ITunes can't connect to remote speakers PLUS Airport Express p/word problem

I am running iTunes 7.4.1 and have previously been able to play iTunes through remote speakers via an Airport Express . After upgrading iTunes some time ago, I am unable to connect to the AE any more. The AE shows as an option in my iTunes window, but when I select it from the drop down option box bottom right, it just doesn't choose it.
I have read other discussions pertaining to this, and have followed all of those solutions, but to no avail.
I have done a hard reset on the AE restoring it's factory settings thinking I should just start again, and it has been renamed "Base Station Oa369f" so I know this has worked, but when I try to reconfigure it through Airport Utility, it asks for a password. I tried it's old password, and also tried the generic one "public" as stated in the AE setup guide, but it rejects both.
I am keen to figure this out as I'm about to buy a new printer and another AE so I can print wirelessly, but don't want to have the same issues if it's an AE bug that can't be fixed, I would be left with no printer!
I know this is two quite separate problems, but if anyone has any ideas for either I would be really grateful.
Thanks very much

I have exactly the same problem which has been driving me nuts for the last couple of days. However I am able to access the dropdown list of speakers. I have mine set to multiple speakers, and now it WILL play through my Airport Express again, but only when playing through the internal speakers at the same time. When I try to play solely through the Airport Express it just hangs.
Come on Apple, you need to be regression testing your upgrades far better than this, for something so basic to go wrong.

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After iTunes update, can't connect to remote speakers via Airport Express

I updated to iTunes 10.1.2.17 the other day, and ever since then, I can't connect to my stereo via my Airport Express. I get this message: "An error occurred while trying to connect to the remote speaker 'Airport Express'. The network connection failed."
My Airport Express firmware is up to date and I have not changed any settings since the iTunes update.
Anyone else have/had this problem? Any ideas?

I run Vista and I had the same problem after updating to the latest version of iTunes: Apple TV would indicate "Loading Library" for ever and nothing would happen. This had never happened before.
I tried different tricks like turning on/off home sharing on both iTunes and Apple TV (didn't work), unplugged/plugged Apple TV (didn't work), restore Apple TV (didn't work).
Eventually the solution was actually very simple: go to Firewall settings and make an exception for iTunes. I don't know why that was not necessary before the update, but it made the trick.

ITunes can not connect to remote speakers after upgrades

I recently downloaded the new version of iTunes and I am no longer able to connect to my remote speakers. I get a random error message when trying to connect. I've rebooted the airport station and modem. Didn't solve the problem.
Can anyone help? I'm stumped...

I have a MacBook, airport express and appletv. All three were working with airtunes on itunes 7 without issue. Since itunes 8, airport express works great, but the itunes keeps reporting that my appletv speakers are no longer available.
Problem will occur on sleep/wakeup and whenever itunes decides it is angry, even though my appletv is listed on the bar and is syncing. Sometimes it will play for about 10 seconds and then the music stops, but itunes indicates it is still playing. Pause/play will sometimes resolve the issue, but other times will report the appletv speakers have disappeared, but itunes is still listing the apple tv. Rebooting appletv makes no difference.
Workaround has been to restart itunes. For the music stopping after 10 seconds, if restarting itunes results in the same problem, reboot computer. My firewall is disabled, so my opinion .
Also - I love the remote app on my touch, but when play fails due to a speaker error there is no feedback. Instead I get no music and after a delay the icon changes from pause to play again. Of course itunes was complaining about unavailable speakers. Someone should add some intelligence to report such errors to the remote.

ITunes 8: I can no longer connect to remote speakers via Airport Express

Cannot connect to my remote speakers, worked before iTunes 8"
I have restarted the computer, iTunes, QT 7.5.5, run disk utility
I get the following error code (-3256) Apple KB research says:
AirTunes: Error -3256 when streaming to multiple AirPort Express units  You may see this message: An error occurred while connecting to the remote speaker speaker_name . An unknown error occurred (- 3256 ).This occurs with iTunes 6.0.2 or later.SolutionIf you use a third-party firewall or router, make sure that it is configured to permit UDP traffic. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303157
I followed the KB link, tried KB solution, then I sent this off to Apple.
"Mac G5 2.0 Ghz, OS 10.5.4 just installed iTunes 8, one (1) Airport Express connected to remote speakers. Firewall under Sharing in System preferences does not offer firewall access. Firewall is under Security but "Advanced" is grayed out.
Cannot connect to my remote speakers, worked before iTunes 8"
I have restarted the computer, iTunes, QT 7.5.5, run disk utility, unplugged the airport express.
My G4 PowerBook running an earlier version of iTunes connects without problem.

I just got off a 30+ minute phone call with an Apple Support rep about this. I'm getting error -3256. The rep was patient and tried hard to solve the problem, but was basically clueless. I have a case number and was encouraged to call back tomorrow to speak with a product support specialist.
This stinks. AirTunes is my primary way of playing music from my computer. With no obvious way of rolling back to iTunes 7, this is a big deal.

Itunes (MAc & Windows) shows no remote speakers using AIrport Express

I have both a Win XP PC and a Powerbook G4 connected to a wireless network using a D-Link DI-624 router. Both computer can connect to the internet, the Powerbook is connected wirelessly.
I've set-up my airport express on the wireless network using a static IP adress, and it gives me a solid green light. Airport Express firmware is 6.3 and it is configured as a client on the network.
I can not access the remote speakers on iTunes on either the Mac or the PC. Both computers have the "Search for remote speakers" checked in iTunes. I've tried everything, including re-booting etc. but with no luck.
Does any one have any ideas? Could a port in the D-Link router be blocking access, since both computers are unable to see the remote speakers?

Problem solved.. The unit wasn't getting the correct IP adress. I re-configured using DHCP and it worked.

Cannot connect to remote speakers through Airport Express

Please help me! Please for the love of the mac guy on tv who encouraged me to switch.
I've been a happy mac user. I am not all that technically saavy and hence switched to a mac because "it just works." I bought the airport express and hooked it up through my WIRED network so that I could play tunes on my stereo from iTunes. Things have worked amazing and have had no problems until now. I don't even have the option now to look at remote speakers.
I know this is a common problem. This issue was even posted on Engadget for crying out loud. I've been reading these forums for the better part of the day trying things and I think I've actually made things worse.
I've resetted my airport express (now my iMac can't even find it). The AE still works though because my work computer can still see it and hook up to the internet through it. I've enabled IPv6 and have disabled IPv6 (have seen some conflicting information on that). I've went into the firewall settings and even added a port (5353) from another post I read. I've checked and double checked my iTunes settings and the option to check for remote speakers is on. I believe all of this happened since my iTunes was upgraded to the latest. For a computer that is supposed to just work, well, it just stopped working (the one issue).
I don't know if it shows, but I have an iMac G5 with OS 10.3.9. I know that's kind of old now, but the computer has been doing everything I've needed it to do. I like it. I just want this to work. So, I am begging anyone with any knowledge to pleeeeease help me out. Don't crucify me for not reading the other discussions. I have. I put in a great effort. Now again, I plead, help me - even if it takes a back and forth effort for a while. I thank all in advance for trying.

That's the other thing, AirPort setup assistant doesn't allow me to get very far. I get to the introduction page and click continue to begin. Then I get an error message saying I have no AirPort card installed (which is true, but not necessary because I'm on a wired network to get to the airport express base station).
Unfortunately, the AirPort Setup Assistant requires a wireless connection to work so the error you are getting when using it would be normal. Your options would be to use the AirPort Admin Utility or use the newer AirPort Utility on the Dell to administer your 802.11g AirPort Express Base Station (AX). The latest version of this newer utility can be downloaded from here: AirPort Utility Setup 5.3.2 for Windows
If I click New then an error message pops up saing No new AirPort networks were found. Click continue to scan again. I can keep doing this with the same result.
When having difficulties accessing the base station from the AirPort Admin Utility, try the following:
o Make sure that you connect to the wireless network, created by the AX, before you attempt to access it with the utility. The default Network Name (or SSID) will be something like Apple Network xxxxxx, where the x's are the last six digits of the base station's AirPort ID.
o If the utility still doesn't find the base station, try temporarily connecting your computer directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then, try accessing it again.
o If the utility still can't find it, the I suggest that you perform a "factory default" reset on the AX. Note: You may have to try this several times, but be sure that you get the rapid flashing status light to verify that the reset took. After successfully resetting the AX, and while still connected by Ethernet, try to access it with the AirPort Admin Utility again.

Cannot connect to remote speakers using Airport Express

Yesterday I was able to connect to my hi-fi using remote speakers in iTunes 6.0.4 through my Airport Express (AE) and take full advantage of Front Row, however later in the day the speaker selecton pop-button in iTunes disappeared. I did a hard-reset of the AE unit, shutdown the computer, checked the preferences selection in iTunes etc, all without success. I checked the discussion boards of both iTunes and Airport for a solution. Found something interested where someone said that they shutdown the computer and went to bed and in the morning, hey presto everything was working. He thought that having a good night's sleep was the solution. So, I shutdown the computer and went to bed. The next morning, the light on the AE was green and after booting up my iMac Intel the pop-button reappeared (I still don't know what solved the problem) but now it will not connect to the speakers. It tries but gives us after 30 seconds or so.
Here is what I have done so far: I used Airport setup assistant to set up the AE. During that process I selected to join an existing network that is provided by my Airport Extreme base station and I selected to only use the AE to share a printer and play iTunes using WDS bridging. This process works every time.
Right now, the light on the AE unit is flashing amber. In Airport Admin Utility both the Extreme and the Express are listed but the Extreme has an IP address of the 10.0.x.x variety whereas the Express has an IP address 169.254.x.x variety! Strange. If I double-click on the Express it takes an age to get a response and when the response eventually comes - asking for the password I then get an error saying that "the airport admin utility was unable to read the configuration of the selected base station.
I have tried resetting and repeating the above without success. Therefore, any other ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. I want to boast about Front Row to my Windows friends without the embarrassment of connection problems

I am having almost exactly the same trouble with an Airport network I recently set up in my home. I have a G5 with a brand new Airport card, an Airport Extreme Base Station (also brand new) in the same room acting as my internet portal, and an Airport Express (yup--brand new) downstairs piping iTunes to the stereo.
I could get the G5 and Extreme base to talk without a hitch--they are right next to one another, after all. When I tried to link the Express into the same network, the Express vanishes. When I tried moving it into the same room with the Extreme, I could find it, and play tunes through a set of headphones. Moving to an outlet in the hall outside the room, it still worked. Moved to an outlet on the far wall of the room across the hall, it would play only sporadically, dropping out about 4 seconds out of every six. Anywhere else, and it wouldn't show up at all.
However, when I set up the Express to be a separate network, my G5 was able to access it and play music without difficulty, anywhere in the house. I've been playing iTunes on my stereo for weeks, with the downside that I can't do that and surf the web at the same time.
Last night I tried the experiment of moving the Extreme Base Station around. With my G5 in the living room, in the approximate center of the house (1/2-level above the basement, 1/2-level below the office--it's a split level), I was able to access the Express and play tunes on the stereo as usual. With the Extreme Base downstairs, right next to the Express, my G5 could not even locate its signal. Fifteen feet closer to the center of the house (but still downstairs): couldn't find it. At the base of the stairs: couldn't find it. At the top of the stairs (20 feet from the G5, but just around a corner): couldn't find it. Three feet out into the foyer at the top of the stairs (and now in a direct line of sight to the G5): 20-30% signal. Keep in mind that during all this, I could switch over to the Express network at will (75% signal) and play music downstairs without a hiccup.
It seems to me that there's something wrong with the Extreme Station itself (or at least, with the way it's trying to communicate). If it were external interference due to an outside network, a microwave oven, or a 2.4 GHz cordless telephone, I would expect it to effect both networks equally--but it isn't. The Express seems impervious. I've noticed in another set of posts that some people with wireless connection problems have found that switching from the most recent version of the Extreme Base firmware (5.7) to an older one (5.5.1) has fixed the problem. I plan to give it a shot myself. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Dual 2.5 GHz G5 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Upgrading to 10.0.1 lost connection to remote speakers on Airport Express

after upgrading iTunes 10 to 10.0.1 the name of my airtunes speakers connected to Airport express (Firmware 7.4.1)is visible in iTunes but won't play music (error -15000).
Same observation in two of my PC (Windows 7) laptop/Netbooks.

Solved the problem. Uninstalled iTunes completely. Restarted. Reinstalled iTunes 10.0.1. Said allow to the firewall setting changes. Done. Connection to remote speaker regained.

ITunes Error -3256 can't connect to remote speakers

iTunes is behaving erratically. I get a -3256 error when the app tries to connect to remote speakers via an AirPort Express.
Restarting iTunes allows me to connect. iTunes then works until my computer goes to sleep. When I wake the computer it hangs with the -3256 error again. Restart iTunes and it negotiates the network connection perfectly.
I ran AirTunes with no problem for years until version 8 of iTunes was released.
I'm running iTunes 8.0.2

I'm having the same problem with my macbook pro (OS 10.5.6, iTunes 8.0.2) but NOT with my imac flatpanel 15". I get "An error occurred while connecting to the remote speaker "Stereo". An unknown error occurred (-3256)." Restarting iTunes does NOT work for me.
My airport is administered by the older imac flatpanel. My girlfriend's computer - an older macbook pro - does NOT have this problem. Has anyone gotten an answer yet on this?
Is this a known bug since so many of us seem to be seeing it?

Remote speakers via Airport Express no longer working on one iTunes instance

I have iTunes on my iPhone, Windows desktop, and Windows laptop. At one time they all connected to my Airport Express with remote speakers attached. At some point, after a version upgrade, my laptop no longer sees the remote speakers while the other devices work fine. I can connect to the Airport Express from the laptop, there is no connectivity issue. I can even use the Apple Utility to read/change the settings.
How can I get the remote speakers working again?
Thanks, Andrew

Hello Andrew,
Thank you for the details of the issue you are experiencing with AirPlay through iTunes on your laptop. I found an article with things you can check when you are not able to AirPlay.
I recommend following the steps in the section titled "If the AirPlay icon doesn't appear" in the article below, but this step specifically stands out to me for the situation you described:
Temporarily disable firewalls (both network and local) and security software. Security software and firewalls may block ports that AirPlay uses to stream content. You can often resolve issues with security software by updating, correctly configuring, or uninstalling security software.
You can find the full article here:
Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4215
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

Remote speakers on AirPort Express not found

Remote speakers connected to an AirPort Express network can't be found by iTunes or Airfoil. The previously available drop down menu on iTunes and Airfoil are no longer present.
Airport express is connected to fibre optic cable, MacBook is using Wifi to stream music from computer to remote speakers.
The system was working fine until some recent Apple updates that auto installed via software update.
Would welcome any help with this.
Steven

Found idea of unplugging airport express, closing Itunes, the replugging teh airport express and restart itunes. The speakers are showing once more.
Thought others may find this useful.

Can't connect itunes to my remote speakers thru airport express

After having updated the latest itunes 7.3 my itunes does not recognize anymore my remote speakers and does not connect to them.
Have resetted my airport, to no avail. still, itunes does not recognize it.
please advise what to do as it is very annoying, when you make updates that your old configuration stops working.
many thanks
marwan

I had the same problem. It used to work without any problems but then stopped for no apparent reason. I tried resetting and hard-resetting the Airport Express (AX) many times, but no success. Plus the Airport Utility would never show the Airport Express once I configured it to join the exisiting wireless network (in my case a Airport Extreme).
Anyway finally this worked for me:
1) Hard-resetting the AX
2) Start Airport Utility and find the AX. But instead of going throught the guided steps to set it up, double click on the AX symbol and to set it up manually. Yo will see 5 icons in the meny bar - Airport, Internet, Music, Printers, Advanced.
- Airport --> Base Station: In give it any name and password.
- Airport --> Wireless. Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network. Select it below and the appropripate security settings and password.
- Music --> Enable AirTunes. Leave the rest alone.
3) Click Update. Close the window and wait until the AX restarted. (solid green light)
4) Let the AirPort Utility rescan the network.
5) Restart your wireless base station/router (as I said, in my case Airport Extreme. If you have another base station you may have to do it manually)
6) Start iTunes and presto you will see the remote speakers
7) Let AirPort Utility rescan the network. Presto, you see both the AX and the base station.
My setup: MacBook OS 10.4.10, Airport Extreme and Express, HP with WinXP Pro. Can also stream music form iTunes on the HP.

Still can't connect to remote speakers in iTunes (throu AX)

The option to switch around from Computer to Airport Express/remote speakers has disappeared from iTunes. Any ideas?

I had this happen to me on the odd occasion but now have it sorted. If I'm going to use my Airport Epress(s) I first make sure that my PC is connecting to the AE before I even turn on iTunes.
A problem I was having was that my PC was connecting to my wireless router by default (specifically when my laptop was turned off) and not to the AE. As a consequence when iTunes started it greyed out the remote speakers and sometimes the button was not even showing up.
Now that I ensure my PC is talking to the AE everytime I do not have a problem.
I do have one annoying thing with the AE setup though, if I'm playing music over the AE and I unplug any USB device (printer, USB Key, External drive etc) the wireless connection is broken and I have to start iTunes. I suspect it is a hardware issue relating to my particular HP PC as I have just reformatted and reinstalled Windows XP and it still happens. I can live with it.

ITunes doesn't connect to remote speakers on my Airport Express?!?

Can you help me solve this technical issue? I have a Linksys wireless router with another device as a wireless repeater (to extend my wireless network). On the other end of this wireless network is my AirPort Express with the AirTunes enabled.
I can ping my AirPort Express from my iMac. But, my iTunes is not successful connecting to the speakers. Can you suggest some remedies for this? Thanks in advance.
James

Thank you for the quick suggestions. Here are the facts:
1) iTunes host are on the same network subnet as the AX. I can see both of them on my router. The iMac which the iTunes is running can ping the AX. In fact, the remote speaker is listed in the popup window that shows the built-in Speaker as "Computer" and the name of the AirTune on the AX.
2) No firewalls between the host and the AX...as far as I know or can tell, all ports are opened within the home network.
3) The AirPort Utility can see the AX and let's me update the configuration without any problem.
4) OS X Firewall on my iMac is set to Allow all incoming connections
Again, I'm stucked and confused because my iMac can find the AX thru the AirPort Utility as well as from the iTunes by listing the AX's speaker in the Remote Speakers list.
Why then it cannot connect to it to play music is very big mystery...help! I really like to play music in my backyard.
James

ITunes error when connecting to remote speakers

I recently downloaded the new version of iTunes, 8.0.1. I am now unable to connect to my remote speakers via the Airport Express base station and get an error message each attempt.
The error reads, "An error occurred while connecting to the remote speakers. An unknown error occurred (-3256)."
I've power cycled the base station, checked all the wires, and secretly hoped Apple would release an update that fixes the issue. So far nothing.
Anyone know how to fix this? I'm stumped.
thanks...

I have the same problem since downloading the update. I'm running 3 Airport Express base stations around the house, all connected to different speaker systems. What's really weird is that one works no problem and the other two give me this -3256 error message when I try to connect. I've done all the usual resets but to no avail. I'd hoped that the latest update may have solved this problem.
Sorry that I can't offer a fix, but if you have any luck I'd be grateful to hear.

ITunes can't connect to remote speakers PLUS Airport Express p/word problem

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