Horrible Iphone wi-fi connection to my airport extreme and express... ugh!

Hello everyone..
SO. Over the weekend I upgraded my home network to an Airport Extreme (which is in my den) and added an Airport Express in my living room, which is about 20 feet away, line of site, no obstructions.
I used the utility to configure the network, didn't do anything creative, just setup a WPA password, added the airport express and extended the network. Everything works beautifully! My MacBook Pro shows full signal strength through my entire condo.
The only hang-up is with my iphone 3g!!! I can connect to my network and iTunes but I have to be within three feet of my Airport Extreme, if I walk 10 feet away i loose signal completely. Even in the living room, standing next to my airport express it doesn't pick up the signal and my MBP does.
The only reason why I went and bought all this new wireless equipment was so I could use the free remote app on my iphone to control and play iTunes through the airport express.
ANY suggestions? Voodoo or spells I can cast? This is really frustrating me... I'm close to returned everything and going back to my Linksys router (which my iphone connected to with no problems)
Justin

thanks... I have reset everything in my condo that can be reset, including the microwave.
It's a little more bizarre, if I unplug either the airport extreme, or the express it will work fine and I can connect and stay connected with my Iphone. I only have issues once I create an extended WDS using the airport express

Similar Messages

I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use?

I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use? Essentially having two wifi connection off the same network? If so how do I set this up?

Extending using a wireless connection always results in a performance compromise.
If the Express is going to extend using a wireless connection, then the Express will need to be located about half way between the AirPort Extreme and the general area where you need more wireless coverage. The more that you have line-of-sight between the Extreme and Express, the better the network will operate.
Remember......the Express can only "extend" the quality and signal speed that it receives, so it needs to be located where it can get a very good signal from the Extreme. Although Apple cleverly uses the term "extend", a more accurate term for the Express would be "repeater".
If the Express will extend by connecting to the Extreme using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection......highly recommended for best performance.....then the Express can be located exactly where you need more wireless coverage. There is no signal loss at all through the Ethernet cable, so the Express gets a full speed signal no matter where it might be located.
Post back to let us know which way to you want to go.

I already have a hard drive connected to my airport extreme, and ws wondering if i could use it as a network storage device

I already have a hard drive connected to my airport extreme, and ws wondering if i could use it as a network storage device. If so would I have to format it with two partitions , one for time machine and the other for network storage. Aprreciate any advice

If you have the hard drive connected to the AirPort Extreme....it is a network storage device.
One issue that you may want to think about is that Apple does not support Time Machine backups to a hard drive at the USB port at the AirPort Extreme.
In spite of this, some users who try this are able to make it work. Others have some limited success and some have no success.
It's not supported....so there will be no help from Apple in the event of problems.
If you decide to proceed with this, make sure that the partition for Time Machine backups is formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as other formats will not work with Time Machine.
Having a secondary backup plan would also be something that you might want to consider.

Setup and connections for 3 airport extremes and 2 switches?

I'm finally getting ethernet wiring in my house rather having to rely on just wireless, but due to the lath and plaster walls I'll still end up having a separate Airport Extreme 802.11ac unit on each floor, otherwise the signal drops off dramatically with dead spots. I'm assuming that I should no longer do an extended network between the airport extremes, but I'm not sure of the proper wiring between the ethernet switches I'll have, the airport extremes, etc. either. Here's the gear...
2nd floor
cable modem
8 port ethernet switch
main airport extreme, should provide DHCP and NAT
cable modem plugs into the main switch
airport extreme plugs into the main switch
1st floor
airport extreme
there will be an ethernet cable from the basement ethernet switch to the 1st floor unit, which is the only feasible hardwire connection that I can make unless I pull a second long run of ethernet from the second floor, go to the basement and then back over to the first floor connection spot.
Basement
airport extreme
second 8 port ethernet switch
there will be an ethernet cable running from the 2nd floor ethernet switch to the basement switch
There are also additional airport express boxes attached to audio equipment and an AppleTV attached to an AV receiver for TV. Various printers, game consoles, etc. will plug into the ethernet switches.
As described above, all connections are going to the switches, not coming out of the main airport extreme and going to another airport extreme.
First of all, is the wiring described make sense or should it be handled differently?
Secondly, rather than an extended network, since I'll have hardwire ethernet connections between switches to all of the airports, what is the proper network topology to use in the airport utility? Does each of the three airports end up being their own wireless network, but just sharing the same name for 802.11 b/g, n, and ac? Any links to help me figure this out or do I need to make an Apple genius appointment?

2nd floor
cable modem
8 port ethernet switch
main airport extreme, should provide DHCP and NAT
cable modem plugs into the main switch
airport extreme plugs into the main switch
What is the make and model number of the modem?
If it is a simple modem....(not a modem/router or gateway device)....you cannot have an Ethernet switch between the simple modem and the AirPort Extreme.
Instead, the modem must connect to the AirPort Extreme, and the Ethernet switch then connects to the AirPort Extreme.
However, if your "modem" is a modem/router or gateway device.....you could connect the Ethernet switch to the modem/router......but you would not configure the AirPort Extreme to provide DHCP and NAT.....since the modem/router or gateway would already be providing those services.
Let's get this clarified before we go any further, since the entire network will depend on this.

Airport extreme and express & apple TV

I have an airport extreme and express & apple TV. I'd like to do the following:
1) Extend the network via the express
2) Enable the express to stream music to the stereo from the apple TV
I am sure someone has figured this out but I can't find the answer...
Thank you

Firstly, the easiest bit (although I don't believe you need to do this):
I would try "downgrading" the Extreme station's network type to only b/g (excluding n entirely), but I don't see that option in the radio settings anymore
You will get additional settings if you hold down the option key while browsing the radio settings drop down menu.
Moving on: Unfortunately a dropped connections seems to be a problem with umpteen causes and not only is it difficult to troubleshoot with someone in a forum it can also be made even more difficult because many problems are associated with network settings on a router that the person who is trying to help is unfamiliar with.
However you seem to be convinced your problems arise when your express is running which may narrow things down a little if correct, if not it may actually lead us away from the answer to your issue.
Is it the kind of security I'm running? Should I try WEP or... none at all?
I use WPA and have no problems (password = 8 Characters)
Should I attach it a different way? Perhaps manually set it to "participate in a WDS network" or "extend a wireless network?
I have my expresses set to participate in a WDS network, but that's because I use them for other things other than itunes, I would have thought 'join a network' would be fine.
You could check that all your devices are using independent IP addresses and all are using the same subnet. You could also check that no two devices have the same mac address, I've been told a million times this can't happen, but I've seen it. You may be wise to check these things before and after your devices have been 'kicked off the network", you may even want to write them down to see if any are changing.

Is it possible to have two hard drives connected to my airport extreme and use one to store my itunes library/iphoto and the other to backup via time machine? Will the second (larger) drive back-up both my mac HD and my other external airport drive?

For the past year I've been using an external hard drive (HD1) connected to my airport extreme as the back-up location for time machine. This has worked fine without any issues. What I would like to do now is to move my itunes and iphoto libraries off of my laptop (space constraints) and store them on a second external hard drive (HD2) connected to the airport extreme. I have successfully connected the second hard drive using a Belkin powered USB hub. What I am wondering is if I direct my time machine back-ups to HD1 will it back-up both my mac HD as well as HD2? I apologize if this has already been answered but i've read conflicting responses on various message boards and a number of responses were dated so I wanted to make sure I received the latest information.
thank you

kosty wrote:
For the past year I've been using an external hard drive (HD1) connected to my airport extreme as the back-up location for time machine. This has worked fine without any issues.
That may be true, but you need to know that backing-up that way is unreliable and not supported by Apple. See: Using Time Machine with an Airport Extreme Air Disk. Do not be surprised if those backups suddenly turn up corrupted.
What I am wondering is if I direct my time machine back-ups to HD1 will it back-up both my mac HD as well as HD2?
No. Time Machine cannot back up from any network location. The 3rd-party utilities CarbonCopyCloner and ChronoSync may be workable alternatives.

Internet connection loss using Airport Extreme and Netgear DG843

Hello,
I am accessing internet via a Netgear DG834 router (not wifi), connected to an Airport Extreme base station. Most of the time, I can access internet through the Wifi network of the AEB without any problem. But around once a day I am experiencing connection loss and the only way I found to restore it is to reset the Netgear Router by physically unplungging it.
Both the Netgear and the AEB have up to date firmware, so I suspect some kind of problem in my setup, as I am not an expert in setting up networks.
Is it possible that using a Netgear Router connected to the AE (which is also a router if I understand correctly) could cause connection problems ?
I am at a loss, and do not even know how to describe the relevant informations of my current setup. If a kind soul could help me nonetheless, I would be very gratefull.
Mr Pedrito
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Is it possible that using a Netgear Router connected
to the AE (which is also a router if I understand
correctly) could cause connection problems ?
Yes.
Ensure that that the AEBS is configured to not distribute IP addresses.
Also ensure that the AEBS is on a different channel to the DG834G.
iFelix

Can't get Airport Extreme and Express to join same network

I recently bought an Airport Extreme so I could create a wireless network with my Airport Express. THis way I could browse the internet and stream music to my stereo at the same time. After spending hours trying to get both AP Extreme and Express linked together in a WDS network, I have failed time and time again. I have no problem setting the AP Extreme as the WDS main. My iMac and laptop connect to the AP Extreme just fine. I can set up the AP Express to stream music via iTunes to my stereo without problems. But to get them working together in the same network has got me stumped.
I've set the AP Extreme as WDS main and Express as WDS remote. They are both set to same wireless channel. Where am I going wrong? Is it a 802.11n/802.11g compatibility issue?
I'd appreciate any insight. Thanks.

adrian,
I have done this a dozen time today with different base stations like yours.
The only thing I can think of is this:
1. With the WDS Main, make sure you have the address of the Remote in the box.
2. With the WDS Remote, make sure you have the address of the Main in the box.
3. Make sure both base stations have the same network name in the wireless tab.
Then restart both base stations.
Let us know what you find out.
Joseph Kriz

Trouble with airport extreme and express

Hey all. I recently bought a new airport extreme and I'm now having problems setting up a network with the airport express. the airport express that we have is connected to a very old G3 iMac because it doesn't have an airport card and is upstairs. I have so far managed to set up the airport extreme so my G4 iBook and my MacBook Pro are both connected via wireless. The trouble seems to be that I can't get the next step set up as i'm not very experienced with networks and I can't get the express to establish a connection with the extreme. i hope somebody could help me sort out the next step. On a side note, this new airport extreme doesn't allow my xbox 360 to connect to it and i wondered if there is any way I can get it to connect again via wireless, either by changing a setting or the security?
Any help and feedback would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks.

applefan08, Welcome to the discussion area!
To continue to use the AirPort Express (AX) to give Internet access to the iMac G3, you will need to configure the 2 devices to use WDS to wirelessly connect. The instructions start on Page 41 in "Designing AirPort Extreme 802.11n Networks" (http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/DesigningAirPortExtreme802.11nNetworks.pdf).

802.11n AirPort Extreme and Express

Hello,
Thank you in advance for all your help and replies, I truly appreciate it.
I'm looking to purchase an 802.11n Airport Extreme and AirPort Express. I want to setup the Extreme next to my DSL modem and setup the Express in another room and have it extend the wireless network. The Express will also serve as an ethernet port from my DVR unit. I have read different posts that indicated that if I setup the Express to wirelessly connect to the Extreme, via WDS, or some other method, the wireless network will be downgraded to 802.11g. I currently have a 802.11g wireless network. I have one Buffalo Technology 802.11g wireless router and one Buffalo Technology 802.11g router (setup as an access point) and can do everything I need except connect a external HD via USB.
If at all possible, I would like the entire network (Extreme and Express) to use the same SSID and password. Have the Extreme perform the MAC filtering, provide DHCP address, and service a guest network.
So, do I understand what I have read correctly, that connecting an 802.11n Extreme and 802.11n Express via wireless (WDS, or other method) will downgrade the network to 802.11g? Are there any other recommendations on how I should connect these two devices and provide 802.11n service?
Again, thank you in advance.
--GMReed

When using the "extend" feature with the new 802.11n base stations, the extended wireless network operates in the 802.11n mode. I believe you may be referring to one of two things that may have led you to that conclusion: 1) When extending a network with the older static version of a WDS, the extended network operates in the 802.11g mode. This is true when either or both base stations are 802.11g models, and 2) Non-"n" wireless clients, connected to a "n" network, will bring the network down to the lowest bandwidth level of the oldest standard. Although connecting these types of clients does affect the overall bandwidth available to "n" clients, it does NOT bring the overall wireless network down to "g" or "b" level.
>If at all possible, I would like the entire network (Extreme and Express) to use the same SSID and password.
By default, both base stations must uses the same Network Name or SSID and wireless password to work properly.
>Have the Extreme perform the MAC filtering, provide DHCP address, and service a guest network.
For MAC filtering in an extended network, both base stations must be configured with the same MAC addresses for all clients that you want access to the extended network. The Extreme would provide DHCP service, but (unfortunately) you cannot extend the guest network.

Airport extreme and express not acting as i would expect

i have a virgin media super hub which won't transmit my wireless all around my house so i have set this to modem only mode and have connected it to a 4th gen extreme via a cable and connected 1 desktop pc to the extreme also via a cable. All works perfectly and i get the full 60mb broadband that i pay for and all wireless devices also connected to the extreme achieve this speed. Unfo although better it still isn't enough to transmit through the whole house.
To rectify this i have bought a new express and connected it all up which as expected was a doddle, the problem is that when i connect to the express i get a speed of between 2 and 12mb but never any more. When i spoke to the guy in store i was told that i would get the same speed from the express as i got at the extreme so is this not the case or have i got a setting wrong?

1. EOP (Ethernet over Power) Sometimes called Homeplug. When you don't know stuff.. google it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HomePlug
Get trained by little kids on youtube..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i72DM0dbGpc
They are readily available from any of the big computer stores.. in every brand under the sun. Including ones you have heard of and some probably not.. internally they are all about the same.
2. The old roaming instructions are the last apple produced.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4260
Here is my take on it.. with lots of screenshots.
Problems with Airport Extreme Ethernet roaming setup
Here is a joint effort from users here.
Setting Up Roaming - New AirPort Extremes and Utility
Main things to notice.. This is simple. Follow the instruction in my thread above.. and it works.. but I find the airport utility might need a bit of a kick now and then to get the right setup.
3. Make it easy on yourself. You are trying to do too many things at once.
Reset the express.
Plug it into the Extreme by a patch ethernet cable.
Do the setup.. as per..
Problems with Airport Extreme Ethernet roaming setup
Once you complete the setup.. take the express upstairs and plug it into the EOP adapter.
If it fails.. plug a computer by ethernet into the EOP adapter and see if you are connected.. you might be blaming the wrong thing.

Setting up airport extreme and express

i purchased both the airport extreme and the express. i have cable modem and use a router (to it i have connected vonage phone and an external drive). from the router, i have successfully hooked up my airport extreme.
i now want to hook up my airport express in another room, so i can use it to connect to speakers and listen to music.
when i plug in the airport express, i dont get a connextion (amber light blinking). i have not bought the speakers/system yet, so i dont have any cables hooked to it. could this be the reason as to why i am not getting a connetction?
i also thought that i did not need to hook up anything to it, since this would just extend my wireless connection (i use a macbook and ibook)
any thoughts?
g5., imac, macbook Mac OS X (10.4.8) fairly new to apple

You will want to set up the AX as a wireless client...
To set up AirTunes on the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), using the AirPort Admin Utility, connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then, try these settings:
AirPort tab
- Base Station Name: <whatever you wish or use the default>
- Wireless Mode: Join an Existing Wireless Network (Wireless Client)
- Wireless Network: <select the existing wireless network>
Music tab
- Enable AirTunes on this base station (checked)
- Enable AirTunes over the Ethernet port (optional)
- iTunes Speaker Name: <whatever you wish>
- iTunes Speaker Password (optional)
In iTunes:
iTunes > Preferences... > Advanced > General
- Look for remote speakers connected with AirTunes (checked)

Setup a wired network between Time Capsule, Airport Extreme and Express

I currently have a Time Capsule, Airport Extreme N and an Airport Express N. They are currently connected wirelessly via the "extend network" mode. So I do have wireless connection throughout my home but I notice that it is slow especially compared to gigabit Ethernet. I now like to do the same but then connect the three devices over Ethernet as I have on each floor also Ethernet connections available that are connected via a wired switch.
How can I configure the three devices in such a way that they use the gigabit Ethernet wired connections as their "backbone" and then give wireless access to each floor as if it is one wireless network, and where I can connect other wired gigabit devices via the time capsule and airport extreme Ethernet ports?
I have one Internet connection that comes via Ethernet from my cable modem. This is now connected to my time capsule who creates the internal network and assigns internal IP addresses.
Can anybody advise how to configure each device? And to which ethernet port I should Airport Extreme?
Thanks
Alexander

Welcome to the discussion area, Alexander!
+How can I configure the three devices in such a way that they use the gigabit Ethernet wired connections as their "backbone" and then give wireless access to each floor as if it is one wireless network, and where I can connect other wired gigabit devices via the time capsule and airport extreme Ethernet ports?+
You will be setting up what is known as a "roaming" network using the etherent backbone for your network. This will produce the best possible bandwidth on your network for both ethernet and wireless connections.
_On the Time Capsule_
Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Remove the check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended" (This is only checked if you are extending your network using wireless only and you will be using ethernet to connect your devices, not wireless).
Update to save changes and the Time Capsule configuration is complete.
_On the AirPort Extreme_
Connect an ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the Time Capsule to your ethernet switch. Then connect another ethernet connection from the switch to the WAN (circle icon) port on the AirPort Extreme.
Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network (Not extend as you might think. Extend is only used if the Time Capsule and AirPort Express are connecting using wireless only)
Wireless Network Name = Exact same name as your AirPort Extreme wireless network
Radio Mode = Same setting as your AirPort Extreme
Channel = Automatic
Wireless Security = Exact same setting as your AirPort Extreme wireless network
Wireless Password = Same password as your AirPort Extreme wireless
Confirm Password
Click the Internet icon
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save changes and configuration is complete
_On the AirPort Express_
You can connect an ethernet cable from the switch..or..from one of the LAN <-> ports on either the Time Capsule or AirPort Extreme, whichever is easier.
Set it up exactly the same as the AirPort Extreme above and update to save changes.
Power off the Time Capsule, AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express for a few moments. Then power up the Time Capsule first and let it run a moment, then power up the AirPort Extreme and then the AirPort Express.
If you have a laptop running Leopard or Snow Leopard, you can move your computer around and check to see which device it is connecting to for wireless. Hold down the option key while you click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen and look for the BSSID. That is the AirPort ID of the device to which you are connected at the time.
To get the AirPort ID of each of your Apple routers, open AirPort Utility and click on a device on the left. On the right, you'll see the AirPort ID for that device.
For ethernet connections, you can plug into an available port on the switch, the Time Capsule, or the AirPort Extreme.
You should be all set. Please post back on your progress.

IPhone no longer connects to my AirPort Extreme wifi

So I looked around...
I waited for ios6 for a potential fix on this...
I still can't connect to my home Wifi from my iphone4
Set up:
AIrport extreme as main router
Extended with an airport express
What have I tried...
Well starting with the easiest
Restored the phone from factory
Reset network
Forget network, start again
Airplane mode
Extreme settings
Turned off security, still nothing
Changed the channels from automatic to manual
Turned on 5ghz
From wap 2 personnel to other
Turned off the express
Tried various combinations of network type, n, g etc...
I am out of ideas....
It the house we have a Mac Pro, a pc, 2 iPads, and an iPhone 4S. All are good
Just that iPhone 4. Started 3 weeks ago
ARGH!!!!!!!!!

not much response in here which surprises me...
Anyway... AS I am still looking for answers, I will share a couple of points that I realised...
in Airport Utility, I noticed that my iphone MAC address was actually showing as client connected, despite my phone network showing the spinning wheel next to the network name for ever and never actually connecting.
I am currently testing the router mode in Network to be on DHCP and NAT mode with a range from .2 to .200
My phone is now connected....
Everything seems to be ok and happy so far...
strange that this router and phone have worked together for at least a couple of years, the phone works everywhere else, and all other toys connect to my WIFI just fine. the list is as follow:
airport extreme
Zeppelin air
2x apple tv
2 ipads
iphone 4s
2 mac
1 pc
I have litterally just hard reset the router with a pin just now as a last resort... same...
I will leave the router as DHCP & NAT until a potential firmware or OS update...

HT4628 After installing the new OS from apple (10.8.2) my macbook pro keeps disconnecting from the internet. I am connecting with an Airport Extreme and while it shows I am connected, every 20-45 seconds its searching for a wireless connection. Any sugg

I guess I posted my question as a title but that is my issue. My airport is connected via wireless yet it keeps searching for a wireless connection, hence I am experiencing bad latency and disconnection issues. Anyone know a solution?

I have the same problem. And in my case it happens when i transfer "large" files over the WiFi. When i send an MP3 filer over Skype i loose connection. When i transfer updates between my iPhone 5 / iPad 3 and iMac with Mountain Lion i loose connection. When i have a video conference i loose connection. You get the idea.
There is usually like 30 people using their own router on the 2.4 GHz band near by. None on the 5 GHz band which i use. But when my WiFi freezes on ML i can only see my own router. And i am also connected to it. But all my neighbors WiFi routers are now invisble to me. My network stalled.
What i do is that i disconnect my WiFi and then reconnect it again. Thank fixes it. But all my transfers and what not has been dropped. And i have to start all over - and the WiFi will stall again.
While my WiFi is frozen on the iMac with ML i have no problem using the same router on the same 5 GHz band with my iPhone 5 or iPad 3.
Downgrading the AirPort Extreme to 7.6.1 from 7.6.3 helped a bit. Now i only loose connection a few times each day.
It is a software error in ML i am sure of. A driver maybe. But i am suspecting that it is either a speed-sync error or an energy saving error. Like the network card turns of in the middle of a file transfer to save enrgy - maybe.
When i stream movies from my iMac to my Apple TV or 3 there is no problem at all. It is so odd.

Horrible Iphone wi-fi connection to my airport extreme and express... ugh!

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