HT204616: Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)

Learn about Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)
bauer23

Q: Airport Extreme 3rd Gen blinks green once, then orange 7 times.

I have a 3rd gen Airport Extreme that I use for back-ups and as storage.  However, recently it has started acting weird - it blinks green (connects to wifi) and then disconnects and blinks orange 7 times.  When I watch it in Aiport Utility 5.6, it says that it can't find the wireless network.  But then finds it again - and continues this cycle over and over.  I haven't changed anything in my wifi settings so I'm quite perplexed as what I should do.  Any suggestions?

 

Thanks

Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jul 21, 2012 10:05 AM

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Q: Airport Extreme 3rd Gen blinks green once, then orange 7 times.

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  • by Tesserax,Solvedanswer

    Tesserax Tesserax Jul 21, 2012 10:51 AM in response to bauer23
    Level 9 (54,684 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 21, 2012 10:51 AM in response to bauer23

    The pattern of the status light that you are describing does not match any that Apple has provided documentation for. It may be possible that there may be some type of firmware or hardware anomaly that is present. However, this may not necessarily indicate a pending failure.

     

    I would recommend that you do the following as a minimum:

    1. Power-down the modem, AirPort base station, and computer(s).
    2. Disconnect the AirPort base station from the Internet broadband modem.
    3. While all of the devices are powered-down, perform a "factory default" reset on the base station. This will get it back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration and make setting it up much easier, especially if you use the "Assist me" process within the AirPort Utility. (ref:Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule)
    4. After the base station resets, go ahead and power it back down.
    5. Reconnect the AirPort base station to the Internet broadband modem. For the Extreme and Time Capsule, be sure to connect the cable to the base station's WAN (circle-of-dots) port.
    6. Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it adequate time to initialize.
    7. Power-up the AirPort base station; wait at least 5-10 minutes. Note: The AirPort's status light may continue to flash amber after it has intialized. That is because, there may be some additional configuration items necessary, like setting up wireless security, before the overall setup is completed to get a green status.
    8. Power-up your computer(s).

     

    In this basic configuration, the AirPort base station will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name (SSID) of Apple Network NNNNNN. Network clients, connected to the base station either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the ISP's modem. Once Internet connectivity has been verified, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the base station for wireless security and any other desired options. Please post back your results.

  • by bauer23,

    bauer23 bauer23 Jul 21, 2012 3:55 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 21, 2012 3:55 PM in response to Tesserax

    Tesserax,

     

    You are a GENIUS, my friend.  Thank you so much!  It's working for now...hopefully it stays that way.  Sometimes it will go for months without a problem and then sometimes it just goes "orange".  It's a mystery. 

     

    THANKS!!