Why is my Airport express so slow?

My Airport Express (purchased spring 2012) is super slow. I have a 100/10 MBit fibre connection, but the airport express seldom takes me beyond 10Mbit/s. Usually it clocks in at 3MBit/s. Now before you start considering other bottlenecks check this out:
Running Ethernet on my MBP gets me close to the limit: 96 MBit/s. The fibre is good.
Setting up my MBP to share a ethernet connection over WiFi gets me around 50 MBit/s
Hooking up a very old Airport Extreme gets me around 15MBit/s.
I have tried every 2.5GHZ and 5 GHz channel. Not much difference. The signal is pretty okay, around 50-60% according to iStumbler. Noice levels are at 15%.
Right now I'm running 7.6 firmware, tried 7.6.1. No difference.
Is the express really this bad?
TOM

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Why does my Airport Express say "self assigned IP address"? No IP address for the ethernet, and it is not connecting to my cable router any longer...

Why does my Airport Express say "self assigned IP address"? No IP address for the ethernet, and it is not connecting to my cable router any longer...

Some cable providers.....like mine, a well known company......seem to take anywhere from a few moments to sometimes up to 30 minutes to allow their equipment back at the cable company to fully reset and issue a new fresh connection.
So, it would not hurt to leave things powered down for 15-20 minutes or more when you perform the reset that John Galt suggests.

Why does my airport express keep cutting out?

Why does my airport express keep cutting out?

I have a 1st gen Airport Express and use it to stream music from my PC, iPhone 4, iPad and iPod Touch. My Airport Express is connected to a Teac UD-H01 DAC via an optical cable which is connected to an amp and speakers. I had no problems at all with this set up until I upgraded the Airport Express firmware to 7.6.3. The sound then started to drop out frequently. To cut a long story short after various testing, the problem had to be the Airport Express. I called Apple support but they were not much help and couldn't fix the problem and said they would speak to engineering and phone back. While I was waiting I decided to have another go to find the problem and opened the airport utility and saw that there was an option to downgrade the firmware. At this point I realised that the problems started about the same time that I upgraded the firmware to 7.6.3 but didn't think at the time that Apple would release a firmware that didn't work. Anyway I downgraded to 7.6.1 and hey presto, everything worked again. A couple of days ago I noticed that firmware 7.6.4 was available and thought I'd give it a go, not good - same problem as 7.6.3. I've downgraded to 7.6.1 again and all is well. Hope this helps.

Airport Express extremely slow

Hi,
I am using an airport express (n) to extend my wireless network from my time capsule. The time capsule is connected to my cable modem in the office. When I do a bandwidth test from my computer in the office I get speeds of about 22mbps. The express is located in the living room for the family to use their laptops (all n) and our apple TV. In that room we are only getting speeds of about 1mbps making using the apple tv painful for trying to watch HD movies and browsing in general very slow.
I seem to be getting a fine signal on the express so for the life of me can't figure out why its so slow. I would expect a bit of slowdown but this is really bad... Anyone else have a similar issue that they were able to resolve?

Check your configuration settings again for the Time Capsule and Airport Express using AirPort Utility. You may need to temporarily relocate the Express near the Time Capsule to do this.
Open AirPort Utility. On the Time Capsule, note the AirPort ID of the device in the information to the right and jot that down. Click Manual Setup, then click the Wireless tab below the row of icons. The key settings to check are:
Wireless Mode...Create a wireless network
Make sure you have a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended".
On the AirPort Express, select that device in AirPort Utility and also note its AirPort ID, then click Manual Setup
Wireless Mode....Extend a wireless network
Wireless Network Name....Exact name of your network that the Time Capsule is creating
Make sure you have a check mark next to "Allow wireless clients"
Security...same setting as the Time Capsule
Password...same setting as the Time Capsule
Update if you make any changes and temporarily power off the AirPort Express
Take your laptop to the area where the Express will be located and test to make sure that you can get a good, reliable connection. If you can't, neither will the Express. Position the Express closer to the Time Capsule. Start at 1/2 to 2/3 of the distance between the Time Capsule and the area you want to "extend". Most users tend to position too far away from the main device.
Power up the Express. Hold down the option key on your computer and click on the fan shaped Airport icon at the top of your computer screen. Look for the BSSID. That should be the AirPort ID of your Express, indicating that is is functioning correctly. Look for the Transmit Rate. What number do you see?

Airport (express) extremely slow wifi and ethernet speeds! Please help!

Hello there,
I am having some difficulty with my new airport express. Basically I got it to use while at university where they only have ethernet. It's like a hotel, once you connect to it you log in via a web browser.
The issue is I plug it in, set it up to create a new wireless network, everything connects to it fine (macbook, ipad etc) but then the speed is HORRIBLE.
I did a speed test on my iPhone (over wifi) and the down speed was about 10x slower than what it was connecting my laptop straight to the ethernet port on the wall.
The laptop when plugged in via ethernet to the airport base station was even slower! Speedtest couldn't even load itself.
I used to use my macbook pro and just share the connection with other devices I had, but I didn't like leaving it on near 24/7.
I'm failing to understand why my macbook pro shares the internet fine with other devices, but the airport express cannot do the same (it shares it, but SUPER slow).
Any tips would be appreciated. I've come here as a close to last resort .
In bridge mode it shares the internet with any one device absolutely fine as well.
Hopefully someone can help me out!
Thanks,
Tan

Ha that's highly unlikely they can tell you have a router don't worry!
Right so I figured it out after numerous attempts!! My internet is now super fast to all devices and no slow issues at all!
What I did was to change the settings for router mode to 'DHCP and NAT' and although the airport came up with an error about double NAT, this is actually what we want. So you can click the ignore button.
By changing it to NAT the router appears as one device on the uni network and the devices that connect to it are monitored soley by the router so they don't really appear on the uni network. This means that the connection that was previously split to three devices through one point on the uni network is now only going to 'one' device (router) which is then splitting the connection itself and so it's much faster!
Hope that makes sense I know I haven't explained it very well...
I've left all other settings as default in case you were wondering.
Good luck!

Why my older Airport Express does not work with OS-X 10.9?

After getting my new iMac and upgrading to Marveric, I can not get my older AirPort Express work. Why?

Mavericks does not support the older "b/g" wireless versions of the AirPorts, only the newer "n" wireless versions.
You can use another Mac running Leopard or Snow Leopard, or a PC to administer the older AirPort Express.

HT1515 why does my airport express keep going offline?

i use airport for air play but it keeps going into flashing amber light about every week. why?

I found on some non-Apple tech sites some interesting info. One guy was having the same exact issues and wrote a script to see what was going on between the Airport base station and the Airport Expresses. It appears that the two devices were having security verification issues and that is why the Airport Expresses get getting knocked offline. In other words, when they talk with each other they fail the security verification and the Airport Expresses go haywire.
So the solution is to turn off the security on both the Airport base station and the Airport Expresses through the Airport Utility. Then, on the Airport base station you check the option to create a closed network. In other words, your wi-fi network is now unprotected but it is not broadcasting to anyone that it is there. From then on, you will have to choose "other" on your laptops/iPads/iPhones/etc and type in your wi-fi network's name rather than just choosing your wi-fi network from a list of options.
I did this a few weeks back and I have had zero issues since the very moment I did the above steps. The network is 100% reliable and faster. No more rebooting. Is it a tad bit unprotected? Yes, but no one knows the network is there. If someone is smart enough to be looking for non-broadcasting wi-fi networks and finding yours, then they are sophisticated enough to defeat your normal security protocols anyway. Maybe if Apple ever decides to fix this problem, which appears they might not be interested in doing, then you could go back to normal security protocols. But until then, this works wonderfully. Give it a try and see.

Why does my airport express loose my network?

Airport express looses network connection often, why?

It is very possible that you may have some form of Wi-Fi interference that is preventing your AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) from getting a clean Wi-Fi signal to connect to.
I suggest you perform a simple site survey, using utilities like iStumbler, or AirRadar to determine potential areas of interference, and then, try to either eliminate or significantly reduce them where possible.

Airport express very slow when extending Time Capsule

I'm trying to help my father solve a networking problem.
For the past several years, I had him using an airport base station and (2) Airport Express units as extenders.
He was using a circa 2004 Powerbook G4 17" and a MacPro Dual Core tower unit.
I finally got him to upgrade the Powerbook to a the new Macbook Pro i7. With the older computer out of the loop, I also upgraded him to Time Capsule.
Everything is installed and running now. However, the network speed in portions of the house where the Express is supplying the signal is very slow. A test on the laptop with DSL Reports gave an average upload speed of about 200.
When I move the laptop right next to the Time Capsule, I got a DSL Report speed of 22,000!
This issue is not laptop specific (it shows up more on the MacPro because it's in a back room), but seems directly related to the speed passing through the Airport Express.
What did I do wrong or do the Express units need to be upgraded (they are on firmware 6.3)?
Thanks!

Bob -
Was wondering if you can elaborate on your response and perhaps help me? I apologize if I have missed this topic covered elsewhere.
I am using a N-capable Time Capsule and an older model G-speed airport express. My biggest issue is that my wireless speeds are 1.5 download and 1.9 upload when in fact my cable modem pumps out 15! In reading your posts I see that my network is likely dropped down to G due to my old express, and in fact my computer may be running of a spliced version of that if using WDS settings?
I think i'll end up calling apple support at some point but was curious if you can go over the facts of using N and G together, and if i can have my macbook pro speak to my N network only and my iphone 3G speak to G airport express only?
Last piece of info is I use the airport express for my music.... not sure if this means they must be WDS or not? I'm just looking to get my N devices as fast as possible while continuing to use my G express. If you tell me i need to upgrade to a N express I can live with it.... but if i can avoid the $100 and work with what i have...all the better!
Thanks in advance,
Joe

Extended Time Capsule WiFi network using Airport Express - Result: SLOW internet

Hi everyone,
I have a little issue with my wireless internet.
Currently I have a 2Mbps down and 256Kbps up internet home. My ISP modem is connected directly to my Time Capsule (TC) and I don't have any problem when using the WiFi from the Time Capsule.
Recently, I wanted to extend my TC WiFi Range and bought an Airport Express to do that job. I've configured everything using the default/recommended settings.
The WiFi range was correctly extended but the problem is now, when I'm using Internet in the extended zone; it is REALLY slow!! I have done some speed tests in the extended zone with different devices (iPad, iPhone, PC, Mac...), and as result I have in average 128Kbps down and 50Kbps up!! You can imagine how this is annoying!
I tried to see the configurations of the Time Capsule and the AirPort Express and I didn't find anything that could explain that.
So, could someone please help me to fix that problem?
Thank you all in advance,
Mathieu
P.S.: FYI, The radio mode used for the wifi is 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible).

I'm not sure I necessarily agree at this point, as the two walls could cause significant Wi-Fi interference to prevent the extended network to perform well beyond the room the TC is in.
One way to quickly determine this is to make a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) calculation at the location of the AXn. SNR (in dB) = Signal (in dBm) - Noise (in dBm) and it represents the signal quality at that location from the router providing the wireless network.
To get an accurate picture, you will want to temporarily power-down the AXn since we only want to calculate the SNR for the TC at the location of the AXn.
You can get the Signal and Noise values directly from your Mac. Of course, it would be easier if your Mac is a laptop version, so I will assume at this point that it is.
While placing your Mac laptop near the AXn, open up the System Profiler. (ref: Apple icon in the menu bar > About This Mac > More info ... > Contents > Network > AirPort Interfaces > en1 > Current Network Information > Find your wireless network > Signal / Noise)
A SNR of 25+ dB would be desirable. For HD streaming performance, you will want an SNR of 35+ dB. Please post back your results.

Does Airport Express 'g' slow down an 'n' Base Station network?

I've got a network of 2 computers and a printer on an Airport Extreme 'n' Base Station. I've recently added the original Airport Express ('g') to that network to take advantage of AirTunes. Do I compromise the speed of the network by introducing a slower device into it?
If so, is there different behavior for wired vs. wireless connections? My laptop is wireless, my MacPro does not have Airport and is hardwired to the network.
I want to buy another Airport Extreme for another room. The new one will be 'n' so there would be two AE's connected, each different. Will everything run to it's maximum potential?

And I take it all this does not affect the speed for the Ethernet connected components?
Assuming there's no intervening wireless connection, yes.
PS - Lazarus describes nicely how a b/g/n base station should work, ideally, but as he implies, "dual-band" doesn't mean "two transceivers" necessarily ("two antennas", yes). As I understand it, the 802.11n spec requires that the device also be capable of b/g operation, so it would have to be able to transceive at 2.4 and 5 GHz -- but perhaps not at the same time, so maybe one transceiver is enough.
In any case, I've seen posts that agree with Chris Brown's description of how the AEBSn behaves.

Airport Extreme extended with Airport Express - extremely slow

I know this is not new. I have seen many discussions on this subject but no real answer.
My setup: ADSL modem connected to a AEBS (square, N compatible). Yesterday I got an older Airport Express (draft N) and extended the WiFi netowork.
I understand that this extension will reduce the speed but I didnt expect it to be that slow:
Download speeds:
- cable connection to the AEBS: >10 Mb/s
- wireless connection near the AEBS: 9.5 Mb/s
- wireless connection near the Airport Express: 0.2 Mb/s !!!
In the Airport Utility the Airport Express connection shows as GOOD.
Is it normal? Should I try to change configuration, channels, anything to improve this?
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Tonden

From my experience of setting up the Airport WiFi for family members and friends, I have learnt the following :-
1. Airport Express is not as good as Airport Extreme, for being as extender, the difference can be quite a lot.
2. There is always a dead cornor (bad reception) in a house
3. Even moving the Airport Extreme / AE a few inches, the performance can be improved quite significant
4. If possible, always choose 5G 802.11n than 2.4G, unless there are many thick walls.
My suggestion will be as follows :
1. Moving out the AEBS out of a closet, is a good idea
2. Always try to locate the AEBS in the centre of a area, instead of the two sides
3. Try to test the AEBS without an extender, and find the best location area (don't place on the floor, neither above 6 feet height)
4. After finding a best location, set the extender closer to the AEBS, and then moving apart from it (check the performance after every move), it is better that both devices can face each other.
5. I can't tell you the reason, and some people may not agree with me, the new 2013 Airport Exteme performance is better and may be is a good idea to replace your Airport Express, and use it to connect with your router, and old AEBS as an extender
6. Some Powerlinks (in case you can't use a wired ethernet connection between the two devices) work and some don't work with Apple Airport products, therefore, if possible, have an option to return them to the shop if they do not match
Good luck

Why is my Airport Express signal picked up by only one computer?

I have a 17" Powerbook G4 running 10.4.10 and have had no problems using my Airport Express device for the last few years. I have it set to WPA2 Personal. I also have a Macbook also running 10.4.10. Both have been on my network with no problems. In the last two weeks I have not been able to pick up a signal from my Airport Express on my Powerbook. My Powerbook is picking up all the other signals from my neighbors so I think my hardware is fine. I have since tried resetting my AE by pressing the reset button on the unit. I have tried reconfiguring the unit with Airport admin utility and Airport setup and nothing seems to work. My macbook is picking up the signal full strength. Both computers are only about 8 feet away from the AE. Anyone have suggestions as to what my problem may be?
Powerbook G4, Macbook Mac OS X (10.4.10)

email me. if you click my handle above you will see my email.

Why does 2 Airport Expresses connects to one another instead of connecting to the primary Airport Extreme For internet Connectivity ?

I have Netgear DG834G router only for dsl connectivity wifi connectivity to that router is off. i have connected netgear that provides adsl connectivity to the (Shakeel's Airport Extreme) Airport Extreme dual band Wireless N 5th generation via cat 5 cable so airport extreme is the main wifi device through which i get wifi signals at my home. now our house is big and i have installed the adsl netgear modem and airport extreme router at the same place in my room in the upper story but the signals are weak even in the upper story at the other end of the house so i have installed the new airport express dual band wireless N in the upper story (Kafeel's airport express) and it is connected to the primary airport extreme (Shakeel's Airport Extreme) wireless router in range extention mode it repeats the same ssid. Our ground floor has another airport express dual band wireless N the new one ( Lounge's airport express) signal was weak there so i installed another airport express (Lounge's Airport Express) their and configured it to extend the range of primary router airport extreme (Shakeel's Airport Extreme) in the upperstory with the same ssid. Now the problem i am facing that sometimes lounge's airport express connects to kafeel's airport express instead of connecting to the airport extreme and the signals in lounge are weak because all the devices are connected to kafeels airport express and does not connect to lounge air port express. but when lounge airport express is connected to primary router airport extreme then everything works fine devices connect to lounge airport express and signals are full. i have took pictures of the problem i am facing you will understand better by having a look at it. In normal working setup both the airport expresses are connected to airport extreme which is shown in this picture
The second picture shows when lounge airport express is connected to kafeels airport express and not the airport extreme (Shakeel's Airport Extreme) this is the problem.
isnt there a way to correct this so that they dont connect with each other and connect to the airport extreme ?

Lounge's AirPort Express must be located signficantly closer to Shakeel's AirPort Extreme than it is to Kafeel's AirPort Express, and there must be fewer obstructions in the signal path than the other possible connection.
The reason is that if you want Lounge's AirPort Express to connect to Shakeel's AirPort Extreme, it must receive a significantly stronger wireless signal from Shakeel's AirPort Extreme than it does from Kafeel's AirPort Express.

Why are my Airport Expresses not extending my network?

I have an AirPort TimeCapsule connected to the Internet. It provides wifi perfectly within about 20 feet. I purchased two Aiport Expresses to extend the network. The airport expresses are set up with Network Mode = "Extend a wireless network", with the goal of having wifi available farther than 20 feet from the Airport time capsule. According to the Airport Utility on my iMac and on my iPhone, this configuration is working perfectly. Everything is plugged in and all the devices are showing green lights in Airport Utility, all in one daisy chain (airport timecapsule is connected to express 1 which is connected to express 2). There's only one problem: I get no wifi connection when I'm about 4 feet away from the airport express which is farthest from the time capsule. The Airport Express has a green light, but I have no signal even 4 feet away from it. It seems as if the Expresses aren't doing anything. My wifi is still only available within 20 feet of the airport time capsule. How can I be 4 feet from an Airport Express that has a green light (which is also displaying green in Airport Utility) and yet have no wifi?

You may not be aware that you can only "extend" one time.
Apple's extend setup works like the hub and spokes of a wheel. The Time Capsule would be the "hub" and each extending device resides at the end of a separate spoke.
The extending device at the end of the spoke communicates directly to the hub.
You can have additional extending devices, but each one connects directly to the hub.....not to another device at the end of another "spoke".
If your display in AirPort Utility displays a "chain", the last device is NOT extending anything.
In order for both of your Express devices to be working correctly, both of them will display as connecting directly to the Time Capsule. Both Express devices will be displayed on the same horizontal line side by side with dotted line connections to the Time Capsule.
Ideally, your Time Capsule would be located in a central location, so that each extending device would be located about the same distance from the Time Capsule.
If you have an AirPort Express closer to another Express that it is to the Time Capsule, it will connect to the Express....just as your display likely indicates.

Why is my Airport express so slow?

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