Why is time capsule shutting off?

I've only encountered one major issue since installing Lion on my iMac. Time Capsule actually shuts down by itself intermittently. Anyone else having this issue?

My 3 year old Time Capsule was intermittently shutting down recently.  Until today when it shut down and would not restart.  It would begin the startup procedure through the yellow light sequence, then as soon as it hit the green light it would shut down. 
Checking around online I learned that Apple isn't supporting these very well and I was about to just move on.  But instead I just decided to check out the hard drive. I took it out and plugged it into my iMac to run disk utility on it, but it would not show up in the finder... a dead hard drive.  I bought and installed a new WD Caviar Green hard drive and amazingly, the Time Capsule started up with all my settings intact.  A few minutes of formatting the hard drive and it is working like new.  I have had it backing up for the last several hours.
Is this a result of Lion OSx or coincidence?  I highly doubt Lion corrupts the hard drives of the TC, but it is coincidental.  It could be that the hard drive (almost 3 yrs old) was on its way to demise and by installing Lion (which required some heavy TC usage through a data migration and subsequent full backup) pushed it over the edge.
Bottom line, you may try a new hard drive.  A 1TB Western Digital Caviar Green is going for about $60 at Micro Center or on Amazon.  It is pretty straightforward to replace (once you get past the removal of the rubber bottom) and a $60 replacement is much better than a new $300 Time Capsule.
Here is a site that goes thru the procedure to replace a TC hard drive:  http://www.applefritter.com/node/23907 

Similar Messages

  • Time Capsule shuts off

    Time capsule just shuts down for no reason?

    my TC is five or six years old and it appears to be having the exact same problem. I plug it into a new outlet, it lights green, then amber, then blinks and goes dark.
    so am I correct in understanding that the only two options are:
    1) buy a TC
    2) repair the power supply?
    the more important question is: what about the data I've saved on the TC hard disk (not the Time Machine feature, just the external drive feature)? Have I lost it forever or can it be recovered once the power supply issue is resolved?

  • HT3728 Time Capsule turned "off" and won't turn back "on"

    My Time Capsule shut down last night--completely turned off--and won't turn back on. It felt warm, so I unplugged it overnight. I tried plugging it back in this morning and it still doesn't have power. I've also tried plugging it in somewhere else, and the hard reset as described on the Apple Support Website. But still no power. The green/amber light doesn't come on at all. Suggestions?

    the power supply is cooked in its own internal oven bag..
    It sounds like it is beyond warranty but if you have applecare on a Mac that will also cover the TC if it was purchased within 2years of the computer..
    Otherwise a self - repair is possible or help from a repairer if you happen to live in an area.. to Apple it is a sealed unit and they will not help you.
    http://sites.google.com/site/lapastenague/a-deconstruction-of-routers-and-modems /apple-time-capsule-repairers
    When I read your title I thought this was a playback of the thread.
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/17983281?tstart=0#17983281

  • HT3728 Why does time capsule every day or so stop backing up? Wifi still seems to work. Time capsule is only a few weeks old and is connected via Ethernet to the router and iMac.

    Why does time capsule go missing from the network. The green light is lit at all times. I am unable to use the software the only thing I can do is power cycle time capsule, by unplugging and plugging the mains back in.
    My time capsule is only a few weeks old, any ideas?
    I am new to apple products very impressed with iPhone 5, I pad, iMac. Really not sure about time capsule!
    Thanks

    An external drive is much more reliable.. the issue has to do with network connection and loss of something.. although I am sorry I cannot tell you exactly what. The computer is still connected, still works on internet but has actually lost the hard disk.. lost and cannot find it without a restart.
    If you want to try a few changes it can help.
    1. If you are connected by ethernet make sure wireless is off in the imac.. having only one network connection is better than two.
    2. Redo the TC setup with all short names.. no spaces.. pure alphanumeric. Apple has these long names with spaces and characters like apostrophe by default but they are not a help.
    3. If the TC is the main router then reduce the dhcp lease time.. make it 20min.. that keeps everything refreshed and up to date.
    None of those fix it but they may help stretch out the interval.

  • Why do the sounds shut off without changing settings on my 4s?

    why do the sounds shut off without changing settings on my 4s? They come back when they want.

    Thanks.  That worked.  Weird that their's nothing in settings....
    Have a good one.

  • Why is time capsule under Mac OSX 10.7.5 so slow?

    Why is time capsule under Mac =SX 10.7.5. so slow?

    So slow to do what?
    There was a bug in the early release of the update.. just check your version is latest 10.7.5
    We seldom see this problem now.
    Slow wireless.
    Slow disk transfer
    Slow TM backup
    Slow internet
    Please give specifics.. what is slow.. and how slow is slow.
    Cannot do nuthin without numbers and info.
    Just the facts please.

  • Why does my iphone shut off??

    Can anyone tell me why my iphone always shuts off by it self? Its starting to **** me off.

    Well, I finally broke down after months of fighting this issue and sprung for a new battery for my two year old 3GS, along with professional install for $50. Interestingly, they ran a diagnostic, thinking my two year old battery was running UNDER voltage and that's why it was shutting off with 70-80% life still in it. Turns out it was OVER volting, not under. Go figure. New battery installed and I have run it through two drain cycles, streaming stuff to try to replicate the issue. Seems to be running like a new phone now. Isn't shutting off until it is truly drained, as it should. :)

  • Why does time capsule flash amber

    why is my time capsule flashing amber

    You can find out by doing the following on your Mac.......
    Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
    Click on the Time Capsule icon
    Click on the amber dot and another window will open to explain more about why the Time Capsule is whining.

  • Leopard shuts off my network each time I shut off, restart, or sleep?

    After installing Leopard each time I shut off, restart or sleep my computer (auto or manual) it shuts-off my Belkin N Network. I have to manually unplug the wireless modem and replug. I'm running a WPA password protected network. It of course affects other wireless connected computers as well but is defiantly caused by my MacBookPro. Any ideas?

    Just as a test, if you turn Airport off on your MBP does the same thing happen?
    Once it's off, then turning off your MBP should have no effect.
    It this is the case, then you may need to check for firmware updates for the modem.
    There have been other instances of this type of behavior with Leopard, especially with 10.5.2.
    Most were solved up a firmware update to the modem.

  • Why do my games shut off after they load

    why do my apps shut off after they load

    Perform a "hard reset" on the device by pressing down and holding the home button and the sleep/wake button for up to 30secs. until you see a black screen with the Apple logo, then release.
    Then test to see if it solved the problem.

  • Time Capsule Falling Off Network During Heavy Activity

    This basic topic has been previously posted but keeps getting hijacked by digression. To clearly state the behavior; Time Capsule falls-off (disappears) from a WiFi network during operations where large amounts of data is being moved. This occurs regardless of whether the internal drive or a connected USB drive is the target. This is not an internet issue.
    Set-up: Time Capsule is extending an 802.11 b/g/n network originating from an AirPort Express. Time Machine is currently off (because this issue has made it unreliable). The TC has a USB drive with my iTunes library and documents folder. There is one client cpu, a current model Macbook. All drivers and firmware report "up to date." Interface robustness has been both on and off. I have gone to 802.11n only and the problem persists.
    The Time Capsule will sit on the network for weeks without issue if data is not being passed to it. When I copy large amounts of data to the TC or the attached USB drive it will vanish off the network until I do a cold boot of it (the TC). I will get a system network error of "DATA-1 cannot be written to" when it happens, which is understandable since the TC is in Oz. I have parked on Channel 1 which reports unused by my sniffer; I have also hopped to other channels but the problem persists. This is a hi-rise apartment environment.
    This has been an issue since day-one with this unit and I have brought it to the Genius who could not get it to repeat after hours of testing.

    I can't help directly -- just got mine last night -- but to bump your thread and get some clarification...
    You say your USB drive attached to the TC has your "iTunes library and documents folder", do you mean literally your Documents folder, or just a folder with documents?
    Are you accessing the Internet through your TC, or is it attached to your network as just a device, and you have another router/gateway? When you say "drops off", do you mean you cannot mount it remotely and that's the only problem, or do you lose Internet connectivity -- if it's your gateway -- or does the Airport Utility not see it?
    If it's a mounting problem, I assume you cannot see either the internal or external USB drive. Have you tried it without the external USB drive? (I assume that may have been a difference when the Mac Genius tried it. Did you also take your USB drive and did they leave it attached for their testing?)
    What about things like temperature conditions, etc? Perhaps if where you keep it is very hot and the Apple Store is very air-conditioned?
    Just throwing out a bunch of ideas and questions that might help someone see the problem. Clarification always helps.

  • WIFI on my Time Capsule is off, and there's no way of getting it back on, nor of accessing my Time Capsule.  How can I resolve?

    WIFI on my Time Capsule is off, there's no way of getting it back on, I can't connect to my Time Capsule anymore, and the reset button doesn't work.

    Thanks for the help, managed to get it back up and running.  Some feedback:
    *  My TC was still under warranty, so I didn't want to open it up.
    *  I disconnected all cables from TC and Macbook, except the ethernet between both.
    *  Restarted TC, and WIFI went back up.
    This leads me to thinking that what caused my troubles is:
    *  I had a USB hub connected to the TC, on which is a USB printer
    *  I had disconnected the USB printer from the hub to connect it directly to my Macbook (to make a scan of a document)
    *  When reconnecting the printer to the USB hub, the WIFI went down.
    I think TC WIFI must be rather sensitive to USB connecting and disconnecting... 
    Thanks once again !

  • My Time Capsule shuts itself off

    My Time Capsule has started to shur itself off every two or three weeks. What has happened and what can I do to make stay on?

    Unfortunately.....or perhaps fortunately.....you are likely receiving some advance signals that the power supply section of the Time Capsule is on its last legs.
    Suggest that you take the TC to an Apple store....if you have one near you....or contact Apple Support directly to go over your options.
    http://www.apple.com/support/contact/

  • New 2t Time Capsule shuts down: light is off, doesn't show up in network

    2T Time Capsule completely shuts down: no activity light at all, doesn't show up in network registry, and is cold to the touch.
    If I unplug and replug, it will work again, but will eventually shut down again.
    Is this a problem with a sleep proxy service?
    This unit is less than a week old.
    I appreciate the help.

    The internal power supply on the Time Capsule is defective. Soon, the Time Capsule will not turn on at all.
    Please contact Apple for a replacement Time Capsule as soon as possible.

  • Why does my MacBook shut off every time it is unplugged?

    Every time that I unplug my MacBook it immediately shuts off. I have read similar stories but there is no black or red "x" on my battery icon. I have tried to take the battery out and put it back in but it didn't work. The light on the plug in is green and I'm not sure what is wrong. Any ideas?

    If you are within an area whose Apple Store has a Genius bar or other product specialist on staff, or an independent authorized Apple Specialist retail, you could have the computer checked, a diagnostic. In those instances where you could take it to an Apple Store in the US or Canada, the diagnostic would be free, and you would need to set an appointment ahead of time, because they have a scheduled interval for helping people.
    There is a chance the 'magsafe inboard' or what some call a 'DC-in board' may have failed. Sometimes when that happens, the power is not routed to where it is supposed to go; so a good Battery and good AC Adapter may not be enough.
    An expert or specialist could diagnose this issue.
    Also, if you are able, willing, don't mind a gamble;
    see the MB repair guides at http://ifixit.com online.
    However I've read some DIY repairs have ended up a
    'more expensive bargain' after user-induced damage.
    Good luck & happy computing!

Maybe you are looking for