Airport Extreme and Airport Express are not found on the Airport Utility. Internet still works. Huh?

Question

Good People,
I have an Airport Extreme serving as my wireless router with an external hard drive connected to it.  I also have an Airport Express in another room connected to a stereo for Airplay.  Neither can be found on the Airport Utility (v5.5.3), but wireless internet still works.  This happens often, with both reappearing in Airport Utility for short amounts of time periodically.  What's the deal?  Both the Extreme and Express are less than 6 months old.  It's a bit frustrating not getting tunes when you have everything set up right and not being able to use Time Machine consistently.
All recommendations appreciated.
Thanks.

Answer 1

shakeelium wrote:
Good People,
I have an Airport Extreme serving as my wireless router with an external hard drive connected to it.  I also have an Airport Express in another room connected to a stereo for Airplay.  Neither can be found on the Airport Utility (v5.5.3), but wireless internet still works.  This happens often, with both reappearing in Airport Utility for short amounts of time periodically.
I've once had the same problem.
The reason for that issue is the frequency (radio band) hopping of the station.
On your AP-Extreme
Enter the manual setup
Disable Guest Network if not desperately needed
Set a dedicated name for the 5GHz wireless (wireless -> wireless options)
Eventually change the radio mode (if no 802.11b/g systems in your home) to "only 802.11n (5GHz) - only 802.11n (2.4GHz)" by holding down the option key *alt* while clicking on the drop down.
On your Mac
Disable (switch off) wireless
Enter system configuration -> network -> wireless
Uncheck "Ask to join new networks"
Enter advanced options and check that your wireless name is in the first position of the list. If not, drag it with the mouse to the first position.
Click apply
Join your wireless again and try to connect to the 5GHz name (SSID) because the 5GHz will improve the connection speed of your Mac remarkably.
Eventually you might change the settings on the Express too.
Check the location of the AP-Extreme.
It should NOT be placed: On the floor, in a corner, behind furniture, near metal objects, life high voltage wire or cordless phone bases.
It should be placed: As high as possible (up on a shelf or ceiling mounted) with a maximum line of sight to all stations, even thru walls.
If your home situation allows that, try to use the 5GHz band only. If you own a iPhone this must use the 2.4GHz radio.
Lupunus