Airport express wireless networks stop working. wired ports fine

Hi,
My AirPort Extreme has recently started this odd behavior.
For. Some reason, the wi-fi networks fail. The device cannot be detected by the management utility and powering cycling the device is the old way to recover. I have confirmed that the wired ports and internet connection are still working when the extreme enters into this state. (Odd, since my wired pc cannot find the device). So I assumed some firmware issue.
I was at at firmware 7.6.4. When this problem showed up. I downgraded to 7.6.3 and it still occurs.
From other threads:
Interference references- don't think so. We are in a remote location
Overheating- device does not feel unusually warm. It is mounted an a stud. Plenty of air flow around device
Any thoughts?
Thanks

I did find this work around for Airport Utilitiy 5.6, which has allowed me to reset both of my Airport Expressses and configure them from Mavericks. So far so good, but the base station named "Roving Airport Express" is still fussy, at least in the eyes of Airport Utility.
http://coreyjmahler.com/2013/10/24/airport-utility-5-6-1-on-os-x-10-9-mavericks/

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Linking Dell Laptop to existing/working Airport Express wireless network

Hi,
I'm trying to connect a Dell Laptop (Inspiron 2500) running on Windows XP to an existing and functionning Airport Express wireless network set up for my girlfriend's iBook. It works perfectly for the iBook.
I have outfitted the Dell with a D-Link wireless G USB adapter and I see the network (i have the password) and it says I am connected to the network (even says connection is very good).
However, when I open the internet browser, nothing.
The network set up is: Cable to RCA Digital modem (model DCM425) to Airport Express (via ethernet) and to computer.
I have tried playing around with the Dell Laptop settings (IP, DSN, etc ...) and I have called everyone involved (including Apple) to no avail.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Nick
Dell Laptop Windows XP iBook

Thanks for the reply.
WEP is enabled. As far as the encryption, I'm not sure. I believe that it's 64-bit, as the password for the network is a five-letter word.
The funny thing, though, is that I had been using an IP address which I found on my girlfriend's Ibook, which allowed me to connect to her AEBS network, although the internet browser showed no connection.
Following directions from somebody else, I removed the IP address to enable DHCP, and then I was able to connect to other networks in the area (and the browser also connected to the internet) but I couldn't get onto her network anymore. Even with the password ...
Any ideas?
If i'm supposed to upgrade to 128-bit, how should I go about doing that?
Thanks again for the reply.
What encryption are you using?
Do you have WEP enabled?
The problem you are having probably lies with the
encryption key.
ccessing a Airport Network with a Windows XP PC or
laptop (with XP SP2)
http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/1011.html
Accessing a Airport Network with a Windows XP PC or
laptop (with XP SP1)
http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/1010.html
iFelix

Why have all 3 airport express base stations stopped working, BT have checked and improved line still not working?

Why have all 3 airport express base stations stopped working, other users are on ipads and BT have checked and improved line but I still have an intermittent/no connection?

You must tell us the whole setup.. what is the main router?? How are the express connected to each other?
On ipad it works ok?? But you are on a computer?? MBP early 2011 running Lion?? That doesn't work.. even if you are right next to the main router??
Plugged in by ethernet does it work??
Have you installed a wireless diagnostic program.. ?? Actually Lion has one installed but hidden I believe.
Later version bought it to the surface.
About Wireless Diagnostics
If you do run Lion please install the 5.6 airport utility as it will give you loads more info on how the units are connected.. and link speeds for extend wireless.
How to load 5.6 into later Lion & ML
1. Download 5.6 for Lion.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Click to open the dmg but do not attempt to install the pkg.. it won't work anyway.
Leave the package open on the desktop so you can see the file. AirportUtility56.pkg
2. Download and install unpkg.
http://www.timdoug.com/unpkg/
Run unpkg on the desktop.. If your Mac refuses to run the software, because it wasn’t downloaded from the Apple store, go to security in preferences and allow other software to work.. this is limitation of trade methinks. You can set back later if you like.
Now drag the AirPortUtility56.pkg file over to unpkg.. and it will create a new directory of the same name on the desktop.. in finder, open the new directory, drill down.. applications, utilities .. there lo and behold is Airport utility 5.6 .. drag it to your main utilities directory or just run it from current location.
You cannot uninstall version 6 (now 6.3 if you updated) so don't try.. and you cannot or should not run them both at the same time.. although I have had no problems when doing so.

HELP ibook g3 OSX 10.2.8 no longer detects airport express wireless network

my ibook G3 OSX 10.2.8, airport admin utility software 3.1.1 no longer can detect the airport express wireless network (powerbook G4, OSX 10.4.11, airport admin utility 4.2; airport express, WEP protected, to DSL modem). i just installed an ipod driver update on the ibook, and wireless networking went down on restart. any help greatly appreciated!

you name it : com.apple.airport.adminutility.plist
delete it and do as advised.
This isn't harmful, because it is only a preference list, so it will be created brandnew as soon as you re-setup the Airport stuff.
Mac OS X ( especially Jaguar ) has a tendency to corrupt some plists out of the blue, it is more or less harmless and can be fixed with recreating them plus permissions-repair.
Hint : repair permissions more than one time, it ALWAYS finds something to fix in Jaguar.
You cannot destroy something with these actions, because it is Unix maintance so usual routines.
A tool like cocktail or Onyx ( google them, onyx is freeware ) can help you run such ( and more ) routines on a scheduled base.
Always remember that OS X is no longer "the Mac OS", it is Unix with a nice Desktop, the critical things run hidden in the background, so it has to be treated like any Unix/Linux sort of OS, even if from the outside everything looks nice and kosher..
Best wishes from Germany

PCs suddenly no longer see Airport Express wireless network - please help!

Hi,
I am new to this forum and I need help. Two days ago - without me making any changes to settings etc. my Airport Express wireless network at home was no longer visible to any of my devices except to the Powerbook (G4 OS 10.3.9) which controls it. From one second to the next two Vista laptops and my cell phone (Nokia, Symbian OS).
My Powerbook has no problem connecting through AE to the internet. The two laptops are both able to connect to other wireless networks so they don't seem to be the problem. I just don't understand what caused this sudden drop-off/invisibility.
I have already tried the following: resetting the base station, changing the channel on the base station (from automatic) removing the network security altogether (from WPA2). But none of the devices except the powerbook can now see or detect my network.
Please - if anyone knows what the cause of this problem could be or how to fix I would be very grateful!!

you name it : com.apple.airport.adminutility.plist
delete it and do as advised.
This isn't harmful, because it is only a preference list, so it will be created brandnew as soon as you re-setup the Airport stuff.
Mac OS X ( especially Jaguar ) has a tendency to corrupt some plists out of the blue, it is more or less harmless and can be fixed with recreating them plus permissions-repair.
Hint : repair permissions more than one time, it ALWAYS finds something to fix in Jaguar.
You cannot destroy something with these actions, because it is Unix maintance so usual routines.
A tool like cocktail or Onyx ( google them, onyx is freeware ) can help you run such ( and more ) routines on a scheduled base.
Always remember that OS X is no longer "the Mac OS", it is Unix with a nice Desktop, the critical things run hidden in the background, so it has to be treated like any Unix/Linux sort of OS, even if from the outside everything looks nice and kosher..
Best wishes from Germany

Airport Express wireless network works fine, but won't connect to Internet

I had a power outage and since then my Airport Express doesn't connect to the Internet although everything else seems to work. I can see the AE just fine in the Airport Utility. My computer connects to the wireless network provided via the AE, so does my iPhone, so does my wireless printer, and I can print wirelessly from the computer to the printer, so the AE's wireless networking is working. If I directly connect my computer to the ethernet connection that I use for the AE, it connects to the Internet, so I have wired connectivity to the Internet. But somehow, I can't get to the Internet using the wireless network of the AE. Any suggestions on what I should try next?

Hi there,
Try to reset your Airport Express (AX), y pressing the little dot on the back of device. Keep pressed for some seconds until it flashes. Start then your Airport Utility and go through the setup process again. This will reset your whole wireless network. This may work for you. Good luck.

POWERMAC G5 can no longer access Airport Express wireless network

OK I've had a Airport extreme wireless network up and running for 3-years. Suddenly, my PowerMac G5 cannot connect. I know the network is OK because my Powerbook can connect to the network.
I've tried running the Airport utility and re-scanning with no luck. Also shut down the PowerMac and the Airport Extreme and then re-booted. No luck. The wireless strength meter in the upper right corner of screen goes from solid black to gray scale. Sometimes the network is listed, other times not. It never, however, will let me join the network.
Is it possible that the Airport card has failed??
Any help will be appreciated.

what does this have to do with windows?

Airport Express Wireless Network Suddenly Stops Working

Hi, I have a wireless network set up with a single airport express using WPA/WPA 2 Personal wireless security. The 5 daily clients on the network are 2 Mac laptops (Both Mac OS X.4), 2 PC's (1 Windows XP and 1 Windows Vista), and an iPhone.
Internet comes in from a Comcast connection directly into the airport express, which is set to create a wireless network and play music wirelessly using AirTunes. The Base station software is up to date, on Automatic Channel selection, and connecting to the internet using DHCP, automatic configuration and sharing a public IP address.
For some reason, every couple of weeks the airport network just stops working altogether. My Macbook Pro shows that it still has a connection with full signal to the network but has no internet connection. When I disconnect and try to reconnect, all attemps to reconnect fail. No other clients are able to get internet at this point, and I cannot even access airport settings from my Macbook Pro unless I manually reset the airport by unplugging and plugging it back in. With this reset the network starts to work again immediately and continues for several weeks again. Does anyone have any idea why it would have this random shut-off every few weeks? Thanks

I have a similiar problem. Every now and then, connecting to my Airport Express network results in "there was an error joining the airport network". It appears to me that this happens at random. Usually, the problem is solved by rebooting to Windows XP using Boot Camp, connecting to the network and then rebooting to OS X.
Recently, it's become worse: the problem persist but sometimes even rebooting to Windows doesn't solve it anymore. When I try to find out what's going on using the Airport Utility, the program tells me "airport utility was unable to find any airport base stations". The only thing that helps in this case is resetting/unplugging my Airport Express and reconfiguring it.
The problems occur independently from the type of security I'm using. It's very annoying and disappointing, since my current high-end MBP has this problem and my previous mac (an iBook) never had it.

I'd like to alter my Airport Extreme/Airport Express wireless network so that the 3 Expresses connect to the Extreme via Ethernet. I've been told this will create a more stable wifi signal. How do I configure this using Airport Utility? Thanks.

I currently have an Airport Extreme Base Station connected to my DSL router by Ethernet. Because I have a long, sprawling home, I have 3 Airport Expresses configured to "Extend the Wireless Network" I've established. Because of my home environment--thick walls encompassaing wire mesh, sprawling rooms, etc., it is hard to maintain a continuously-strong, stable WiFi signal. I've been told that I can create a much more stable network by connecting the Express units to the AEBS via Ethernet cable. Since my home is already wired for Ethernet, I'm considering making this change. If I proceed to establish the Ethernet connections, how do I then set up Airport Utility to accomodate this switch from a Wireless-based WiFi network to an Ethernet-based WiFi network?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Phyllis

I don't see anyplace in the Utility to designate HOW the Express units are connected, only how they relate on the network to the Extreme,
As I mentioned in the previous post, when you click the Internet icon in AirPort Utility:
Connect Using = Ethernet (This tells each Express to connect to the Extreme using the ethernet connection)
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode) (This setting allows your AirPort Extreme to function as the "main" router on the network, as it must for the setup to work correctly.
You do not need to configure anything differently on the AirPort Extreme (as long as it is working correctly now) to connect the AirPort Express devices.
The only other question I have is the following: I'm currently already using one of the Ethernet ports on the back of the Extreme-- for my husband's iMac. I really don't think he gains much in performance over how the iMac would run through wifi, so I could disconnect the iMac. If you think the iMac would do better to stay on the Ethernet connection, should I use a switch/splitter to add an extra connection?
Since each AirPort Express must connect using ethernet, you will need to use the 3 LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme for the AirPort Express devices.
I would suggest that you try connecting the iMac using wireless to see if that will work. If the wireless connection is not satisfactory, then you can add a 5 port ethernet switch to one of the LAN ports on the Extreme and then plug all the devices connecting using ethernet....the iMac and the 3 AirPort Express devices...into the remaining 4 ports on the switch. That will leave you with 2 open ports on the AirPort Extreme for any future devices that may need to connect.
When you test out the system, here is a trick to find out which device your computer is actually connecting to at any given time as it "roams" around the house.
When you have AirPort Utility open to configure each AirPort Express, jot down the AirPort ID for each Express. You can do the same for the AirPort Extreme.
As you move around with your laptop, hold down the option key on your Mac keyboard while you click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID. That is the AirPort ID of the device that the laptop is connected to at that time. it should also be the ID of the closest AirPort Express (or AirPort Extreme if the laptop is close to the Extreme at the time).
Let us know how things are working when everything is up and running.

Printing from XP to Airport Express-connected printer stopped working

We have an HP printer hooked up to an Airport Express. We have a Windows XP machine that has been set up to print using Bonjour and the Airport, and it has been working for months. Suddenly, it is not working. Documents get to the printer queue, but then error out.
We also have a Power Mac set up, running Tiger, that still works. We can also hook up the printer directly to the Windows PC and it prints fine. We have tried the following:
-Recreating the printer in Windows. (The Bonjour Wizard finds the printer just fine.)
-Reinstalling Bonjour 1.04
-Restarting Windows and the printer and the AE (several times)
-Turning off the firewall
-Printing documents from multiple applications
-Creating a printer with a generic driver
No matter what, the document errors out in the printer queue when we try to print wirelessly from the PC. We don't know exactly when this started, because we haven't printed anything in a while. We can't think of any changes that have been made recently, except for automatic Windows updates. Has anyone else seen this problem recently? Any suggestions?

Excellent...great find! Had the same problem. Mac PB and two PC laptops on XP via Bonjour have been printing fine for many years through an Airport Extreme to an HP 7300 AIO printer. Then one day last week the Mac continued printing fine over wifi to Airport Extreme but both PC's (one Dell and one Compaq) stopped printing both via direct wired USB and wifi through the AE. Microsoft must have put out an update that hosed something on the XP side. Tried reinstalling drivers, deleting and rebuilding bonjour printer, resetting devices, etc. Nothing fixed it. Found this link and reconfigured the port as mentioned above to AE's IP address, RAW setting was already set, and they are now printing fine again. Thx for the help!

Xbox 360 does not connect to Airport Express wireless network

I'm at my wits ends. I got a my son a wireless adapter for Christmas and for the life of me cannot get it to work. We have looked at all the discussion forums on the internet and did A LOT of trial and error and still to connection. On one occasion the xbox 360 wireless adapter saw the network and once it tried to connect is dropped.
I have a Wii, two windows PC's, a printer and a PowerMac all connected to my wireless router. The xbox and the Airport Express both have the latest firm ware update.
These are some of the things I have noticed and tested:
1. Connection is Cable Modem>Vonage Router>Airport Express....wireless to Xbox360
2. I have taken the vonage router out to go
Cable Modem>Airport Express...wireless to Xbox360 and still no luck.
3. I was suspecting a double NAT and contacted Comcast to see if I could put the cable modem in bridge mode and they couldn't help me.
4. The network is open (no security)
5. The wireless adapter is a steady red...then when I tell it to find the network it drops out (LED turns off)
6. I have tried to see if I have a double NAT but tracing in the network utility does not show anything.
7. I have tried to place the Airport express in bridge mode and when I updated, it doesn't not come back up and I have to do a hard reset to communicate to it again.
8. There was one instance when the wireless adapter LED was green for about 15 secs and when we tried to connect it dropped out completely (no LED light).
9. I know it works because in the various forums I have read that people have it working.
I called xbox support and they were not very helpful...wouldn't even search similar cases...I have tried everything I could think of and I'm lost any assistance is appreciated.
Victor

Tesserax,
What is the make/model of the Comcast-provided modem? How about the Vonage router? Is this router also wireless? Finally, I assume that prior to introducing the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), the modem & Vonage router were working properly ... correct?
Thanks for your interest in helping me. To answer your questions:
1. The comcast make and model for the cable modem is Scientific American Model#DPX2203
2. The vonage router is ethernet hard wired connected between the cable modem and the apple express wireless route. The vonage router is model#VDV21-VD
3. With the exception of the wireless connection between the Xbox 360 and AX; everything works fine.
4. The AX is running Apple firm ware 6.3
In the discussion I have read of similar problems and have tried them all to no avail. I'm sure the is a fix to this problem because of people in the discussion groups have had the same issues. I don't suspect the wireless router because it has a steady red light and only turns off when we do the network test or scan for networks.
Victor

Why does my airport express 2.4 stop working

I have my network wireless using the Airport Extreme Base station and extended by an Airport Express.
The 5Ghz band tends to work fine, but not all my devices support it so I rely heavily on the 2.4ghz radio.
that radio tends to fail about every other day. It just stops working.
The airport express light stays green, but has zero throughput.
The 2.4 from the Airport Base station fails too.
The only way I can get it working again is to reset the base station. Even then, it only works for a short period of time.
I checked to be sure nothing else was on the same frequency and have tried different frequencies/channels. No luck.
Please help?

I agree with John, this sounds like very classic interference.
Luckily, there are things that can be done to get around it. For instance, keeping your Airport away from other sources of interference: cordless phone cradles are the really nefarious ones, but satellite receivers tend to cause really unfortunate issues in the 2.4GHz range as well. If you have either of those nearby, try to get the Airport and these devices as far away from each other as possible.
Also, if you have 5+ other wifi networks in your area, these can also be scrambling your 2.4 signal. Try using Airport Utility to change your radio channel:
Version 5.5.3: Applications> Utilities> Airport Utility> Click on Airport device > Manual Setup> Wireless. Where it says Radio Channel, experiment with channels 3 and 9. Click 'update' after changing the channel.
Version 6: Same channels, but path is Applications> Utilities> Airport Utility> Click on Airport device > Edit> Wireless> Wireless Options

Airtunes with Airport Express Base Station stopped working for no reason

Hello,
I used to play music through AirTunes with no problem. I have an Airport Express Base Station and I'm connected to it with an Airport Extreme Card built-in my iBook G4. When I came home after day at work (with the iBook, which is connected in there to wireless access point but not Apple), Airtunes is not working. Also I can not see my (not closed network) Base Station in Airport Admin Utility, internet connection is still working fine. If I connect to the Base Station by pressing button Other, manually type IP of Base Station I can connect to it and administrate it. Airtunes is allowed there, in iTunes too but it is just not working, I don't know about anything that could has been changed. I think nothing has. AppleTalk is runnig only on Airport card. Thank anyone for any advice. I tried to update firmware in the Base Station today and no software update is available.
I created log /var/log/all.log (.), when I reconnect to the network I can see this there:
May 31 17:37:07 jz-iBook kernel[0]: AirPort: Link DOWN (Client disAssoc 0)
May 31 17:37:02 jz-iBook configd[59]: AppleTalk shutdown
May 31 17:37:02 jz-iBook configd[59]: AppleTalk shutdown complete
May 31 17:37:02 jz-iBook launchd: Server 0 in bootstrap 1103 uid 0: "/usr/sbin/lookupd"[248]: exited abnormally: Hangup
May 31 17:37:02 jz-iBook configd[59]: posting notification com.apple.system.config.network_change
May 31 17:37:02 jz-iBook configd[59]: hostname (multicast DNS) = jz-iBook
May 31 17:37:04 jz-iBook lookupd[352]: lookupd (version 369.5) starting - Wed May 31 17:37:04 2006
May 31 17:37:08 jz-iBook kernel[0]: AirPort: Link Active: "www.net23.cz/ziizii" - 0014516f4efd - chan 1
May 31 17:37:08 jz-iBook configd[59]: AppleTalk startup
May 31 17:37:11 jz-iBook launchd: Server 4e3f in bootstrap 1103 uid 0: "/usr/sbin/lookupd"[352]: exited abnormally: Hangup
May 31 17:37:11 jz-iBook configd[59]: posting notification com.apple.system.config.network_change
May 31 17:37:11 jz-iBook lookupd[354]: lookupd (version 369.5) starting - Wed May 31 17:37:11 2006
May 31 17:37:14 jz-iBook configd[59]: AppleTalk startup complete
May 31 17:37:26 jz-iBook configd[59]: hostname (multicast DNS) = jz-iBook
iBook G4 12" Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Please perform a "factory default" reset on your AirPort Express. Note you may need to do this a few times to make sure it "sticks." Once completed successfully, the status light should flash amber NOT green.
This type of reset will reconfigure the Express to its factory settings. That is, it will broadcast an unsecured Wi-Fi network with a network name (aka SSID) of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN
Can your Win7 computer find and connect to this network now? If it can, then do so and the AirPort Utility on the PC should now be able to find the Express.

Need Help in Adding Win XP PC to my Airport Express wireless Network.

If you don't mind me asking, i've been having this same issue for months now... i'm trying to connect my sister's win xp pc wirelessly to my airport express downstairs that connects wirelessly to my new g4 ibook (and works flawlessly) with an airport express card pre-installed. i purchased a cheap wireless card with an antenna on the back for my sister's pc and it says a network bridge was established but it won't go online. any suggestions??
i've been having this issue for 3 + months and this forum has been of no help yet.
thanks
B

http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/windowsxp.html

Creating a Airport Express wireless network

I am trying to fix a problem with my network, is there a better way of doing it?
for the past 2/3 yrs, i have been connecting to my airport expresses (from a sony desktop pc) via a linksys "wireless-g USB adaptor) plugged into my usb port. (pc is so old, 6 yrs, that it only supports usb 1.0-read slow)
However, I also have a Linksys Wireless-G broadband router. Can i go from my sony desktop pc via ethernet, into the broad band router, then off to my airport expresses?
is this a better, or worst way of doing things.
the problem i am trying to fix, is that the signal quality from the wireless-g USB adaptor, to the airport expresses is poor and drops the signal all the time now..

Yes, you can connect your AE to your Linksys-G Broadband router.
Connect it likes this: Cable modem (I assume) <--->Linksys-G Routers (Wan Port)
Then connect your desktop to a LAN port on your Linksys.
Here's the tricky part. Configure your AE to the proper security settings (Join an existing network and security settings) PRIOR to configuring the security measures in your Linksys Router. Make sure the Network name and encryption type is the same on both, otherwise your AE will not connect to your Linksys after you enable the settings.
Once it's all connected, you'll be able to stream audio to your AE from iTunes. (Don't forget to restart your computer and/or Itunes after making the wireless configurations.
Clear as mud?

Airport express wireless networks stop working. wired ports fine

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