HT1515: AirPort Express frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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Ashbie

Q: airport express not extending wireless network

airport express not extending wireless network

AirPort Express 802.11n (1st Gen), Windows Vista

Posted on Mar 28, 2012 6:45 AM

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Q: airport express not extending wireless network

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 28, 2012 7:11 AM in response to Ashbie
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 28, 2012 7:11 AM in response to Ashbie

    Can you provide us with some more details so we can analyze your issue?

     

    What device is functioning as your "main" wireless router?  We need the make and model number of the device, please.

  • by Ashbie,

    Ashbie Ashbie Mar 28, 2012 7:31 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 28, 2012 7:31 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Airport extreme connected by Ethernet to talktalk router. Wireless network set up on extreme and has been working for a year. Added airport express using 'extend wireless network' option. All setup and lookalike its working but even if I stand next to express, only get a week signal from the main extreme router. Using upto date software on pc and both routers.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 28, 2012 7:36 AM in response to Ashbie
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 28, 2012 7:36 AM in response to Ashbie

    The first thing to check is to make sure that you have the AirPort Extreme configured to allow the network to be extended.

     

    Open up AirPort Utility, select the AirPort Extreme, and click Manual Setup

    Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons

    Make sure that there is a check mark entered next to "Allow this network to be extended"

    Click Update at the lower right of the window and allow 25-30 seconds for the AirPort Extreme to restart

     

    Then, power down the Express, wait a minute, and power it back up.

     

    Please post on your results.

  • by John_E. Duldner,

    John_E. Duldner John_E. Duldner Mar 28, 2012 8:18 AM in response to Ashbie
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 28, 2012 8:18 AM in response to Ashbie

    Hi Bob,

    how does one test if it is working

    the airplay feature works, but i get no signal on the west end of my house serviced by the APexpress

    it is connected to my APextreme base station

    because it was fine until we came home this weekend

    it is set up as you indicated above

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 28, 2012 10:39 AM in response to John_E. Duldner
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 28, 2012 10:39 AM in response to John_E. Duldner

    If you have a Mac laptop handy......

     

    Move it close to AirPort Express

    Hold down the option key while you click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen

    Note the BSSID and jot down the last few digits

    The BSSID is the AirPort ID of the wireless access point that the Mac is currently connected to.

     

    Now, move the laptop close to the AirPort Extreme and perform the same test.

     

    Are the BSSIDs the same?  if yes, this means that your laptop is connecting to the AirPort Extreme even though it might be close to the Express. The Express is not "extending". More troubleshooting is needed.

     

    If the BSSIDs are different, this tells you that your laptop is picking up the signal from the closest AirPort device.

  • by John_E. Duldner,

    John_E. Duldner John_E. Duldner Mar 28, 2012 2:59 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 28, 2012 2:59 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Hi Bob,

     

    the BSSID numbers are in fact different.

    i upgraded firmware to 7.6.1

    unplugged the AP express, then plugged it back in

    and voila---------

    thanks for the help bob

  • by julesminsky,

    julesminsky julesminsky Aug 30, 2012 3:14 PM in response to Ashbie
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 30, 2012 3:14 PM in response to Ashbie

    I am having a problem getting my Airport Express to activate so I can send music to my stereo in another room.  I am running Airport Utility 6.1.  When I get the Airport Extreme icon & go the the wireless tab, there is no place where it says "Allow this Network to be extended".  My choices are:

     

    Network Mode: Create a wireless network OR  Extend a wireless network

    Wireless Network Name: Apple Network xxxxxx  OR file in something else

    Wireless Security: None OR WEP , WPA/WPA2 Personal, WPA2 Personal, WPA Enterprise

     

    at the bottom of the screen there is a box 'Wireless Options

     

    Country: United States

    Check Box for 'Create Hidden network', I do not check this box, should I ??

    Radio Mode: 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)

    Radio Channel: Automatic

    Thanks

    Jules

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 30, 2012 3:41 PM in response to julesminsky
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 30, 2012 3:41 PM in response to julesminsky
    When I get the Airport Extreme icon & go the the wireless tab, there is no place where it says "Allow this Network to be extended".

     

    Apple removed this setting in AirPort Utility 6.1 because it is now "always on"  or enabled by default.

     

    Just setup the AirPort Express to "Extend a wireless network" and you will be done.

  • by julesminsky,

    julesminsky julesminsky Aug 31, 2012 6:12 AM in response to Ashbie
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 31, 2012 6:12 AM in response to Ashbie

    I was unable to use Airport Utility 6.1 to detect or set-up the Apple Express.  When I went to the Express icon in the 'status menu' it said that the current Airport Utility (6.1) could setup the Express, I needed Airport Utility 5.6 which I down loaded & installed.  I ran it from the Utilities menu & it had no problem finding & installing the Airport Express.  It sounds like Airport Utility is a step backwards.

     

    Thank you for your help.

    Jules

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 31, 2012 6:31 AM in response to julesminsky
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 31, 2012 6:31 AM in response to julesminsky

    AirPort Utility 6.1 will configure an 802.11n version of the Express just fine for me.

     

    I cannot say why you are having difficulties.

  • by runningfam7,Solvedanswer

    runningfam7 runningfam7 Mar 23, 2013 3:05 PM in response to Ashbie
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mar 23, 2013 3:05 PM in response to Ashbie

    I had the same problem with a Time Capsule with respect to setting it up to extend my wireless network. Here is the major point that cleared the air of confusion.

     

    If you are connecting the AirPort Express to an existing router using an ethernet cable and trying to increase your wireless coverage area, then the correct term to use is "roaming". Which means you can roam from one end of the building to another, with your wireless computer, phone or other device, and the wireless signals overlaps and maintains your connection to the network/internet.

     

    On the other hand, the term "wireless extending" or "extended network" means connecting one wireless router to another using the wireless signal of each to "bridge" the connection gap and allow hard wired devices connected to the 2nd router's ethernet ports to have service. Efffectively there are two local area networks that are "bridged" by the wireless signal of two routers. There is no ethernet cable running between the two routers. This is helpful when there are two home offices at opposite ends of the house and it is not desireable to run ethernet cables through the house to connect then. The the remote router and local area network can "extend" the network for say a desktop computer and printer that are connected with ethernet cables.

     

    If you are creating a "roaming" set up of routers, then do the following (using AirPort Utility 6.2):

     

    1. Connect the two routers together with a long ethernet cable. If the building is prewired with data ports (ethernets cables in the wall) then use those connection points to patch over the connection between the routers. Plug one end of the cable into a LAN port of the router connected to the DSL/Cable modem, in your case the TalkTalk router. The other end of the cable is plugged into the remotely located router's WAN port, the AirPort Extreme. Plug the power into both routers.
    2. Plug your computer's ethernet port, that has AirPort Utility software installed on it, into the remote router's LAN port using an ethernet cable.
    3. Open AirPort Utility from the Applications>Utility folder.
    4. Select your AirPort Extreme base station and then the edit button on the balloon window that pops up.
    5. Select the Wireless tab
    6. Set the Network Mode to "Create a wireless network"
    7. Set the Wireless Network Name to the same name as the existing wireless network using the same letter case used on that network. This is also called the SSID in some routers.
    8. Set the Wireless Security and Wireless Password to be the same as the existing wireless network.
    9. Select the Network tab
    10. Set the Router Mode to Off(Bridge Mode)
    11. Select Update

     

    Once the base station completes the update the green light should show and the wireless signal should be present at both routers. Only one SSID should be visible.

     

    If you are creating an "extended network" with two routers, then do the following (using AirPort 6.2):

     

    1. Assuming the existing wireless network is in place and operating, set up the remote router (AirPort Extreme) by connecting your computer's network connection to its LAN port. Plug the power into the router.
    2. Open AirPort Utility from the Applications>Utility folder.
    3. Select and edit your AirPort Extreme ( or Time Capsule) base station
    4. Select the Wireless tab
    5. Set the Network Mode to "Extend a wireless network"
    6. Set the Wireless Network Name to the same name as the existing wireless network using the same letter case used on that network. This is also called the SSID in most routers.
    7. Set the Wireless Security and Wireless Password to be the same as the existing wireless network.
    8. Select the Network tab
    9. Set the Router Mode to Off(Bridge Mode)
    10. Select Update

     

    Sorry for being long winded, but I spent a long time figuring this out and hope this explaination saves someone that trouble.

     

    Good Luck,

     

    Runningfam7