Q: Airport express drops off network

If the AE is not the main wifi router then you need to set on both.  For the AE you do it in AirPort Utility.

I was also annoyed like you. But I've also had mine for 10 years, which is a long period in tech history. An old AE like this one will also slow down your whole network these days because it doesn't support Wireless N or more recent standards. 

Seriously, get a bluetooth receiver. Less hassle all round and works just as well.

Hi lewis, no, the settings of your router can be accessed by entering the ip address of your router in your web browser. The ip address of your router can be found in the network preferences (see Router in the screenshot below). You will need to know the login information of your router.

Ok thanks fellas will have another look at it later on tonight.  And from there I can just check it's set to WAP2 Personal?

To add insult to injury my MAcbook Pro isn't working properly either.  Half of the number keys have stopped working and when I try to restore it, there is only one option at the reboot screen (when holding down option at start up) rather than the restore option - arrrrgh!  When using the numerical pad tool on the computer all the numbers work so I am hoping it's not a hardware failure

No two routers are the same, they all have different setup / admin menus. Good luck.  Or, as I said before, go bluetooth!

Ok tried these settings last night and it's still dropping off.  I have had enough of this POS and it's going in the f*cking bin.

Fixed my loss of connection issues by manually configuring my router's DHCP list:

I have an original Airport Express.  I could only get it to work to stream iTunes music by unplugging and replugging in.  If I stopped steaming and later tried to stream, it would go off the net - even though the green light was lit.  Following some leads from the forums, I logged into my router and manually set the ip address for the AE to a specific value rather than using DHCP (TP-Link router).  You just need to find the MAC address of the AE and associate it with it with an ip address within the range of values shown in the router's setup screen, such as 192.168.1.102. (I believe the MAC address is printed on the AE and you can also see it from the Airport Utility or the router setup screen) So the router will use DHCP to create IP addresses for other devices on the local network but reserve the one you chose exclusively for the AE.  Now it appears to be rock-solid.   Will see how it goes over the next week or two.  I have two AE's, the original and the latest - they both appear on the iTunes Airplay list.

(I am using Mavericks which doesn't allow me to use the Airport Utility 5.6 required for the older AE's.  I used a Mac with Lion on it to run Airport Utility 5.6 so I could setup the old AE, give it a name, etc.)

The length of this topic and fact that it continues to grow without concern from Apple is troublesome.

As I write this, I am contemplating throwing both my Airport Extreme and Airport Express out the window.

In short:

• Have Airport Express upstairs connected to cable modem. Seemed to have uninterrupted service for a year or more.
• Started having "dropping" signals lately, so purchased an Airport Express to extend the wireless to the downstairs.
• A month or more and still no improvement.  ALL devices dropping signal.
• Had TWO different cable technicians to the house to diagnose the problem.  Signal issues are not coming from the service carrier.
• Moved the Airport Express into the family room, literally 2 feet from all laptops/devices and it is still dropping.
• Read almost every post here and can't seem to pinpoint my issue.
• Both the Extreme and Express are already set to WPA2 Personal security.
• Both on version 7.6.4
• Reset both the Extreme and Express and cable modem multiple times and still intermittent (far more than tolerable) drops.

Side note: Also, reading the manual, it appears that you are supposed to be able to use the Express as a 'wired' extension (Extreme to Express via ethernet to LG TV via ethernet), however, the setup in Airport Utility doesn't give the Extreme as an option to connect wired via ethernet. I thought it would be better to have it wired but guess it doesn't allow it.

Very disappointed in Apple.

I sure hope someone here can assist and I thank you in advance.

Best regards,

Jason

Hi - don't give up yet - everything you want to do is doable - the first thing to do is to determine your network setup - then some testing and then configure your new setup.

Do you have a cable modem or a modem/wireless router?

Which version of the Airport Utility are you using?

Is the Extreme connected to the modem via Ethernet cable and set to create a wireless network that can be extended?

CRMDVM - Thank you for taking the time to help me.

• We have a SURFboard SBG6580, supplied by the cable company, which is connected via Ethernet cable to the WAN port of the Apple Extreme.
• We are using Airport Utility version 5.6.1.
• Extreme is connected to SURFboard via Ethernet cable and was set up to create a wireless network.

Thank you again.

Thanks for the info - and remember that this is a volunteer community - Apple monitors it but there is too much content to follow for them to attend to every issue - if you have a suggestion, contact Apple directly - the more feedback the better - anyway, your modem is a wireless router also - to best use Apple routers with it, you should setup the modem in bridge mode with the wireless disabled otherwise you will get a double NAT error - either contact your IP or do it yourself - the manual is online - and the Airport Utility allows for any Apple router to be wired, extended wirelessly or joined - bear with me and I will try to cover everything you need for your setup - first of all I would do a factory reset on the Extreme - remove all cables and use a paperclip to push in and hold the small reset button on the back while plugging the power cable back in - wait for the light on the front to start blinking amber and release the button - wait for the light to blink slowly - now connect an Ethernet cable from the modem (it shouldn't matter which port) to the WAN port (round symbol) on the Extreme - then configure the Extreme to connect to the modem via Ethernet, create a wireless network and extend a wireless network - the Ethernet choice is accessed by clicking on the Internet icon in the AU and using the "connect using" drop down box - when you get this set up, test the internet on the Extreme's Ethernet ports and wirelessly and let me know how you make out - then we can set up the Express

This community is truly a blessing and I really am thankful for you volunteering your time.

Following your instructions, I was able to access the cable modem/router, disable primary wireless network and set to bridged mode.

I then connected the Extreme, progressed through setup and created a wireless network.

I have tested via Ethernet port and also wireless and internet connectivity is working in that area of the house.

I still am dropping connectivity around the area of the house where I am trying to use hardwired AirPort Express.

Just a reminder, there is an Ethernet line in the wall from the Extreme (upstairs) to the location of the Express (downstairs) that we would like to use to set up the Express as wired.  The line was used previously to supply internet to our LG tv.

Thus, we'd like to connect the Ethernet cable from the Extreme to the Express, and then a line out from the Express to the tv. 

Hope this makes sense.

I will wait for your response before doing anything else to the Express.  It is currently unplugged.

Thanks again!

That is great - we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it is not an oncoming train - now you will do the same with the Express - do a factory reset on the Express and run an Ethernet cable from the Extreme to where you want the Express to be but don't plug it into the Express yet - set it up exactly as the Extreme with the same network name and password but now go the Internet Icon and open the Internet Connection tab - go down to the connection sharing drop down box and choose "off" (bridged mode) - now update the configuration - you will get a flashing yellow light and 3 errors - this is normal - now unplug the Express and plug in the Ethernet cable to the WAN port - plug the power back in and you should get a green light - if you don't then you will have to unplug the modem and both Apple routers and power up the network starting with the modem (be sure to reset the battery if it has one) then the Extreme and then the Express - if the wireless networks overlap, you should have a seamless roaming network - you can then connect any device to the Extreme or the Express and access the internet - let me know how it works out.

CRMDVM - You're a genius, and I can't thank you enough.

Followed your instructions, setting up the Express just as I did with the Extreme.

Plugged in the Ethernet cable and got the green light!

Last night when our laptops kept dropping, our Wireless Network Connection Status was only showing 78 Mbps.

Here we are now :

Thank you so very much!

No problem - I am glad that I could help - the Apple routers do a lot of things automatically and their power is often underappreciated because as you saw, the setup is not intuitive - and btw, the older Extreme (flat Model) and the Express have approximately the same power and range - the new A/C Extreme (tall model) is completely different and has a greater range - enjoy your new network!

I have a similar but not identical problem, and hope you can help.  I have a Time Capsule and two Airport Expresses, which keep dropping out.  I replaced one of them in desperation but it is now having the same problem. 

My main computer sits next to the Time Capsule, and I never have internet problems with it.  One Airport Express is twenty feet away on the same floor, the other about the same distance away one floor up.  I use these for internet for my iPhone and iPad.  Suddenly the internet will drop out on these (separately, not simultaneously), although the light is usually still green. I try unplugging and replugging them/resetting them/resetting and unplugging them simultaneously (which them means refinding it on Airport Utility). The light is green, fine.  But my device (iPad/iPhone) can't find them.  I've tried resetting the Network to factory settings in Settings, but no joy.  Then it will suddenly come on again for no apparent reason.  This is driving me mad; any suggestions gratefully received .