HT203762: AirPort base station not seen or "An unexpected error occurred" appears in AirPort Utility 6.3

Learn about AirPort base station not seen or "An unexpected error occurred" appears in AirPort Utility 6.3
GlevumMA
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Q: I am using an Airport Extreme as my base station and I want to extend its range using a recently purchased AirPort Express.  However neither device is showing up on my AirPort Utility on either my older MacBook Pro or my IPad 4.  What do I do?

I am using an older AirPort Extreme as my base station and I want to extend the range by using a recently purchased AirPort Express.  When I try to find either device using the AirPort Utilities function on either my new IPad 4 or my older MacBook Pro neither device is detected.  However the utility is seeing that we are connected to the Internet which is through the Extreme.   What am I doing wrong?

Airport Extreme and Express, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Sep 8, 2013 7:14 AM

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GlevumMA

Q: I am using an Airport Extreme as my base station and I want to extend its range using a recently purchased AirPort Express.  ... more

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 8, 2013 8:24 AM in response to GlevumMA
    Level 10 (104,993 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 8, 2013 8:24 AM in response to GlevumMA
    I am using an older AirPort Extreme as my base station

     

    1) Which "older" AirPort Extreme do you have?

     

    Please locate the Model No (Starts with an "A" followed by four numbers) and post back with that number.

     

     

     

    2) Are you running OS X (10.6.8) on the MacBook Pro, as your profile info indicates?

  • by GlevumMA,Helpful

    GlevumMA GlevumMA Sep 8, 2013 8:30 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 8, 2013 8:30 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Wow Bob.  Your the man. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.  The Extreme is A1408.  And yes, according to my system I am using OS X (10.6.8)    And the Express is Model A 1392

  • by GlevumMA,

    GlevumMA GlevumMA Sep 8, 2013 8:39 AM in response to GlevumMA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 8, 2013 8:39 AM in response to GlevumMA

    Sorry should not have it this helped me yet.  Do you need any more info from me?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 8, 2013 8:44 AM in response to GlevumMA
    Level 10 (104,993 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 8, 2013 8:44 AM in response to GlevumMA

    For now, leave the AirPort Express powered off.

     

    Power off the entire network....all devices.....in any order that you want

    Wait a few minutes

    Power up the modem first, and let it run 2-3 minutes by itself

    Power up the AirPort Extreme next, and let it run a full minute

    Keep powering up devices one at a time about a minute apart until everything is powered up (leave the Express off for now)

     

    Open AirPort Utility and check to see if the AirPort Extreme is visible.

     

    If it's not, click the AirPort Utility menu at the upper left of the screen, then click About AirPort Utility. Post back with the version number of AirPort Utility that you see there....which should be AirPort Utility 5.6.1.

     

    Post back on your progress.

  • by GlevumMA,

    GlevumMA GlevumMA Sep 8, 2013 8:47 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 8, 2013 8:47 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Ok.  Will do.  To confirm.  Does this include pwoering off my MacBook and IPAD too?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 8, 2013 8:49 AM in response to GlevumMA
    Level 10 (104,993 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 8, 2013 8:49 AM in response to GlevumMA

    Entire network.....all devices.

  • by GlevumMA,

    GlevumMA GlevumMA Sep 8, 2013 8:52 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 8, 2013 8:52 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    OK.  I will get back to you in about 30 minutes or less.  I am also in the middle of work.  Thanks. 

  • by GlevumMA,

    GlevumMA GlevumMA Sep 8, 2013 9:45 AM in response to GlevumMA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 8, 2013 9:45 AM in response to GlevumMA

    Ok.  Took a break from work and followed your advice.  Shut everything down and powered up in sequence. Moden, then Extreme then MacBook.  Then opened AirPort Utility but it still could not detect the Extreme.  So the info about Airport is as follows:

     

    Version 5.6.1 (561.3)

     

    I have to jump back into work now but I will look for further welcome advice from you later.

     

    Thanks.

     

    Andrew

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 8, 2013 9:59 AM in response to GlevumMA
    Level 10 (104,993 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 8, 2013 9:59 AM in response to GlevumMA

    Something is not right if AirPort Utility on your Mac cannot detect the AirPort Extreme. Make sure that the Mac is connected to the wireless signal from the AirPort Extreme and not another network.

     

    Power off just the AirPort Extreme, wait a minute and power it back up.

     

    Check AirPort Utility again.

  • by GlevumMA,

    GlevumMA GlevumMA Sep 10, 2013 10:32 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 10, 2013 10:32 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob, sorry for the delay.  I am trying to work on vacation from my apartment in Puerto Rico and work has been crazy combined with power cuts which is typical here but has shut the internet down more than its been up.

     

    I have powered the extreme down and up several times and neither by MacBook or IPad sees the device.  The IPad Airport Utility has an icon that shows we are connected to the internet which is accessed through the extreme.  But no indication of the device. 

     

    Any other ideas?

     

    Thanks

     

    Andrew

     

    PS I am heading out now but will check in again this evening.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 10, 2013 10:41 AM in response to GlevumMA
    Level 10 (104,993 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 10, 2013 10:41 AM in response to GlevumMA

    Try connecting an Ethernet cable from your Mac to one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme to see if AirPort Utility can detect the AirPort Extreme that way.