Can't connect Airport Express to existing wireless network!

I just got my new A Express. i try to wirelessly join an my existing network but when it restarts it doesn't see the device. It's i'm trying to set it up so that I can use it as a wireless printer connection for my two macbooks, but all i end up with is the flashing amber light. I've tried a hard reset and that's clearly not solving the problem.
i'd welcome some help as well.

for some reason i had a problem with my airport in my laptop and it couldnt find networks that are hidden.. so that might be the problem the encryption.

Similar Messages

  • Can't Connect AirPort Express to existing WPA network

    I just bought an AirPort Express and I can't connect it to my existing Wireless network where I use WPA based security.
    I've both tried to use the Configuration guide and done it manually with the Admin tool but it just will not connect to my Wireless network.
    Less of changing form WPA-PSk to WEP128 I think I have tried "everything".
    Any ideas?

    Can you changed your router to use WPA:TKIP as opposed to WPA:AES?
    When I changed my router to WPA:TKIP, my airport express connected, but with AES it doesn't!
    This is not good, since according to Wikipedia, AES is superior and considered part of WPA2, which Apple claim they support (and yes I am using firmware V6.3)!
    Hope this helps!

  • How to Connect Airport Express to Existing Wireless Network (Client Mode)

    I am posting this for everyone tearing their hair out trying to connect the Airport Express to your own existing home wireless network. After spending 2 hours last night installing this on my father-in-law's home network, I hope to be able to save someone else the agony we went through.
    So here's the situation:
    Say you already have your own home network set up, and all you want is to be able to use AirTunes to play music off iTunes into your speaker system. And, you don't need the printer sharing capability nor creation of another wireless network (2 of the features of Airport Express). Then this solution is for you - read on.
    Unfortunately, Apple's user manual is very unclear how to connect Airport Express to your own network. When you look at the picture diagram they provide, they show Airport Express picking up its signal from another Apple-oriented base. This can make you think you need to buy another piece of hardware to make it work. DON'T If you read through the manual, the Support section here, etc., you will hear lots of talk about "Client Mode" - and that this is the only way to get it to work. Nice - but no one really tells you how to set up the Airport in client mode.
    Do yourself a favor, toss that user manual aside and run these steps.
    (Note: These directions assume your DSL/Cable Modem is hooked up to a wireless router or acts as its own wireless router)
    1. Get a cat5 Ethernet cable (anything but an orange cable - that's a crossover cable) like you would use to connect your PC to your router to pick up the Internet.
    2. Connect the Ethernet cable to the router on one end, and to the Airport Express unit on the other end.
    3. Plug in your Airport Express unit to the wall (this will not necessarily become its permanent location - you will be able to move it later). The light will glow solid Amber for about 30-45 seconds while it starts up, then blink Amber. At this point, the unit is ready to operate.
    4. Install the CD to the PC where your iTunes music is stored. This should be painless. Once you open the program, it should detect the Airport unit.
    5. At this point, the on-screen wizard will present you with your options, and walk you through the setup. This is much like the user manual describes - and you should be good to go form here forward.
    Some pointers:
    - When asked if you want to create a new network, join an existing network, or connect via Ethernet, choose the middle option for joining an existing network. You will need to know the name of your network, the password to connect to the network (if present), and the type of encryption used on the network (e.g. WEP, WPA, etc.). Side note, WPA is recommended, as it is a higher level of security than WEP. You will be able to configure the Airport Express unit to automatically login to your network.
    - I would recommend, when creating a password for the Airport Express unit, use the same password as your network, to avoid confusion.
    6. The very last step will ask you to save the settings to the Airport Express. Here's the kicker - when you save the settings, you are TRICKING the Airport Express into no longer acting as a network broadcaster, but instead being a "slave" to your own network. What do I mean? You will lose the connection from your PC to the Airport Express - an error message will pop up telling you the unit can no longer be found. While you might think you did something wrong, you actually were successful!
    7. Unplug your Airport Express, and disconnect the Ethernet cable from your router and the Airport unit. This will no longer be needed.
    8. Go to your desired location where you want to plug in your Airport Express unit. Before plugging it in, connect your Audio cable from the Airport Express to your audio receiver. Once that is connected, then plug in the Airport Express unit. The light will glow solid Amber for 30-45 seconds while it loads, and then will blink Amber for a brief period of time before turning solid GREEN. When this happens, you have successfully connected the Airport Express to your home network!
    9. Go back to your PC with iTunes. Open the Airport software - you should now have a listing for your Airport Express unit in the upper left. Click on this, and the wizard will guide you through connecting - you will need the password you created for the unit. You only need to go through this wizard once, and when finished, the software will tell you that can now use iTunes with your Airport unit.
    10. Open iTunes. On the lower right, you will see a dropdown for Speakers, and it should be defaulted to My Computer. Click on that drop-down, and you will see the name of your Airport unit. Click on that name, and now your music will broadcast to the Airport unit!
    11. Play a song in iTunes. Go to your audio receiver, and connect it to the channel for your external connection to the Airport Express unit. You should hear your music from iTunes. CONGRATULATIONS! =)
    I hope these instructions were helpful - I am happy to answer any questions, so feel free to contact me, *******************@*****.**.
    <Edited by Moderator>

    Thanks for the detailed directions. You are absolutely correct in stating that people should toss the user manual; it's pretty worthless. I have had a problem setting up my new Airport Express as I have described in an earlier post - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1839873&tstart=45
    One quick question - does using your setup process set the AE up as part of a distributed network where the AE is acting as a wireless router where it is extending the range of your network? Or, is it simply a wireless connection to your stereo for iTunes? I am interested in having both, since my AE will be at the other end of the house from the main wireless router.
    Thanks

  • Connect Airport Express to existing Wireless

    I have a USR5461 feeding DSL broadband wireless and wired to 3xMac and 2xPC. I want to feed iTunes to my stereo and from what I read this is possible using the Airport Express. I am a bit wary though since the manual does not state this particular configuration and has the caveat on WDS.
    My question is, can the Airport Express be connected to an existing non-apple wireless to use AirTunes? I know I can't use it for extending my network. I only want the AirTunes function and possibly the print function.
    Thanks
    iBook G4 1.33 1.5Gb / iMac C2D 20"   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   Dell Latitude 600 Windows XP Pro

    My question is, can the Airport Express be connected to an existing non-apple wireless to use AirTunes?
    Yes, you configure the AirPort Express (AX) to join the wireless network as a client. The instructions are in KB 302153, AirPort Express: How to join an existing wireless network in client mode.

  • Can't see airport express in available wireless networks

    Looking for assitance in setting up airport express with existing wep encriped linksys router.

    There are two options:
    1. Create the second profile while on your own network. When you get ready to move the Express, select the profile before disconnecting it from the network.
    2. Perform a hard reset on the Express and reconfigure it once you get to your friend's house. If you've already created the profile, you can select the profile after the reset.

  • Which cable to use to connect airport express to existed wired network

    Hi all, I just purchased the airport express base station to create a wireless network over my existed Verizon DSL wired network. Could anyone tell me which cable I need to set this up? Will 10/100 ethernet cable work?
    Thanks a lot!

    Hello njminnie. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
    I just purchased the airport express base station to create a wireless network over my existed Verizon DSL wired network. Could anyone tell me which cable I need to set this up? Will 10/100 ethernet cable work?
    Yes.

  • Can't connect Airport Express to my main wireless network, just my guest account.

    I go to join my Airport Express to my wireless network so I can play music from Itunes to my sound system in my living room.  That is all I want to use it for at this point.  I pull up a list of the networks available, and my guest network shows up on the list, but my main network, which all my computers and Iphone is connected to, isn't on there.  I have a Linksys E3000 with a guest account set up trhough it.  Windows 7.  I called tech support and they said something about a hidden setting.  I went and checked and couldn't find anything about this.  Also, when people come over they can access my main wireless account with my password.

    Hi JWHITHAM and welcome to the forums!
    Have you tried manually adding your wireless network to the iPod touch? Mine does the same too sometimes and I just add it manually. So far it works.

  • I have tryed to connect an AirPort Express to my wireless network. But I alwais get the errocode -4. Can anybody help. I have reset the AirPort Express and updated the software.

    I have tryed to connect an AirPort Express to my wireless network. But I alwais get the errocode -4. Can anybody help. I have reset the AirPort Express and updated the software.

    The ZyXEL P-2601HN-F1, as you know, is a combination DSL modem & 802.11n wireless router (or gateway device).
    For your goal you will want to take a look at this Apple Support article for details on how to configure an AX for iTunes.
    If you are still having difficulties with the AX joining the ZyXEL's wireless network, you can try the following:
    Temporarily disable wireless encryption.
    If you are hidding the SSID, disable that feature.
    Change the Mode Select setting to: 802.11g Only
    Change the Channel Selection from "Auto" to a set channel, like 1, 6, or 11

  • Can't connect Airport Express wirelessly to network so that AirTunes and internet are available simultaneously

    I can't connect Airport Express wirelessly to network so that AirTunes and internet are available simultaneously.  My old AE allowed this but can't make the new one work that way. 

    In your instructions, you say to use the same encryption type as the router has set up. well, I am using the WEP 64 bit encryption and the Airport Utility does not have this...it has 40 bit. Is this a problem, or do I have to be using a the same type of encrytion ?
    WEP is available in either 40 or 104-bit, but is usually "advertised" as either 64- or 128-bit respectively. For example, 64-bit WEP uses a 40 bit key (also known as WEP-40), which is concatenated with a 24-bit initialization vector (IV) to form the 64-bit RC4 traffic key. So, WEP 64 on the Linksys & 40-bit is equivalent.
    What concerns me more is the loss of bandwidth performance you are experiencing when connecting the AX. When the AX is configured as a wireless client it is acting just like any other wireless devices (computer, laptop, printer, etc.) and not like another router. This should cause little or no bandwidth loss. True the more secure the wireless encryption used WPA2 vs. WEP, the more overhead is required for security, but the differences you are seeing seem excessive.
    It is very possible that you may have some form of Wi-Fi interference in the immediate area that is preventing your Linksys from providing a good clean signal.
    I suggest you perform a simple site survey, using utilities like the following to determine potential areas of interference, and then, try to either eliminate or significantly reduce them where possible:
    For Macs:
    o MacStumbler
    o iStumbler, or
    For PCs:
    o NetStumbler

  • Can u run Airport Express and a wireless modem together?

    Can u run Airport Express and a wireless modem together at the same time?
    I'm using AE purely for music distribution and have just bought a wireless modem for the internet (not a AE). However I can now only select either the AE network, OR the wireless internet network (it's BT HomeHub). Hence I can either play music or use the internet, but not together!
    Any ideas anyone..??
    Thanx
    David

    You should configure your AirPort Express (AX) to join the wireless network provided by the modem. The instructions are in KB 302153, AirPort Express: How to join an existing wireless network in client mode.

  • I'm trying to activate my Airport Express to a wireless network powered by an Airport Extreme.  I get an error message that says I need to Use Airport Utility 5.6.  My system is currently running Airport Utility 6.1

    'm trying to activate my Airport Express to a wireless network powered by an Airport Extreme.  I get an error message that says I need to Use Airport Utility 5.6.  My system is currently running Airport Utility 6.1

    Is your AirPort Express an older 802.11g model? If so, you will need to install v5.6 if you are running OS X Lion or 5.6.1 if running OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard. Unfortunately, the iOS version of the AirPort Utility cannot administer these older base stations.

  • Can't See Airport Express on my Wireless N/work

    I have a D-Link DSL G604t router, and have spent hours trying to get it to "see" AE - no joy. I have added the MAC Address to the enabled access list but still nothing - everytime I scan for it, it cannot be found. My Compaq l/top connects no problem to the network, and I cannot find any answers in the manual. Only trying to send itunes to my hifi - don't need to share connections or printers.
    Dell Optiplex   Windows XP Pro  

    Hi:
    I had a similar problem with a DLink DI-624 wireless router and AirPort Express afew months ago. Here is what you can do.
    As an intermediate step, which is undocumented but I found necessary, connect your Airport Express to the wireless router via an Ethernet cable. After the wired connection, your router will definitely see AirPort Express. Then you can go through the normal network registration process. Once this is complete, you can then power off Airport Express and disconnect it from the router and then place it where you originally intended. Once the solid green light comes on (30-60 seconds), you should be able to access AirPort Express the way it was intended, in a wireless manner.
    Again, this worked for me after hours of unsuccessful struggling with the installation process as described in the Apple documentation. I hope this helps.
    Lawrence

  • Can I use airport express in a wired network to play music through my stereo?

    I originally used my 1st gen AE to wirelessly stream music from iTunes on my MacPro to my home theater.  This works, but there are some good days and some bad days where there are dropouts in the music.  I have recently run Cat6 cable to my HT from my router next to my MacPro.  This feeds a Gigabit switch that feeds the ATV, receiver, bluray, HD DVD, etc.  I plugged in the AE to the switch but it still defaults to the wifi network rather than taking a feed from the ethernet switch.  I know i can (and do) use the ATV (gen 1) to steam music, but sometimes it more convenient to use the AE.  Is there a way to force the wifi on the AE off and just have it for streaming from iTunes?  Thanks.

    Yes, you can configure an AirPort Express Base Station (AX) as a standalone wireless router without Internet access for the purposes of providing a Wi-Fi network for streaming. Note that any computers that will be the host of that stream would need to connect to this AX's wireless network while doing so. They would not be able to be connected to two wireless networks simultaneously for both streaming AND Internet access.

  • New Airport express not finding wireless network

    I just got a new AX plugged it in it was recognized did the set up and said to update. It went through the update but the amber light kept flashing. After the update I also lost my internet connection. I have to re-establish my internet connection each time it goes through the update. I have tried the hard boot to the factory specks three times and it still will not recognize my network. I just want to use it to play itunes through my stereo. I am not a computer person so this is very frustrating to me

    You will want to configure your AX to "join" the wireless network created by your 2Wire router.
    Either connect to the AX's wireless network or temporarily connect directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then using the AirPort Utility in "Manual Setup" mode, make the following changes:
    AirPort > Wireless
    o Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
    o Network Name: <existing 2Wire's wireless network>
    o Wireless Security: <select the encryption type of the existing wireless network>
    o Wireless Password: <enter the existing wireless network password>
    o Verify Password: <re-enter the existing wireless network password>
    Music
    o Enable AirTunes (checked)
    o iTunes Speaker Name: <enter desired speaker name>
    o iTunes Speaker Password: (optional)
    o Verify Password: (optional)
    o Click Update to write the new settings to the AX
    In iTunes:
    iTunes > Preferences... > Advanced > General
    o Look for remote speakers connected with AirTunes (checked)

  • Can't enable Airport Express as a roaming network

    Objective: trying to extend my wireless network to a detached back office. Have attempted to create a "roaming network" by running an ethernet cable, connected to my 2Wire wireless router in my house about 40 feet to my detached back office.
    Btw, thx to all those who have helped thus far.
    Here's some additional info:
    - The ethernet cable works fine when I connect it directly to my computer.
    - The AX does have a solid green light. I am guessing that it talking to my my wireless router since it's green regardless if the ethernet cable is plugged into the AX or not... although the signal is very faint (1.0 Mbps). Hence the decision to run an ethernet cable from the hosue to the office.
    - AX set up has Disable "Distribute IP addresses" grayed out and unchecked.
    - The AX was previously used in the house for wireless printing. I would still like to use the AX for wireless printing in the office AND create the roaming network.
    Any suggestions to make this work?

    In the AirPort Admin Utility, change the wireless
    mode from "Join an Existing Wireless Network" to
    "Create a Wireless Network".
    In doing this, am I only changing the configuration of that one AX or am I changing the settings of my 2Wire wireless router? Btw, I also have another AX in my house configured for AirTunes.
    To make the roaming seamless, configure the AX with
    the same SSID (network name), wireless encryption
    level, and encryption password as the 2Wire. Make
    sure that the 2Wire and AX are working on channels
    that are 3 or more apart.
    By using the same SSID name, is that using the same name as my existing network that my airport sees? My current network is "2WIRE040." So are you saying I should name the AX "2WIRE040" and have the same password?

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