MBP C2D + Airport Express + WPA frequently loses connection. but WEP OK

many people seem to have wireless connectivity problems with their MBP
-- here is the problem I see with my 2wk old MBP and my wireless setup at home (Airport Express) and at work (Linksys, model# unknown):
1) MBP C2D + Linksys + WEP = no problems
2) MBP C2D + Airport Express + WEP = no problems
3) MBP C2D + Airport Express + WPA = frequent dropped connection, and poor range
for reference, my previous laptop:
4) Pismo + Airport Express + WEP = no problems
5) Pismo + Linksys + WEP = no problems
with WPA (whether WPA or WPA2) and the MBP, I turn on Airport, signal looks strong, but then suddenly disappears. I have to toggle Airport off and on and then (sometimes) I'll successfully re-establish connection - only to possibly lose it again at some random point in time. Or it may work fine for an hour or more - it's hit or miss. no such problem or inconsistency with WEP enabled instead.
both laptops are running OS X 10.4.8. Of course only 802.11b on the Pismo, but results don't change on the MBP whether b, mixed b/g or only g.
The Airport Express is set up as a closed network, it's running firmware v6.3 (though I also reinstalled v6.1 but no change). I've tried many of the various other ideas for fixes - deleted Airport related keychains, etc played with various other Airport config settings - but all evidence points only to WPA as being the differentiating cause.
does this match anyone else's experience?
and more importantly, is there some fix?
thanks in advance for your feedback or suggestions
MacBook Pro 15.4" 2.33GHz C2D Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Hi!
Used to have same problems. But not anymore.
Here's what I did. I have a DLINK 624 router. not the same model but this could help you, I guess
1) Disable Super G mode into router.
2) Choose a 62 character key with a $ in front of it. (go https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm) and use wpa2.
3) Uncheck the Robutesse Interference (sorry, i am french) in the airport menu.
4) Change the advanced performance settings from auto to 11 (Tx rate) into router.
5) Whent into keychains and only kept the one for the active wi-fi. Since I tried almost verything, there where a lot!
Since I did that, no more lost connection for a day now!
Now I am not saying that this is the ultimate fix....but It worked for me.
BTW, did not do the SMC and EFI upgrade, still a little scared after what I read in the forums...I bought my mac book pro last week...how come it did not came with all the upgrade done??!! bizarre.
Good luck!

Similar Messages

Airport Express seems to lose connection after a while

My main wifi connection is through an Airport Extreme. The modem is connected to it. I also have in another room an airport express that I use as a bridge for my connection and also to use AirTunes.
Since a few weeks, the Airport Express seems to lose it's connexion after some use. It's always good in the morning, and after few hours, I realize I am no longer connected to the network. The airport light is always green, I see it in my disk utility, but I don't seem to be able to go online anymore. My solution at this point is to select my neighbor's network for few seconds, when I go back on my network, it works fine for an hour or so and I have to redo the process again.
The issue seems to be only with the Airport Express because when I'm in the other end of my house close to my Airport Extreme, I never have that problem.
Any idea what could be wrong with my Airport Express? Could it be a hardware problem? I just bought it 2 months ago. Should I go to exchange it?
Thanks for any help.

My AirPort connection worked fine when I first set it up a couple of days ago; then it stopped working yesterday: it just gives me the blinking amber light.
Strangely, though, when I use Network Diagnostics in Safari, I get green lights against Airport, Airport Settings, Network Settings, and ISP, but red lights against Internet and Server.
How can ISP be working but not Internet and Server? Also, if I pull out the the cable going into the AirPort and plug it directly into the LAN port on the MacBook, it connects to the internet fine.
Any comments/help appreciated.

Time Capsule & Airport Express Extended Network loses connection!

OK, so I am an Apple virgin of 2 months experience, after many many years with Windows based PCs, so please be patient and gentle with me. Sorry about the long explanation.....
My set-up comprises of a Time Capsule, which is connected to the Internet via a NetGear ASDL modem. Both pieces of equipment are situated in my wife's office on the first floor of our house. My office is on the ground floor, where I have a 27" iMac and an Airport Express which is connected to a printer via the USB port. The Airport Express is sited about 10 feet from the iMac.
All software and firmware are lastest versions - TC v7.5, AX v7.4.2 & Airport Utility v5.5.
For the past 2 months, I have only been using the AX to print wirelessly and the set-up has worked faultlessly.
Earlier this week, I decided change the configuration to extend the network to allow me to use my laptop & iPhone in areas of the ground floor where I had no signal. I followed the online instructions and first changed the TC to check the box to 'allow this network to be extended', after updating the configuration successfully I moved to the AX. Here I changed the wireless mode to 'Extend a wireless network', selected the network name and checked the 'Allow wireless clients' box. This also updated successfully.
Everything ran correctly and the range of the network was greatly increased.......great, job done...not!
After about 3 hours the iMac lost the connection and the TC disappeared from the Airport Utility pane and refused to reappear. I checked but also couldn't connect or see any network on the laptop or iPhone, so have dismissed a fault with the iMac. I finally got things back up after doing a power reset of the TC, but after a few hours same problem occurred, and occurred and occurred. By clicking the Airport Utility icon on the top right of the screen and following the prompts from 'no Internet connection', I can at least get things up and working without a power reset of the TC, but the connection still drops after 2-5 hours each time.
My first call to Apple Support led to a full reset and re-config of both the TC and AX, setting the extended network up as I had done originally. The only difference was an iMac reset (alt/cmd P&R on power up) and changing the 2.4Ghz channel from 1 to 11. This had no affect and the connection drop-out problem continued.
My second call to Apple Support led to me being passed to a Level 2 Techie, who first suggested that I tried disabling the Guest Network - tried it, and it made no difference. I was then told to try a WDS network, which whilst not losing connection, is slower and has less range than the original extended network and frankly sounds a cop-out.
Has anyone had a similar problem, anyone solved the problems, can anyone offer any help or advice please.. I'd appreciate any input....thanks.

Similar problem here. Cable Modem (Moto SB6120)->AEBS (802.11n dual-band)>AX (802.11n) for wireless connection to MacBook Pro running Mac OS X 10.6.2. AEBS configured as dual-band: 801.11a/n at 5GHZ and 801.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHZ. AX configured to wirelessly extend the AEBS 5GHz 802.11a/n network. I am able to run on the extended 5GHz network (via AX) for varying lengths of time, until the internet connection dies. When this occurs, I am able to switch over to the 2.4GHz network to get back online. Solution up until now has been to unplug the AX, then plug it back in. After the AX restarts, I am able to hop back onto its 5GHz signal and get to the internet. However, the internet connection on this band will drop again after some time.
I was on the phone with Apple Support twice in the past week to get this resolved, but no joy. Senior Advisor seemed to think that my AX was working properly, and that that the problem could be with my AEBS -- perhaps the 5GHz antenna might be bad in my AEBS? Seems odd to me, since both my AEBS and AX are less than 2 months old...
I just read the post from LocoDoc and decided to see if I could replicate the problem. Sure enough, when I am connected to the internet via my AX extended 5GHz network signal and a Time Machine backup starts, the internet connection quits. Only recourse is to restart the AX. Note that I do not experience this problem with Time Machine while connected wirelessly straight to the AEBS 5GHz signal. Only when I am connected to the "extended" signal via the AX.

HT4600 my airport express is green, has connected but now is green and wont connect. AE is closer to wifi source now than before.

AE has green light but will not be recongnized. This has worked in the past. Now it was move closer to the Wfi. Signal stronger per iPone, iPad and laptop.

Morning stop the dupes,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
For troubleshooting on this, take a look at this article:
AirPort Quick Assist
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1145
These settings will help ensure maximum performance, security, and reliability when using Wi-Fi.
For more information on this, take a look at this article:
Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4199
Hope this helps,
Mario

AirPort Express Not Able to Connect Wirelessly

Hardware is iMac 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM. Mac OS 10.6.8
Connected to Internet via Motorola Surfboard SBG6580 Modem / Router, so I connect by wireless through the modem.
I followed the installation instructions to install AirPort Express to play music on my home stereo. I connected the Airport Express to the receiver by the tape port. I was not able to install AirpPort Express via wireless mode, so I connected the iMac to the AirPort Express by CAT-5 hard wire cord. The installation was successful and the AirpPort Express obtained an AP address. I was then able to play music from iTunes pm the iMac through the stereo speakers...as long as the AirPort Express was connected by hard wire to the iMac.
When I remove the CAT-5 cord from the AirPort Express, the AirPort Express retains the green light, but it is not able to receive data from the iMac. To the contrary, the AirPort Utility is not able to find any AirPort wireless devices unless the AirPort Express is connected via the hard wire CAT-5 cord.
As an experiment, I then connected the AirPort Express to the cable modem / router via the hard wire CAT-5 cord. The AirPort utility on the iMac was still not able to find any AirPort wireless devices. Further, the model then assigned a different AP address to the iMac so that it was not able to connect to the Internet..
Meanwhile, the AirPort Express still retains the green light, indicating the installation was a success and that it is ready to transmit.
Any advice to resolve this issue would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I suggest that you start by performing a "factory default" reset on the 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) to get it back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration. By default, the AXn will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN
After the reset has completed, plug the AXn into power, and then, verify from the iMac that this network shows up in the list of networks under the AirPort icon in the OS X menu bar. Does it?
If so, then from the AirPort icon, switch your iMac to connect to the AXn's wireless network. Note: You will temporarily lose the Internet connection from your Motorola router. Then, run the AirPort Utility. The Utility should now find the AXn. If not, use the Utility's "Configure Other" option under the File menu option in the Utility's menu bar. Enter 10.0.1.1 for the Address and "public" for the Password.
AirPort Utility > Select the AXn > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless
Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
Network Name: <existing Motorola's wireless network>
Wireless Security: <select the encryption type of the existing wireless network>
Wireless Password: <enter the existing wireless network password>
Verify Password: <re-enter the existing wireless network password>
AirPort Utility > Select the AXn > Manual Setup >Music
Enable AirPlay (checked)
iTunes Speaker Name: <enter desired speaker name>
iTunes Speaker Password: (optional)
Verify Password: (optional)
Click Update to write the new settings to the AX

Airport Express 1084: iTunes stops connecting

Hi Apple Community,
Thanks in advance for any help/assistance anyone can provide. My issue:
I own a really old Airport Express (model 1084). For years, I've only used it to stream music from iTunes on my iMac to speaker in my kitchen. I've never really had an issue with it.
After upgrading to Yosemite (10.1.1) I now have an issue. When I start to stream music to my kitchen speaker via the Airport Express connected to it, it initially works just fine. Then, after roughly a minute, it stops streaming. The status light on the Airport Express remains green. When I go back to my iMac, I see that only my "computer" speaker is checked. When I select "Kitchen Radio" (the name I gave my Airport Express) under the multiple speakers menu, iTunes attempts to re-connect to it, but it never can. Finally it give me an error message:
"An error occurred while connecting to the AirPlay device “Kitchen Radio”. An unknown error occurred (-65568)."
At that point, the only way I can get iTunes to re-connect to my Airport Express is to do a hard reset of the Airport Express (sticking a paperclip into the side of it, then plugging it in and waiting for the status light to flash), then set it up all over again. If I do that, it will connect to iTunes and begin to stream music again. But, after a minute, the music stops and the entire cycle repeats itself.
Any ideas on what I can try to do to rectify this issue?
A few notes:
Since my Airport Express is pretty old and I am running Yosemite, I cannot use the latest Airport Utility (6.3.4) to configure it. I have to use a workaround "launcher". I don't think Apple would like me posting what that is, but I believe it's a common one. In short, the workaround allows me to run Airport Utility 5.6.1 and, after I connect my Airport Express to my iMac via an ethernet cable, I can configure and set it up.
I don't use my Airport Express for anything other than streaming music from iTunes.
The wifi network in my house uses WPA/WPA2 Personal security.
The kitchen speaker I'm connecting to is a basic Tivoli radio (that I've used with my Airport Express for years without issue).
Any other info I can provide anyone, please let me know -- happy to do so!

Had the same problem myself, not with BT specifically, but think the same principal applies...
You currently have 2 wireless networks. One for BT and one for Airport, and the mac can only be connected to one wireless network at a time. The way I got things working was to:
Disconnect the mac from whatever wireless network it's connected to
Switch off the router
Connect the router to the airport express using an ethernet cable (should have got one with the router)
Switch the router back on.
The broadband signal is now being broadcast by the airport express, so if you connect to the airport network you can recieve the broadband signal and transmit to the express on the same network.
You can also set your network setting to connect to the airport network automatically. Think it's somewhere in system preferences / network. Can't remember exactly where and i'm not on a mac at the moment

Does an Airport Express require a wired connection to boost a Wi-Fi signal if I already have a wired Airport Time Capsule on the Network?

I want to boost the Wi-Fi signal around my house. I have a 3TB Airport Time Capsule connected to my Virgin Media modem via a WLAN connection but wonder if an Airport Express device can be used at a remote location purely wirelessly - apart from a power connection obviously?

Does AirPort Express require a wired connection.......if I already have a wired AirPort Time Capsule on the Network?
No, but you will have much better network performance if you do wire the AirPort Express.
The reason for this is that when you try to extend a network using wireless, you will typically lose about a half of the potential speed capability on the network.
There is no network speed loss when you wire the Express.
Here is what Apple's support document says about this:
In the case of a wirelessly extended network, throughput may be reduced to less than 60 percent of that of a single device. The general rule is to keep the Wi-Fi network as simple as possible. You can accomplish this by using the minimum number of Wi-Fi base stations required to service the physical network area and by using Ethernet wherever possible.
Extending the range of your Wi-Fi network by connecting Wi-Fi base stations together using Ethernet is always the best option, and will provide the best throughput

Airport Express stole my PC connection from the Extreme

(I posted this in the Airport Extreme (802.11n) forum, with no replies, so I will see if I get any luck with it in here).
I recently got the new Airport Express with 802.11n, and have just got it all up and running. My setup is as follows:
Modem is wired to the Airport Extreme.
Airport Extreme is wired to one PC (running Vista).
Airport Extreme is in a WDS network connecting to an Airport Express wirelessly.
Airport Extreme SHOULD be connecting wireless to my Macbook, another PC (running Vista), and a laptop (running Vista).
Airport Express is solely for connecting an Xbox 360 to the ethernet port (for the time being).
What it looks like in the Airport Utility however is that the Airport Express is claiming the wireless clients (as they appear in the wireless clients list, whereas they don't appear in the same list on the Airport Extreme anymore). So what this seems to be doing to my network is letting all the wireless devices (minus the Airport Express which is the only wireless client listed on the Airport Extreme) connect to the Airport Express, thus creating a dual wireless network, which in turn slows my connection to the internet significantly.
All items on the network are set up with DHCP, coz quite frankly, setting up static IP's scares me, haha.
What I would like to do is get the Airport Extreme to pick up all the wireless devices, and the Airport Express to only act as a hub to plug my 360 into.
Appreciate the impending help!
PS. I should also mention that the Express is set up as a Remote, not a Relay... and yet, that's what it's behaving like.
PPS. For what its worth, I had all my computers turned off, unplugged the Airport Express and Extreme. Turned on ONLY the Extreme, then all of the computers, and it wouldnt even pick up the network from the Extreme where previously (pre-Express) it was fine. As soon as I plugged the Express back in, bam, the computers can connect to the network again... but still through the Express!

Alright, I have solved the problem. So stupid, but I'll let people here know in the event they have the same issue.
On the Airport Express under the WDS tab, there is a tick box that's for "Allow wireless clients" which had to be unticked.... I'm guessing I was too tired last night to make logic of that, like I was thinking that it needed to be ticked in order for the Express to communicate with the Extreme. Apparently not.

After updating Time Capsule to 7.7.2, Airport Expresses can no longer connect

After I update the Time Capsule firmware to 7.7.2, my three Airport Expresses can no longer connect to the Time Capsule (their orange lights blink and they appear inaccessible in the Airport Utility). When I downgrade, they are able to connect fine.
They are connecting to the Time Capsule over my 5GhZ wireless network.
Any help?

Hi yonajon!
I have some resources for you that may help you resolve this issue. First, here is an article about addressing the blinking amber light:
Wi-Fi base station: Understanding and resolving a blinking amber status light
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1589
If you are still having issues, you may need to reconfigure your extended wireless network:
Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring an extended wireless network (802.11n)
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4259
Take care, and thanks for visiting the Apple Support Communities.
-Braden

Does airport express need to be connected to Internet to use purely for AirPlay ?

Does airport express need to be connected to Internet to use purely for AirPlay ? Or can I just attach to my stereo and have my Mac connect directly to it in the absence of a wireless network? Tks

HKCV wrote:
can I just attach to my stereo and have my Mac connect directly to it in the absence of a wireless network?
you will have to configure the express to create a wireless network but you do not need a connection to the internet.

HT1515 My internet 3rd party access point in in the basement and the speakers I want to stream music to wirelessly are upstairs. Does Airport Express need to be connected to my 3rd party router via ethernet cable or will it stream music wirelessly?

My internet 3rd party access point in in the basement and the speakers I want to stream music to wirelessly are upstairs. Does Airport Express need to be connected to my 3rd party router via ethernet cable or will it stream music wirelessly?

Wirelessly
Just select the option to make your AirPort Express join an existing network in the setup process

Since updating to Yosemite my airport express (used for airplay) connects for a short period then drops, the error message "An error occurred while connecting to the AirPlay device "Kitchen". The host cannot be reached." Has anyone else had this?

Since updating to Yosemite my airport express (used for airplay) connects for a short period then drops, the error message "An error occurred while connecting to the AirPlay device “Kitchen”. The host cannot be reached." Has anyone else had this problem

I'm having the same issue. Haven't found a workaround. I use a main TimeCapsule as my main router, also have another TimeCapsule that extends the network, three Airport Express and an AppleTV. For whatever reason, the two AirportExpress that I have in a different rooms cut out. I only have 600 square foot apartment so it's not that big, the signal should be strong enough. Airport Utilitiy reports the signal strength to be strong on all devices.
I'm using all new equipment, a new MacPro for my music, new TimeCapsules, new Airport Express, new everything with the latest Yosemite software. Very frustrating. My Airplay used to work very nice and now I'm constantly having issues and restarting my network. I did a fresh install of all my software on my MacPro when I got it in January so it's not as if it's an old machine with old software, everything is new within the last 6 months.
The only workaround I found so far is to unplug the devices and to plug them back in. Since upgrading to Yosemite, I'm restarting my Airport Express at least twice a week. Very annoying.

Hello, I'm trying to connect my new TiVo XL4 box to my home network via an ethernet cable connection to my Airport Express but the TiVo box is not seeing the network. I have a green light emanating from the Airport Express so it is connected. Plz advise.

Hello, I'm trying to connect my new TiVo XL4 box to my home network via an ethernet cable connection to my Airport Express but the TiVo box is not seeing the network. I have a green light emanating from the Airport Express so it is connected. Please advise.

If you have not already done so, I suggest that you temporarily disconnect the Ethernet cable from the AirPort Express that goes to the Tivo box.
Instead, turn off the wireless on a laptop and connect the laptop to the Ethernet port on the Express. See if you can get an Internet connection on the laptop.
If you still cannot get an Internet connection on the laptop, try another Ethernet cable that you know is working correctly.
Post back on your results.

HT1515 Airport Express indicates it isworking properly - but cannot connect to the internet

I have connected Airport Express to my cable company router via ethernet. Both the router and Airport Express (solid green light) indicate they are working properly. When I connect my laptop directly to the cable router, I can access the network. However, I cannot connect to to the Internet wirelessly from my laptop when I connect Airport Express to the cable router. I get a no internet connection error. When I try to diagnose and repair the problem, the network settings cannot be fixed. What should I do?

A flashing amber light indicates that the AirPort Express (AX) is not connected to either a network or the Internet.
How is your AX connected physically?
Is it: DSL/Cable modem > (Ethernet cable) > AX > (wireless) > Mac?
Did you run the AirPort Setup Assistant?

Can airport express boost signal without connecting to 3wire bigpond router?

Can airport express boost signal without connecting to 3wire bigpond router? just via wi-fi?

The Express would not sit with the bigpond router......it would need to be located in the area where you need more wireless signal coverage.
Assuming that you have an open available Ethernet port on the bigpond router, you can use that to connect the Ethernet cable to the Express and locate the Express where it is needed in a remote location.

MBP C2D + Airport Express + WPA frequently loses connection. but WEP OK

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for