HT201945: Resetting an AirPort base station FAQ

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laurafromcrane
Level 1 (4 points)
Wireless

Q: What to do if reset button does not work on Airport extreme a1408 w/ lost password?

What to do if Reset button on Airport Extreme a1408 won't work? The password is lost (bought second-hand). I have spent many hours trying every method I could find anywhere on how to reset; soft, hard and factory default. The Airport Utility won't let me do anything w/o the previous owner's password. I can't get it from him.

Can anyone help?

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Aug 7, 2016 8:06 PM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,018 points)
Wireless
A:

At this point, your only hope is to open up the AirPort Extreme to try to repair the reset button.....if possible. This link will provide some tips on the process to open up the device.

 

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Apple_Airport_Extreme_Model_A1408

 

Honestly, this is not easy, so unless you are a real do-it-yourself type, you can buy a used A1408 on Amazon for about $35-40.

Posted on Aug 7, 2016 8:48 PM

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laurafromcrane

Q: What to do if reset button does not work on Airport extreme a1408 w/ lost password?

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  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 7, 2016 8:48 PM in response to laurafromcrane
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 7, 2016 8:48 PM in response to laurafromcrane

    At this point, your only hope is to open up the AirPort Extreme to try to repair the reset button.....if possible. This link will provide some tips on the process to open up the device.

     

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Apple_Airport_Extreme_Model_A1408

     

    Honestly, this is not easy, so unless you are a real do-it-yourself type, you can buy a used A1408 on Amazon for about $35-40.

  • by laurafromcrane,

    laurafromcrane laurafromcrane Aug 8, 2016 1:38 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 8, 2016 1:38 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks for the info. Turns out you were right, button was broken. I followed some directions I found to open case on MacRumors forums (great info), connected button from inside w/ screwdriver, boom, reset! Put it back together, & now it works w/ my info & password. This took a lot less time than I had already spent doing everything but stand on my head, trying to get the sucker to reset. Sheesh, what an ordeal. If I had known this was a common problem, as it turned out to be, I could have figured it out sooner.

    I am so pleased & thankful you got back to my question so quick w/ the correct answer. You're a treasure!

    laura evans

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 8, 2016 1:50 PM in response to laurafromcrane
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 8, 2016 1:50 PM in response to laurafromcrane

    Nice work!  The link that I provided also had "how to" instructions on how to open up the case.....but you might have missed that, or already had other instructions handy.

     

    This is not a common problem at all, because most users who might have a stuck reset button can still access the settings in the device and make changes manually if needed using AirPort Utility. Only in cases like yours....where the reset button is stuck...and the user cannot get into the settings with AirPort Utility (because they don't have the device password stored) is this a real issue.