Red Jacket Mike

Q: Airport Extreme working fine but flashing amber

Hello--

I've read some similar threads on this topic here, but this situation is slightly different and I'm hoping someone can help.

 

I have a wi-fi network with one airport extreme connected to a cable modem, and a 2nd airport extreme extending the network.  The modem and the main AE are fine, but the AE extending the network is flashing amber.  Internet service and everything else on my wi-fi network is working perfectly.

 

I've tried restarting and factory resetting the unit with no success.  Other threads suggest that a firmware update might be needed, but I don't see a message about updating anywhere.  (And, since my two AE units are identical, wouldn't a firmware update be required for both at the same time?)

 

In Airport Utility (V6.3.4) I see the flashing amber next to the AE icon, and a red badge with a #1.  Clicking on the icon shows no problems or updates required; just that the internet connection is good.  If I choose 'edit' and go in to look at the settings, all is normal and correct.

 

Other threads have suggested trying 'manual setup' but I can't find that option in the settings tabs anywhere.  Restarting and/or resetting to factory defaults seems to work, but then it will just revert to the flashing amber with the #1 badge.  The problem started around the time I installed Yosemite on a couple of my macs, but if I start up from a Mavericks drive, the problem persists.

 

Both AE units are 5th generation with firmware version 7.6.4; I am using Mavericks on a couple of computers, and Yosemite on a couple of others.  Is it possible that the AE unit is just failing and needs to be replaced?  It is only a couple of years old; what can wear or burn out on it, I wonder?

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions anyone can provide.

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Oct 21, 2014 10:40 AM

Close

Q: Airport Extreme working fine but flashing amber

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 21, 2014 10:49 AM in response to Red Jacket Mike
    Level 10 (105,062 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 21, 2014 10:49 AM in response to Red Jacket Mike

    When the amber light is flashing, open AirPort Utility

     

    Click on the AirPort router

     

    Look for a Status setting in the small window that appears

     

    Click on the small amber dot there and another window will open to explain what the "issue" might be.

  • by Red Jacket Mike,

    Red Jacket Mike Red Jacket Mike Oct 21, 2014 11:03 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 4 (1,289 points)
    Oct 21, 2014 11:03 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks for the quick reply.

     

    Clicking on the small amber dot next to 'Status' brings up the following message:  "This airport base station was unable to extend the wireless network.  Make sure the wireless network you are trying to extend was set up and is working correctly, that you entered a matching wireless network password into this device, and that this device is in range of the wireless network."

     

    All of those conditions are being met; everything worked fine until this started a few days ago.  No firmware update suggested, and as I mentioned above, internet and wifi network are working great.

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 21, 2014 11:39 AM in response to Red Jacket Mike
    Level 10 (105,062 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 21, 2014 11:39 AM in response to Red Jacket Mike

    Power off both the AirPort Extreme and the AirPort Express

    Wait a full minute

    Power up the AirPort Extreme and wait a full minute

    Then, power up the AirPort Express and wait a minute

     

    Check the network and report on the results

  • by Red Jacket Mike,

    Red Jacket Mike Red Jacket Mike Oct 21, 2014 12:08 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 4 (1,289 points)
    Oct 21, 2014 12:08 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Again, thanks for the prompt response.

     

    I did exactly as you suggested, also powering off the cable modem, and after a minute or so, turning it on first, followed by the main Airport Extreme, and then the extended Airport Extreme.

     

    Although I know I did that multiple times before, perhaps I didn't do it in that exact sequence--.  I now have solid green everywhere and Airport Utility reports no problems.

     

    Thanks for the help--I'll remember that sequence if this occurs again.  I still wonder if installing Yosemite had anything to do with the problem starting in the first place.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 21, 2014 12:50 PM in response to Red Jacket Mike
    Level 10 (105,062 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 21, 2014 12:50 PM in response to Red Jacket Mike
    I still wonder if installing Yosemite had anything to do with the problem starting in the first place.

    Yosemite does include a newer version of AirPort Utility and the restarts, etc during the installation probably got the AirPorts out of sequence in the process.

     

    A complete network power cycle.....powering off everything.....then starting up one device at a time starting with modem first seems to fix about half of all problems about half of the time.

     

    So, that is always a good troubleshooting step after any new software/firmware is installed on the network.

  • by thepescador,

    thepescador thepescador Feb 6, 2015 7:31 PM in response to Red Jacket Mike
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2015 7:31 PM in response to Red Jacket Mike

    I had the same issue but mine was resolved by clicking on the AirPort Express in the AirPort Utility and then clicking the Amber circle beside of "status".  This brings up a menu that gives more info about what is wrong.  I needed to click "Ignore" for a setting that Apple was simply trying to warn me about.  After clicking Ignore I received the solid green light.  More details can be found here...

     

    Wi-Fi base station: Understanding and resolving a blinking amber status light - Apple Support