Q: Airport Express used to extend Airport Extreme continually loses connection
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Jan 20, 2016 10:39 AMby Tesserax,The Airport Extreme is located one room over (so one wall in between), and it doesn't have any problem connecting after a hard reset, so I am doubting it is a SNR or interference issue.
... but have you actually taken SNR measurements to verify that this is the case? With your set up, you will want to power-off the AirPort Express and take the measurements using a laptop at the location of the Express as you want to get a clear picture of the signal quality of the Extreme at that location.
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Jan 20, 2016 11:43 AMby Tesserax,Ok, so doing the math, the SNR = -58 - (-97) = 39 dB, which is very good value. If this is what you are getting while at the location of the Express (again with the Express powered-off) then you are correct in that the SNR is not the issue. Sorry, to take you through the exercise, but I just wanted both of us to be sure.
How exactly do you have the Express configured? That is, is it configured to extend the wireless network provided by the Extreme or to join its wireless network?
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Jan 20, 2016 11:48 AMby Frank Watanabe,Yes, I took those measurements exactly where the Airport Express is located.
As for configuration, on the Wireless Tab in Airport Utility it is set up to "Extend a wireless network". Do I have another (better) option for configuring it if I want to use the Express as a printer router on this network?
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Jan 20, 2016 12:01 PMby Tesserax,If you do not need to extend the wireless range, you may be better served by reconfiguring the Express to join the Extreme's network instead. This will basically change the Express' function to a wireless Ethernet bridge. You can then use the Express as a print server, iTunes streaming, or connect devices to it by Ethernet for Internet access.
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Jan 20, 2016 12:28 PMby Frank Watanabe,Tesserax
Thanks for all of your help! I'm not 100% clear though on what you mean by "reconfiguring the Express to join the Extreme's network instead". When I do a factory reset on the Airport Express and then use the Airport Utility to connect it, I am selecting "add to an existing network", and that is what is connecting it to my Airport Extreme. Is this what you are referring to, or is there a different approach I should be taking to connect it to my WiFi network? Thanks again!
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Jan 20, 2016 1:03 PMby Tesserax,I believe you have already done so. You can do a simple check by using the AirPort Utility, as follows:
- Run the AirPort Utility.
- Select the Express, and then, select Edit.
- Click on the Wireless tab.
- Network Mode = Off
Ref: AirPort Express: How to join an existing Wi-Fi network in client mode.
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Jan 20, 2016 2:21 PMby Frank Watanabe,Okay, that didn't work at all. When I make the changes outlined in your last post, Airport Utility tries to update the Airport Express, and then I get an error message stating that there was a problem updating to that configuration, and it takes the Airport Express off of the network.
The other question I have is, given that we have ruled out the SNR issue, what could it be causing the Airport Express to constantly drop the connection to the network, especially when it wasn't doing this previously.
Thanks again for all your help!
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Jan 20, 2016 3:21 PMby Bob Timmons,You might want to try Apple's automated "wizard" setup. The software will automatically apply the settings that it thinks that the Express needs. If you decide to try this, please follow these steps
Power off the AirPort Extreme by pulling the power plug from the back of the device
Wait a few seconds
Power the AirPort Extreme back up and let it run
Power on the AirPort Express if it is not already on and let it run a few minutes
Hold in the reset button on the back of the Express for 7 to 8 seconds, then release
Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status
Temporarily, move the AirPort Express to the same room or close proximity to the AirPort Extreme
Power the Express back up for a minute or two
Click the WiFi icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station
Just below that listing, click directly on AirPort Express
The seup "wizard" will open up and take a few seconds to analyze the network, then suggest that the AirPort Express be configured to "extend" the network from the AirPort Extreme, similar to the example below:
Type in a short, simple name that you want to call the AirPort Express
Click Next
The next screen will indicate that the AirPort Express is being set up to wirelessly extend the network, similar to this illustration:
Alllow a minute or two for the settings to be applied and for the AirPort Express to restart. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
If you want to try the recommended "extend" setting, move the Express back to the area where it will be needed and power it back up, and keep a tab on things.
IF.....you want to reconfigure the AirPort Express to "join" the network, you will need to open AirPort Utility up, click on the Express, click Edit in the smaller window that appears, and then click on the Wireless tab at the top of the screen.
Change the setting for Network Mode from "Extend a wireless network" which is the current setting to "Join a wireless network", then click Update at the lower right of the window and allow a minute or two for the Expess to restart
If the Express continues to misbehave, this is likely a sign of an intermittent internal power supply issue on the AirPort Express. I've had this problem in the past......and unfortunately the only solution was a replacement AirPort Express.
