Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Airport Express won't extend connection from Extreme

I have tried to set up my express to extend the connection from my Extreme, unfortunately using Airport Utility has not helped at all. First i have problems finding the express even after a soft restart or hard restart, eventually i connected it via Ethernet. After following the Airport Utility settings or doing it manually it restarts and Utility informs me it can not find the express after restart. first off i wasn't experiencing this problem when i first started the problem that was occurring was when the express would extend the wireless but not the actual internet connection. Meaning the bars would go to full on my computer under the same wireless name but yet there would be no data connection. please help me im going crazy because iv done this plenty of times and its worked and now at my own house im having problems.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.2), i love windows

Posted on Feb 25, 2010 12:32 PM

Reply
16 replies

Feb 25, 2010 12:54 PM in response to ceramicwhite

ceramicwhite wrote:
I have tried to set up my express to extend the connection from my Extreme, unfortunately using Airport Utility has not helped at all.


Welcome to Apple's discussion groups.

Is your Extreme 802.11n-capable (flat) or pre-802.11n (dome-shaped)? Is your Express 802.11n-capable (model A1264)? If both units are 802.11n-capable, you'll be able to use a "dynamic WDS" arrangement where the Express "extends" the network. Otherwise you'll have to configure a "static WDS" arrangment, which is somewhat more complicated.

Mar 1, 2010 5:28 PM in response to ceramicwhite

Thanks for the info. Please check some settings on the AirPort Extreme and reconfigure the Express.

On the AirPort Extreme
Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Wireless Mode should be set to "Create a wireless network"
Be sure that there is a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Update to save any changes

On the AirPort Express (AX)
Suggest that you reset back to Factory Defaults as follows:
Position the AX near your computer and power it off for a few minutes
Hold in the reset button and keep holding it in as you plug the AX back in to power
Release the reset button after 10 seconds

Temporarily, connect an ethernet cable from your computer to the AX
Click Manual Setup in AirPort Utility
Click the Base Station tab to name your device and set time zone, etc.

Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode should be set to "Extend a wireless network"
Wireless Network Name...the name of your AirPort Extreme network should appear as a choice. Click to select it.
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow wireless clients"
Wireless Security should be exactly the same as the AirPort Extreme network
Wireless Password should be exactly the same as the AirPort Extreme network

Click the Music icon to make sure AirTunes is enabled if you plan to use it.
Click Update to save your settings and the Express will restart after 20-25 seconds.

You can disconnect the ethernet cable and move the Express to its desired location.

Please post back on your progress.

Mar 14, 2010 9:51 AM in response to Bob Timmons

I've had a similar problem in trying to extend my network. I'm connected to a new Extreme with my Airport Express. They are both 'n' capable. We have a few other Expresses that are extending the network with no problems but mine will frequently lose internet. When I open Airport Utility my express will still be green but will be on it's own. The extreme and other airports won't show up. I have to then join the network again and this usually isn't a problem. The Express is definitely in the range of the extreme - that's what is so frustrating. I can connect to the Extreme with my MacBook from my couch but the signal is spotty. If I move 6 feet over by my kitchen table I have a great signal and that is where my Express is plugged in. I have everything set up like you've said. the Extreme is allowing the network to be extended. My Express is allowing wireless clients. they're set to the same channel. The other ones are set up the same way with no problem. Could it be time for a new Express? that would be dissappointing considering I haven't had it that long.
at first I thought my ps3 was messing it up but it will go offline without the ps3 even on. Please help!

Mar 23, 2010 7:57 PM in response to Gareth Davies1

I haven't found a fix this problem yet. I've put the airport utility in my dock so that I routinely change my airport express from join network to extend network and then back again when I lose internet. a real pain in the you know what. I don't understand why my airport express goes off into it's own little universe where it is still green but can't get internet. Wish someone could help with this. if someone needs more info please let me know. thanks!

Mar 24, 2010 4:43 PM in response to ceramicwhite

Same exact same problem here too. And I have a brand new Time Capsule and a brand new Airport Express...in fact, I'm on my second Express because I thought the first one was faulty...as it turns out, it wasn't...now I have the same problem, different Express.

The only way I can maintain a connection to the internet is to set the Express to join the network rather than extend it. If it's set to extend I wind up having to restart the Express 2-3 times a day on average to re-establish an internet connection.

I've tried everything-different channels, re-setting back to default and reconfiguring, etc...very, very frustrating. Clearly there is a problem with extending the network....perhaps a future firmware update will hopefully resolve this.

Mar 24, 2010 5:30 PM in response to Susan Dennis

Try downloading iStumbler to help understand the signal strength and environment around your network. The "bars" on the Airport icon are not a very good indicator of signal strength, and they tell you nothing about the noise on your network

Power down the AirPort Express and move your laptop to an area very close to the location of the AirPort Express. Are you getting at least 50% signal from the Time Capsule? If not, move closer to the Time Capsule and wait a moment for iStumbler to recalculate your signal strength to see if that location will work better for the AirPort Express.

It will take some time and experimentation to find the best compromise for the AirPort Express location. If it winds up at a position that is half way between the Time Capsule and the area where you need more coverage, that's OK.

Mar 24, 2010 7:21 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob, thanks for your input...I already downloaded iStumbler a couple of weeks ago. The signal is good enough...around 50%. The thing is my old set-up was fine with no issues and it was set-up as a WDS because I had an older AE and AX.

The AX has to be near my stereo because I use it for iTunes, so I really don't have much play with where to put it...but it's in the exact place where my old AX was when it was set up as a WDS...never had any issues with it.

Right now I have my AX set to just join the network and stream iTunes and luckily, the signal from my Time Capsule is strong enough to access the internet from the front of the house (the TC is in the back of the house). Ideally I would prefer to configure the AX to extend the network, but every time I set it up like this the issues ensue.

Mar 25, 2010 6:35 AM in response to Markwths

I purchased both my 2 TB Time Capsule and Airport Express just within this last month...both the newest models...and I'm on my second Airport Express with the exact same issues.

I talked to Apple support and went through all the trouble shooting steps...they just wrote it off to connection interference but it's funny that I never had any issues with my old set-up...and no significant signal issues per iStumbler and AirRadar...in fact there's only one other neighbor that even shares the same channel with me and they show a very weak signal at that. I've tried several channels...same issue. You would think the new equipment would be no problem and the ability to extend the network without having to set things up as a WDS would make a positive difference, not the other way around.

After a month of struggling with this and reading other threads with the same problems encountered trying to set up and extended network scenario, I'm inclined to agree...that it's either hardware, firmware, or software related. I'm going to report the scenario to Apple in hopes that they will come up with a solution.

Mar 29, 2010 4:33 PM in response to Susan Dennis

Something I just found out with this Airport Express 11n.

1. The file transfers work great with out dropouts if you create a separate network on its own.

2. Extending the network on the Airport Extreme network. the Express drops out if the data is going via the extreme to computer and via the Extreme through Express to the computer.

3. If the data on the same network goes from Airport Express direct to the Computer and not via the Airport Extreme no dropout. If the data goes via the Extreme and not via the airport express no dropouts.
It appears when these 2 devises are communicating through each other this is where the problems happen.

I have 2 old Airport Express b/g versions and they work fine. I incorporated a Dlink wireless bridge in the network and it works fine with no dropouts in the same Scenario.

What is going on here?

The Airport Express is 2 weeks old, the Airport Extreme is 2 months old.

Very interesting...

Message was edited by: Markwths

Airport Express won't extend connection from Extreme

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.