tyrale
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: AirPort Extreme seems to be malfunctioning, but so does my AirPort Express?

I have a reliable, steady 30mbps connection coming out of my Comcast modem. I have an brand new AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Express as an extender. A hardwired connection out of either of them is a reliable 30mbps.

 

Whenever I try to use either of them, at any distance from them, the wireless connection is < 3mbs. I am loosing 90% of my speed when connected to a either of them wirelessly. Apple support says there is a malfunction in the device, but how could it be a identical malfunction in both devices?

 

Apple support walked me thru changing the channels, but that did not help.

 

I am at a loss. I need a reliable wireless connection.

Airport Extreme 802.11ac

Posted on Jul 1, 2015 7:31 AM

Close
tyrale

Q: AirPort Extreme seems to be malfunctioning, but so does my AirPort Express?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 1, 2015 9:03 AM in response to tyrale
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 1, 2015 9:03 AM in response to tyrale

    If you get 30 Mbps with a wired connection, then it would be normal to expect to see about 25 Mpbs or so when the computer is located 8-10 feet away from the wireless router with direct line-of-sight to the router.

     

    If you power off the AirPort Express temporarily, and then power off and restart the AirPort Extreme and run a check, what speed do you see when you run this test?

  • by tyrale,

    tyrale tyrale Jul 1, 2015 9:06 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 1, 2015 9:06 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Yes I have power cycled everything. I have gone thru all the hoops from the Apple support team. I have factory reset everything.

     

    Still getting sub 3mbps

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 1, 2015 9:17 AM in response to tyrale
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 1, 2015 9:17 AM in response to tyrale

    If you are getting the same results when you test with another computer, you are picking up some strange wireless interference from other networks around you....or....the AirPort(s) are defective.

     

    See this Apple Support document for info on wireless interference issues:  Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Potential sources of wireless interference - Apple Support

     

    Take the AirPort Extreme to an Apple Store....if you have one near you to let them take a look.  If the AirPort performs well there (it likely will), then you know that you have some real interference issues to deal with.

     

    I tried to help a friend recently who moved into a new development, and there was so much interference there due to other networks, that he cannot even use wireless at all. He would be happy to get 3 Mbps if it worked.

  • by tyrale,

    tyrale tyrale Jul 1, 2015 9:18 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 1, 2015 9:18 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Testing on another device now. Looks like it is my MacbookPro (mid 2014) My MBP(late 2008) is doing fine @+28mbps.

     

    Any suggestions with that?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 1, 2015 9:21 AM in response to tyrale
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 1, 2015 9:21 AM in response to tyrale

    What have you tried so far?

  • by tyrale,

    tyrale tyrale Jul 1, 2015 9:32 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 1, 2015 9:32 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    I honestly have no idea what to try.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 1, 2015 9:44 AM in response to tyrale
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 1, 2015 9:44 AM in response to tyrale

    Shut down the Mac, wait a few seconds, then power it back up and try again. If no luck, go to the next step.

     

    Open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock)

    Open Network

    Click on WiFi on the left side of the window to highlight it

    Click Advanced at the lower right of the window

     

    Here you will see a list of networks that the Mac has connected to in the past

    Click on the name a network to highlight it, then click the - (minus) button at the bottom of the list

    Do this for each listing that you see until the box is blank

    Click OK

    Click Apply in the next window

    Shut down the Mac, wait a few seconds, then power it back up and try again, If no luck, go to the next step.

     

    Take the Mac to an Apple Store or Apple Servicer to have it checked out.