MNmomof3
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: My airport extreme stopped connecting to my network

I did a factory reset and when connected with the ethernet cable it works fine. When I move it back to its original location to use wirelessly, it flashes amber. For some reason, it is looking for the ethernet and not operating correctly wirelessly. It has been working for months and, as far as I know, nothing on it or my internet has changed. Help?

Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Aug 26, 2014 5:21 PM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (104,884 points)
Wireless
A:

Frankly, I am uneasy about some of the things that you are relaying here.

 

I have no idea why Apple would have advised you to "create a new network" since you would not do this unless the AirPort Extreme were to be permanently connected to the Time Capsule using an Ethernet cable connection....and you indicate that you want the AirPort Extreme to connect using wireless.

 

If you want to try to setup the AirPort Extreme again to connect using wireless, here is what I would suggest.

 

Temporarily power off the AirPort Express devices to prevent conflicts during the setup

 

Make sure that the Time Capsule is not backing up at the moment, and then power it off, wait 15-20 seconds and power it back up

 

Remove any Ethernet cables that might still be connected to the AirPort Extreme, and then locate the AirPort Extreme in the same room or close proximity to the Time Capsule for the setup

 

Power up the AirPort Extreme for a few minutes

Hold in the reset button on the back of the AirPort Extreme for 8-10 seconds and release, then allow a full minute for the Extreme to restart to a slow, blinking amber light

 

On the iPad home screen, tap Settings

Tap WiFi

Look for a listing of Setup A New AirPort Base Station

Just below that, tap on AirPort Extreme

 

The utility will open up and take a minute to analyze the network, then suggest that the AirPort Extreme will be configured to extend the Time Capsule network

 

Enter a name that you want to call the AirPort Extreme, then tap Next

 

The utility will setup everything for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done

 

Move the AirPort Extreme to the desired location and power it back up, then power up the AirPort Express devices

Posted on Aug 26, 2014 7:40 PM

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MNmomof3

Q: My airport extreme stopped connecting to my network

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 26, 2014 5:43 PM in response to MNmomof3
    Level 10 (104,884 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 26, 2014 5:43 PM in response to MNmomof3
    When I move it back to its original location to use wirelessly, it flashes amber.

    There really is not much for an AirPort Extreme to do wirelessly.......unless it connects to another Apple router that is providing a wireless network to "extend" the wireless signal. Can you provide some more details on how the AirPort Extreme connects wirelessly?  In other words, what does the AirPort Extreme connect to?

     

    For some reason, it is looking for the ethernet and not operating correctly wirelessly.

    What is it that makes you feel as if it is "looking for the ethernet"?

     

    Are you still using Mountain Lion (10.8.2) as you indicate, or have you updated to a newer operating system, like Mavericks?

  • by MNmomof3,

    MNmomof3 MNmomof3 Aug 26, 2014 5:46 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 26, 2014 5:46 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks for your prompt response. I think you have helped me before. I have a time capsule that is my main base station. I have 3 airport express, and this one airport extreme. (Large house) I set this network up two months ago after HOURS on the phone with Apple Supoort ( and $20!) and it has been working fine. I know it is looking for an ethernet because I have an old macbook that has an old airport utility program ( I also have two new iMacs. I used the old macbook because it is portable) and when I tried to set up the  extreme, it gave me a list of errors and the first was no ethernet. Am I making any sense? I was out of town until last night and before that, my whole system was working flawlessly.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 26, 2014 6:02 PM in response to MNmomof3
    Level 10 (104,884 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 26, 2014 6:02 PM in response to MNmomof3

    When it is time to setup the AirPort Extreme again, it will help if you can temporarily simplify the network to isolate the two devices that must work correctly together.....the Time Capsule and the AirPort Extreme. So power off the AirPort Express devices during this process.

     

    I am still a bit confused when you say that you used an Ethernet cable to configure the AirPort Extreme, if you want it to connect using wireless. An Ethernet cable would not be used to setup the AirPort Extreme unless you plan to connect it to the network using Ethernet permanently.

     

    We are still not sure which operating system that you are using on the device that will be used to configure the AirPort Extreme. Is that the laptop that is using Mountain Lion (10.8.2) that you listed above?

     

    It is much easier to use an iPhone or iPad to set up the AirPort Extreme.....if you have one handy.

  • by MNmomof3,

    MNmomof3 MNmomof3 Aug 26, 2014 7:13 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 26, 2014 7:13 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    The device I was using is an OLD laptop. Not sure what version but I will check tomorrow. I'll try configuring it again using my ipad. So you are saying to unplug the expresses and try a factory reset with the extreme again? They (apple support) also had me create a new network, not "extend" but use the same exact name . So confusing. I don't get why it just STOPPED working .

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 26, 2014 7:40 PM in response to MNmomof3
    Level 10 (104,884 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 26, 2014 7:40 PM in response to MNmomof3

    Frankly, I am uneasy about some of the things that you are relaying here.

     

    I have no idea why Apple would have advised you to "create a new network" since you would not do this unless the AirPort Extreme were to be permanently connected to the Time Capsule using an Ethernet cable connection....and you indicate that you want the AirPort Extreme to connect using wireless.

     

    If you want to try to setup the AirPort Extreme again to connect using wireless, here is what I would suggest.

     

    Temporarily power off the AirPort Express devices to prevent conflicts during the setup

     

    Make sure that the Time Capsule is not backing up at the moment, and then power it off, wait 15-20 seconds and power it back up

     

    Remove any Ethernet cables that might still be connected to the AirPort Extreme, and then locate the AirPort Extreme in the same room or close proximity to the Time Capsule for the setup

     

    Power up the AirPort Extreme for a few minutes

    Hold in the reset button on the back of the AirPort Extreme for 8-10 seconds and release, then allow a full minute for the Extreme to restart to a slow, blinking amber light

     

    On the iPad home screen, tap Settings

    Tap WiFi

    Look for a listing of Setup A New AirPort Base Station

    Just below that, tap on AirPort Extreme

     

    The utility will open up and take a minute to analyze the network, then suggest that the AirPort Extreme will be configured to extend the Time Capsule network

     

    Enter a name that you want to call the AirPort Extreme, then tap Next

     

    The utility will setup everything for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done

     

    Move the AirPort Extreme to the desired location and power it back up, then power up the AirPort Express devices

  • by MNmomof3,

    MNmomof3 MNmomof3 Aug 27, 2014 5:37 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 27, 2014 5:37 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Ok. Going to try this now. The only thing I can think of as to why they told me to set up two networks with the same name is because of the distance between the time capsule and the extreme? Just a guess. I'm going to try what you suggested. Stay tuned :-)

  • by MNmomof3,

    MNmomof3 MNmomof3 Aug 27, 2014 6:11 AM in response to MNmomof3
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 27, 2014 6:11 AM in response to MNmomof3

    It worked. And you were right about using the iPad. Much simpler! Thanks so much! Have a great day!

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 27, 2014 6:22 AM in response to MNmomof3
    Level 10 (104,884 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 27, 2014 6:22 AM in response to MNmomof3

    Good news, thanks.

     

    Still scratching my head about the information that you received from Apple Support. There must have been a misunderstanding on someone's part, as I am sure that they did not give you the wrong information on purpose.

  • by MNmomof3,

    MNmomof3 MNmomof3 Sep 1, 2014 10:37 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 1, 2014 10:37 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Well, I posted this in another forum and not getting any good responses….

     

    I recently was able to fix my airport extreme issues (thanks Bob T.!) and since then, I have to reboot my imac after I wake it up in order to connect back to the wifi. I tried "changing the order" as suggested in other discussions but it's still doing it. Help again ?!?!


  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 1, 2014 10:48 AM in response to MNmomof3
    Level 10 (104,884 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 1, 2014 10:48 AM in response to MNmomof3

    Try the suggestions by forum expert Tesserax here:

     

    AirPort - Unable to connect after sleep/restart