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My time capsule is flashing amber.

My time capsule is flashing amber and has been flashing off and on for a few months. Now it has been flashing amber for solid for a couple weeks. I'm running OSX 10.11.6 and the AirPort Utility version is 6.3.6. The message in AirPort Utility window says "Device Not Found. Time capsule was previously part of your network. Check that it is still in the range of your network and is plugging into a power outlet." It is plugged in and directly plugging in via ethernet cable. Need some help and very simple instructions as I'm a bit of a computer newby but willing to give any advice a go.

Posted on Jul 16, 2019 9:32 PM

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5 replies

Jul 16, 2019 10:18 PM in response to LaPastenague

Hi Mr.L,

Thanks for answering so quickly. OK 1st, I meant that for a solid 2 weeks the light has been flashing on and off (I should have just said 2 weeks).


It is a pizza box shape and the model number is A1254.


I probably did the wrong thing but while waiting for a reply I unplugged the power to the capsule. Waited a few seconds then plugged it back in. This is what happened:

  1. The light when solid green for a few minutes while (finally) a firmware update occurred. I haven't been able to get an update in a while.
  2. The light flashed amber a couple times then went solid for about a minute.
  3. It flashed amber twice then turned a solid green which is the way it still it.
  4. Now it seems I'm not connected to the network

.


Do you think this reboot solved the flashing light issue?


G



Jul 16, 2019 10:00 PM in response to bennao

Flashing solid.. ??

Flashing means LED is blinking on and off.

Solid means not flashing at all.

You cannot have flashing solid.. so please clarify.

Solid Amber is very very bad sign. Hardware fault.. in TC often dead hard disk.


Tell me what model it is? Flat pizza box shape model.. then also give me the model from base label.. eg A1409 is Gen4


The next tall AC model has no variants so just say tall tower.. the number is on the base but is next to unreadable.. grey on black.. brilliant!!


What does it do when you boot?

I need each colour of the front LED as it goes through the boot cycle.


Standard is

Green for about 1sec.

Solid amber about 30 sec

Flashing amber can be 1-2sec if everything is good.. time based on issues.

It will flash amber forever if there are issues.. but it has boot and should be able to see it in airport utility.

It will turn Green and stay green if configuration is all correct.


Ethernet lights.

All ethernet lights will flash green once a few seconds after boot.. Gen1-4

Gen5 all ethernet lights flash green twice about 30sec after boot.. but mine could be strange.. all ethernet lights should flash at least once during the boot cycle.

At the end of the boot cycle any ethernet with connections should turn green. Usually solid green although early ones can flash green.


So tell me what is the flash cycle for all the LEDs.


Once boot after a reset (hold in the reset button for 10sec and the front led will flash rapidly.. twice its normal speed)

The TC will have IP of 10.0.1.1


Open a terminal in the Mac and type

ping 10.0.1.1

and see if it responds.

Control + C key to stop.


Flashing LED amber check the faults.



This gen5 TC has two issues.. red circle shows 2.


Issue one it needs update. (actually I downgraded it from latest firmware deliberately).

Overheating.. this is false error caused by failed sensor or temp chip.

I can fix it.. by some nasty manipulation.



So green happy and dumb.. Red circle with 1 issue is firmware needs update which aint gonna happen.



Jul 17, 2019 12:31 AM in response to bennao

OK.. well the flashing amber was purely caused by the need to update the firmware.


Now it seems I'm not connected to the network


Network off means your wireless is off.. not that you are not connected to the network. If you use ethernet then wireless is not needed anyway.


oh boy.. a A1254 is ancient.. most died at 18months.. so somewhere back in 2009. If you have managed to keep it running till now it is miracle. It will be slow as molasses flowing uphill in winter.


Honestly this should be replaced.. about 10 years ago. The wireless is pathetic.

If you are still happy with it.. well.. keep your fingers crossed and hope.


My time capsule is flashing amber.

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