Airport Express to extend Airport extreme

I am trying to extend my airport extreme with an airport express. Old airport express and not sure if 'n' or 'g'. When I first configured airport express I had the option to extend an existing network and all seemed well. When I reopened airport utilities to check settings my airport express was set to join a wireless network and there was no option to extend anymore. Do I need to try and set up a WDS? How can I find out if my airport express is n or g?
Thanks

You can configure a "g" AirPort Express to "join a wireless network", but it will not provide any additional wireless coverage in this type of setting. It is a wireless client only.
It is impossible to configure a "g" AirPort Express to "extend a wireless network"
You can confirm this by opening AirPort Utility and clicking Manual Setup for the Express
Click the Wireless tab just below the icons
What available settings do you see for Wireless Mode?
"Extend a wireless network" will not be there unless you have an "n" AirPort Express

Similar Messages

Extending Airport Extreme N 5ghz with Express 5ghz

I have a last generation Airport Extreme (has N 5ghz but not dual band) set in N 5ghz that I would like to extend with a current generation N Airport Express. I setup the Extreme on 5ghz, hid the SSID, and allowed it to be extended. When I go to setup the Express to extend the Extreme network, it will say that the configuration updates have been saved, but it never finds the Express after it has restarted. The Express continues to have the Amber light flashing after restart.
Any ideas?

Hello everglade. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
I suggest starting over. Please give the following instructions a try ...
o If practical, place the base stations in near proximity to each other during the setup phase. Once done, move them to their desired locations.
o Open AirPort Utility and select the base station that will connect to the Internet.
o Choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open the configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then click Wireless.
o Choose “Create a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then select the “Allow this network to be extended” checkbox.
o Next, select the base station that will extend this network, and choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open its configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
o Choose “Extend a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then choose the network you want to extend from the Network Name pop-up menu.
o Enter the base station network and base station password is necessary.
o Click Update to update the base station with new network settings.
(ref: Page 46 of "Designing AirPort Networks Using AirPort Utility.)

Can I use airport express to extend my network AND stream iTunes???

I have an airport extreme connected to the cable modem and sending a signal out to my home network. I also have a powerbook and an airport express connected to the home stereo.
My question is, can i use the express to extend my extreme signal (to reach the back yard) and stream music from itunes at the same time? The set up utility seems to suggest that you do one or the other.
Thanks!

Are you sure you configured the Express to extend the Extreme's network? If you use the standard setup, the two base stations will be indistinguishable, i.e. you'll only see one entry for the wireless network.
If you were connected to the Extreme when you configured the Express, try turning off Airport in the Airport menu and then turning it back on. The computer should pick up the stronger signal at that point.

Does the new Airport Extreme work with Airport Express??

I just installed the new airport extreme and I can't get my airport expresses to function as a part of the network. Does anyone know how to get past this? Do the expresses work with the new extreme?

I assume this issue is true for both Express base stations ... that is, that their status lights go to solid amber when removed from the Extreme base station. A solid amber would indicate that the base station has failed to reinitialize with its "new" configuration.
The only recommendation I have at this point, is to start over with just a single Express. Perform a "factory default" reset on both the Extreme and the Express. Leave them both powered-off after they complete their respective resets.
Power-up the Extreme. Leave it in its default configuration which is to broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN. Connect the Express to one of the available LAN ports on the Extreme, and then, plug the Express into power.
Your Mac should shortly "see" the new base station in the AirPort drop-down menu from the OS X menu bar. Select this new station and the AirPort Utility should start up. Use the utility's automated steps to configure the Express to extend the Extreme. Allow the Express to restart.
Now remove the Express from power, and then, disconnect it from the Extreme. Place the Express in another location in the same room and plug it back into power. Does it eventually give you a green status light?

How to set-up new Airport Express to extend range of Airport Extreme

Purchased a new Airport Express to use it as a range extender on existing home network with an operating Airport Extreme base station. While I've read instructions, I'm unclear whether the Express needs to be connected by ethernet cable for its initial setup, or can I simply plug it and initialize it wirelessly onto the same household network? (I've tried the latter but without success).

to edex67 and Bob Timmons:
My objective is to extend the wireless range of the Airport Extreme base station wirelessly - so I do appreciate that the Airport Express would needsto be located haflway between the base station and the "dead zone" area.
The suggestion of using a Powerline ethernet connection to the Airport Express has merit (especially as I have one available).
I continue to use OSX 10.6.8 - does this affect my set-up in any way?
My problem had been - and remains - how to configure the Airport Express in range extend mode - I did click these boxes on both the Extreme base station and the Express, however the Express still has flashing amber lights and error codes - one indicating no internet availability on the Airport Express.

How do I Extend my airport extreme using an airport express

How do i use and airport express to extend my network off an airport extreme

Apple's step by step instructions are here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Although two Extremes are pictured, the setup for an Express is exactly the same.
If you are running Lion 10.7.3, you will need to download and install AirPort Utility 5.6 for Mac OS X Lion for the instructions to make sense.
Otherwise, open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilties > AirPort Utiltiy to start the process.

How do I include my Airport Express with my base Airport Extreme to extend my in house wireless network??

How do I set up wireless network extension/expansion adding Airport Express to existing Airport Extreme Network??

OK, thanks for the clear information, this really helps.
Locate the AirPort Express about half way between the AirPort Extreme and the general area that needs more wireless signal coverage. The more that you have line-of-sight between the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express, the better the performance will be.
Power off the AirPort Express for a few minutes
Hold in the reset button firmly...and keep holding for an additional 10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power cord back into the back of the AirPort Express
Release the reset button after the hold period and allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light
This process is tricky.....you almost have to have 3 hands to do this.
If you have an iPad or iPhone, the setup is almost too easy to be true. In that case.....
Tap on Settings (gear icon) on the home screen
Tap on WiFi
Under the heading of Setup a New AirPort Base Station....
Tap on AirPort Express
The utility will analyze things for a minute, then suggest that the Express be configured to extend the AirPort Extreme network
Type in a device name that you want to use, then tap Next
The utility will set up everything for you automatically. When you see the message of Setup Complete, tap Done and you are good to go.
If you want to use the Mac running (10.6.8) for the setup.......
Make sure that the wireless is turned on at the Mac
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Select the AirPort Express and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab under the row of icons
Enter a device name for the AirPort Express
Enter a device password for the AirPort Express
Verify the device password
Adjust the Time Zone setting
No other adjustments are needed here
Click the Wireless tab below the icons
Set the Wireless Mode to Extend a Wireless Network
Click on the Wireless Network Name box and your AirPort Extreme network name should appear as a choice. Click to select that....or manually enter the exact name of the AirPort Extreme wireless network
Make sure that Wireless Security is set to use WPA2 Personal
Enter the wireless network password for the AirPort Extreme
Verify the wireless network password for the AirPort Extreme
Click Update at the lower right of the window and wait a full minute for the Express to restart. A green light on the Express at this point will be a very good sign that things are up and running correctly.
Your Mac will automatically select the AirPort with the best signal quality. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you may need to manually turn off the WiFi when you move the device near another AirPort, and then turn WiFi back on to get the iOS device to connect to the best signal.
Good luck, please post on your results with the method that you choose.

How do I use an Airport Express as a "range-extender" for Airport Extreme?

I bought an Airport Express with the intent of using it as an "extender" for my Airport Extreme, but I find no paper that describes how this is done. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks and cheers, Veit

Thanks for the info. Try this to see if it will do the job for you:
_On your AirPort Extreme (AEBS):_
Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup
Click the *Wireless tab* below the row of icons
Your *Wireless Mode* should already be set to “Create a Wireless Network”
Make sure there is a check mark next to “Allow this network to be extended”
Note the setting for Wireless Security as you will need this for the next setup on the AirPort Express
Update to save changes
_On the AirPort Express (AX):_
Hold the reset button in on the AX until you see the amber light begin to blink more quickly
Temporarily, move the AX near your computer and connect a short ethernet cable from your computer to the AX
Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup.
Click the *Wireless tab* below the row of icons
*Wireless Mode*….should be set to “Extend a wireless network”. If you don’t see this choice, hold down the option key when you click on the selection box
Wireless Network Name…the name of your main AirPort Extreme network should appear as a choice. Click to select it.
Place a check mark next to Allow wireless clients
Wireless Security….exact same setting as your AEBS
Wireless Password…exact same password as your AEBS
Confirm Password
Click the Base Station tab to assign a name and device password for the AX, set time zone, etc.
Click the Music icon to enable AirTunes if you wish
Update to save settings. You can disconnect the ethernet cable and move the Express to the desired location.
For further reference, Apple's instructions for the "extend" setup appear on pages 43-44 in the Apple AirPort Networks Guide.
Please post back on your results.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

How do I know "Roaming Network" is working with Airport Express and Airport Extreme and should I use extended wireless network for third Express?

Attempting to eliminate a dead spot in Wifi coverage [and implement AirPlay] have one Airport Extreme 802.11n and two Airport Express 802.11n's.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
The Airport Extreme is of course connected to cable modem and Ethernet switch, and one Airport Express is connected to the Ethernet network. As per instructions for creating a "Roaming Network", Airport Express is set to same SSID, security type, and Password.
Questions:
1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to? In other words, will it switch to the closer WiFi transmitter automatically? The WiFi reception problem is intermittent in the fringe areas so what I do not want it for it to stick with the more distant Airport Extreme in the basement when the Airport Express which is closer will work better.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
The third Airport Express will be in a third location - I was planning on using it also for expanding coverage but after reading the warnings about performance suffering when purely using WiFi for the expansion in this location ("Wireless Extended Network" without an ethernet connection) I have figured that the single wired Airport Express will be adequate and will use the third Express to do Airplay only.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Question: Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
Mitch

1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to?
The Mac computer will automatically connect to the wireless access point with the strongest signal...which is probably the closest AirPort. An iPhone or iPad may not do this and will tend to stay connected to one AirPort.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
On a Mac, open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility. Click on one of AirPorts. In the area to the right, locate the AirPort ID and jot that down. Then do the same for your other AirPort.
Move your Mac near one of the AirPorts and log on to the wireless. Hold down the option key on the Mac while you click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID. That is the AirPort ID of the device to which you are connected.
If you are close to the "remote" AirPort, and you see the AIrPort ID of the "main" router when you are testing, then you know that the network is not configured correctly.
Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
There will be a modest 10-15% bandwidth loss with the "extend" setup, assuming that the Express is located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the AirPort to which it is associated. You can avoid the bandwidth loss if the Express is also connected via Ethernet as part of the roaming configuration.

I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use?

I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use? Essentially having two wifi connection off the same network? If so how do I set this up?

Extending using a wireless connection always results in a performance compromise.
If the Express is going to extend using a wireless connection, then the Express will need to be located about half way between the AirPort Extreme and the general area where you need more wireless coverage. The more that you have line-of-sight between the Extreme and Express, the better the network will operate.
Remember......the Express can only "extend" the quality and signal speed that it receives, so it needs to be located where it can get a very good signal from the Extreme. Although Apple cleverly uses the term "extend", a more accurate term for the Express would be "repeater".
If the Express will extend by connecting to the Extreme using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection......highly recommended for best performance.....then the Express can be located exactly where you need more wireless coverage. There is no signal loss at all through the Ethernet cable, so the Express gets a full speed signal no matter where it might be located.
Post back to let us know which way to you want to go.

How do I add my Airport Express to extend my airport extreme base station network

How do I extend my wireless net work using my new airport express.
My base station is an airport extreme.
I can get both the extreme and the express to show up in the wireless set up system, but it wants to set up one or the other. I want them both working together to extend the range of my base station.

Power up the Express for a few moments, then "hard reset" it iby holding in the reset button for 10-12 seconds and then release. Give the Express 40-45 seconds to restart and you will see a slow blinking amber light when this occurs.
Open AirPort Utility - select the Express and Click Continue to follow the guided setup. You may need to "switch" networks if AirPort Utility presents this option so that you can configure the Express.
The first page of the setup will ask you to assign a name for the device and device password. On the next page select the "join a wireless network option". Select "join" again and then enter a check mark next to the option to "extend the range of the network"
Continue following the guided setup to configure the device and click Update to save your settings.
Close AirPort Utility as soon as you see the message that the settings have been stored. Allow 40-45 second for the Express to restart.
A good location of the Express is a point that is about 1/2 the distance from your AirPort Extreme to the area that needs more wireless coverage. This will insure that the Express receives a strong signal to "extend".

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections. For whatever reason when I have my express extend my wifi at home the download speed from just the express is absolutely terrible, drops to about 1.5 mb compared to when it's on the extremes part of the network the speed goes up to 50-75mb. These terrible download speed really only affects the iPhones as my MacBook Pro usually gets the good speed no matter where it is. I don't believe there is anything wrong with my phone because if I am in the part of the house that uses just the extreme the download speeds on the iphone goes up to 50-75mb. As a note I have an AirPort Extreme on the top floor of my house (second floor) that's where my modem is located. On the first floor that's where one airport express is located. I also have another airport express in the basement that is accessed by my landlord. Any thoughts on how to fix this would be helpful.

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections.
It appears that your networking goals with the AirPort Express is to use it as a wireless Ethernet bridge instead of using it to extend the wireless range of your AirPort Extreme. The latter requires that the Express Wi-Fi radios be enabled.
If you intended to use the Express as a wireless bridge, you just need to reconfigure it to "Join a wireless" network instead of "Extend a wireless network."
For whatever reason when I have my express extend my wifi at home the download speed from just the express is absolutely terrible, drops to about 1.5 mb compared to when it's on the extremes part of the network the speed goes up to 50-75mb.
In an extended network, the placement of the extending base station is critical as it can only extend the wireless network at the bandwidth at which it receives it.
Please check out the following AirPort User Tip for details on optimal base station placement.

Airport Express disconnects wired internet connection when attempting to extend Airport Extreme WiFi network

I just purchased and airport express to extend my wifi network. My base station is an airport extreme, I have one wired connection and a wifi network. When I go through the recommended steps to set up the express and "extend the network", the airport extreme will no longer connect to the internet via ethernet. I have tried various settings and can't seem to resolve the problem. Any assistance would be much appreciated.

Ok so we now have a solution to the problem. A friend of mine came round to work this out with me last night and we were able to get it working, but it is not as easy as I had hoped. Fisrtly we plugged the airport express into my router using the ethernet cable (for this I am using an Airport Express Base Station") and in airport utilities selected the airport express. In edit, we then gave the airport express a new range of IP address which did not conflict with any of the other applications that I have already assigned. We also named the Airport Express with a distinguishable name. We then waited for the changes to be registered then unplugged the Airport Express from the router. I then plugged my AppleTV via HDMI into a tv to test it and selected the new wifi network with the new Airport Express distinguishable name. I was able to watch a video that I have on my ipad directly on my tv without being connected to the internet, and was able to play Airplay presentations.
No the easiest solution, and certainly not something that anyone at Apple has talked me through in my lengthy conversations with them at Applecare.
Hope this helps.

I have installed Airport Extreme on my iMac, but want to extend the wireless network with Airport Express. Everything is fine until I try to select Extend the wireless network. I select Extend Wireless network but have no success. Ideas?

I have installed Airport Extreme on my iMac, but want to extend the wireless to rooms with a weak signal. The internet connection is fine with the basic setup. As soon as I go into Airport Utility to select Extend Wireless Network and fill in what I believe is proper information, I get an error message that Airport Extreme no longer has an IP address, the internet connection is broken, and under Wireless, that there is a wireless network in existence that can't be found. Rebooting the modem only brings the Airport Extreme back to the starting gate so that the internet is once again available. I assumed (naively) that with the All Mac All-the-Time context, adding Airport Express would truly be Plug and Play. I got the plug, but no play. I asked a Comcast technical specialist about it and he said that I needed to reset the Airport Express settings back to their default, factory status. I looked that process up online and found out that the way to do that was to hold down the reset button, then plug Airport Express into the socket and wait for the green light to flash four times. Then wait 45 seconds and the default settings will return. I did all that, only to find out that after the initial flash of green, green never appeared again. I got a fast flashing yellow light, followed by the light going off. Apparently this didn't reset it properly. So, after hours trying to get this system to work, I appeal to someone who can see through this mess and provide the key to success!
highFly376

Let's see if I can get this straight.
You have an Airport Extreme base station that is set to "Create a wireless network" and you have the box checked for "allow this network to be extended"....
Then you have an Airport Express that is set to "Extend a wireless network" which you selected the name of your network in the box...
Correct?
See this Apple document:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
The wireless unit on the right of the diagram can be either of the newer Apple base stations.
Extreme, Express, Time Capsule

The internet coming from my AirPort Extreme, which is extended by an AirPort Express and my Time Capsule, is being very flaky. It is dropping and I have to reconnect every few minutes. Any solutions?

To be more detailed, my AirPort Extreme needs to be extended by an AirPort Express, which then is extended to my personal Time Capsule. The internet drops on my MacBook Pro and other MacBook Pros randomly. We then reconnect with no problem and go on with what we were doing. The internet is fine. Always able to connect. We have Open DNS set up as well. But the flaky internet is annoying. Any ideas how to fix this?

The primary issue that you will need to contend with is the distance between routers. 300' would be at the fringe of the signal coming from the base station located in the house which, most likely, make it too "weak" to extend/repeat with the second base station at the shop.
There is a method to configure a relay base station between them in a Wireless Distribution System (WDS), but a WDS has two major drawbacks: 1) It can only operate in the 802.11g Radio Mode, and 2) For every base station participating in the WDS, the overall bandwidth will be cut in half .., so with a total of three (main, relay, & remote), the maximum of 54 Mbps (for 802.11g) would be more like 15-17 Mbps. If you plan on streaming HD video (either 720p or 1080p), your local wireless network may not have enough bandwidth to do so successfully.
You proposal to run the DSL line to the shop does offer another option. Instead of running a DSL line, run an Ethernet cable between the house and the shop. You would connect one end to any of the available LAN ports on the AirPort Extreme to the Ethernet port on the AirPort Express. You can then configure both base stations into a roaming network and not have bandwidth loss of the WDS.

Airport express extender not connecting to airport extreme

Mac OSX 10.9.5
Airport Extreme version 7.6.4
Airport Express version 7.6.4
I've done a hard reset of both Extreme and Express, set up Extreme and cannot set up Express as an extender. Airport utility recognizes the Express, but shows an amber light. Amber light also flashing on the airport Express, which is within 2 feet of the Extreme.
"Other Wi-Fi Devices" says no remote airport base satin is discovered. Same situation even when connecting the Express to the Extreme via an ethernet

Temporarily, please power off the AirPort Express and set it aside.
Restart the AirPort Extreme and check to make sure that it is performing correctly. There should be a green light on the AirPort Extreme and devices that are in the same room or adjacent rooms should be able to connect to the Internet.
If you see a slow, flashing amber light on the AirPort Extreme.....
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Uility
Click on the picture of the AirPort Extreme
Look for the setting for Status
Click on the small amber dot there and report back with the exact message that you see

Airport Express to extend Airport extreme

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