Cannot extend my network using AirPort Express

I just purchased a Time Capsule (2TB) and replaced my Airport Express WiFi. My intention was to expand my network, using the AirPort Express to expand the Time Capsule signal. I have tried several times and cannot get it to work.
Using AirPort Utility, I set up the Time Capsule successfully, making certain the "Allow the network to be expanded" box was checked off.
After resetting my AE, I plugged it in, it was detected by AirPort Utility, and I set the AE to expand the network, using the same network name, security, and password. When I save the settings and update, the AirPort Uitility returns an error stating that the AE unit could not be located. AE unit is flashing amber (slowly).
What DID work was connecting the AE to the Time Capsule with an ethernet cable, but this is not ideal, since I want to locate the AE away from the TC and wish to do it wirelessly.
Can someone offer some helpful suggestions that will work?
(Running MacBook Pro w/ OS X 10.7.2 and AirPort Utility 5.5.3.)

I would suggest the following:
Please move the AirPort Express (AX) to the same room as the Time Capsule and perform a Factory Default Reset as follows:
Pull the AX from power
Wait a few minutes
Hold in the reset button and continue to hold it in for an additional 8-10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the AX back in to power
Release the reset button after the hold period, and allow 40-45 seconds for the AX to display a slow, blinking amber light
Temporarily, connect a spare Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the Time Capsule to your AX
Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab below the row of icons to name your AX, assign a device password and adjust Time Zone settings
Click the Wireless tab next to the Base Station tab and adjust your settings as follows:
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network
Wireless Nework Name = Same name as your Time Capsule wireless network
Enter a check mark next to Allow wirelss clients
Wireless Security = Same setting as your Time Capsule wireless network. You may need to refer to the Time Capsule settings if you are not sure what setting to use
Wireless Password = Same password as the Time Capsule wireless network
Confirm Password
Click Update to save your settings
Close AirPort Utility and disconnect the Ethernet cable as soon as you see the message that the settings have been stored successfully on the AX
Wait 40-45 seconds for the AX to restart and display a green light
You can now locate the AX where it is needed, assuming that it can receive a good wireless signal at its new location
Post back on your results

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I used Airport Base station and I was able to extend my network using airport express and connect my printers. Now I am using Extreme and I can't extend the network (Express) or the printers nothing shows up. I am using utility 6.3 and Mt Lion What is

I had an Aiport Base Station and extended using Airport Express, where I also connected my printers (network). Now using Airport Extreme off Mt Lion 10.8.4 and Utility 6.3.
I can't extend the network (express) or connect my printers (USB) nor will it find my one wifi printer.
What's up?

For now, leave the AirPort Express powered off.
Power off the entire network....all devices.....in any order that you want
Wait a few minutes
Power up the modem first, and let it run 2-3 minutes by itself
Power up the AirPort Extreme next, and let it run a full minute
Keep powering up devices one at a time about a minute apart until everything is powered up (leave the Express off for now)
Open AirPort Utility and check to see if the AirPort Extreme is visible.
If it's not, click the AirPort Utility menu at the upper left of the screen, then click About AirPort Utility. Post back with the version number of AirPort Utility that you see there....which should be AirPort Utility 5.6.1.
Post back on your progress.

Extending wireless network using airport express

Greets all,
I'm trying to extend a wireless network in a two-storey apartment using TC and Airport Extreme.
The current setup is based on a Netgear N300 wireless router, which works fine upstairs but the signal is too weak to be useful downstairs. I have at my disposal a first-gen Time Capsule (TC) and a couple of Airport Express (AE) stations as well. I'd like to be able to extend the wireless network downstairs but of course the AEs won't talk directly to the Netgear router, so I'm guessing I need to use the TC somehow.
So far I've tried using the TC in bridge mode as well as a separate network via ethernet from the Netgear router, both of which worked but didn't extend the range - nor did it allow me the option of extending the TC network. In fact, all the searching I've done hasn't unearthed a solution to extend a wireless network using TC where TC is not the primary router.
Any help appreciated. I'm sorry if I haven't included all the necessary info off the bat.
Airport Utility 6.3.1 installed.

They are necessarily in fairly close proximity to each other (due ethernet cable).
If the Netgear and TC are in close proximity to each other, there is really no reason to have both devices providing the same wireless signal......and a very real possibility that there will be wireless interference between the two products.
My suggestion and instructions assumed that the Time Capsule would be at least a few rooms away from the Netgear. If the close proximity setup does creates some issues, then it will be necessary to turn off the wireless function on the Netgear router.
Unfortunately, the older A1088 version of the Express cannot be used to extend the wireless network since it has no settings for that type of application.
Locate the A1264 about half way between the TC and the general area where you need more wireless coverage.
Power up the A1264 Express for a few minutes, then hold in the reset button on the device for 10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute to for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
Open up AirPort Utility
Click Other WiFi Devices
Click on AirPort Express
The utility will open up automatically and take a minute to analyze the products, then suggest that the Express be configured to "extend" the TC network.
Enter a device name that you want to use for the Express and click Next
The utility will set up everything for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
That's it.

Help with extending a network using AirPort Express

I am UK based and have BT Infinity Internet connection. I have a BT NTE which provides an ethernet connection for my home network. I have an AirPort Express 2nd Gen setup to provide initial router etc with the local LAN port connected to a 24 port gigabit switch. I have structured cabling providing ethernet ports in each room.
PC's etc are configured as fixed IP in the rooms they are in and connect via ethernet, however, my wifi (because of the construction of the house) is very poor especially upstairs and at the back of the house.
I have setup a second AirPort Express at the back of the house connected via the ethernet port, assigned a static IP, configured bridge mode, and setup Extended Network. However, my internal network is now very flacky, wifi keeps dropping out, Internet access for all devices is up and down, in short, it's unusable. However, If I use the second AirPort Express in Join a Network mode it appears to be more stable!
So Q1 - What is the difference between Extend a Network (via ethernet) and Join a Network (via ethernet) and what are the benefits of both? (which one should I be using?)
and Q2 - assuming Q1 is Extend a Network is the correct way to go, can someone please explain in complete detail the exact process and configuration for this to work effectively? If I can extend correctly I am looking at adding a third AirPort Express in the garage so I have wifi access in the garden and in the garage.
Many thanks for all assistance
Nick

resolved - see Proper way to setup two airport express and router in a single wireless network

Cannot Extend my Network with Airport Express

I have an existing Airport Express that was used to Extend my network from my AP Extreme. It's now flashing amber, so when I went to see it in Airport Utility, it was no longer there. I had to reset my Express base station a while back, so it may have disconnect the 'extend'. I reset the express and then re-opened the Utility, I saw it and tried to configure it, but it failed. Now when I open the Utility (with the Express unplugged), the Extreme base station is not showing. if I plug in the Express, it's the only one that shows. Somehow the Extreme is working (even when Express is unplugged) and I have a wireless connection, but I still don't see it in the Utiltity even after doing a rescan. FYI - I run Windows 7

I should have posted this as a question so I could close it (I'm new to this). I found the answer to my question in another post.

How do i use my time capsule and extend the network with airport express

I have a new iMac and Time Capsule, how do i extend the network with airport express. My time capsule does have a guest net work, and logins and passwords? I am no computer person. So for me it would have to be spelled out.

Use the search as this has been done to death ..
Bob Timmons is the expert on this.. look at his answers here.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4274187?start=0&tstart=0
https://discussions.apple.com/message/21856077#21856077
This has been automated in the v6 utility. I am used to doing it manually in v5 utility which is also fairly easy.
Apple doco is also good to read.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Note.
You cannot extend the guest network unless everything is up to date 7.6.3 firmware. And that is only with the TC as the main router in the network.
All apple routers can be configured as the main wireless or as the extend wireless.. so don't worry if a post uses express or extreme or TC.. they are for wireless, the same thing.

How do I extend an existing wireless network using airport express?

Hi all,
I am trying to extend existing wireless network using airport express, my main router is Belkin

Unfortunately, Apple's "extend" feature is designed to only work with other Apple routers if you are trying to "extend" using wireless only.
It is extremely unlikely that this feature would work with a router from another manufacturer using wireless only.

Setup for extending Sky wireless network using Airport Express or Time Cap

Hi,
Hi,
I have three Mac computers/laptops (iMac, MacBook Air and G4 PowerBook), all currently functioning via airport on a sky wireless network (Sky HD Sagem router) all backing up wirelessly to a Time Capsule 1TB which is also connected to the same wireless Sky network. At the top of my house signal strength is weak as you would expect. I would like to be able to extend the range of the sky routers signal which is on the ground floor (3 storey house). My original idea had been to setup a AirPort Express on the 2nd floor to extend the network, but I am unsure what steps I have to follow and whether I need to create a WDS network or not? I've seen some comments that say Sky & Apple hardware are not compatible and it's not possible to extend a Sky router/wireless network using a Apple Airport Express or Time Capsule. Can someone provide me with a step by step set of instructions on what I need to do to set this up? If a work around is required, again any advice would be very much appreciated!
Many thanks,
Eugene

Welcome to the discussions!
Sky and Apple products are not compatible for the purpose of extending your network using wireless only.
If you could connect an ethernet cable from your Sky router to the AirPort Express, or if it's not possible to run an ethernet cable...take a look at a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by using the AC wiring in your home to transmit the ethernet signal.
If you configure the AirPort Express to "create a wireless network", this would in effect, extend your network by adding an AirPort Express that would be configured with the exactly the same wireless network name, security settings and password as your Sky router. The AirPort Express would also need to be configured as a "bridge".
Post back if you need more details about something like this.

How do I extend my AirPort Extreme network using airport express

How do I extend my AirPort Extreme network using airport express

see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145 and other support articles
and/or
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4462789?start=0&tstart=0
and many other discussions on this forum about this topic.

Extending a network with airport express

I have been using a Be Box modem for my wireless internet connection but it is a fair way from my downstairs area - where I use a laptop and my upstairs area where I use my computer (Imac).
I thought I would be able to extend my be box signal by creating a network. I extended the network and when doing so gave my airport express the same address as my bebox.
I can now connect to my bebox modem (by chosing it from wireless drop down) but cannot use airport express for itunes - the airport express blinks orange.The bebox has WPA security (which is a recent change and has caused issues between modem and express in the past)
Or, I can chose the airport express from wireless drop down box and play through my imac airtunes (light is green) but I cannot use it for internet browsing on my pc laptop or the imac.
Any, any ideas on this ???

Paul - you have essentially two similar discussions going on here, and I suggest you continue further discussion in the thread you titled "Client mode and WDS" found at:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1341580&tstart=0
To answer your last question and "wrap up" this discussion - you asked:
"It would seem the two are not linked properly ?? Is there a way to do so effectively ?"
Yes, there is a way to set this up properly and effectively. If you run the Airport Setup Assistant, choose the option to configure the Airport Express so that it "joins" the existing wireless network created by your Be Box. When you are done, you will have a single wireless network (still based around your Be Box) that will allow you to access the internet and stream music to the Airport Express at the same time. Note that selecting the option to have the Airport Express "join" a network (ie "client mode")is NOT the same as selecting the option to "extend" your existing network (ie "WDS mode") which is an option not available to you for reasons I already mentioned previously. The difference between the "join" and "extend" options may seem subtle, but they are indeed very different.

Extend wireless network with AirPort Express

How to extend the wireless network with AirPort Express and Belkin PlayMax as the primary router ?

How it work if I have an AirPor Station and 4 Airport Express, I actually also have an old TimeCapsule and an old AirPort Express. Can I cover all my house (around 300 m2). And will the old Airport slow down or convict with the new ones?

HT4259 When I'm trying to extend my network using airport extream to airport express via LAN, the express is finding the network, then not completing and getting error message that it cannot connect, any advice appriciated

I'm using a virgin superhub, turned into modem only and connected airport extreme, wireless network setup and working
From the airport express I have a LAN to my office where Im trying to get a airport express setup as a extended wireless network
The express is finding the extreme device and network, it then won't connect and I get an error message "an unexpected error occurred. Try again"
Any help appriciated

From the airport express I have a LAN to my office
I'm confused, did you mean to say Extreme here instead?
What model #s are your routers?

How can I extend my wireless network using Airport Express and an Airport Extreme on BT Infinity?

I have BT Infinity and I am using the Time Capsule with Airport Extreme as my router. Working well (even on wireless). I want to extend the wireless network with an Airport Express, but I cannot work out the settings necessary in Airport Utility. I am using Mountain Lion 10.8.2 on a Mac Pro. Please help!

BT,
I've read several of your posts, thanks for taking the time to share your wealth of knowledge.
I'm in a situation similar to the one described by 'scoutusmaximus'. Seeking the flexibility of a standalone router, I finally upgraded my 4-yr old ATT DSL gateway (modem+router) to a Comcast standalone modem + the ASUS RT-AC66U: http://www.asus.com/Networks/Wireless_Routers/RTAC66U/
Typically, I stick with all things Apple but the ASUS router seemed fairly superior to the current-gen base station (on paper, anyway; time will tell when it comes to performance) so, for once, I jumped ship. My plan was to extend the ASUS wired/wireless network using my TimeCapsule and 2 Airport Expresses in bridge mode, however, a google search turned up several unhappy customers that claim those devices don't play well with non-Apple routers, especially when it comes to 'extending' a network.
Questions:
1. Can I successfully extend the wired/wireless network created by the ASUS router using the 3 airport devices listed above w/out negatively impacting performance? I'd rather have 1 wireless network as opposed to creating a new wireless network with the TC and then extending it with the AP Expresses... though I'd consider that option down the line if it came to that.
2. Will the LAN ports on the TimeCapsule remain functional?
Btw, my house is wired so, I can reach all 3 devices via ethernet cable coming off of a central, managed switch. Supposedly, you only lose the LAN ports on the TC if you extend wirelessly.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Extended Time Capsule WiFi network using Airport Express - Result: SLOW internet

Hi everyone,
I have a little issue with my wireless internet.
Currently I have a 2Mbps down and 256Kbps up internet home. My ISP modem is connected directly to my Time Capsule (TC) and I don't have any problem when using the WiFi from the Time Capsule.
Recently, I wanted to extend my TC WiFi Range and bought an Airport Express to do that job. I've configured everything using the default/recommended settings.
The WiFi range was correctly extended but the problem is now, when I'm using Internet in the extended zone; it is REALLY slow!! I have done some speed tests in the extended zone with different devices (iPad, iPhone, PC, Mac...), and as result I have in average 128Kbps down and 50Kbps up!! You can imagine how this is annoying!
I tried to see the configurations of the Time Capsule and the AirPort Express and I didn't find anything that could explain that.
So, could someone please help me to fix that problem?
Thank you all in advance,
Mathieu
P.S.: FYI, The radio mode used for the wifi is 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible).

I'm not sure I necessarily agree at this point, as the two walls could cause significant Wi-Fi interference to prevent the extended network to perform well beyond the room the TC is in.
One way to quickly determine this is to make a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) calculation at the location of the AXn. SNR (in dB) = Signal (in dBm) - Noise (in dBm) and it represents the signal quality at that location from the router providing the wireless network.
To get an accurate picture, you will want to temporarily power-down the AXn since we only want to calculate the SNR for the TC at the location of the AXn.
You can get the Signal and Noise values directly from your Mac. Of course, it would be easier if your Mac is a laptop version, so I will assume at this point that it is.
While placing your Mac laptop near the AXn, open up the System Profiler. (ref: Apple icon in the menu bar > About This Mac > More info ... > Contents > Network > AirPort Interfaces > en1 > Current Network Information > Find your wireless network > Signal / Noise)
A SNR of 25+ dB would be desirable. For HD streaming performance, you will want an SNR of 35+ dB. Please post back your results.

Will extending a wireless network using airport express cause weaker signal?

Hoping someone can advise on the following please....
I have installed an Airport Express to extend my wireless network and have confirmed with Apple tech support that it's connected and configured properly. I'm using an Airport Extreme base station as a wireless router.
The AX does not seem to be extending the signal range at all, and since the setup the signal strenght from the Extreme base station seems to be at half previous strengh.
Has anyone experienced this please and, if so, what's the fix?
Any replies gratefully received.
Regards

Let's check the settings on your Express. Temporarily, move it to the same room or an adjacent room to the Extreme and power it back up.
Open AirPort Utility - select the Express - Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the icons and make sure that your settings look like this:
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Same name as the Extreme wireless network
Check mark entered next to Allow wireless clients
Wireless Security = Same setting as the Extreme network
Wireless Password = Same password as the Extreme network
Confirm Password
Update to save settings, wait for green light.
Then move the Express another room or two further away from the Extreme....and restart both the Extreme and the Express. Then perform the BSSID test again.

Cannot extend my network using AirPort Express

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