Using airport express as range extender?

I have a airport express that I use as my primary router.
I also have the direct plug in airport express that I'd like to use as a range extender. I'd like to make this one fully wireless so that I can connect in an another room. However, I'm not sure that's possible. Does anyone know how to go about using this as an extender ?

Temporarily, connect an Ethernet cable from your Mac to the older A1264 AirPort Express
Power up the older Express for a few minutes, then hold in the reset button on the side of the Express for 10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility on your Mac
Click on the Other Wi-Fi Devices button, then click on AirPort Express xxxxxxx
AirPort Setup will open up and take a minute to analyze the network and announce that the A1264 Express will be configured to extend the new AirPort Express network.
Enter a device name that you want to use for the older Express and click Next
AirPort Setup will configure the older Express for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
Now you can disconnect the Ethernet cable that you used for the setup and move the older Express to a location that is about half way between the new Express and the general area that needs more wireless coverage. Power up the older Express and you should be all set.

Similar Messages

Trying to set up Airport Express as range extender

I successfully set up my new Airport Extreme base station. Now I want to add on my new Airport Express to extend the range of WiFi. I plugged in the Express, opened Airport Utility, selected the Express icon on the left. I get this message: "Setting up this AirPort wireless device requires switching wireless networks. Switching wireless networks may interrupt your connection to the Internet." What does this mean? Should I go ahead and click "Switch"? None of the directions in the manual or discussion forums mention this message in their instructions. I am timid! Can anyone advise me?

Bob, I had a big failure today. I clicked on Airport Extreme and "Switch," and chose the option "Extend the range of network." I answered the other required questions (password, etc.) then waited for Airport Utility to "Upgrade" the system. After about 3 minutes Airport Utility says that the network cannot be found! The whole internet service was down! Did not even appear in the Airport menu. The base station no longer appeared in the left column, and I had to reset and re-enter the base Extreme all over again.
Then I tried again but this time used Airport Express first. It said that my network "could not be found." I tried again the original way - I am embarrassed to tell how many times I tried this. Finally I gave up. I will be returning the Airport Express gizmo to amazon.com for a refund. I don't know how other smart people accomplished this, but apparently the range cannot be "extended' on Airport Extreme, so I sure don't need the Extender.
I wish I could learn something from this frustrating experience, other than I am not very capable, and Apple products are not all they are cracked up to be.
Any comments?

Can I use AirPort Express as booster/extender to LinkSys router signal?

I have LinkSys N router (which I got free, else would've bought AirPort), its signal isn't strong enough in office room. Can I use AirPort Express as a booster/extender? Some sources say Express can only talk to another Express, others say it can communicate with the LinkSys. Which is it? I don't want to spend the money for two Expresses unless I have no choice (very limited budget nowadays).
I've been hassling with this for over a month, and I'm extremely frustrated.
Thanks to anybody who can help me with this.

Most likely no. That is because most non-Apple router's implementation of WDS is not compatible ... and this is true the other way around. It is true that some early Linksys models, mainly the WRT-54 series were compatible, but I have not seen anything since then that is.

Using Airport as a range extender and LAN bridge.

Does the airport express act as a range extender and provide a LAN access bridge at the same time? I want to use it to connect my blu ray player to wifi, but also as a range extender for my google tv.

The AirPort Express can extend the wireless range of another AirPort: Express, Extreme, or Time Capsule. The Express can also perform as a wireless Ethernet bridge. As an Ethernet bridge, the Express can join another wireless network and its Ethernet port can provide network connectivity for wired clients.

How to use airport express as wifi extender?

I have a gateway wifi router from AT&T and I want to extend the wifi range but having problem configuring it. First when I plugged the airport express my Mac's airport utility cannot locate it. Then I decide to hard wire it and my Mac recognized it but it asked for my password when this is my first setup. After resetting airport I managed to bypass the password but now it seems to be picking up another network near by. After changing it to my provider the light on my airport is still blinking and whenever I click on the airport icon on the airport utility it will indicate that the wifi network I have chosen cannot be found and that I should make sure that my main router is plugged. So does anyone who uses AT&T's gateway router has any success in connecting with the express as an extender?

The Amber light is now steady.
The light is green when a device is configured correctly.
The main elements for a roaming configuration are as follows:
o The remote AirPort connects using Ethernet
o Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
("Extend" is used only with Apple devices when they connnect using wireless only....not Ethernet)
o Wireless network name on the AirPort is the same as the main router
o Wireless Security setting ont the AirPort must match the main router
o Wireless Password on the AirPort must match the main router
o The AirPort must be configured to operate in Bridge Mode

Setup Airport express network range extender for Time Capsule

Please help me to set up my AE to work as a range extender for my TC.
Anyone that can help me with step-by-step setup information? Your help would be much appreciated as I'm totally lost by now...
TC <--> AE <--> iPodTouch (i.e)

Welcome to the discussions!
You might want to follow Apple's step by step guide for setting up the "extend a wireless network" feature. I assume that you have an AirPort Express(n).
Reference pages 43-44 in the AirPort Neworks Guide.

Using Airport Express n to extend network

Hi,
I have had an Airport Extreme n for a while and using it very happily, however I wanted to boost the signal to the back of my house and also use Airtunes so I bought an Airport express n. I have got the airtunes working but I am not convinced that it is extending my network.
Could someone please advise what settings I need on both the Extreme and Express for the Express to extend the network.
I am also having trouble administrating the AX, Airport Utility can see the AX but unable to enter setup unless I reset the AX with the reset pin. Any ideas anyone.

See Page 46 of this manual:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/DesigningAirPort_Networks10.5-Windows.pdf

Do I have to use airport extreme to be a main network if I want to use Airport express extend my wifi range

Do I have to use airport extreme to be a main network if I want to use Airport express extend my wifi range.

You cannot extend wifi from a different brand router..
Only apple to apple.
But the apple router does not have to be the main router.. it can be in bridge.. as long as it is creating a wireless network it will work fine.

Use AirPort Express to Extend Original Router's Range

I have an existing router that works fine for the first and second floors of my house (it is not an Apple router), however, my Apple TV is in the basement and the WiFi coverage is absolutely horrible. I'm curious if I can use an AirPort Express router to extend the range of the initial router (I have Ethernet access in the basement) so that I can stream to my Apple TV from anywhere in the house.
Thanks!

Yes, if the AirPort Express is configured to create a wireless network that uses the exact same wireless network name, same wireless security setting (WPA2 Personal) and same wireless password as your existing router.
In addition, the AirPort must be configured to operate in Bridge Mode.
Other than naming the network and entering the password, AirPort Utility will take care of most of the settings automatically, assuming you have Mac running Lion (10.7.x), Mountain Lion (10.8.x), Mavericks (10.9.x), or you use an iPhone or iPad for the setup.
Note.....it would be much better if you could connect the Apple TV to the AirPort Express or your existing router using an Ethernet cable connection, not wireless.

How do I use airport express to extend my wireless network?

How vcan I extend the range of my wireless network using Airport Express?

It appears that you may have "join a wireless network" and "extend a wireless network" mixed up a bit.
The Express can "join" virtually any wireless network produced by any manufacturer's router if it is provided with the correct settings:
name of the wireless network
the correct wireless security settings
and correct password.
"Join" is normally used for AirTunes or to connect a USB printer to the Express for remote printing.
But, the Express does not provide any additional wirless coverage when it "joins" another wireless network.
Apple's "Extend a wireless network" feature, which was introduced about 5 years ago, allows the Express to connect to another Apple "n" wireless router and then "repeat" or "extend" the wireless signal....providing more wireless coverage in the area where the Express is located.
This is a proprietary setting. Apple says it will not work with devices from other manufacturers. To our knowledge, this is correct.
Prior to 2007, Apple used a setting called WDS to allow the Express to be configured to provide more wireless coverage. Attempts were made by a number of manufacturers to standardize the WDS settings, but things were never finalized.
The result is that Apple's older "b/g" routers were sometimes compatible with WDS settings from another manufacturer. There were a handful of products....5 or 6, as I recall....that were said to work. Some did, some didn't. Linksys had a couple of models, Netgear had one, SMC another, etc. Extremely limited.
Since WDS was never adopted as an industry standard, manufacturers developed their own WDS settings. Compatibility was extemely limited and unreliable. That continues to this day with WDS.
Bottom line....It is always best to stick with the same manufacturer throughout your network as far as routing is concerned.
If you have an newer "n" Apple router like an AirPort Extreme, the Express can extend the wireless as can along Extreme. If your Extreme is dual band, and you want to extend both bands, then you need another Extreme.
Another responder suggested to someone that they could connect the AirPort Express to a router via Ethernet. What exactly would that achieve?
That is a completely different subject since this discussion is about extending a wireless network using wireless only.

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections. For whatever reason when I have my express extend my wifi at home the download speed from just the express is absolutely terrible, drops to about 1.5 mb compared to when it's on the extremes part of the network the speed goes up to 50-75mb. These terrible download speed really only affects the iPhones as my MacBook Pro usually gets the good speed no matter where it is. I don't believe there is anything wrong with my phone because if I am in the part of the house that uses just the extreme the download speeds on the iphone goes up to 50-75mb. As a note I have an AirPort Extreme on the top floor of my house (second floor) that's where my modem is located. On the first floor that's where one airport express is located. I also have another airport express in the basement that is accessed by my landlord. Any thoughts on how to fix this would be helpful.

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections.
It appears that your networking goals with the AirPort Express is to use it as a wireless Ethernet bridge instead of using it to extend the wireless range of your AirPort Extreme. The latter requires that the Express Wi-Fi radios be enabled.
If you intended to use the Express as a wireless bridge, you just need to reconfigure it to "Join a wireless" network instead of "Extend a wireless network."
For whatever reason when I have my express extend my wifi at home the download speed from just the express is absolutely terrible, drops to about 1.5 mb compared to when it's on the extremes part of the network the speed goes up to 50-75mb.
In an extended network, the placement of the extending base station is critical as it can only extend the wireless network at the bandwidth at which it receives it.
Please check out the following AirPort User Tip for details on optimal base station placement.

HT4259 Extend existing WiFi signal using airport express?

I have a Belkin Play Max Wireless Router Modem in my existing WiFi set up.
I want to extend its range, could I connect a Airport Express wirelessly to extend its range (as my house does not have ethernet lines built in)?
And how would I be able to do it?

Apple's "extend" setting is a proprietary feature that is designed to only work with other Apple routers. So, it would be extremely unlikely that it would work with your modem/router from Belkin.....or any other manufacturer, for that matter.
Your best bet for compatibilty is to always use wireless routers and extenders from the same manufacturer on your network. Check with Belkin to see if they have what you need.

Using Airport Express to extend an existing wired/wireless Dlink network

Our network uses a Dlink router which must be located in the basement. Our home office Apple computers are wired, and the wireless Apple laptop is almost always used in the living room, directly above the Dlink, so no signal strength problems there. However, the wireless signal does not reach as far as the home office. It's only 20-25 feet away on the main floor, but for some reason, probably structural, the wireless signal doesn't penetrate.
Now I need to extend wireless access capability to the home office, so that I can use the iPod Touch in the office. I've read through a number of posts, and haven't found one that exactly matches this issue.
The information about joining an existing network has this sentence in it:
"Or you can use AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme to extend the range of an existing AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express network by creating a Wireless Distribution System (WDS)."
The existing network I have isn't an AX network. And it's both wired and wireless. And one of the detailed posts explained why a WDS was not the best way to go. Plus I'm confused by references to "base stations" which seem to refer to something that looks like a Time Capsule, not to an AX.
If AX will do what I want it to, I'm envisioning plugging it (all by its lonesome) in to a wall outlet in the hallway outside the home office. That's based both on what I want and what the salesperson said AX could do when I explained what was wanted.
The Dlink network has been working beautifully for months, and I don't want to do anything to screw it up! That includes even opening up the AX utility software until I know exactly what to do.
Can I do the setup (once it's explained!) on the wired computer? If I have to connect the AX to the network as part of the setup, can I use the 5-port switch that extends the wired connection the extra two feet to the computer (and also provides the wired network connection for the main printer)? Or should I take the laptop downstairs and connect the AX directly to the Dlink router?
Thanks,
Marg

+If I connected the AX by cable to my 5-port switch (which in turn is connected directly to the Dlink), would that constitute "an ethernet connection to the D-Link"? If so, then it should be possible to use it as described in your 6th paragraph, to "expand ... (our) main wireless network" -- is that right?+
Yes, this will work great.
+I'd never heard of ethernet powerline adapters, which sound very cool but are not wireless per se - you need a cable to connect the computer with at the far end, and it's wireless capability that I'm trying to create in the home office.+
Rather than hooking a computer up at one end, you could hook up the AirPort Express at one one and setup wireless that way. You won't need the adapters in this case since you have access to the switch. You may have need sometime in the future to get an ethernet signal to another part of the house, so keep this option in mind.
Here is how to setup the AirPort Express. You will use AirPort Utility, which should already be on your Mac Pro. Its located Hard Drive > Applications > Utilities.
Temporarily, connect the AirPort Express (AX) directly to your computer with a short ethernet cable to set it up. When you have the configuration done, you can disconnect the cable and move the AX to the location where it's needed.
Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab below the row of icons to enter a name and device password for the device and choose your time zone, etc.
Then click the AirPort icon in the row of icons at the top of the setup page.
Click the Wireless tab below the icons
Wireless Mode....Create a wireless netork
Wireless Network Name....Exact same name as your D-Link wireless network name
Radio Mode....802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)
Channel...Automatic (see note* at bottom)
Wireless Security...exact same setting as D-Link network
Wireless Password....exact same setting as D-Link network
Click the Internet icon in the row of icons
At the bottom of the page, make sure that the setting for Connection Sharing is set to "Off (Bridge Mode)". This setting allows the AX to work in tandem with the D-Link.
Update to save settings.
*Automatic will usually work well for this. Ideally, you want the D-Link and AX to be on channels that are least 5 channels apart. Automatic will usually choose an open channel, but you may need to manually set the channels on both routers for this step.
Your setup should work fine. Please post back on your progress or questions.

Using AirPort Express to extend my Linksys WRT160N router signal

I am currently using a Linksys WRT160n v2 Wireless Router in my home, but the signal in certain places is quite weak. Therefore, I bought an AirPort Express and was told that this could be used to boost my signal to the weak areas.
I am not sure how to accomplish this and need help!! I realize that using an AirPort Extreme Router would be easier, I just don't have the cash to purchase one right now. Is there anyone who can guide me through setting up my AirPort as a range extender for my Linksys WRT160n v2 Router?
Thank you in advance!!
Timothy Kortman

Why did you not just look into buying a Linksys Range extender instead of the Airport Ex?
There are also extenders from Hawking Tech that would have worked just fine like this one http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=32&FamID=105&ProdID=39 4 .
+*An aside...*+
i wished Linksys would have kept the detachable antenna design on their new routers, that way extending it's range would just be a matter of getting higher dbi antennas which are more cheaper than range expanders.
I currently have a run of the mill TrendNet router but hooked up to a high gain Hawking antenna and it outperforms most routers twice/thrice its price.

My Airport Express won't extend range. How to set up?

My Airport Express won't extend the range of my Airport Extreme. How should I set it up to get it to work? Stuart

When the Express is configured to "extend" it is a wireless repeater.
"Adding Wi-Fi base stations when it is unnecessary
Speaks for itself
can reduce Wi-Fi throughput because the Wi-Fi network will require more data management overhead."
As will adding another computer, iPhone or any wireless device to the network, for that matter.
FWIW, I have run 4 AirPort Expresses all setup to "extend" and noticed nothing except faster Internet browsing and download speeds throughout the house.
IF...you can connect the AirPort Express to the AirPort Extreme using an Ethernet connection, that will provide better overall performance. That is the way any commercial network is designed, except on a much larger scale.

Using airport express as range extender?

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