ethernet cable that I plug into my Airport. This is a sublease apartment so the internet was already set up and I just want to make it wireless.
When I go through the setup I choose "I don't have a wireless network and I want to create one" and then I am confronted with the "Bridge Mode" or "Single IP address using DHCP and NAT." I've tried both to no avail. When I choose "Single IP address using DHCP and NAT" it actually tells me that the light will blink amber and asks me to ignore, skip or cancel. The "Bridge Mode" goes straight to the screen I am confronted with if I skip the amber light warning.
It asks for: Configure IPv4, IP address, Subnet Mask, Router Address, DNS Server, Domain Name and DHCP Client ID. I leave it all as is so only IP and Subnet have information filled in.
Anyways, this fails as usual. I get the error saying that the "Apple wireless device does not have a valid IP address." I can pull the ethernet from the Airport and plug it into my laptop and I am connected in seconds... it's very annoying. Any idea of what I am doing wrong?
Sometimes, actually, I get the light to turn green and it says I am connected but the internet still doesn't work. Figures.

Hi,
Well, I went through the entire process (selecting bridge) and ignored the last problem where it said that Airport didn't have a valid IP. The light on my Airport is green and my Airport icon on my mac gives me full bars; however, there is still no internet.
I went into the internet options as you suggested and here are the results:
Connect using: Ethernet
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
IP Address: 169.254.18.108
Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
Routher: (blank)
DNS Server(s): (blank)
Domain name: (blank)
DHCP Client ID: (blank)
Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)
When I press the airport tab and click status, which says normal and is green, it brings me to a new section. This section says there is an issue with my internet connection and the cause is that my "Apple wireless device does not have a valid IP address."
That seems to be the issue. I don't know how to fix it though. One thing that looks out of place is that when Airport Utility is searching for my Airport Express network, it reports that the IP address is fe80::21f:f3ff:fef9:fe54%en1.

AirPort Express problem on MacBook Pro

I'm having problems connecting to the internet via work place LAN while booted up in Lion. Sometimes I can go into settings preferences or what ever that's called and get it to work by trial and error but it's very difficult. Right now I'm using AirPort Express connected to the LAN but I get the same problem when connecting directly to the LAN. And again I can sometimes get conection by trial and error but with great difficulty. What's strange though is that when I boot up into Windows 7 bootcamp I get a connection emediately with no problems.

I had the same problem. The Airport Express (used to provide ethernet access to a G5) would join my b/g 2.4Ghz network (from Dual Band Airport Extreme) instead of the 5Ghz "n" network (from same Airport Extreme)
Oddly, when I changed my Dual Band Airport Extreme from "802.11n only (5GHz) - 802.11b/g" to "802.11n only (5GHz) - 802.11b/g/n" my Airport Express would join the 5Ghz network fine.
This seems to be somewhat finicky, but i've got it working the way I want at the moment with the current settings:
Airport Extreme:
Create Wireless Network
802.11n only (5GHz) - 802.11b/g/n
Channel (Manual) 161, 1
Use Wide Channels
Airport Express:
Join Wireless Network

Airport Express problems with new MAC MINI and DLINK router SOLVED

Hi just thought I would post this as it may well help others experiencing similar frustrations with new core duo mac mini and wireless connection or quality problems across the network / internet etc
I have a 3 week old, new mac mini core duo 1.8ghz 2gig ram, 120gb disk - First Mac, connecting to my exisiting wireless network via DLINK ADSL Router 2MB Broadband also one windows laptop and pc also wireless on the network and two airport express potins to stream itunes to
Problem was briefly
Mac worked fine, but the network connection just far too slow, laptop and pc, 1800+ kbps downstream mac mini 90 - 150kbps (http://www.adslguide.org/tools/speedtest.asp)
also if i ping the router directly from terminal (ping -c 20 192.168.1.1) average response 12+ ms with 20% packet loss, yet laptop and pc avg 2ms no losses
Spent 2 evenings on frustrating calls of more than 1 hour each (due to being cut off , then ring back and closed etc etc) and carrying out a the helpdesk troubleshooting (I am an IT consultant I think I am above this level), eventually an archive and install of the os as well
last night I call for the third time, insisting I dont wish to carry out any further troubleshooting, and want it replaced and resolved or my money back
I receive a call back from product specialist (not sure if thats mac mini specialist or airport) but we resolved the issue (his knowledge far superior to the help desk do this do this attitude)
between us we carried out the folowing and resolved the problem and I am now very happy
mac now downstreaming also in excess of 1800kbps (as expected for 2mb broadband)and no packet loss
This problem was resolved by switching off the turbo option hidden away in the routers settings, under wireless configuration
Supposed to improve performance, but its rubbish and will make hardly any difference under mac os to the speed but will certainly affect your mac mini performance(you may have a similar setting switched on in your routers and mac os dont like it)
We stumbled across this by first disconnecting one of the airport express devices from my dlink network, and using it on its own default apple wireless settings, effectively making it a standalone wireless network, and not via the dlink router
we then carried out the same ping with the ip address of this device (from airport admin utility default 10.0.1.1) and the results were fantastic 2ms avg no package loss
this established it was something with the router, and how we then interrogated the routers settings and found the turbo on option within wireless configuration
you may not be able to replicate this if you dont have an additional network you could join (such as airport express), but probably worth checking your own router settings for something similar
Hope that may be of assistance to others, sorry that its a bit long winded and garbled, but I'm just so excited to finally get my new mac working as i would expect it to
Also perhaps insist on speaking to a product specialist immediately that the helpdesk are unable to help you

Hello macfar14. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
For just streaming iTunes and/or for sharing a USB printer, the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) just needs to be configured as a wireless client ... which you already attempted to do.
Just to be sure nothing was missed, here are the basic steps to do this:
Either connect to the AX's wireless network or connect directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then using the AirPort Utility in "Manual Setup" mode, make the following changes:
AirPort > Wireless
o Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
o Network Name: <existing wireless network's Network Name or SSID>
o Wireless Security: <select the encryption type of the existing wireless network>
o Wireless Password: <enter the existing wireless network password>
o Verify Password: <re-enter the existing wireless network password>
Music
o Enable AirTunes (checked)
o iTunes Speaker Name: <enter desired speaker name>
o iTunes Speaker Password: (optional)
o Verify Password: (optional)
o Click Update to write the new settings to the AX
In iTunes:
iTunes > Preferences... > Advanced > General
o Look for remote speakers connected with AirTunes (checked)

Trying to use Airport Express to extend network created by Actiontec M1424WR (FiOS)

I would like to use two Airport Expresses to extend my home network which is created with my Actiontec M1424WR. My ISP is Verizon FiOS. I previously had TimeWarner and used one of my Expresses to create the WiFi and the second Express to extend it. Now that I have a modem/router provided by Verizon, I'd like to utilize both Airports as extenders. I have a two story house and the signal is "fair" upstairs. I would like to use my Roku player to access my home library via Plex. My problem(s):
I used a hard reset to restore my Expresses to the default settings because my Airport Utility could not find them and my old network is not active anymore. After the reset I was able to find them but I kept getting an "unexpected error occurred try again later" message. After this message my Macbook OS X 10.8.5 could not connect to the internet anymore. I had to go to System Preferences ---> Network ---> Assist Me.. ---> Assistant ---> and then found my network and reconnected. So my Macbook is connected again but my Airport Expresses sit unused..
My Network:
Modem/Router ->     1. PC
                               2. PC #2
                               3. Xbox
                               4. D-link 5 port gigabit switch -> a. Directv b. xbox #2 c. xbox #3   d. THIS IS WHERE I WANT MY AIRPORT
I would like one Airport, connected via ethernet and towards the back of the house, extending my network and the other, connected via wifi and upstairs, also extending my network.
If anyone has time on their hands to help me with my problem I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Mike

I followed Kappy's advice and connected one AEX to my modem/router using a 50ft ethernet cable, creating a new network.   I connect my second AEX wirelessly to the first, extending the network. The first AEX was placed towards the back of the house and the 2nd AEX was placed upstairs. I was able to stream netflix on two devices upstairs while streaming a movie using plex from one pc downstairs to a roku player upstairs without any buffering at all. All three were in HD and my brother was playing multiplayer on his xbox (wired). It works! Thanks Kappy!

Airport Express and outside network interference

I have been having some difficulty staying connected to my Airport Express lately. I'm running a Power Mac G4 MDD (airport card) and an iBook 933mhz (airport extreme card), and an iMac (wired to a router). The airport express is also cabled to the router, which is connected to the cable modem. Everything worked fine from February to about 2 weeks ago. No dropouts or anything. The airport admin utility is set up as follows:
-Wireless mode: Create a wireless network (home router)
-WPA personal wireless security
-Channel - 11 (I have experimented with all channels)
-Mode 802.11b/g compatible
Wireless options
-multicast rate 5.5
-interference robustness enabled
-transmit power 100%
The iBook, I noticed this evening, seems to be picking up an outside network. The power mac doesn't seem to pick it up though. Im thinking it has to do with the difference between the 802.11b card in the Power mac and the 802.11g card in the iBook. Although the two wireless computers drop the connection, I also noticed this evening, that the Power mac seems more susceptible to the dropout (the connection isn't always lost at the same time). I also have a difficult time reestablishing the connection. I'm starting to think my problem lies in the channel setting, except none of them seem to make much difference. What other options do I have to limit this interference????

Jason
first let me start saying that it might not solve your problem, however, I was told, by an Apple engineer in charge of the networking for an Apple event, that in case of a mixed network (b and g) set the airport to be b only. He gave me the reasons, but I can not remember.
I used to have my network in b (I have a mixed setting), but since I have 2 airport xpress, one is set to "b" the other is set to "g".
I have had no problems.
Now, since I do not think this will solve your problem, you should check to see if there is any signal of an external interference going on.
Do your problems happen more frequently at a certain times.
Something new in the neighborhood ? So on and so forth.
Deivy

Airport Express problems

i bought an airport express for my home, i have a new imac intel core duo, its my first mac ever so I’m still learning. i also have an older PC that connects to the airport express as well. the problem I'm having is that the wireless connection drops randomly and seems to get more frequent and the only way to fix the problem is tup unplug the airport express and plug it back in to restart it. i brought back the router and got a new one and the new one seems to have the same problem but much more frequent almost two or three times a day I'm doing this. what’s wrong and how can i fix this problem?

Yes Duane you are absolutely right. My mistake, I obviously missed the word 'Express' in my haste. I dropped into the forum during a rare dull moment in a normal hectic day. My apologies fabulousadone and Duane.
fabulousadone, my first suspicion is interference. How far away from the 'AIRPORT EXPRESS' unit are the computers.
Is there a 2.5 Ghz portable phone,microwave oven or other wireless device in the proximity.
Did you 'enable interference robustness'. This is found in system preferences/network/drop down menu under 'show:' to read 'airport' /click on 'options'/
then check 'enable interference robustness'

Airport express problems - complex network

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