langolier
Level 1 (5 points)
Wireless

Q: airport extreme has gone dark

My indicator light on my Airport Extreme has gone out.   I've powercycled it but still no light.  I do have small flashing green lights next to the connectors. 

 

No sounds and nothing appears amiss except the light and no network.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Posted on Sep 2, 2016 12:24 AM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (104,879 points)
Wireless
A:

The A1143 AIrPort Extreme was introduced in August 2007 and discontinued in March 2009, so depending on when you purchased the AirPort Extreme and placed it into service, it is at least 7+ years old and as much as 9.

 

5 years, on average, is about the useful life of a wireless router designed for home use, so you have done quite well.

 

If you can secure a return privilege for a replacement power supply.....in case it does not help.....you might be able to stretch another 6-12 months out of the AirPort Extreme if a new power supply does get things working.

 

On the other hand, sometimes a new power supply will place added stress on other older electrical components that have also gone downhill, and cause them to fail within a short timeframe, so the "fix" turns out to be temporary.

Posted on Sep 2, 2016 10:55 AM

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langolier

Q: airport extreme has gone dark

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Carolyn Samit,Helpful

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Sep 2, 2016 8:09 AM in response to langolier
    Level 10 (119,535 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 2, 2016 8:09 AM in response to langolier

    Hi,

     

    Try the help provided by user Bob Timmons in this support article >  airport express base station flashing green light, not connection?

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 2, 2016 8:09 AM in response to langolier
    Level 10 (104,879 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 2, 2016 8:09 AM in response to langolier

    What model of AirPort Extreme do you have?

     

    Is this the current "tower" shaped version......or......an older "flat or square" version of the AirPort Extreme?

     

    IF.....you have the older "flat or square" version of the Extreme, the symptoms that you are describing indicate a power supply problem either with the outboard power supply "brick".....or...... the internal power supply components inside the AirPort Extreme.

     

    It might be a $20 gamble.....unless you have a money back guarantee.....to try a new outboard power supply for the AirPort Extreme to see if that will solve the issue.

     

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-OEM-APPLE-AIRPORT-EXTREME-BASE-STATION-POWER-SU PPLY-AC-ADAPTER-A1202-/370810566512

     

    If a new outboard power supply will not work, then the AirPort Extreme has failed, and will need to be replaced.

     

    IF.....you have the current "tower" shaped AirPort Extreme, a power supply component has failed and the AirPort Extreme will need to be replaced.  The warranty is one year on the Extreme, but if you have AppleCare in effect on one of your Macs, the AirPort Extreme is covered up to three years from its purchase date.

  • by langolier,

    langolier langolier Sep 2, 2016 8:08 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 2, 2016 8:08 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks Bob.   I have the old square extreme but do have the outboard power supply.   Is there any way to check the output of that before ordering a new one?

     

    I noticed in your answer that Carolyn referred me to that they had a 'flashing green light' while mine is just dark.  Should that tell me anything?   I do have those tiny flashing green lights next to the connectors on the back, though, so I must be getting some power.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 2, 2016 8:19 AM in response to langolier
    Level 10 (104,879 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 2, 2016 8:19 AM in response to langolier

    If you have a small voltage tester or could borrow one, the outboard power supply should deliver 12 volts.

     

    I think that Carolyn may have been confused by your post, and thought that you had an AirPort Express, not an AirPort Extreme.  Two completely different products with similar names.

     

    Another thought.....if the AirPort Extreme is 5 years old or older, even if a new outboard power supply might get things going, the internal power supply inside the AirPort is already at or past its useful life, so the fix will likely be temporary before something else goes wrong.

     

    If you can find the model number of the AirPort Extreme......it is on the bottom of the device......starts with an "A"followed by four numbers........we can tell you more about the product that you have.

  • by langolier,

    langolier langolier Sep 2, 2016 10:29 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 2, 2016 10:29 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Model # is A1143.   Using my serial number I get OBS,AirPort Extreme 802.11n (2nd Gen) from Apple.  Time goes so fast anymore that it could easily be more than 5 years old.  Thanks

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 2, 2016 10:55 AM in response to langolier
    Level 10 (104,879 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 2, 2016 10:55 AM in response to langolier

    The A1143 AIrPort Extreme was introduced in August 2007 and discontinued in March 2009, so depending on when you purchased the AirPort Extreme and placed it into service, it is at least 7+ years old and as much as 9.

     

    5 years, on average, is about the useful life of a wireless router designed for home use, so you have done quite well.

     

    If you can secure a return privilege for a replacement power supply.....in case it does not help.....you might be able to stretch another 6-12 months out of the AirPort Extreme if a new power supply does get things working.

     

    On the other hand, sometimes a new power supply will place added stress on other older electrical components that have also gone downhill, and cause them to fail within a short timeframe, so the "fix" turns out to be temporary.

  • by langolier,

    langolier langolier Sep 2, 2016 11:05 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 2, 2016 11:05 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks for your help, Bob.   Looks like it might be time for a new one.   Probably be better able to take advantage of Apple's speed bumps, too.

  • by langolier,

    langolier langolier Sep 2, 2016 12:15 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 2, 2016 12:15 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I'm unable to explain why but my Airport Extreme decided to start working again.  Don't know that I did anything to it except maybe  moving the external power supply and the Extreme itself around to try to find the serial and model #'s. 

     

    Thanks for all your help.   I'd better start saving my money.

     

    jim