Can't read the base station configuration

I just set up my AirPort Express using the Airport Utility, connected to Comcast high-speed Internet service. for some strange reason, the base station still has the "amber light blinking," while I seem to have no trouble with Internet connection (I'm on right now). but when I opened the utility again to set up Airtunes, I get the message, "reading base station configuration" then it fails. clearly, the base station is plugged in, connected to the Ethernet, and the signal's working... so what is going on? can somebody help?

Perhaps you configured your Airport Express into "bridge mode" by disabling its ability to distribute IP addresses. That would explain most of the symptoms you describe.
I suggest:
1. do a hard reset of the Airport Express by following the instructions found at:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044
2. with the Airport Express cabled to the cable modem, pull power to both devices. Wait at least five minutes - longer if you are patient. Then plug power into the modem and wait a minute. Then plug the Airport Express into power and wait for it to restart. Unless your Airport Express gets a solid green status light at this point, you really cannot proceed further - so try this step over again but waiting longer than you did previously before plugging the cable modem back into power.

Similar Messages

Can no longer read the base station configuration

I am seting up a Airport Extreme N. I was able to read the configuration file twice with no problem. Now AirPort Utility "sees" the base station and tells me the Name, IP, Version, and AirPort ID but when I select the continue button AirPort Unitlity just sits and spins.
1) I am using the latest AirPort Utility (2007-1)
2) I have tried the 1 second reset
3) I have tried the 6 second reset
4) I have tried the reset while powering up
I see a few other threads like this but no conclusive answers.
Thanks,
Jim
Mac mini Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Found the problem (well a work-around).
If the base station restarts while my LaCie USB 1TB drive is plugged in and turned on then AirPort Utility hangs reading the configuration. If I wait until the base station is up and running to plug the USB drive in all is fine. Also AirPort Utility will crash while hung reading the configuration and I unplug the USB drive.
To be sure I tested 3 times. Totally repeatable. Total time...4.5 hours

New MacBook Pro can't find the base station

I just bought a new MacBook Pro and AirPort Extreme Base Station. My house is wired for Ethernet so I plugged the Airport Exteme into one of the Ethernet outlets and did the set-up using my old iMac G5 over the network. (I had to download the latest software for the AirPort Extreme to the iMac before this would work right.) I finally got to the point where I got a green light on the Base Station, but when I search with the AirPort Utility on the MacBook Pro it can't find it, even when it is physically only 3 feet away. I then plugged the MacBook Pro into the AirPort Extreme with an Ethernet cable and it saw it - no problem. I then downloaded all the software updates to the MacBook Pro, restarted, unplugged the Ethernet and tried again. The AirPort Utility still can't find the Base Station. I am running 10.4.10 on both machines. I have 10.5, but don't plan un updating until I get this to work. I spent about half an hour listening to Muzak while trying to get to support and finally gave up. Any suggestions?

In another Mac OS X user account. Choose Log Out from the Apple menu and log into it. If you want to move them over, drag them to /Users/Shared/.
(65842)

Can't read the airport express configuration

hi there,
i've got an AIPORT EXPRESS (b/g) V 6.3, which has been working marvellously for 4 year, with 3 different laptop ( powerbook, macbook pro and PC).
since last week end, my connection on internet was really slow (with the ethernet cable the connection is really fast as usual).
So I've reseted it. then reconfigure it. no problem.
then this saturday my girl friend couldn't see the network on her PC.
so I've resetted it again!
since then my macbook pro see it, also my airport utility, but it can't connect to it....
airport utility says :reading the airport express configuration... and nothing !!!!
EDIT: also iTunes can't see the AE anymore...
i just don't know what to do.
thank you for your solution
(hope my english not to bad)
Message was edited by: Relaxxx
Message was edited by: Relaxxx

Hello Relaxxx. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Although I know you have tried several resets, please try another "factory default" reset to get the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) back to its original factory configuration so that we can administer it.
After resetting it, connect your MacBook Pro directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then, run the AirPort Utility to configure it. Where you able to access it now?
Once configured, you can disconnect the Ethernet cable. Using the AirPort Status icon in the menu bar, verify that you are connected to the AX's wireless network. Are you now able to both find it and connect from the icon?
Once you verified that you can access the AX, both via wire and wirelessly from the Mac, try the PC.

Internet connection works but I can't see the base station

My internet connection is OK (I'm able to surf and get e-mail) but I can't see my base station on just one of my computers. It shows up in the others, so I don't think it's a problem with the AEBS. I've tried re-installing the Airport Utility software, repairing permissions, etc. but it just keeps saying it can find a base station. Any ideas?

OK, thanks for the clarification.
If you haven't already tried this, connecting an ethernet cable from your computer directly to one of the LAN ports on the base station will usually allow AirPort Utility to "see" the device.
You may need to restart the Extreme and your computer as part of the sequence.
And sometimes, the device will just "appear" after 10-15 minutes or so after a restart. I have no idea why this is.

Can't Find The Base Station

Or print/connect to the printer, but somehow am connected to the internet via the same base station.
I am about to throw this thing out the window. Any assistance is appreciated.
Thanks.

Sometimes after repeated attempts to "find" the Extreme it helps to power it down for 15-20 minutes and then try again.
If still no luck, the best approach would be to apply a hard reset to return the unit to factory defaults so you can reconfigure it.
There are two methods to hard reset the device. Try 1) first, and if still no luck, go to 2)
1) With the Exteme plugged into power, hold in the reset button until the amber light blinks rapidly, usually about 5-10 seconds.
2) Pull the power on the Extreme. Hold in the reset button and continue to hold in it as you plug the power back in. Release the reset button after approximately 10 seconds.

How can I change the base station my airport express connects to?

I just added a new AirportExpress to my wireless network and am using it to extend the range of the network and for AirPlay. When setting it up I selected the main base station that provides the wireless network when asked to select a device for it to connect to. However, now when I view it in Airport Utility, it's the only device on the network that has only Good signal strength rather than Excellent. There is another AirportExpress conencted which has Excellent signal strength that is the closest access point to this new AirportExpress.
How can I change the setup using Airport Utility so that that's the device that it's using to connect to the network?

With a Mac using the Airport Utility.
With a PC using the Airport Utility you can install on your PC with the install disc included.

AEBS stopped working/ airport utility can't read base station configuration

AEBS was working fine including the 7.1 update except printer wasn't working. As I attempted to trouble shoot network, AEBS stopped working. I tried accessing it through airport utility but it couldn't find the base station. I have now done a hard reset four times and though airport utility will recognize the base station it gets hung up trying to read the base station configuration. So I can't troubleshoot the AEBS from airport utiltity and the yellow light keeps flashing. What do I do now?

AEBS was working fine including the 7.1 update except
printer wasn't working. As I attempted to trouble
shoot network, AEBS stopped working. I tried
accessing it through airport utility but it couldn't
find the base station. I have now done a hard reset
four times and though airport utility will recognize
the base station it gets hung up trying to read the
base station configuration. So I can't troubleshoot
the AEBS from airport utiltity and the yellow light
keeps flashing. What do I do now?
I had the same problem and a hard reset (6 seconds on the reset button) was recommended by Apple Tech support and that did it for me. The AE was back being seen and allowing me to reconfigure it from scratch.

Can't read airport express base station configuration wirelessly

The setup:
2TB time capsule that takes the ethernet feed from the cable modem for internet access.
Airport express 802.11g plugged into speakers for Airtunes. No ethernet connection, just a wireless network.
The problem:
I can only read the airport express base station configuration when the mac is plugged into the time capsule by ethernet cable. This does not happen with the other mac I have on the network. It can connect to both the time capsule and the airport express without any problems. So unless I'm plugged in, iTunes and airtunes doesn't connect to the base station, and neither can Airfoil 3.5 or Airport Utility. Airport Utility does see the airport express. It just doesn't read the configuration wirelessly.
I think this had something to do with elgato eyetv not liking airfoil, but I can't say for sure.
Any thoughts?

When I switch it on all three lights flash, but then after a while the middle one stays on and nothing happens.
You posted in the AirPort Express area, but it sounds like you have an AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS)--correct?
If so, let's start by performing a complete power recycling of your network components to make sure that the BT Voyager router "recognizes" the AEBS.
Modem/Router Power Recycling - Quick
- Power-off the BT Voyager modem, AEBS, & computer(s); Wait at least 5 minutes.
- Power-on the BT Voyager modem; Wait at least 5 minutes.
- Power-on the AEBS; Wait at least 5 minutes.
- Power-on the computer(s)
If this fails to get the modem to "recognize" the Internet router, then try the "Full" version.
Modem/Router Power ReCycling - Full
- Power-off the BT Voyager modem, AEBS, & computer(s). (Wait at least 30 minutes. If possible, leave the modem off overnight.)
- Power-on the BT Voyager modem; Wait at least 30 minutes.
- Power-on the AEBS; Wait at least 5 minutes.
- Power-on the computer(s)

Airport Utility won't read base station configuration

Hi
This is very frustrating. I've just bought a new iMac and found out my previously working Airport Express that I use as an AirTunes hub can't be seen in iTunes.
No problem, after trying everything I decided to reset it's factory defaults and then use Airport Utility 5.2.1 to set it up again from scratch. The utility sees my Airport Express hub and when I go to configure it it just stops on 'Reading base station configuration...' and doesn't move any further.
Has anyone any idea why the utility is playing silly sods?
Gaz

I am having the same problem (sort of). I have two AX set up as WDS. I can see both units in Airport Admin Utility but cannot read configuration on either of them. It accepts their passwords but then returns the message "unknown error connecting to Airport Express" after a minute or so of the spinning rainbow.
My main AX seems to be working fine. I can connect to the internet and my home network from either my iMac or MacBook Pro but my range is fairly limited which leads me to believe that there is a configuration issue with the 2nd AX as a WDS client but I can't check it. I have tried soft, hard and Factory reset all of which seemed to be successful but the problem still persists.

How many users can be logged on to the base station

how manty users can be logged onto the base station?

I am not sure if you mean this to be in the TC area but it will handle 50users I think was the spec.. but never ever do it. Around 10users per AP is about the max you ever want to try. That is assuming all are using the net at the same time. You can probably manage more as long as most are not actually in use.

Can you run a wired router from the base station?

I have a Airport Extreme base station, I bought it about 6 months ago so it's not too old. My question is can you plug a wired switch, hub or router into it? I was told no at the apple store but I don't see why you could not. All I want to do is run a 8 port switch from the base station so I can connect my other wired comps to the net. Thanks!

My question is can you plug a wired switch, hub or router into it?
Yes, just connect it to the LAN port on the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS).
I was told no at the apple store...
They gave you incorrect information.

How to make sure I'm the only one who can manage my airport base station using airport utility?

I know we have to use the Airport Utility application to manage the Airport base station in order to create a new network, creating the SSID and chosing the encryption mode and setting the password but how I could be sure I'm the only one who have access to those settings? A user of my network can install the Airport Utility application and change those settings. With other routers like D-Link, to have access to the settings you need to know the admin password to modify the settings. I can't figure out how we can do this with Airport Extreme base station. It's maybe obvious but I'm in the cloud for the moment.

You can set a base station administrator password in order to limit who can administer the base station. With AirPort Utility v6.x, you can set this password on the Base Station tab.

I can't connect the sound from my macbook air to the base station

In system preferences the option for the base station comes up, but it will not let me click on it.

Is your goal to stream iTunes from your MacBook Air to your AirPort Express Base Station (AX)? If so, check out the following Apple Support article to be sure that you have everything configured properly. Please post back your results.

I just had Uverse installed. The iMac which was my base station is now connected via my household electric ground connection. Another computer is now the base station. I have connected my Time Capsule to my computer by USB cable, but can't set it up

I just had Uverse installed. My iMac desktop has been the base station for my wi fi, but we had to connect it via ground wire of my electrical system and use another desktop as the base station [with windows op system]. We have connected my Time Capsule to the computer via USB cable. I believe that will require setting up the Capsule to use Ethernet, but the instructiions on the install disc only talk about using Airport. How can I find instructions for setting up using USB cable and Ethernet?
Thanks!
Charles Leach

All the manuals are listed at the head of the thread.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/wireless/time_capsule?view=overview
The TC cannot connect to the computer by USB.. it is network device.. it only connects by ethernet or wireless.. usb is for external drive or printer.

Can't read the base station configuration

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