Airport Extreme works fine. Cannot see two Airport express units

Hello. I just bought a new Airport Extreme and 2 Airport express units to replace my old linksys routers and to take advantage of my new MacBook Pro and iTV units. I am a Mac newbie after 20 years of PC's. The Netgear DGND3300 DSL modem feeds DSL signal to the Airport Extreme unit and it works well with good internet and signal. I am trying to use the 2 Airport Express units to extend the signal around the house. The Airport Utility has seen both of them but then they disappear and it cant find them again. They are 10 feet away for now until I get them configured. How do I get them to connect and how do I configure them to extend the wifi range?
Thank you.

The first thing to check is your AirPort Extreme.
Open AirPort Utility - click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab/label below the row of icons
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Update to save changes
You may have already done this, but it was not mentioned in your post and is a critical step to "extend" the network.
"Hard Reset" each of the AirPort Express devices by holding in the reset button for 10-12 seconds. Then power down one device and configure one at a time.
Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab/label below the icons
Enter a name for the device, device password and adjust Time Zone settings
Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Same name as the AirPort Extreme wireless network
Check mark next to Allow Wireless Clients
Wireless Security = Same security setting as the AirPort Extreme network
Wireless Password = Same password as the AirPort Extreme network
Confirm Password
Update to save settings. Close AirPort Utility immediately as soon as you see the message that the settings have been stored. You should have a green light on the Express in 40-45 seconds.
Now, log back on to the wireless network provided by the AirPort Extreme and you should see the AirPort Express that you just configured, if you are using a Mac. The Windows Firewall or anti-virus software may block the connection if you are using a PC. (The AirPort Express "disappears" as soon as you click Update in AirPort Utility because it has joined another network...that's why you don't see it. It uses a "temporary" network with a name like Apple Network xxxxxs during the configuration only).
Configure the second AirPort Express the same as the first. You will probably want to assign a different device name to that Express to keep things straight.
To "extend" effectively, the Express should be located approximately 1/2 the distance between the AirPort Extreme and the area that needs more wireless coverage. Depending on obstructions, you may need to alter this distance a bit.
The "extend" setup works like the hub and spokes of a wheel. The AirPort Extreme is the "hub" and each Express resides at the end of a "spoke". Each Express communicates directly to the "hub", not to another Express at the end of another spoke. For that reason, you cannot "extend" a device that is already configured to "extend".
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Similar Messages

Airport Extreme works fine but I can't see it in Airport Utility

Have seen numerous posts on this issue but no solutions!
I have a MB Pro running 10.4.11, Airport Extreme and Airport Utility 5.2.1. The Airport Extreme works perfectly, with no connection issues, but I cannot see it anymore in Airport Utility. I have another Airport Express hooked up to my stereo (for airtunes only), and can see this in Airport Utility, but not the Extreme. The Extreme used to appear here, but no more. Otherwise works fine. Just need to be able to reconfigure it.
Anyone know what the fix is????

I have this same issue. Internet works, I can connect to it, but i doesn't show in the Airport Utility. Also, it doesn't let me connect to other computers or my AirDIsk. I am using 10.5. Unplug and plugin style reset fixes it...for a while. Any ideas anyone?

Airport Extreme works fine with ibook and wireless PC on WPA, but not Wii

Hi;
I just got an Airport Extreme last week. Took me a while to get everything figured out, but I got my ibook as well as my wife's ibook and her PC to connect wirelessly, using WPA encryption. We have a TiVo (using the "official" TiVo USB transceiver)and a Nintendo Wii that I can't get to connect though. Both see the network and try to connect, but after a connection attempt they come back with an error message that the network can't be found.
When I change to WEP encryption, the connections work just fine. I really want to stick with WPA, though, as there are a bunch of wireless networks around me and I obviously don't want anyone else to connect to my network. Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks in advance.

At first we could plug the Dell in directly but that was before setting up the AX. Now that the AX works the Dell cannnot connect even wired. (It says that it's connected but it cannot find server when you try to open a webpage). Could this be a problem that the moden cannot go between Mac & windows?
Most modems tend to "remember" the last device connected to it, so it's important to do a complete power-down/power-up when switching devices. It's possible that your modem did this when you attempted to connect the PC directly. My purpose of having you connect the PC directly was to verify that it can access the Internet with a wired connection and that it's wireless setting needs to be troubleshot further.
The power recycle process should be something like the following:
- Power-off the modem & AX; If possible, leave the modem off overnight.
- Power-on the modem; Wait at least 30 minutes.
- Power-on the AX; Wait at least 5 minutes.

Airport Extreme Base Station cannot see with Macs

Out of the blue my Macs are experiencing a problem seeing the base station network. I can see it with my iPhone. I have a PowerMac G5 duel core 2 Ghz and cannot see the base station or it is sporadic. System says that the airpot card is recognized on my G5. Other Macs on network experiencing the same issue. Tried turning everything off and restarting. This only works part of the time.
I am on Cox cable service using the modem then the airport. Any suggestions? Thanks for any help in advance.

Hi Max,
Let's start from the beginning,
The ethernet from the modem should be wired to the Wan port of the Airport...
On page 28 of the users manual it says if the light flashes amber you should unplug the power of the modem, wait a few seconds and power up the modem.
I presume you installed the Airport utility from the disk that came with the Airport?
For more information about the reason the light flashes
Open AirPort Utility, select your base station, and then choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu. ClickBase Station Status to display information about the flashing light
Here is a link to the Manual CLICK HERE
I was hoping to find out more about the Airport utility to see what's it's capable of doing...

New Airport Extreme works fine with everything except my husband's Toshiba running Windows 7

I have no idea how to fix this problem. He scanned his computer (Windows 7) for viruses, and nothing came back. He deleted our home network from his laptop, then added it back.
His computer shows that he has "limited access" to our home network and NO internet access. It also shows he has four bars, so he has a good signal. Four other people in the house using macs, ipods, ipads, and kindle fires aren't having an issues.
Is the problem with his laptop or with my new Airport Extreme? We upgraded from a very old version (I think it was the 1st one), he never had a problem with the old Airport Extreme. He actually didn't have a problem with the new one until about a week after I had it up, which makes me think the problem is with his computer?
His Toshiba has no problem connecting to his Verizon mifi.
Could someone please offer me some advice?

I think I may have solved my own problem. I read somewhere online that he needs to hit his "F2" button. He hit it and his computer hooked right up to our network. Previously, we would have to restart Airport Extreme and his computer so he could connect. Even doing that the connection would last between five minutes and two days.
Very strange. Hopefully problem solved. Time will tell.

Airport Extreme working but not visible in Airport Admin Utility

Recently my Airport Extreme (spaceship version) stopped showing up in the Airport Admin Utility v4.2.
The internet works fine computers can connect wirelessly or wired to the Airport Extreme and use the internet. AppleTV isn't visible in iTunes anymore either so it can't sync but can connect to the internet to see previews, YouTube, etc.
I have tried removing Airport Admin Utility and reinstalling, checked permissions, all okay.
Any ideas?

Ah - more clues always help!
In that case, I tend to agree with your assessment. For some reason, the Bonjour automatic network device discovery process seems not to be working properly on this Mac. I'm not going to be of much help in troubleshooting that problem.
The only other issue I have encountered is with the installation of excessively robust firewall software on the Mac blocking Bonjour's ability to discover network devices. VPN client software is sometimes also a culprit, for the same reasons. You have already indicated this could not possibly be the cause of your problems.

Time Capsule has limited range - Airport Extreme worked fine. Solutions???

I have used Airport Express with my 2 Macs - Mac Pro (near the AE and modem, and MacBook Pro, normally used about 25 feet away, in another room. No problems. UNTIL I added Time Capsule. My access to the internet on the laptop is very, very slow. So bad, in fact, that I unplugged the TC, and am now using the AE once again. I really need to have everything backed up, which is why I bought the 2TB Time Capsule. Does anyone have solutions for this?

Duane:
I'm getting closer, but still have a problem.
AE has only one channel to work with, and it's set on Channel 1.
However, Time Capsule has two radio channel selections. The 2.4 GHz channel can be set on Channel 1, which I have done. But the 5 GHz channel 36, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157, 161
I'm going through trial and error with the higher number channels, but have had no success when I move the laptop away from the Time Capsule unit.

Can't connect to Airport Extreme – can't even see network

I’m staying at a friend’s house in UK – mac’s everywhere. He has a new Airport Extreme - my Powerbook cannot see the network. All the other macs can see it. I think my wireless card is okay - I can sometimes see other networks in the building.
Any ideas? I've tried selecting "other..." and manually entering the network name & pwd - no luck. I've also added netwrok name to preferred list.
PS. When I open AirPort Admin Utility, I can see the basestation (connected via Ethernet). I click ‘configure’, enter the password and get the following error:
Configuration Error
This version of AirPort Admin Utility does not support this base station. You can’t update the software for this basestation, but you may be able to make configuration changes to it. Please go to www/apple.com/support to locate a newer version of the AirPort Admin Utility.
I click the blue ‘continue’ button – it doesn’t work, nothing happens.
I can see the configuration pages below the error message – the mode is set to 802.11b only – it won’t allow me to make changes. Could that be the problem?
1.67Ghz PowerPC G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8) Wireless Card Firmware: 405.1 (3.90.34.0.p18)

Don't use the AirPort Admin Utility to try and connect to and configure the new AirPort Extreme 802.11n base station. The new base station can only be configured with the new AirPort Utility that is included on the CD that shipped with it.
Why your PowerBook can't see his wireless network is difficult to diagnose from here but isn't exactly unique as others have had problems as for various reasons.
I recommend doing a search within this forum to see some of the solutions other people have found for the problem you are having.

I recently installed an Airport Extreme 802.11N that I bought in May 2013. It replaced an Airport Extreme 802.11N that I bought in July 2007. My USB printer (Lexmark E350d) worked fine with the old Airport, but the printer won't work with the new one.

I recently installed an Airport Extreme 802.11N that I bought in May 2013. It replaced an Airport Extreme 802.11N that I bought in July 2007. My USB printer (Lexmark E350d) worked fine with the old Airport, but I'm having trouble with the new one. When I try to print, I get a USB Waiting message on the printer, and when I force a page to print by pressing Go on the printer, I get a page that says ERROR: syntaxerror OFFENDING COMMAND: true. . . .cvt . . . fpgm . . . x . . .lglyf . . . <..J head . . . STACK: / [ -mark- /sfnts I’ve tried shutting down the printer and disconnecting it and the Airport, but that doesn’t help. I reset the settings on the printer. I upgraded the Airport firmware and removed, reinstalled, and upgraded the Lexmark printer driver. After I upgraded the firmware and printer driver, a few pages printed correctly, but then I got the same syntax error page as before. Any suggestions for getting the printer to work correctly?

Use a powered USB hub between the AE and the printer.. the usb port does sometimes have issues.
Try deleting the printer in the Mac and reinstall it.. the change in AE can represent effectively a change of printer.. it is important to make sure that is all up to date.
Beyond that.. USB printers.. ughhh! Consider for two toners you can go and buy a proper network printer.

I have just purchased and installed a new Airport extreme base station but now the Airport Utility cannot see my old Airport Express. Are their compatibility issues and do I need to purchase a new Express?

I have just purchased and installed a new Airport extreme base station but now the Airport Utility cannot see my old Airport Express. Are their compatibility issues and do I need to purchase a new Express?

When you can, take a look at the old AirPort Express and locate the model number in the faint print on the side of the device.
If you see A1084 or A1088, this is an older Express version that is no longer supported by the current version of AirPort Utility that you are using with the new AirPort Extreme.
If that is the case, your Express is at least 6 years old...probably older...so it is about time to treat yourself to a new version with much faster speeds and more features.

TS1398 I updated my airport firmware and my Imac works fine, but my two Ipads won't connect to the internet now. How can I fix this?

I updated my airport firmware and my Imac works fine, but my two Ipads won't connect to the internet now. How can I fix this?

Did you check your wifi settings and do a reboot?

Airport Extreme card does not see any networks...help!

I have a home network that is working fine - 2 linksys routers with WDS set up... it all works great - an Ibook g4 running 10.3 and has an Airport Extreme card connects flawlessly everyday. As does an old G4 powerbook with an old airport card.
however, I have this dual g4 with 10.4.3 running, and a recently-installed airport extreme card.
When I turn airport "on" it never sees our network. And it doesn't see my neighbors' networks, either, which are also always visible.
I can, howevr, connect via ethernet to the router that is somewhat nearby. that networking is fine...I can get on wired, but not wirelessly.
I've installed the 2005-1 update, and have run Software Update as well to see if there are any other patches/updates necesary. so as far as I can tell, I am up to date.
system profiler says:
Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme
Wireless Card Locale: USA
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 404.2 (3.90.34.0.p16)
Current Wireless Network: wireless network not available
and in the extensions section for the airport, it says:
Version: 4.0.4
Last Modified: 11/20/05 9:55 AM
Get Info String: 4.0.4, Copyright © 2002 - 2005 Apple Computer, Inc., All Rights Reserved
Location: /System/Library/Extensions/AppleAirPort2.kext
kext Version: 404.2
Load Address: 0x39738000
Valid: Yes
Authentic: Yes
Dependencies: Satisfied
Integrity: Correct
I am at a loss. Is there anything else I can do before writing off the card as a bad card - or perhaps the logic board is faulty?
I hope there is a simple solution to this. I appreciate your expert help.

Go back and recheck the Airport Extreme card installation. Make sure you plugged the connector for the internal Airport antenna into its socket on the Airport Extreme card itself - and make sure the plug is fully seated into its socket (none of the metal sleave should be showing).

Airport Extreme setup - can't see internet

Hi, newbe here. I've got a Lynksys ADSL Router (WAG160N) which has problems with wireless connection. After exhaustive efforts to troubleshoot i've finally given up and got an Airport Extreme. I want to use the Linksys as a basic modem by switching off the wireless transmission and just using an ethernet connection between the Linksys unit and the Apple Airport Extreme. In setting up the Airport Extreme it doesn't seem to see the internet connection from the Linksys Ethernet. I know the Linksys Ethernet works fine as when I connect either my mac or my Window's laptop to it they immediately see it and can connect to the internet with no problems. Why can't my Apple Airport Extreme see the internet connection? It doesn't even recognise that an ethernet cable is connected?
Thanks.

scotty72, welcome to the discussions!
I assume that you are using the same ethernet cable to connect from the Lynksys to the AirPort Extreme that you use when you test the connection using your laptops, is that correct? If not, then check your ethernet cable or try another.
I am not clear on whether you have already configured the AirPort Extreme and it will not connect to the Linksys or you have not configured it yet. Can you clarify on that?

Can the AirPort Extreme work as an extender?

Simple question: Can the AirPort Extreme work as a wireless network extender? (I have tried to research this online, of course, but I haven't had much luck.)
Background: The only option from our ISP is a router/modem combination. It used to be plugged directly into my dad's (Dell and Windows) desktop computer, but I was having trouble connecting all my devices wirelessly. So, I moved it into the kitchen and plugged it into the phone line (we have AT&T DSL) and got a USB wireless adapter for my dad's computer (because he didn't think he needed the wireless option on his "fancy" new Dell). I also have a different brand of adapter plugged into my old iMac G3, which I LOVE using.
Since doing this, my dad has constantly complained of his Internet not working correctly, things loading slowly, and having trouble connecting at all. (Full disclosure: he STILL uses the complete desktop version of AOL and refuses to give it up.) However, I've had no trouble on ANY of my devices--the G3, my white MacBook, my iPad, my iPod, or my mom's Kindle Fire. This leads me to believe the problem lies in the fact that he's using AOL because I usually don't have trouble when I briefly use Chrome on his desktop.
I've tried finding different solutions, including flashing an old router to use an extender and researching different extenders and bridges and such, but nothing looks like a viable solution because of all our components.
I'm wondering if the AirPort Extreme (probably the A1143;or any of the other AirPort devices) can work as an extender. To appease my dad, it'd be best to take the modem/router back to his man cave so he can hook it back up to his computer, but I'm not sure if the AirPort can pick up the wireless signal and perhaps be plugged directly into my G3 and otherwise act as an extender for my other devices (while searching for an Internet solution for my G3, I read on here that someone did this, but there was no further information on how it worked) or if I can plug it into the kitchen phone line and keep the USB adapter for the G3 and have wireless access to all my other things.
Help?
(I can't find the original support article where a responder mentioned using the AirPort station with an iMac G3, but i did locate this one: https://discussions.apple.com/message/13080786#13080786)
(My iMac is one of the later ones. It's running 10.4.1 and is a 600MHz model.)

Simple question: Can the AirPort Extreme work as a wireless network extender?
Simple answer: Yes....IF....the AirPort Extreme is extending a wireless network that is being provided by another Apple 802.11n wireless router.
Another way of saying the same thing is that it will take a minimum of two Apple 802.11n wireless routers to extend a signal wirelessly.
The more complex answer involves distances and obstructions involved in the setup, or alternate solutions such as running Ethernet cabling or using Ethernet powerline adapters.

How do I make an Airport Extreme work with a Linksys WRT160N

I have a Linksys WRT160N V3 Router that I have connected to my cable modem. I have an iMac in another room along with a PC based laptop. Range is fine to get them to connect wirelessly. However what I would like to do is to also connect my Blu-Ray device to the internet. However it isn't wireless. I was told I could use an Airport Extreme to bridge to my WRT160N. What I want to do is hardwire connect my Blu-Ray player and perhaps my iMac to the Airport Extreme using my WRT160n's access to the cable modem. Basically I'm trying to make to wirelss routers talk to each other. I can't seem to make the Airport Extreme work. Any assistance would be great.
Thanks,
Tim

Welcome to the discussions, Gonzotoo!
+I was told I could use an Airport Extreme to bridge to my WRT160N+
Unfortunately, this is not correct. The AirPort Extreme does not have the capability that you need. If you could connect the Linksys and Extreme together using an ethernet cable, it would function as you wish. Or, if it's not possible to connect them using an ethernet cable, you might take a look at a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by using the AC wiring in your home.

Airport Extreme works fine. Cannot see two Airport express units

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for