How to configure Airport Express to Extend Wireless Network

I have an Airport Extreme (AE1) as my wireless router, with two other Airport Extremes (AE2 and AE3) connected to it via ethernet and operating in bridge mode. Together they cover the first floor of my house with wifi, but I want to use an Airport Express (AX1) situated on the second floor to connect wirelessly to AE2 and extend my wifi network to the second floor of my house.
Nothing I have tried has allowed AX1 to extend my wireless network. I'm using the latest Airport utility in Mavericks, and AX1 is the old plug-in type but it's the newer "n" version that is still configurable by Airport Utility. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I almost ALWAYS recommend against wirelessly extending your network. Obviously, I'm unfamiliar with your layout but 3 extremes on the same floor seems like overkill, too, but could make sense depending upon contruction and usage.
In any event -
Adding Wi-Fi base stations when it is unnecessary can reduce Wi-Fi throughput because the Wi-Fi network will require more data management overhead. The network configuration also becomes more complex. In the case of a wirelessly extended network, throughput may be reduced to less than 60 percent of that of a single device.
Risk free test - run some speedtests in the corners then remove an extreme and re-run the tests. Then, buy one of the new tower 'AC' extremes and set it up as your single router and test again. I call this risk free since you have 14 days to return the new 'tower' extreme if you don't want to keep it but its range is THAT much better than the prior gen. You could make this cheaper by buying it from the Apple refurbished store and selling your older extremes.

Similar Messages

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

Wired airport express to extend wireless network and connect network printer?

Is it possible to configure and connect an Airport Express via ethernet cable to an Airport Extreme base station in order to extend wireless network AND connect a network printer to it? Here's the deal...The Airport Extreme is directly connected to my DSL modem and the wireless network is working fine in my house, but, the signal does not reach my detached studio/office. I have a Cat5e cable (and phone line, more on this later) run between the two locations and trimmed out. I would like to have wireless access and connect my network printer (Brother HL-2170W, wireless or wired) in my studio, be able to use printer from house also, and still have wireless access in house.
So, ethernet connection from Extreme to Express, USB from Express to Printer, wireless access for all users. Can anyone talk me through how to (re)configure the Express to do this? Do I need to make changes to Extreme configuration also?
JS

Is it possible to configure and connect an Airport Express via ethernet cable to an Airport Extreme base station in order to extend wireless network AND connect a network printer to it?
Yes. Apple's instructions for this are here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260
Instead of a second AirPort Extreme as illustrated, you will be using the AirPort Express.

HT204371 How to setup Airport Express to extend my network range?

I have an Airport Extreme as main router and want to install an Airport Express to extend the range of my wifi. However it only works when connected through an ethernet cable. How can I setup my Airport Express to work wirelessly and extend the wifi range?

I have a Time Capsule in the basement and my daughter is 3 stories up on her iMac and she complains about speed while online. She is about 40 feet up from me with 3 ceilings in between.
It is a nothing short of a miracle that she can get any signal at all under those conditions.
Found an AirPort Express Base Station (the one that looks like a power bar for Apple laptops) - model # is A1084.
Unfortunately, this older version of the Express does not have the capability to "extend a wireless network" using wireless only.
You need the A1264 version, or the "new" AirPort Express (that looks like a miniature Time Capsule) if you want to try to "extend" using wireless only. In this case, you would want to locate the extending device approximately half the distance between the Time Capsule and her computer.
I can't say that this will do a lot to improve things....it's going to be one of those situations where you won't know if it will work until you try.
(or am I better off trying to run a super long Ethernet cable to her somehow?)
This is by far the best choice in terms of performance. There is no signal loss in a wire. She will be amazed at how well and fast her Mac runs this way.

Using wired Airport Express to extend wireless network

Hello,
I am considering getting an Airport Express to extend my wireless network in a part of my house where it's really weak. The room I want to use it in actually has an Ethernet network drop and it is connected to my Airport Extreme on the other side of the house.
I've looked at the manual, and the only example it gives for extending a network is wireless. Since the network is very weak where I want to use it, I was wondering whether I could use the Ethernet port for the incoming signal. Is that possible?
I have an older AX (the b/g model) that I use in a similar way: it's on an ethernet port, but it broadcasts its own, different (slower, since it's the older model), wi-signal. So I didn't want to do that: I'd like the new unit to be practically transparent and broadcast the same wi-fi as the main signal.
Has anyone else had a similar experience and if so, could you let me know if this is possible?
Thanks!

I was wondering whether I could use the Ethernet port for the incoming signal. Is that possible?
Yes
I'd like the new unit to be practically transparent and broadcast the same wi-fi as the main signal.
Configure the new AirPort Express as follows using AirPort Utility - Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab located below the row of icons to assign a name to the Express, a device password and adjust Time Zone settings
Click the Wireless tab and configure as follows:
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Exact same name as your AirPort Extreme network
Radio Mode = 802.11n (802.11b/g comatible) is a good general choice
Channel = Automatic
Wireless Security = Exact same setting as the AirPort Extreme network
Wireless Passwrod = Same password as the AirPort Extreme network
Confirm Password
Click the Internet icon
Click the Internet Connect tab
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings and allow the Express to restart
Very important...power down the entire network...all devices....order is not important
Wait a few minutes
Start the modem first and let it run for a few moments by itself
Start the AirPort Exreme the same way
Start the AirPort Express the same way
Start other devices one at a time about a minute apart
You now have what is known as a "roaming" network. Computers will automatically log on to the router with the strongest signal as they "roam" around the house.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Why are my Airport Expresses not extending my network?

I have an AirPort TimeCapsule connected to the Internet. It provides wifi perfectly within about 20 feet. I purchased two Aiport Expresses to extend the network. The airport expresses are set up with Network Mode = "Extend a wireless network", with the goal of having wifi available farther than 20 feet from the Airport time capsule. According to the Airport Utility on my iMac and on my iPhone, this configuration is working perfectly. Everything is plugged in and all the devices are showing green lights in Airport Utility, all in one daisy chain (airport timecapsule is connected to express 1 which is connected to express 2). There's only one problem: I get no wifi connection when I'm about 4 feet away from the airport express which is farthest from the time capsule. The Airport Express has a green light, but I have no signal even 4 feet away from it. It seems as if the Expresses aren't doing anything. My wifi is still only available within 20 feet of the airport time capsule. How can I be 4 feet from an Airport Express that has a green light (which is also displaying green in Airport Utility) and yet have no wifi?

You may not be aware that you can only "extend" one time.
Apple's extend setup works like the hub and spokes of a wheel. The Time Capsule would be the "hub" and each extending device resides at the end of a separate spoke.
The extending device at the end of the spoke communicates directly to the hub.
You can have additional extending devices, but each one connects directly to the hub.....not to another device at the end of another "spoke".
If your display in AirPort Utility displays a "chain", the last device is NOT extending anything.
In order for both of your Express devices to be working correctly, both of them will display as connecting directly to the Time Capsule. Both Express devices will be displayed on the same horizontal line side by side with dotted line connections to the Time Capsule.
Ideally, your Time Capsule would be located in a central location, so that each extending device would be located about the same distance from the Time Capsule.
If you have an AirPort Express closer to another Express that it is to the Time Capsule, it will connect to the Express....just as your display likely indicates.

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.

Express cant extend wireless network

I have a Airport Exteme which I use as my wireless base-station. For two years I used an Express to extend the network wirelessly. It worked fine but this week it died so I gought a new one.
However I can not wirelessely extend the wireless network using this new Airport Express. It works fine using an ethernet cable but this isnt covnenent. The issue is when I get to the screen that says "Select the Apple wireless device you want to extend. If you are not sure click Identify. If your Apple wireless device is not on the list click Scan Again". The list is empty no matter how many times I hit rescan.
Am I missing something?
Thanks in advance.

Option appears but, I since the old airport is dead, nothing appears in the list.

Adding a 2nd Airport Express to extend the network using WDS

I am a bit of a novice, but after I installed an airport express with my d-link wireless router to play itunes on my home stero, the music kept breaking up and stopping. I tried to change the channel, but it said mine was set on automatic and I cannot figure out how to change manually.
So reading apple's suggestions, they said to get another aiport express and extend the network with WDS. I purchased my 2nd express today and have been trying to install it using the airport express assistant. I have had to reset the 2nd express and the original several times. However, what i keep running into is after it gets through all the steps, it asks me for a password for "this basestation". I have read several help topics and it looks like i need to use "public" for this new airport express. I get through that step and then it gives me an unknown error (-6753). Does anyone know what this is? Or is there a way to set-up the 2nd airport express manually? Do I even need a 2nd one? Should I just get an airport extreme? Will that extend the range of my wireless network? Any help is greatly appreciated. I have been at this for about 6 hours now. My wife is going to kill me.

Will the manual for D-Link describe how to set up the
first airport express as a roaming network
No
do that via the apple settings once its connected via
ethernet cable?
Yes
Different channel.
Same network name, same security.
Ensure that distribute IP addresses (under Network) is unchecked.
When this is done, will I still be able to play
itunes through the first airport express?
Yes
Also, then once I do that with the first, then do I
just do the regular set-up for the second as a
network extender via the airport express assistant?
Yes
iFelix

How to configure Airport Express to Extend Wireless Network

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