HT201945: Resetting an AirPort base station FAQ

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freediddy
Level 1 (4 points)
Wireless

Q: Why has Airport Extreme disappeared from Airport Utility, after adding back to mac functionality?

In OS 10.11, with Airport version, 6.3.6.  I can no longer see my Airport Extreme in Airport Utility after I activated Back to Mac. I have the Airport Extreme base ME91899/A and two Airport Express units model #'s A1392.  I set up the Airport Extreme unit and the network first.  I was able to see it Airport Utility. Then I added each airport express unit. They were visible as well. Then I added the Back to Mac capability to the airport extreme unit and now it is no longer visible in Airport Utility.  Why is that ?

 

Posted on Aug 14, 2016 3:35 PM

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freediddy

Q: Why has Airport Extreme disappeared from Airport Utility, after adding back to mac functionality?

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  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 14, 2016 3:39 PM in response to freediddy
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 14, 2016 3:39 PM in response to freediddy

    Apple is having big time problems with iCloud. Disable Back to My Mac on all of your AirPort routers and then power off and restart the entire network.

     

    We'll have to wait for a fix from Apple.

  • by freediddy,

    freediddy freediddy Aug 14, 2016 3:48 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 14, 2016 3:48 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thank you Bob. I have 2 questions.  (1) In my case, since I cannot view the Airport Extreme through Airport Utility, how do you suggest I disable back to mac?  Do I need to reset to factory Default?  (2) Is the fact that I cannot see the Airport Extreme unit win Airport Utility really an issue? It is definitely working, I have a wireless network, I was just concerned that I could not see it and make adjustments if I wanted to.  Thoughts? Many thanks in advance.

  • by MurgenTemplar,

    MurgenTemplar MurgenTemplar Aug 15, 2016 5:59 AM in response to freediddy
    Level 1 (33 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 15, 2016 5:59 AM in response to freediddy

    Freediddy, two options:

     

    1. Unplug your WAN-connection and restart your AE. It will show up in the utility. Remove BTTM, restart, plug WAN back in.

     

    2. Select in the Airport Config utility: Config another device. Enter IP-address snd password and remove BTTM from here. After a restart your AE will show up.

     

    Whatever suits you best.

     

    AE is fine without Airport config tool for now but a Time Machine router will not have a working TM backup. Removing BTTM is therefore really necessary to have Time Machine operational.

     

    Afterburner: I tried to contact Apple but my AE and TM devices are from 2014 and I'm not going to pay 29 Euro's to get support.