Problem with setting up Airport Express to join an existing network

I want to use an Airport Express to stream music from iTunes to my stereo. I've followed all of the instructions in Airport Utility (latest update) to the end, when the Airport Utility starts to update and loses sight of my airport Express. I get the following message: "Airport Utility was unable to find your AirPort device after restarting. The setting for this AirPort device was successfully updated, but there was a problem in joining the network or the Airport device." After this, the only way I can get back on the internet is to use the Network panel in System Preferences. When I start that off, I get this message: "Airport has the self-assigned IP address x.x.x.x and will not be able to connect to the internet." After rejoining my network, I'm back where I started from, but the MacBook cannot see the Airport Express device. I have to do a Factory Reset, in order to start over. But I end up just where I was: with Airport Utility losing sight of Airport Express and I having to return to Network Preferences to get back on the Internet.

Welcome to the discussions, Matt!
"Airport Utility was unable to find your AirPort device after restarting. The setting for this AirPort device was successfully updated, but there was a problem in joining the network or the Airport device."
This error occurs when the AirPort Express does not receive the correct information to join the wireless network. The settings that you provided were stored successfully on the AirPort Express...what the message does not tell you is that unfortunately they were not the right settings. It's almost always a security setting that causes this error.
Please go into your wireless router and locate the settings page. We need to know the exact type of wireless security that your router is using. When we have this information, we should be able to recommend a compatible setting for the AirPort Express or another setting on your wireless router that will allow a successful connection.

Similar Messages

I did set up my Airport Express to extend my existing network. It did ok but I can't see the name assigned to the Airport Express name in my available networks. Is that normal?

I did set up my Airport Express to extend my existing network. It did ok but I can't see the name assigned to the Airport Express name in my available networks. Is that normal?

If the AirPort Express is extending your network it is using the same wireless network name as your "main" router.
Your main router and the Express act like one "big" network now.
Your computer will connect to either the main router or the Express automatically....depending on where it sees the best signal.

HT1731 How does one configure a NEW (unconfigured) AirPort Express to join a WiFi network that has a non-broadcasted SSID?

The following KB article assumes that the user has a configured AirPort Express:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1731
I reset my AirPort Express, because the SSID of the WiFi network changed and its name is not broadcast for security reasons.
When using the "AirPort Utility" ( not the "AirPort Admin Utility" – which is the wrong name of the application in the article! ) the application found the unconfigured AirPort Express, connected to the LAN via ethernet; However, when selected, the configuration "wizard" assumes that the user wants to configure the AirPort Express as a WiFi base station.
I selected the option to have the AirPort Express join a WiFi network; However, the AirPort Utility sent back an error, saying that a "Base station" ( WiFi network?! ) could not be found. Well, guess what? That's because the SSID of the network I want the AirPort Express to join.
UGH!
...and the best part is that there is no other solution, but to run with the AirPort Utility's assumptions, configure the AirPort Express as a WiFi Base station, then follow the KB article's instructions ( which are not accurate ) to re-configure the AirPort Express as a WiFi client.
This is a really bad user experience, Apple.
Please try following your own instructions to see how fantastically they fail..then, re-write your KB articles.
Thanks,
PS — If anyone knows of any easier methodologies, do tell. (That's the "question" part of this inquiry )
PPS — My Mac Pro, which I used to configure the AirPort Express, does not have WiFi.
PPPS — Why do all the articles that match searches for "AirPort Express" return articles that refer to "AirPort Base Stations"?! Please, for the love of UX, be consistent!

Here are the basic steps:
Run the AirPort Utility
Select the AirPort Express
Click on Manual Setup
Click on the AirPort icon
Click on the Wireless tab
For Wireless Mode, select the "Join a wireless network" option
In the Wireless Network Name field, enter the SSID of the hidden wireless network you want the Express to join.
Select the approrpriate wireless security type in the Wireless Security window.
Enter the appropriate wireless security password for the hidden network.
Click on Update.

HT4259 Trying to set up airport express to extend my wireless network. Primary base station is a time capsule. Even when I plug in the airport express to mac it cannot find it.

Trying to set up airport express to extend my Wi-Fi network. Primary base station is a time capsule. Tried searching for airport express using Wi-Fi status, no luck. Even tried plugging airport express into iMac, still no luck. Airport express showing solid amber light. Thanks for any help.

Airport express showing solid amber light
Unfortunately, this can mean one of two things:
1) The Express is locked up and will need a Factory Default Reset procedure to try to return the device back to its original default settings so that it can be reconfigured again.
2) The Express is defective. If you cannot get the Express back to a slow, blinking amber light after a Factory Default Reset, the Express will need to be replaced.
Try the Factory Default Reset a few times and report back on your progress.
Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule FAQ

Problem with surfboard seg6580 & Airport Express (latest gen)

I can wiressly connect and iPad and Apple TV (latest models) to the internet but I cant to the same with the Airport Express.

Welcome to the discussions, Matt!
"Airport Utility was unable to find your AirPort device after restarting. The setting for this AirPort device was successfully updated, but there was a problem in joining the network or the Airport device."
This error occurs when the AirPort Express does not receive the correct information to join the wireless network. The settings that you provided were stored successfully on the AirPort Express...what the message does not tell you is that unfortunately they were not the right settings. It's almost always a security setting that causes this error.
Please go into your wireless router and locate the settings page. We need to know the exact type of wireless security that your router is using. When we have this information, we should be able to recommend a compatible setting for the AirPort Express or another setting on your wireless router that will allow a successful connection.

Problem with factory resetting Airport Express

I am trying to do a hard factory reset my airport express. I want to reset it to the factory default so that I can change the settings so that it connects to my comcast wirless modem. I followed the instructions on the apple support site. I held the reset button will the device was unplugged and then plugged it in while still holding the reset button. I held it until the green light flashed four times. But the stupid thing will not reset at all. Just the same blinking orange light. No green light. And of course, non identifiable on airport admin utility. This is really frustrating. Anyone know how to solve this problem.
Thanks

I have the exact problem described by AKAPLG. I've tried EVERYTHING with no good result.
- My network does NOT show up in AirPort Utility (and even the old Airport Admin Utility)
- Even after hard reset I can still see the old name of my network but am still unable to join it.
- I've tried connecting directly with Ethernet to my MacBook Pro, but it is unclear what I'm supposed to do next, the manual doesn't mention this at all. When it's connected I do not see my AX in the AirPort Utility menu when I rescan.
- The "Factory Reset" described by the booklet that came with the 802.11n device is inconsistent with what I see when I try it. I get a single green blink followed by a long solid yellow (sorry Amber) followed by blinking amber. I never see 4 green blinks, as described.
This is the worst Apple experience I've ever had. Period. Any more advice please before I take this POS back to the store and trade it for a punch in the ribs or a hot stick shoved in my eye?
Message was edited by: jpembert

Strange and Serious Problem With My New Airport Express

I've Just replaced my airport express after my old one died a few weeks ago. When I plug the airport in and connect ethernet it works straight away, no problem. There's a yellow light flashing, and the Airport Utility software is prompting me to set it up with a name and password.
I've done all of this before with previous airports, always easy, always worked.
For this one though, as soon as i name the base station or network, or add a password, after restarting the airport I get a full wireless connection but no internet, email or anything actually working (shows up as a full wireless connection on my i phone too which won't do anything). There was a firmware update the day after i got it this week which also installed, but still the same thing.
If i reset the airport in the utility software all works fine again. but, no password and a flashing yellow airport light.

I've tried again... I really can't understand what should be a very simple procedure just isn't working.
Setup name and password, restart, full signal, no internet connection but a green light on the airport. Restore default settings in airport utility, yellow flashing light, full internet, but no password...

Apple TV causing problems with Airplay from Airport Express?

I am having a problem with Airplay on my home network. I have two Airplay devices - Apple TV and an Airprot Express. I soon as both of these devices are on my wireless network Airplay starts to create all kinds of errors, delays, inability to connect and ultimately both AP devices crash.
The AE is connected to the existing network and is only being used as an airplay device to send music to a set of speakers.
I have looked at the knowledge base & I tried all of the following (plus every conceivable combination):
Restored both the Apple TV & AE to factory settings.
Checked both are on independent IPs.
Checked all the settings on my router.
Restarted my router.
Changed the channel on my router (it's worth mentioning here that both devices are on a 5GHz connection).
It's also worth noting that when I did a factory reset of everything and set the ATV up on an ethernet connection everything worked swimmingly until I unplugged the ethernet cable and connected the device to the wireless network.
Both work independently (i.e. when the other is not connected to the wireless network), but need restarting if the two have been run at the same time.
So - in a nut shell - it appears to me that the two devices are interfering with each other - but how?!
Are any geniuses out there able to help?
Thanks in advance.

Thanks Winston. I put the APE onto the 2.4 connection. This didnt solve this issue, but then with the two devices on the different connections I changed the channels a few times and eventually I found a coblination that works! I now have a problem where the ATV doesn't wake up to AirPlay, but I feel this is most likely a separate issue.

Problem with set up airport time capsule and ATT net gear 7550 router

how to set-up airport time capule to work with AT&T Netgear 7550 router. i keep getting an error

Since this is a full router.. simply set the TC to bridge mode..
Plug WAN TC into the LAN of the Netgear.
Highly recommend using ethernet to do setup as well.
Go to airport utility.. and select the TC. If it doesn't appear in the airport utility tell us.
When you click it a summary page will come up.. click edit on the summary.
Go to the network tab and select bridge mode..
Then go to the wireless tab.. you can choose here from a few options.. I recommend create a wireless network. And use a different name to the existing wireless of the Netgear.. use wireless names that are short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric.. they just work better. Use it for whatever device is going to use the TC to backup.. for internet it doesn't matter if you connect to the netgear or the TC .. whichever is better connection.

I have read all of the similar issues on this site and I still cannot connect my airport extreme (although there is no problem with my old airport express - help...

i have read all of the numerous and similar issues on this subject. and i still cannot connect my new airport extreme. my old airport express works fine still. help. and why are there so many issues with connecting this stuff? i thought this stuff was supposed to be getting easier, not harder... thanks.

Sorry, but I have no idea on what you have read and tried so far so please forgive me for any redundancy.
Is your AirPort Extreme the only router in your current network configuration? Which exact model is it? If there are other routers being used, please provide their make(s) & model(s). Also the make & model of your Internet modem.
What is your goal with the Extreme? Is it to replace the "old" AirPort Express? Will you still be using the Express for any reason(s)?

Problems with brand new AirPort Express

I have had some issues with a new AirPort Utility. Here's the timeline of what I did/what happened:
- Plugged in APE
- Istalled AP Utility on Win7 machine & updated to latest version.
- Found APE wirelessly ok. Also connected RJ45 cable, and found it that way.
- Went through set up, and entered details of home network to try to get APE to connect to it. Seemed to go ok, but needed to restart the APE to complete.
- On APE restart, could no longer find it over LAN or Wireless.
- Also, couldn't restore my original network connection on Win7 machine.
I have now hit rest button on APE, I have done system restore on Win7 machine, I have power-cycled my router, and I have tried to repeat entire set up process using an XP Pro machine. All to no joy. Still can not see APE (from either machine, LAN or wireless) and still can not connect Win7 machine to home network (fine connection via XP machine, iPad and other devices, etc.)
Can someone help?

Ok, let's double-check your WDS setup ...
Set up a Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
(Note: To facilitate the WDS set up, place the base stations in near proximity of each other during the initial configuration phase. Be sure to jot down the AirPort ID MAC addresses for each of the base station that will be used in the WDS.)
Main Base Station Setup - AEBS
Either connect to the AirPort Extreme Base Station's (AEBS) wireless network, or, temporarily, connect directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the LAN port of the AEBS, and then, use the AirPort Admin Utility (located in /Applications/Utilities), in manual mode, to make the following settings.
WDS Tab
o Enable this base station as a WDS: main base station (checked)
o Allow wireless clients on this base station (optional)
o Click "+" to add the Remote base station.
o Select the AX.
o AirPort ID: <verify that this is the correct wireless MAC address for AX>
o Auto configure as a WDS remote base station (checked)
o Click "OK."
o Verify that the AX has been added to the list.
o Click "Update."
o Allow wireless clients on this base station (checked)
o New network name: <verify that this is the same as the network name for the AEBS>
o TCP/IP: Configure using DHCP
o Base Station Password: <the AX base station's password>
o Confirm: <same as previous step>
o Click "OK."

HELP! Problem with setting up Airport Extreme in "extend wireless network mode"!

So I am trying to put my AirPort extreme in extend a wireless network mode. So I factory reset it, plugged it in, and went into Airport Utility to set it up. So it finds the device, and I set it up to extend the network. It does everything, and it gets set up. But there is an error message that says it was unable to extend the wireless network. Then 1 minute later, the Airport Extreme drops out, and the Airport Utility says device not found. I tried this multiple times, and it keeps happening. What should I do?

Unfortunately, the AirPort Extreme will not be able to wirelessly extend a Netgear product. That feature will only work if you are connecting the AirPort Extreme to another Apple router.
If you want the AirPort Exteme to provide more wireless coverage, you will need to plan to connect it to the Netgear router using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection.

Using the AirPort Express to Join an existing Wireless Network

Hello,
I am hoping you can provide me with some help on this... I recelty acquired a PowerMac G4 with a 450 MHz processor, CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, Zip Drive, 1 GB RAM, and two 40 GB HD... The system has OS 10.4 installed, and it is has built-in Ethernet...
I was told I could use the Airport Express to connect to an existing wireless network, so I purchased an Airport Express base Station... Thing is, to e honest, I am having a bit of a problem getting started...
- First, to connect from the AirPort Express to my G4, do I need a special kind of Ethernet cable, or will the usual kind do?
- Second do I need to istall the software first, or have the Airport express connected to the G4 before I do?
How would I go about setting this up, step-by-step?
Any information would be appreciated...
Thanks for your time...

OK, thanks. Hopefully, the Netgear is creating a wireless network using WPA/WPA2 security. That will make it much easier for the AirPort Express (AX) to join the wireless network. It can join networks with using WEP security, but password issues almost always arise using WEP.
Since you must enter the exact security settings and password for the wireless network, it would help tremendously to know this in advance. Otherwise, it's going to be a series of "trial and errors" and likely frustration, later on.
When you have a moment, check the security settings on the Netgear router.
It might be one of the following: WPA2 Personal, WPA/WPA2 Personal, WEP 128, WEP 40.

How can I use an Airport Express to join my wireless network and provide an internet signal to my Power Mac g5 via an ethernet cable?

I have a power mac g5 that does not have a wireless card, and connects to the internet via ethernet cable.
I want to know how to set up an airport express so that it joins my wireless home network and provides the G5 with an internet signal.
This via an ethernet cable that is plugged into the airport express and then into the ethernet port on the g5.
Please advise as I have configured the airport express in every way possible, the green light is on and when I plug the ethernet cable into the G5 my network cofigurations shows nothing and says that the ethernet cable is not plugged in (It is).
I get an internet signal if the ethernet cable is plugged directly into my wireless router, so the ethernet port works.
Please assist. Thanks.

Two requirements that must be met to do what you want.......
1) An AirPort Express 802.11n must be used. Check the Model No on the label on the side of the Express. It needs to be A1264. Any other model number will not do what you want.
2) The Express must be configured to "Join a wireless network" and the option to enable Ethernet Clients must be checked.
Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
The box to "Allow Ethernet Clients" must be checked
Please check to verify that your AirPort Express meets both requirements

Airport express connected to my existing network - Can I connect a device to the network through it's ethernet port?

Is it possible when my airport express is wirelessly connected to my existing network - to connect a device to the network through it's ethernet port or is it wireless only at that point?
I'm trying to connect my A/V Receiver in another room to my network without having to run a CAT5 cable all the way to the router. I'd rather be able to connect it to my airport express if it will work that way.

Is it possible when my airport express is wirelessly connected to my existing network - to connect a device to the network through it's ethernet port or is it wireless only at that point?
Yes.....IF
You have an AirPort Express 802.11"n" version configured to "join a wireless network" and you have enabled the option to "Enable Ethernet Clients"
Or
You have an AirPort Express 802.11"n" configured to "extend a wireless network" from another Apple "n" router, in which case the Ethernet port is enabled by default

Problem with setting up Airport Express to join an existing network

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