Help!  Trying to use Airport Express to extend existing network

Computer Illiterate here. I have an Airport Extreme base station and am connected to the internet. I have been trying to extend my network using an Airport Extreme.
I previously had the network set up like this, but after my DSL line was cut, and going through several decades of customer service **** with Verizon to get everything back again, I can't get it all to work together (friend did it for me the first time and is now unavailable).
The problem is that when I open Airport Setup Assistant, it doesn't recognize either the Airport Express or even the Airport Extreme (which is working and I can connect to the internet). In fact there is nothing in the list at all. Reluctant to reset the Airport Extreme because I will then lose my settings I presume. Will I have to create a new network and password and all the rest of it? Barely managed to do that the first time. Anyone have any ideas about what I'm doing wrong? Would really appreciate any help.

Here is a way to set up a network with more than one router.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107454

Similar Messages

  • Trying to use Airport Express to extend network created by Actiontec M1424WR (FiOS)

    I would like to use two Airport Expresses to extend my home network which is created with my Actiontec M1424WR.  My ISP is Verizon FiOS.  I previously had TimeWarner and used one of my Expresses to create the WiFi and the second Express to extend it.  Now that I have a modem/router provided by Verizon, I'd like to utilize both Airports as extenders.  I have a two story house and the signal is "fair" upstairs.  I would like to use my Roku player to access my home library via Plex. My problem(s):
    I used a hard reset to restore my Expresses to the default settings because my Airport Utility could not find them and my old network is not active anymore.  After the reset I was able to find them but I kept getting an "unexpected error occurred try again later" message.  After this message my Macbook OS X 10.8.5 could not connect to the internet anymore.  I had to go to System Preferences ---> Network ---> Assist Me.. ---> Assistant ---> and then found my network and reconnected.  So my Macbook is connected again but my Airport Expresses sit unused..
    My Network:
    Modem/Router ->     1. PC
                                   2. PC #2
                                   3. Xbox
                                   4. D-link 5 port gigabit switch -> a. Directv  b. xbox #2  c. xbox #3   d. THIS IS WHERE I WANT MY AIRPORT                                       
    I would like one Airport, connected via ethernet and towards the back of the house, extending my network and the other, connected via wifi and upstairs, also extending my network.
    If anyone has time on their hands to help me with my problem I would greatly appreciate it.
    Thank you,
    Mike

    I followed Kappy's advice and connected one AEX to my modem/router using a 50ft ethernet cable, creating a new network.   I connect my second AEX wirelessly to the first, extending the network.  The first AEX was placed towards the back of the house and the 2nd AEX was placed upstairs.  I was able to stream netflix on two devices upstairs while streaming a movie using plex from one pc downstairs to a roku player upstairs without any buffering at all.  All three were in HD and my brother was playing multiplayer on his xbox (wired).  It works! Thanks Kappy!

  • Can I use airport express to extend my network AND stream iTunes???

    I have an airport extreme connected to the cable modem and sending a signal out to my home network. I also have a powerbook and an airport express connected to the home stereo.
    My question is, can i use the express to extend my extreme signal (to reach the back yard) and stream music from itunes at the same time? The set up utility seems to suggest that you do one or the other.
    Thanks!

    Are you sure you configured the Express to extend the Extreme's network? If you use the standard setup, the two base stations will be indistinguishable, i.e. you'll only see one entry for the wireless network.
    If you were connected to the Extreme when you configured the Express, try turning off Airport in the Airport menu and then turning it back on. The computer should pick up the stronger signal at that point.

  • Using Airport Express to Extend my Network

    Sorry if this question has been asked before, but I'm getting close to throwing my Airport Express in the Trash.
    I have a weak signal downstairs in my house. Upstairs I have an Airport Extreme base station.
    So about 2 years ago I bought an Airport Express in the hope that I could simply plug it in downstairs and I would boost my signal strenghth in those areas.
    That was two years ago.
    Despite my best efforts I have never been able to get this thing to work.
    Now a friend at work is telling me that the only way it will work is to tether it to the Airport Extreme with an eithernet cable!!! to me that sounds crazy!!! whats the point?
    Can anyone please tell me in a step by step proceadure how I can make this thing fill in my weak coverage downstairs.
    I've tried just about everything..
    - Connect it to the AE with eithernet cable then try every setting in the airport utility that I can  find... still nothing!.. extends, join network etc etc.. nothing!
    Thanks for any help,
    Steve.

    It worked... I used extended but have bought a couple of power line adapters so hopefully will get increased rates.
    Strange that I've tried these settings before and no joy. I did a firmware update and a hard reset with a ball pen and it worked. I recon they fixed something!

  • Problem using Airport Express to extend wireless network.

    I'm trying to extend my wireless network with an Airport Express (brand new, bought last week), but can only seem to do so by connecting it via cat5 to the router, which doesn't actually extend anything.  I have a Linksys WRT54GS with DD-WRT, and want to have the Airport Express in a different room so cat5 isn't an option.
    I'm using WPA2 Personal security on my network.
    I've tried to follow several sets of instructions from these forums and on blogs, but the only things I've been able to do are...
    1) connect via cat5, selecting "Create a new network" with the same SSID and such, but it doesn't give me any more range.
    2) connect wirelessly selecting "Join an existing network", but that doesn't extend the network at all either, even if I put the AE at the edge of the network now.
    Thanks in advance.  All I really want to do is access my wireless from the other half of my house.
    Zack

    It was possible to create a WDS between the older 802.11g AirPort Express and the Linksys WRT-54GS and this (as you know) has been documented on the Internet. However, I do not know of anyone that has been successful doing so with either of the 802.11n generations.
    The two methods that you have tried would not work as neither is the proper method to set up a WDS. Please check out the following Apple Support article for more details. If you are successful in setting a WDS between them, please post back your results.

  • Do i need to use airport express to extend my network to use AirTunes?

    I use an AEBS connected to my cable modem and just bought the Airport Express just to be able to stream my iTunes music to a set of powered speakers conncted to it.
    When I got into Airport Utility, the only options it provides is to Set up a new network, add to an existing network or replace an existing network.
    I just to add to an existing network and it says Airport Express will be used to extend my network.
    Now - is that how it's supposed to work? Does it have to extend my network in order to use Air Tunes? The reason I ask is that I remember reading on the forums that extended your network can slow it down....

    Bob Timmons wrote:
    Version 6.0 will not allow you to configure the Express to "Join a wireless network" if you have another AirPort providing the wireless signal.
    If you want the Express to "join" the network, you will need to download and install the much more functional AirPort Utility 5.6 for Mac OS X Lion , which was available on the same day as AirPort Utility 6.0.
    Apparently, a number of users missed this.
    Suggest that you keep both 5.6 and 6.0 on your Mac and use the one that is most useful.
    That is NOT correct.
    Version 6.0 will allow you to "Join a wireless network" if you have another Airport providing the wireless signal.
    I have an Extreme provinding the wireless network and have 2 Express units Joining the network.
    Here is a screen shot of version 6.0 and the Express settings.
    You must have missed this in your settings.

  • Friend suggested I use Airport Express to extend my network to fix dead spots, should I just plan on replacing existing Netgear and buy two AXn's?

    I have a few dead spots around the house and I am seeking a good solution without pulling ethernet cable.  Reading this community it would seem best if going with Airport Express solution to replace my Netgear and pick up a couple of AXn's. Or perhaps Airport Extreme for base at cable model and AXn for extension?
    I had assumed I could just configure one AXn and put it in the dead zone, but reading configuring roaming network indicates you need two. I was planning on adding Apple TV in extended zone does this change anything?

    There are a number of possibilities of using multiple AirPorts to extend the wireless range of your network without using wires. Please check out this Apple Support article for more details.
    Since your goal is to use wireless connections between routers, you will need two or more AirPort to accomplish this. Unfortunately, extending the Netgear by wireless will not work due to WDS compatibility issues between router manufacturers.

  • I am trying to install a second airport express to extend my network. When I use the aiport utility it does not see the second airport express.

    I am trying to install a second airport express to extend my network. When I use the aiport utility it does not see the second airport express.

    Suggest that you perform a Factory Default Reset as follows:
    Pull the Express from power
    Wait a few moments
    Hold in the reset button and keep holding it an additonal 8-10 seconds while you plug the Express back in to power
    Release the reset button and allow 40-45 seconds for the Express to restart
    Apple's instructions to do what you want are here:
    It will often help to temporarily connect an Ethernet cable from your Mac to the AirPort Express for the setup. Once the Express is configured, you can disconnect the Ethernet cable and move the Express to the desired location.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
    Although an AirPort Extreme is shown as the extending device in the example, the setup for an AirPort Express is exactly the same

  • Using Airport Express to Extend a wired network using Belkin N Router

    I have an ethernet/wired network in my home office and am using the Belkin N Router which is connected to the upstairs by ethernet also. I have a wireless network that the Belkin router uses to let me connect to the internet wirelessly if needed and I use it for my MacBook Pro inside the house but can't outside [the Belkin is connected to cablemodem].
    I am trying to use my Airport Express to 'extend' the network from my home office out to my back deck by having it wirelessly be available [it is connected to main router/cable by ethernet/wired]. I have 5 bars on the Belkin Router wireless signal but very low unreliable bars from the Airport - either because it is not relaying the wirelss network of the Belkin router or it's not able to send its wifi signal from its ehternet/wired connection to the main router/cable modem, not sure which --
    Short of pulling an ethernet wire outside to the back deck or getting an antenna to hang on my MacBookPro to better receive the home office wireless signal, is there a way to set up the AX soit can become an internet transmitter wirelessly of the wired network it is hooked to???
    I read http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108040
    but that didn't seem to help == and it appears the AX won't extend a non Apple wireless signal and I don't have one [tried the Extreme but it didn't work = the Belkin has been perfect = I can wirelessly connect in the room above the home office but would love to be able to use the AX to extend its power or at least use the wired linkage to then extend the power wirelessly....

    Hey
    in the following thread one of those top users posted a list of wireless routers AEXP is able to extend wireless network with via WDS
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1492474&tstart=195
    maybe that belkin is your modell?
    and here:
    http://ryanschwartz.net/2004/08/05/airtunes-airport-express-and-the-wrt54g
    also here:
    http://www.beatnikpad.com/archives/2004/10/19/airportexpresswds
    are descriptions of how to connect to 3rd party routers (not belkin but the way to connect of both is quite similar so it might possiby help you too.
    Not using wep, wpa/ wpa2 during installation and connecting the AEXP to Mac or Lan Port of your router should help.

  • Using airport express to extend network/stream music

    Hi,
    I just bought an airport express to extend my network throughout my house and stream music to my stereo system in my living room. My time capsule, which is connected to the DSL modem and is the base station, is in one far end of the house, while the airport express is at the other end. It has greatly improved the range of my network and when using my macbook in the front room, it gets full bars, however, the when using airtunes to stream music with iTunes 9 and OS 10.6, the music will cut in and out randomly and I occasionally get unknown error -15000 when trying to connect.
    I played around with the airport express channels (any channel other than 10 will receive an unknown error -15000 automatically,) adjusted the firewall, and adjusted Netbarrier X, my third party security software. I found information in this article:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TA21538?viewlocale=en_US
    The only thing that works is moving the airport express close to my computer to remove the physical barriers. It plays perfectly then. Is it possible to buy a second airport express and plug it in halfway between my stereo and time capsule to boost the signal to the airport express plugged into my stereo? Will this solve the problem of the music stream cutting in and out every 10-20 seconds?

    Mad Cow wrote:
    I checked and my signal is -87 and noise is -95.
    At the risk of being the bearer of bad news, that's a rather poor signal value. Here is a description of what different ranges of signal-to-noise mean:
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10329543&start=1
    In the other post, you mentioned interference from other electronics. Could physical barriers be causing interference also?
    Barriers won't cause interference, but they can reduce signal transmission. How far apart are the two units, how many walls are in between, and of what material are those walls made?
    If this is the case, can I add a second airport express between my base station and stereo-attached airport express to boost the signal?
    In theory something like that might work, but I'm not sure that an AirPort Express can act as a "relay" station between a "main" station and a "remote" station. It might require an AirPort Extreme. Perhaps someone else can comment on that possibility.
    Can you relocate your Time Capsule to an different phone outlet? Can you use longer cables between the wall and the modem and/or between the modem and the Time Capsule to move the Time Capsule to the other side of the room to be nearer to your AirPort Express? Can you use a longer audio cable between your AirPort Express and your sound system?
    You may be able to use a pair of Power-Line units
    (http://computer.howstuffworks.com/power-network.htm) to connect your AirPort Express to your Time Capsule via Ethernet.

  • How do I use Airport Express to extend my current network.

    I am now using an Airport Extreme and want to use my old Airport Express to extend my network. How do I do this? Thanks!

    Linc44, welcome to the discussions!
    I am now using an Airport Extreme and want to use my old Airport Express to extend my network. How do I do this?
    By "old AirPort Express", I take it that you have a "b/g" version of the device, which is model number A 1084. Is that correct?

  • HT4260 Can I use a new airport express to extend a network?

    If I am using an AirPort Extreme as my main wifi, but it is in bridge mode because I already have another router setup in dhcp on my network, can I use an airport express to extend my network, but use it hard wired?

    can I use an airport express to extend my network, but use it hard wired?
    Yes, assuming that you are asking about a new Express, or the 802.11n version. 
    This is very easy to do with the Mountain Lion operating system that you have.
    (The "roaming network" link above assumes that you are using the Leopard or Snow Leopard operating system...although the general information there is good).
    Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express.
    Power up the AirPort Express and wait a full minute
    Click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for the heading of New AirPort Base Station. Just below that, click directly on AirPort Express there
    AirPort Setup will open automatically and take a minute to analyze your network and then announce that the Express will be setup to "extend" your AirPort Extreme network
    Enter a device name for the Express and click Next
    AirPort Setup will take another minute to configure the Express
    When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done
    That's it.

  • Airport express stopped extending the network

    Hi all,
    I have had working an Airport Extreme acting as a wifi base plus an Airport Express to extend the network for more than one year and could receive an excellent wifi coverage all over the appartment.
    Recently, I decided to update my laptop OS version (an old Leopard) first to Snow Leopard and immediately after to Lion. After lots of software updates, at some point I begun receiving warnings to update the Extreme firmware. I did so and that same day I realized that the Express was not working as network extender any more. I further got frustrated to see that the latest Airport Utility didn't even "like" my Express and I had to downgrade to Airport Utility 5.6 in order to be able to configure the Express.
    This was almost one month ago and I have spent many hours and tried all kind of combinations since then. For instance, I checked that the express was ok by creating with it a new network. This worked perfectly. I also reseted the Express to manufaturing defaults several times. I have even created a full new network from the beginning. Nothing works.
    Both devices show green lights, but when I'm close to the Express, the BSSID I get is that of the Extreme, not the Express BSSID. I can see the Express in Airport Utility 6 but it is shown as connected to the Extreme with a dashed line.
    I don't know what else to try. The worse thing is that even by buying a new Express I don't get any guarantee that the problem won't persist, since the network extension has worked perfectly in the past and doesn't work any more.
    Any ideas are welcome.
    Best,
    Pedro.

    I am starting to think that I have a non-functional device.
    That is looking like a possibility.
    Try a Factory Default Reset if you have not done so already.
    Leave the Express powered off for 15-20 minutes
    Hold in the reset button first, and keep holding it for an additional 9-10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power back into the Express
    Release the reset button after the hold period and allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light
    Try to configure the Express in the same room as the main router. Restart the main router before you try to configure the Express. If it works, then move it further away....but do not reset it....to see if it will connect and behave.
    If you still cannot configure the Express after the Factory Default Reset, I think you have a defective Express.

  • Help?  I keep getting "Unexpected Error" everytime I try to use my new Airport Express to extend my network from my 500GB Time Capsule.

    I am trying to extend my network from my 500GB Time Capsule using the new Airport Express I just bought, but no matter what I try I keep getting "Unexpected Error.  Try again".  The Express is still flashing Amber.  I cannot get it to turn green.  What am I doing wrong here?  Please help me.

    Locate the AirPort Express in the same room as the Time Capsule for the setup.
    Power off and restart the Time Capsule
    Shut down and restart the Mac. Turn on the wireless on the Mac and temporarily disconnect the Ethernet cable from the Mac to the AirPort Express. In other words, you want to set up the AirPort Express using wireless, since that is the way that it will be used.
    Hold in the reset button on the AirPort Express for 9-10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the Express to restart.
    Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and wait a few seconds for a listing of New AirPort Base Station to appear. Just below that, click directly on AirPort Express.
    AirPort Setup will open up and take a minute to analyze the network, then announce that the Express will be configured to extend the Time Capsule network.
    Enter a device name that you want to use and click Next
    Wait a minute while AirPort Setup configures everything, and hopefully announces a message of Setup Complete. Click Done.
    Now move the AirPort Express to a location that is about half way between the Time Capsule and the area that needs more wireless coverage. Avoid obstructions in the signal path between the Time Capsule and AirPort Express as much as possible. 
    Walls, ceilings, mirrors, heavy furniture, etc. just kill the wireless signal quality. Keep any cordless phones as far away from either router as possible.
    It would be much better if you could plan to connect the Time Capsule and AirPort Express using an Ethernet cable, as best case.....you will be losing about half of the network speed trying to use wireless to extend.

  • Help: Using Airport Express to extend the range of Airport Extreme

    I am trying to use the Airport Express to extend the range of the network created by my Airport Extreme. The Express works in terms of streaming music from iTunes on the PC connected to th Extreme.
    However, I am trying to run a short Cat-5 cable out of the Express to a nearby PC in order to have access to the internet. If the Express is recognized by the Extreme and can play music through connected stereo cables, why can I get an internet connection through the LAN port..??
    Here's a real basic representation of my connections...
    Cable Modem >>-- Cat5 -->> Airport Extreme >>-- Wireless -->> Airport Express >>-- Cat5 -->>PC#2

    To wirelessly extend the range between two AirPorts, you need to configure them in a Wireless Distribution System (WDS).
    To facilitate the WDS set up, try the following:
    o Perform a "hard" reset on the AirPort Extreme Base Stations & a "factory default" reset on the AirPort Express Base Stations (AX) before setting up the WDS.
    o Place the base stations within near proximity of each other during the set up phase, and then relocate them to their desired locations when complete.
    o To avoid having to "switch" wireless networks during the WDS setup, attach each of the remote/relay base station, via an Ethernet cable, to the main base station. Of course, this would be dependent on the AirPort types used for the main/relays/remotes.
    o Be sure to jot down the MAC addresses for each of the base stations to be used in the WDS as these will be required during the setup.
    o When enabling wireless encryption, configure the relay/remote base stations first and the main base station last.

Maybe you are looking for