Q: Airport utility crashes every time, won't set up new Airport Express
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Apr 1, 2016 8:53 AMby Tesserax,...new 8th gen Airport Express...
8th gen AirPort Express? There are currently three models of the AirPort Express: 1) A1084, an 802.11g model, 2) A1264, the 1st gen 802.11n model, and the current latest version, the 3) A1392, 2nd gen 802.11n model ... so I'm not sure what you are referring to as an "8th gen." I am going to assume that you are actually referring to the A1392.
...new Ariss Surfboard 6121 modem...
FWIW, the Arris / Motorola SB61XX-series of modems are known to be incompatible with the AirPort base stations, specifically the 802.11ac models. Neither are bad in themselves; they just don't "play nice" together. This, may or may not, be contributing to this issue.
Airport utility sees the new Airport Express as "6522e."
That would be normal. "6522e" would represent a portion of the MAC ID of the base station.
The airport utility says it's going to create a new network, and then fails after looking for the new network! I've tried about 6 times. I tell the utility to create "ABC" network, and then it searches for "ABC" network until "an unknown error has occurred."
I would recommend the following:
- To facilitate the set up, have your MacBook Pro in the same room as the Express.
- Perform a "factory default" reset on the base station.
- After it has restarted, click on the Wi-Fi icon on your MacBook Pro's menu bar.
- The Express should show up under the title: New AirPort Base Station. Click on it.
- This should start the AirPort Utility's setup wizard so you can configure the base station as required.
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Apr 1, 2016 9:37 AMby Bob Timmons,In addition to the comments from Tesserax, please check a setting on your Mac as follows:
Open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock)
Open Network
Click on WiFi on the left panel to highlight it
Click Advanced at the lower right of the window
Click the TCP/IP tab
Make sure that the setting for Configure IPv6 is set to Link Local Only
Click OK
Click Apply
That will bring you back to the main Network window
Now, click on Ethernet to highlight it
Follow the exact same steps as above
After you click Apply, close the windows and restart your Mac
If you continue to have problems, it is possible to use an iPhone or iPad....if you have one handy.....to set up the AirPort Express. Post back if you need more details on that option.
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Apr 1, 2016 9:54 AMby Disco Danny,Wow thanks for the quick reply! Yes it is the 802.11n (MC414LL/A). I did not know that the Airport Express doesn't like the Surfboard modem! That's a real shame.
I did exactly what you recommended. Reset the Airport, rebooted modem and laptop, and the airport utility did the same thing...
I have to go to work now but I will try Bob's suggestions tonight and post the results!
@ Bob - I did try to set it up using the iPhone Airport utility but it wasn't able to see the new Airport Express.
Also - what's all this about a Base Station? Is that what you call the main Wifi routers these days? I am confused by the term.
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Apr 1, 2016 10:01 AMby Bob Timmons,I did try to set it up using the iPhone Airport utility but it wasn't able to see the new Airport Express.
Make sure that the AirPort Express has been reset back to factory default settings.
On the iPhone Home Screen, tap on Settings (gear icon)
Tap on WiFi
Look for a listing of Set Up a New Base Station
Tap on AirPort Express to start the setup "wizard"
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Apr 2, 2016 12:42 AMby Disco Danny,Okay I did everything and no dice. I changed the system prefs - yet upon each reboot they reverted back to “automatic.” I tried it three times with the same results. I did it exactly as instructed, hit apply, then rebooted each time.
I ran the Airport utility and had the same thing happen - it says it’s going to create network, and then hangs for about 4 minutes, searching for the same network, and then give me the “unexpected error” message.
I also tried it with the iPhone 6S and had the exact same experience. It hangs for about 4 minutes looking for the very network it was supposed to create, then gives the "unexpected error" message.
This has been a terrible experience and if anyone has any advice I would appreciate it. So frustrating.
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Apr 2, 2016 6:12 AMby Bob Timmons,The iPhone or iPad will normally set things up when you have having problems with a Mac trying to set things up.
If you have not powered off the modem for at least 30 minutes before you try to configure the Express.......to allow it to fully reset.... that would be something to try.
If still no luck, you very likely have a defective AirPort Express. Get with Apple Support on that.
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Apr 2, 2016 10:05 AMby Disco Danny,I did reboot the modem, each time I rebooted the Airport Express. I guess I got a lemon, lucky me! I am going to return it and try again with another new unit.
Thank you for your help! I'm going to upgrade to Captain and try one last time. The suggestion to get with Apple support - is that a joke? How does one do that? I sent an email to them but what I really need is someone on the phone, and they don't offer that!
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Apr 2, 2016 1:48 PMby Disco Danny,OK so I upgraded to Captain, reset Airport Express, rebooted modem, and the same thing happens. It hangs and fails after looking for the same network it was supposed to create. I guess it's broken. Major bummer. I'm going to take it to an Apple store and make them give me a new one.
