Airport Express won't range extend????

I am staying in Europe for a few weeks with Family and I have 2 of my Expesses and I cannot get them to work as a range extender. I am running Airport Utility 5.5.1 and I have no button to "Allow range extender"? Is this hurting me?
I can get the base working fine but when I add the range extender it uploads to the base and hangs. I have tried for 2 hours now.
Any advice? Thanks Much!
Rich

You'll need to use the WDS type configuration to get the devices to extend the signal.
Depending on your setup, you could configure this as one "main" and two "remotes" or if the situation calls for it, a "main, "relay" and "remote".
Use this link to setup the "main" and "remotes" configuration:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2355832&tstart=0
If need to setup a "main", "relay" and "remote", then use this link:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2422028&tstart=0
The WDS setup is tricky for most users, so you'll need to proceed very carefully to avoid errors and frustration.

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Can I use an airport express as a range extender to a NON apple router using an internet cable (so not wireless)

can I use an airport express as a range extender to a NON apple router using an internet cable (so not wireless)

Yes, if the AirPort Express is set up to create a wireless network that uses the exact same wireless network name as the other router and the same wireless network password as the other router.

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

Can i use Airport Express as a range extender in conjunction with my standard (non-Apple) hub ?

I have poor Wifi signal upstairs in my house. Can Airport Express to extend that in conjunction with my current Hub (it's a Livebox - i currently live in France) ? Or do i need to run the Airport Express in conjunction with an Apple Hub ?

Bonjour!
You can extend the Livebox, just not wirlessly as Apple's implementation of WDS only works with other Apple devices.
So you can either use an ethernet cable or as I do with my netgear router turn off the Livebox's WiFi (If that's possible) and use Airports to set up a separate wireless infrastructure. Get 2 APs and plug one directly via etherenet into the Livebox then use WDS to extend this to a second AP wirelessly.
Regards,
Shawn

My Airport Express won't extend range. How to set up?

My Airport Express won't extend the range of my Airport Extreme. How should I set it up to get it to work? Stuart

When the Express is configured to "extend" it is a wireless repeater.
"Adding Wi-Fi base stations when it is unnecessary
Speaks for itself
can reduce Wi-Fi throughput because the Wi-Fi network will require more data management overhead."
As will adding another computer, iPhone or any wireless device to the network, for that matter.
FWIW, I have run 4 AirPort Expresses all setup to "extend" and noticed nothing except faster Internet browsing and download speeds throughout the house.
IF...you can connect the AirPort Express to the AirPort Extreme using an Ethernet connection, that will provide better overall performance. That is the way any commercial network is designed, except on a much larger scale.

Can an Airport Express be used to extend the range of my Comcast wireless gateway?

We recently moved to a big old brick and stone farmhouse. When Comcast came they installed their new wireless gateway. Unfortunately the construction of my house is pretty solid. It effectively blocks the signal at the far end on the second floor. I've been trying to use an Airport Express, newest model, to extend the range of my network. Using the Airport Utility, it seems like it connects but the signal is no better. Does the Airport Express only work as a range extender on Apple wireless devices, or am I missing something when I use the Airport Utility to set up the extended network?

The AirPort Express can extend the wireless signal from the Comcast gateway if it is permanently connected to the gateway using a wired Ethernet connection, and the Express is configured to create a wireless network using the same name and password as the Comcast wireless network.
The Express cannot wirelessly extend the signal from the Comcast gateway, since the wireless "extend" feature will only work with other Apple routers.
The Express can "join" the wireless network provided by the Comcast gateway for use with AirPlay or a remote printer at the USB port, but when the Express "joins" a network, it does not provide any additional wireless signal coverage in that setting.

How does one sync the new time capsule with the old airport extreme and airport express in order to extend range?

How does one sync the new time capsule with the old airport extreme and airport express in order to extend range?

Thanks for the additional information.
Unfortunately, the AirPort Utility application in the Lion and Mountain Lion operating systems, which is used to configure the new Time Capsule does not support the older versions of the products that you have.
Even if it did, there are no settings on the older AirPorts to "Extend a wireless network", so they are not compatible with the new Time Capsule if you intend to extend the network only using wireless connections.
If you have the ability to connect each AirPort to the Time Capsule using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection, it might be possible to use a complicated workaround to install an older version of AirPort Utility to configure the older AirPorts to work with the new Time Capsule.
If you have another Mac there that is using the Leopard or Snow Leoapard operating system, things would likely be simpler. I have not done this type of procedure to mix a new Time Capsule with older AirPorts, so I would not be able to say whether this would work or not.

Can I use Airport Express as a Wifi Extender?

Forgive my ignorance, but I just swithed to all Apple products a few months ago and I have a question about the airport express.
We currently have one airport extreme base station set up in our house. The only problem is that the g signal for my iPhone won't reach quite far enough to get to the third floor (its a very long and tall home).
I was wondering if you can use the Airport express as a wifi extender with no cords plugged into it, similar to the linksys extenders you can buy that extend the signal range.

LukeW, welcome to the discussions!
Yes, an AirPort Express could be used with your Extreme to "extend" the wireless network created by the Extreme. I assume here that you have an "n" capable Extreme.
If you have an older 'g" Extreme, the Express could be used to "participate in a WDS" (wireless distribution system), which is a similar setup.
It will probably take some experimenting to find the best position for the Express (you want it to receive as strong a signal as possible and "extend", so a good starting point would be to place the Express at a point that was roughly half way between the Extreme and the area that needs more wireless signal.

AirPort Express won't work with 7.0.2

Everything was fine til I bought a new Shuffle. It made me upgrade to 7.0.2, now my Airport Express won't work. I have firmware 6.2 and just uploaded all of the newest updates from apple.com for it (AX). The security is off on my network and the AX is connected with a green light. Still no option to choose my home stereo which is hooked up to the AX. HELP! I have spent all day trying to get this to work!!!!

My Airport Express when it is setup to extend my network while plugged into Ethernet will Create a network under settings
This is the correct setting to "extend" the network using an Ethernet connection. Technically, this is called a "roaming" network.
If I change this to Extend A Network it doesn't work properly.
This is because "Extend a wireless network" is used only when AirPort devices communicate with each other using wireless only......not Ethernet.
It would help if Apple used settings like "Extend a network using Ethernet" and "Extend a network using wireless only".....but they don't.
The AirPort Extreme will need to be configured as the main router if you want it to provide a Guest Network. It cannot do this if it is configured in Bridge Mode.

Airport Express and Netgear powerline extender

I use my Airport Express for airtunes only on my wireless router. (It's a Netgear Rangemax WPN824). The station is in range of my wireless router and has worked fine to date.
I recently bought a powerline extender for my network (a Netgear WGX102). I put the extender in the area of my apartment that was out of range of my router. It is, however, in the same room as the Airport Express. In other words, the Airport Express is in range of both my wireless rounter and the powerline extender.
What happens is that the airport express station drops off the network when I have the powerline extender working and/or the extender doesn't work when Airport Express is.
Ideally they would work together so that I could be online and stream music. I can't seem to make it happen.
I've tried excluding the Airport Express from accessing the extender by limiting access to just the PC's, but that didn't make a difference.
Clearly there is some conflict but I don't know how to resolve it.
Unfortunately my router does not seem to support WDS, which would mean I could use my Airport Express as a bridge. (Or at least Netgear says it isn't and I'm not technically savvy enough to hack it if in fact it is.)
Is there anything I can do?
Windows XP Pro

I would like to understand why you need to set up the AEX as "create a wireless network" instead of "extend a wireless network".
"Extend a wireless network" is used only if the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express are communicating together using wireless only...not Ethernet.
"Create a wireless network" is used only if the AirPort device has an Ethernet connection....which it does in the type of setup that you have.
It just seems counter intuitive to me and I'm trying to get smarter about the whole networking thing.
All the info about all the different types of ways to provide additional wireless coverage is contained in this Apple document. It's on the main forum page, but users tend to either ignore it, or perhaps miss it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145

Can my Airport Express be used to extend the signal for an iPad2

I am using a Linksys wired router as the beginning of my home network. There is an ethernet cable running from it through a wall to the Xbox 360 and an Airport Express serving as the base for the wireless network. I have an iBook on the other side of the wall and about 10 feet and an iMac about 20 feet with one wall in between. These two have some fluctuation in their signal but only between 4 bars and 3. I just got an iPad 2 and it is causing me grief because it struggles to maintain a connection just another 10 feet from the iBook. If I put it next to the iMac when it has full 4 bars the iPad gets maybe 2. The iPad has full bars if next to the router. That kind of defeats the purpose of buying an iPad. So, my question is how to rearrange the network so the iPad is happy in the living room where I mostly use it. I had considered moving the iMac and using it as a base station to free the Airport Express for other duty but where I want to move it is further away from the living room. Right now the Airport is wired to the router. Is this necessary for it to be a part of the network? I know I can use it to get music from iTunes to speakers but would that placement also work as a wireless extender? Would just buying another router for the Xbox location and putting the Airport there also be a better solution?

ladybastet, let's clean up some terminology. You should designate only one router for your network. At present that is the Linksys. Your wireless access point is the Express, and it gets its network connection from the Linksys. Is that correct?
If I put it next to the iMac when it has full 4 bars the iPad gets maybe 2. The iPad has full bars if next to the router.
Now that you know your Linksys is the router, is the above correct? Unless the Linksys is also a wireless access point, the iPad's proximity to it will not matter. Only its proximity to the device creating the wireless network is a factor. In your case, I believe that is the Express.
There is an ethernet cable running from it through a wall to the Xbox 360 and an Airport Express serving as the base for the wireless network.
I'm not sure I understand. Is one Ethernet cable going to two places? What is it connected to, precisely?
Right now the Airport is wired to the router. Is this necessary for it to be a part of the network?
In the case of a wired router, yes.
I'm wondering if you have things configured properly, particularly if you have configured the iMac to share its network connection over AirPort. I'm even wondering if your iPad has unintentionally joined a neighbor's wireless network.
I had considered moving the iMac and using it as a base station to free the Airport Express for other duty but where I want to move it is further away from the living room.
Using the iMac to share a wired Ethernet connection to create its own wireless network is certainly possible, but it is less than ideal. For one, the iMac would have to be powered on all the time.
You do not need or want another router.
It is impossible for me to be certain of your network environment (meaning, the size and configuration of your home, the proximity of competing wireless networks, the number of network devices, and the potential for interference) but you might be better off replacing the wired Linksys router with an AirPort Extreme. That would give you the ability to create a "roaming network" or to use your Express to extend the Extreme's wireless network. I think this would be the easiest solution, but given the uncertainly of your description this expense may not be necessary.
Much of my confusion stems from your original question: "Can my Airport Express be used to extend the signal for an iPad2" - the quick answer is yes, but a prerequisite question is, "what signal?" The only "signal" I can determine that may be relevant is the one created by the Express. Once we have the terminology fixed, perhaps we can fix what's wrong with your network.

Will the use of an Airport Express widen the range of my existing wifi?

Will the use of an Airport Express widen the range of my existing wifi?

Yes, but only if your existing WiFi is being produced by another Apple wireless router.
The AirPort Express is almost certainly not compatible if you are planning to connect using wireless only with another brand of wireless router.

Older Airport express won't see the signal from the cable modem.

Older Airport express won't see the signal from the cable modem.
My macbook sees the AP express and I can stream music to it but no internet. If I plug the ethernet cable directly into the macbook I can see the internet

Anytime you change networking hardware, it is always a good idea to perform a complete power recycle of your networking components.
I would recommend that you do the following as a minimum:
Power-down the modem, AirPort base station, and computer(s).
Disconnect the AirPort base station from the Internet broadband modem.
While all of the devices are powered-down, perform a "factory default" reset on the base station. This will get it back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration and make setting it up much easier, especially if you use the "Assist me" process within the AirPort Utility. (ref: Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule)
After the base station resets, go ahead and power it back down.
Reconnect the AirPort base station to the Internet broadband modem. For the Extreme and Time Capsule, be sure to connect the cable to the base station's WAN (circle-of-dots) port.
Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it adequate time to initialize.
Power-up the AirPort base station; wait at least 5-10 minutes. Note: The AirPort's status light may continue to flash amber after it has intialized. That is because, there may be some additional configuration items necessary, like setting up wireless security, before the overall setup is completed to get a green status.
Power-up your computer(s).
In this basic configuration, the AirPort base station will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name (SSID) of Apple Network NNNNNN. Network clients, connected to the base station either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the ISP's modem. Once Internet connectivity has been verified, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the base station for wireless security and any other desired options. Please post back your results.

Airport Express won't connect to internet...all is green

My Airport express won't connect to established Network in my office. I am connecting to a 10/100 base T in the building (as the modem, I assume) and want to broadcast the network for wifi. Express sets up ok, but than cannot find the internet....any suggestions? The port is live as I can directly connect it to my Mac Book and find the internet without issues.

It is possible to have a green light on the Express if some network errors are overlooked, so it may be necessary to reset the Express back to factory default settings and start over again.
Keep in mind that some networks will not allow a router to be added to the network, so a computer might work, but a router may not.
What model number of AirPort Express do you have?
What operating system are you using on the MacBook?
Do yo know if the Express has been configured to operate in Bridge Mode?

I have recently changed my bt home hub and now my airport express won't connect to it? Any suggestions?

I have recently changed my bt home hub and now my airport express won't connect to it? Any suggestions?

Anytime you change out a modem or modem router like the HomeHub, the AirPort Express needs to be reset back to factory default settings and then set up again.
The reason for this is that the Express is retaining some or all of the settings to connect to your "old" modem or hub, so it will not work correctly with a new device unless you start over again from factory default settings on the Express.
Power up the Express for a few minutes
Hold in the reset button on the side of the Exprsss for 8-10 seconds, then release and allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light
Now, set up the Express again, like you did originally with the "old" modem or hub that you had previously.

Airport Express won't range extend????

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