Itunes-Airport Express problem

I have just puchased an AirPort Express. I have connected it to my current network so I can use airplay with Itunes to play music to my stereo. I have 2 MacBook laptops. One of them see the speakers and can play music but the other one cannot. The second mac is using Itunes 11.01.(and has all my music on it) I know you can't use 2 computers to simulataneously send music to the speakers but even when Itunes is not running on the mac that works, the other one still cant see the speakers. I have gone into the Itunes preferences to select 'allow itunes audio control from remote speakers' The window also says 'itunes is not paired with any remotes' and the 'forget all remotes' button is greyed out. I cant seem to get past this. Restarting Itunes, the mac and the Airport Express have made no difference.
Any ideas?

After loading the latest update to iTunes, my remote speakers via the Airport Express stopped working. I have now found two ways to break my remote connection and two ways to get it working again.
1) Load any software that seriously messes with the TCP/IP stack. In my case, it was loading the latest version of VMWare that tore down all the connections and rebuilt them.
Solution: Uninstall iTunes, Bonjour, and anything with Apple as the publisher and then reinstall. Uneligent, but effective. iTunes (et., al.) must be caching some deep dark settings that don't agree after this type of event. So the reinstall seems to clear this out.
2) Update to the latest major release of iTunes.
Solution: Go to windows firewall ( C:\Windows\system32\WF.exe ) and turn it off. Chances are good that iTunes will start playing remotely. Leaving your firewall off is asking for trouble (particularly on a windows computer) so go down the list and find all the itunes entries and delete them. Then make sure the firewall is configured to ask you to athenticate when a new program wants to communicate. Restart the firewall. Close and restart iTunes. You should get a message saying that iTunes want s to communicate and tell it to always allow this.
Dear Apple: Can we please have a more meaningful error message or better yet log some application events with things like : firewall blocked connection.

Similar Messages

HT1515 Just installed Airport Express on Mac 10.6.8 Can't see base station. Hard Reset the Airport. Rebooted machine. How can I tell if this is a Mac problem or Airport Express Problem?

I have a Mac 10.6.8. Just installed Airport Express. I can't see any base stations. I did a hard reset on the Airport Express, turned off all devices, turned them back on. I see plenty of Airport networks in the neighborhood. How can I tell if I have a Mac problem or an Airport Express problem? Airport Express blinks Amber.

Obviously, I'm still using ethernet to be able to reply to this.
Alright, use the same ethernet cable to plug directly into the airport express. This will FORCE the airport utility to now see it regardless of weak signals & interference. You can set it up that way.
BTW, what is the original intent on the express?

Another Airport Express problem thread.

Hi Everyone,
I got a Powerbook recently and like many on these threads I am beset with Airport Express problems.
Here's my story. I purchased my Powerbook about a month ago and popped into the Apple Store to ask about the best way to have wireless internet access at home. They recommended the D-Link DSL-300T ADSL modem and Airport Express. I purchased these items and set everything up at home. This didn't work. After a week of talking to Apple, I got the answer to my problem from a Mac message board. Supposedly the ADSL modem recommended by Apple and stocked in their online store wasn't compatible with the lastest version of Airport Express 6.2.0. So I dowgraded the firmware to 6.1.1 and everything worked fine. My next problem was after running an OS X software update which I can presume also updated the Airport Express back to 6.2.0. So again I downgrade to 6.1.1 and it works again. Then I have to get my Powerbook replaced as the refurb Apple sold me didn't have the superdrive in it that Apple advertised, so I transfer my settings and files and i can go online for a couple of days and then it stops working again. I do the downgrade again but this doesn't help. So I take it to see a genius at Apple who performs the AE update 2005-001 which he says will solve the problem of incompatability with 3rd party modems. Take it home, it doesn't work. Powerbook almost gets thrown out of the window.
Why is something that should be so simple so difficult.
My questions are does anyone have a D-Link DSL 300T modem that works with the update 2005-001 ???
Why do Apple recommend an ADSL modem which doesn't work with their products ???
What ADSL modem for the UK does work with Airport Express ???

Hi Bollard, not sure whether this would work with the current model of the modem, but I ran into problems with the DSL300+ when first using it wit an airport extreme, back in 2003.
I eventually resolved the problems by using the modem in bridging mode. Not sure if this would be applicable with the new model, or whether it work if you are needing PPPoA rather than PPPoE, but for what its worth my experiences and solution can be found at http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=607296&#607296 I've had a fair bit of positive feedback from people who found it worked for them, at least with similar equipment and connection protocol.
Cheers
Rod

Airport Express problems since iTunes 6

I'm running OS X 10.4.4, iTunes 6.0.2, and my Airport Express has V6.3 firmware.
iTunes will not reliably stream to my Airport Express. Although I can't remember exactly when the trouble began, it seems to have started since I upgraded to iTunes 6. Typically song will just stop playing, although iTunes shows the Play icon (but no advance in the time.) If I Pause and then Play again, I get a "connection refused" message. Sometimes I can just restart iTunes to make it play again. Sometimes I need to restart the Airport Express and Restart iTunes.
I've turned Interface Robustness on and off but have seen no difference. I have removed all Wireless devices from my the network (by power down) so that only the iMac, AE, and Wireless Router were on the network.
Any ideas?

I have the exact same set-up but don't have any problems.
Have you tried 'Repairing Permissions'? That can sometimes fix these strange problems after installs of software.
If you need info on how to do it please ask.
Ian

Airport Express problems with new MAC MINI and DLINK router SOLVED

Hi just thought I would post this as it may well help others experiencing similar frustrations with new core duo mac mini and wireless connection or quality problems across the network / internet etc
I have a 3 week old, new mac mini core duo 1.8ghz 2gig ram, 120gb disk - First Mac, connecting to my exisiting wireless network via DLINK ADSL Router 2MB Broadband also one windows laptop and pc also wireless on the network and two airport express potins to stream itunes to
Problem was briefly
Mac worked fine, but the network connection just far too slow, laptop and pc, 1800+ kbps downstream mac mini 90 - 150kbps (http://www.adslguide.org/tools/speedtest.asp)
also if i ping the router directly from terminal (ping -c 20 192.168.1.1) average response 12+ ms with 20% packet loss, yet laptop and pc avg 2ms no losses
Spent 2 evenings on frustrating calls of more than 1 hour each (due to being cut off , then ring back and closed etc etc) and carrying out a the helpdesk troubleshooting (I am an IT consultant I think I am above this level), eventually an archive and install of the os as well
last night I call for the third time, insisting I dont wish to carry out any further troubleshooting, and want it replaced and resolved or my money back
I receive a call back from product specialist (not sure if thats mac mini specialist or airport) but we resolved the issue (his knowledge far superior to the help desk do this do this attitude)
between us we carried out the folowing and resolved the problem and I am now very happy
mac now downstreaming also in excess of 1800kbps (as expected for 2mb broadband)and no packet loss
This problem was resolved by switching off the turbo option hidden away in the routers settings, under wireless configuration
Supposed to improve performance, but its rubbish and will make hardly any difference under mac os to the speed but will certainly affect your mac mini performance(you may have a similar setting switched on in your routers and mac os dont like it)
We stumbled across this by first disconnecting one of the airport express devices from my dlink network, and using it on its own default apple wireless settings, effectively making it a standalone wireless network, and not via the dlink router
we then carried out the same ping with the ip address of this device (from airport admin utility default 10.0.1.1) and the results were fantastic 2ms avg no package loss
this established it was something with the router, and how we then interrogated the routers settings and found the turbo on option within wireless configuration
you may not be able to replicate this if you dont have an additional network you could join (such as airport express), but probably worth checking your own router settings for something similar
Hope that may be of assistance to others, sorry that its a bit long winded and garbled, but I'm just so excited to finally get my new mac working as i would expect it to
Also perhaps insist on speaking to a product specialist immediately that the helpdesk are unable to help you

Hello macfar14. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
For just streaming iTunes and/or for sharing a USB printer, the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) just needs to be configured as a wireless client ... which you already attempted to do.
Just to be sure nothing was missed, here are the basic steps to do this:
Either connect to the AX's wireless network or connect directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then using the AirPort Utility in "Manual Setup" mode, make the following changes:
AirPort > Wireless
o Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
o Network Name: <existing wireless network's Network Name or SSID>
o Wireless Security: <select the encryption type of the existing wireless network>
o Wireless Password: <enter the existing wireless network password>
o Verify Password: <re-enter the existing wireless network password>
Music
o Enable AirTunes (checked)
o iTunes Speaker Name: <enter desired speaker name>
o iTunes Speaker Password: (optional)
o Verify Password: (optional)
o Click Update to write the new settings to the AX
In iTunes:
iTunes > Preferences... > Advanced > General
o Look for remote speakers connected with AirTunes (checked)

AirPort Express (Problems with multiple remote speakers

I've been so far successfully using several AirPort Express base stations to stream music from Itunes to differant rooms in my house. A week ago I suddenly started getting an error message ("Unknown Error -3256) when attempting to stream to multiple rooms. Anyone else having this problem all of a sudden? I've gone thru the configuration for Airport and each base station and everthing seems to be in order.... Any ideas... Anyone? thanks

A lot of people including myself have been having problems with the airport. We think it's the AirPort update or the security update that is causing problems. If you're experiencing problems or slow downs with your internet then that's also part of the update. Wait till the next update or we find a workaround to this problem.

Multiple Airport Express Problem

I have a set up using an Airport Extreme Base station and three Airport Express Units that I use for Itunes. They are named Kitchen, Library and SunRoom. All three of them have been updated to be using version 6.3. I can play Itunes on each of them individually without a problem. I can choose Multiple Speakers and select Kitchen and Library and they both play without a problem. However, any combination with SunRoom results in spotty playing (e.g. music starts and stops and starts and stops on either speaker). The only difference that I can discern between SunRoom and the other two is that SunRoom is about half again as far away from the Base Station as the other two and there is a Stone Obstruction which causes the reception in the area where SunRoom is located to be low (one or two bars on the Airport Measuring unit on my MacBook Pro. By the way I am using a MacBook Pro with Leopard, all up to date on updates.
Any advice to eliminate this problem? I have thought about putting in another Airport Express Unit to extend the range to that area to improve reception. But I figured since I am getting a solid green signal on the SunRoom unit that I probably did not need to do that?
Thank you in advance for your assistance.

If you don't have it already, I suggest downloading a copy of iStumbler. Use iStumbler's Inspector feature (select Edit > Inspector from iStumbler's menu) to determine the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) at the locations of the AirPorts, by performing a simple RF site survey. Within the Inspector, note the values for "signal" & "noise" at these locations. Start with your MBP near the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS), note the readings, and then, choose the locations where the AirPort Express Base Stations (AX) are located.
SNR is the signal level (in dBm) minus the noise level (in dBm). For example, a signal level of -53dBm measured near an access point and typical noise level of -90dBm yields a SNR of 37dB, a healthy value for wireless LANs.
The SNR, as measured from the MBP, decreases as the range to the base station increases because of applicable free space loss. Also an increase in RF interference from microwave ovens and cordless phones, which increases the noise level, also decreases SNR.
SNR Guideline
o 40dB+ SNR = Excellent signal
o 25dB to 40dB SNR = Very good signal
o 15dB to 25dB SNR = Low signal
o 10dB to 15dB SNR = Very low signal
o 5dB to 10dB SNR = No signal
If the SNR is 20dB+ at each of these locations, then you should be getting reasonable performance from your AirPort. If less, either try to locate the source of the Wi-Fi interference or try relocating the base station until it's within a 20dB SNR range.

Airport Extreme + airport express - problem outputting to multiple speakers

Hello,
I have set up my airport express by joining my existing Airport Extreme base station wireless network. When I play my music in iTunes, I am able to select either the Computer or Airtunes for the output in the drop down box in the lower right of iTunes. When I select Airtunes, the music streams no problem to my remote speakers connected to Airport Express. However, when I try to select Multiple Speakers in the drop down menu in iTunes, a pop up Remote Speakers box opens - when I select both the Computer and Airtunes in this box, I get an error message - "An errror occurred while connecting to the remote speaker "Airtunes". An unknown error occurred (-3256)." Since the error occurs only when I try to selct both the computer internal speakers and the remote speakers, but I am able to connect to the remote speakers by themselves, I am really confused. Any thoughts?
Charly

Just to clarify, the goal is to play iTunes on both the computer's internal speakers and my remote speakers at the same time.
Charly

Macbook Pro / iTunes / Airport Express MISERY!!

Yes, life used to be good. I got a new Macbook Pro to replace my PB Ti, got all my CDs loaded, got an airport express, began streaming, YES, life was good. Always careful about software, used just mainsteam apps, repaired permissions, etc, always careful.....
Then, iTunes 7.0 was released........
Tunes dropout, useless, so so so so disappointed.
How do I convert back to previous version? Should I dump Apple, buy a PC?
All this wonderful music, no way to hear....
APPLE? ***? APPLE?

It seems iTunes 7 uses IPv6 to stream to AirTunes.
We have a similar problem here.
We think that if the hardware you have inbetween your PC and AirTunes (e.g. your wireless router or an ethernet hub/switch) doesn't support IPv6, then you're stuffed. iTunes 7 will SEE your AirTunes but can't stream to it.
We have spent money on a new router with IPv6. When it arrives, we'll plug it in and see what happens. We'll report back here.
Things to try: If your PC/Mac has a wireless card, it ought to connect directly to AirTunes once it has associated itself with your wireless network, so, Wireless -> Wireless should always work. You may find that if you alter AirTunes so it creates a network rather is a client to an existing one this will provide a temporary fix. Of course, then you can't use the old wireless networ to surf the net etc. The problem seems to be if you're using a hardwired machine (Ethernet) or network (some hardwired link or router somewhere between you and AirTunes) and the network hardware doesn't support IPv6

ML and 1. generation Airport Express problems

After upgrading to ML - airplay does not work.
My set-up: Airport Express connected to a digital amplifier. MAcbook Pro from 2009
When turning on Itunes the Airplay ikon does appear as usual in the right hand corner.
But when clicking on it ... it just tries to connect and nothing happens .. then it stops .. and Itunes continues to play from the Mac's speakers.
It is not the Airport Express which is the problem - because it still works perfectly fine with our Iphones and our Ipad.
It all started when upgrading to this fx)(=//(!! Mountain Lion
Anybody experiencing same problems ?

I might add - have tried to reset the Airport Express of course - but no result.

Airport Express problem with iMac G5 iSight - help needed!

I bought an Airport Express (AX) last week, upgraded my OS to Leopard and installed Airport Utility fine. I could join my existing wireless network and everything worked fine for streaming itunes through my stereo. But this week Airport Utility has stopped being able to find the AX and I can't work out why - really need some help! Its in the same place as last week, close to the computer, and I tried another location right next to the Imac but didn't work. When I restore factory settings Airport Utility does recognise the device, and allows me to update settings for wirelessly connecting to my existing wireless network, so the light on the AX is solid green. But then AU again says it cannot find any AX wireless device. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong???

Hi I'm still battling with this - have connected the AX to my Imac via ethernet and it shows up fine in Airport Utility. Status light is green and it says its set up to connect to my existing wireless network using wireless connection. Security in Network Preferences is the same for both: WPA2 Personal.
So I don't think there's a problem with the AX, and my current wireless network (BT Home Hub) is working fine.
And when I restore factory settings Airport Utility can see the AX before updating settings so the wireless side of AX must work too.
I'm figuring it must be something about the settings that mean AU can't see it anymore. But I can't work out what, since security is the same.
Any ideas would be great!

Itunes - airport express - remote speaker not compatible?

Airport Express unit (AX) connects to my network and verified to be connected to the network just fine...but on itunes (v. 7.4.2.4) on my desktop (Dell Dim E510 with wireless, Windows XP, Linksys router WRT350N with AX for airtunes)...when I switch speaker to the AX/stereo unit, comes back with message - "the remote speaker xxx is not compatible with this version of itunes"... I've battled this issue for a long time -- any idea what is the problem?

OK I got it working again. I'm not sure exactly what did the trick, but I'd recommend the following:
1. Repair your wireless modem connection via your taskbar (rick-click on the Wireless Network Connection, Repair)
2. Start itunes while the Airport Express Setup Assistant is running
3. Restart your computer
4. Keep trying, after 2 days it's working again (???)

ITunes + AirPort Express: from mediocre to unacceptable

Gah. Well, this is new. I thought I'd worked around my problems getting iTunes to stream songs from my home music server to stereos in other rooms by hardwiring the client to said stereos -- thereby sacrificing half the functionality that I thought I'd paid for when I bought all those AirPort Express base stations, but whatever. But now, for no apparent reason and with no changes to my hardware or software setup, even that's not working.
The symptoms are that certain songs simply will not play when accessed via the client. There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason with respect to which songs consistently work and which consistently don't. iTunes throws up a "Opening URL/Reading Stream..." dialog box and then...nothing. Well, sometimes it will eventually start playing the song halfway through (and adjust the time accordingly and incorrectly in the track list), but mostly nothing. The dreaded exclamation-mark icon shows up next to the song title, and I sigh and copy the song to my local drive over the network, because that's apparently the only way I'm going to get to hear it. The songs play fine from the server and via netTunes (though netTunes's interface is so slow that I've mostly given up on it).
This is ridiculous. Both computers and both base stations are literally within two rooms of each other, and everything's running the latest software. It just does not seem as though this sort of thing should be an insurmountable challenge for Apple, especially if they're going to charge this much money for it. Maybe the idea is to convince me to forget about this whole pie-in-the-sky music server idea completely and buy one of those shiny new dual-core laptops whose hard drive is actually big enough to store 15,000+ songs locally along with the rest of my stuff, but at this point, I really can't imagine tossing any more money at this company.

Since my initial report, I have tried to solve the problem by (among other things) backing up my songs from the Finder, wiping the library completely in iTunes, checking permissions and everything else I could think of, and reimporting the songs. Still no luck. It is incredibly frustrating, because I spent a fair amount of money for functionality that I would not think would be rocket science, and it's not working. No, worse: it's working half the time and half not, with no apparent rhyme or reason between the two.
I just don't get it. Why do all songs play fine from the server, but others simply refuse to do so from the client that is one room away? What should I look for in the songs that consistently work vs. the songs that consistently don't, especially given that most of them were imported from CDs in exactly the same manner?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.1)

Apple Airport Express problems

Recently had my computer crash, it's a Dell. Before that I was using airport express with no problems to stream music from iTunes to remote speakers. Airport was located in a closet next to the receiver, which it was plugged into. Computer was in another room. Got my computer back and all the settings were still there, iTunes opened and recognzed the remote speakers. But the speakers only get recognized intermittently. Sometimes they work and I can stream music, sometimes they don't work and the speaker option from the pull down menu in iTunes is grayed-out. In addition, I can't connect the Remote app on my iPod touch, which I was able to do before. I have no virus protection software so there could be new settings. Anyone have any tips? Also the Airport Utility has problems recognizing the airport, so I had to plug an ethernet cable into it just to set it up.

+So I assume I should change that my modem to a channel that isn't being used.+
Yes, not only a channel that is not being used, but a channel that is as far away from the other channels in use as possible since channels overlap somewhat.
Sounds simple. But, since so many newer routers allow their users to "hide" their network, it's quite possible that you may be experiencing interference from a network that you cannot "see". That's where you just have to try different channel settings to see if one works better than another.
Unless you can connect your AX to your modem by ethernet, you probably would not want to setup the AX to create a separate network. If you don't connect it to a modem, it can still be configured to create a wireless network. But, you'll have to switch to that network for AirTunes and the network will not have an internet connection. And then, you will need to switch back again to your regular network for internet. For most users, it is much easier if the AX simply "joins" their existing wireless network.

Airport Express Problems Setting-up on PC. Won't 'continue'.

I have just bought an Airport Express so I can play iTunes music through my stereo downstairs using the Remote App on my iPhone.
However I can't set-up the Airport Express.
I've had repeated failed attempts and have done factory resets on AX, I've un-installed and re-installed the AirPort Utility and yet no joy I reach the same point again and again.
The Airport Express (Base Station) shows up in the AirPort Utility however when I click "Continue" to set it up I get the following:
"Are you sure you want to switch wireless networks? ..." I click OK
"Connecting to network 'Apple Network ####' Please Wait..." (Green Progress bar shows briefly)
Then it returns to the original "airport utility found an AirPort Express..." page and no further progress is made, If I click continue again, same exact thing.
Any ideas?

Well it took me 6 hours to suss out but I got there in the end. There really does need to me more detailed instructions on installation and set-up as well as better installation software.
Basically I plugged the airport express (AX) straight into the router and it prompted me to update the firmware, which I did. I also updated the AirPort Utility (on prompt) when I opened it.
Prior to this it was impossible to enter my 10 character WEP code, the updates gave me more options.
Anyway once I opened the AirPort Utility it told me there was 1 unresolved problem which was the WiFi connection, so I repeatedly selected the network name and entered the WEP code but the unresolved issue wouldn't disappear. I soon realised I needed to continue and ignore the unresolved issue (can't remember the exact terminology) as the settings I had entered would only be applied upon restart. Once the AX had restarted it applied the new settings and the light turned from Amber to Green! I then unplugged it from the router and the green light remained! From there on it was easy to use.
If apple simply stipulated that the AX should be directly connected to the router for initial configuration and changed the terminology on the installer to say "apply settings & restart" the whole process would be much easier and would only require a degree to set-up instead of a doctorate in brain surgery.

Itunes-Airport Express problem

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