Airport Express (2nd Gen), cannot get them to stay configured. They keep disappearing from my network.

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Level 1

8 points

Airport Express (2nd Gen), cannot get them to stay configured. They keep disappearing from my network.

I have two Airport Express’, both 2nd generation, both have the latest firmware. I want to use them as strictly for AirPlay, which seems simple enough. But I can’t get them to continue to work after the initial setup.

Device 1- I’ll set it up, add it to my existing network, and within 5 mins or so, the amber light starts blinking. When I investigate, it is complaining about the DNS settings. Then soon after, it disappears from my network all together, with a blinking amber light. I’ve factory reset it many times, same thing happens every time.

Device 2- Sort of the same from above, except it did work as it should for about 5 days, now it isn’t anymore. It still complains about the DNS, but when it stops working, the light is green, not blinking amber.

For both devices, I’ve tried leaving the DNS as is, and also tried using 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, but it doesn’t seem to matter. DNS might not even be the problem, but its the only error I’m getting.

I’m at a loss. I had a 1st gen express, and used it only for Airplay, for YEARS without issues, but these newer devices, which support Airplay 2, just won’t work, and it’s driving me crazy. Help!

Posted on Jan 9, 2020 6:42 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 9, 2020 7:15 AM in response to ra4oasis

The latest firmware version for the AirPort Express.......7.8.1......has not exactly been reliable in terms of connectivity of the AirPorts to networks, so if you have not already tried to roll back the firmware to the previous 7.8 or even 7.6.9 it might be worth a try to see if this helps.

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Answer 2

Jan 9, 2020 8:17 AM in response to ra4oasis

I did not suggest resetting the AirPort Express back to factory default settings, but it probably would not hurt to do this. The DNS server addresses will be assigned by your ISP, unless you manually change the DNS settings after the Express is up and running.

Not sure what you mean by "updating" the firmware, since you told us in your first post that both AirPort Expresses "have the latest firmware". You cannot update past 7.8.1, but you can roll back to 7.8 or even 7.6.9, which has helped countless numbers of users......including me......who are/were having issues with the latest 7.8.1 firmware.

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Answer 3

ra4oasis Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 9, 2020 8:27 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Resetting the devices to the factory defaults rolls the firmware back, which is what you said to do. That was my thought process anyway. I can't roll it back any other way right now, since when it disappears from my network, I can't talk to it through any means, a factory reset though, gets me back to an old firmware, and I can see it again, so I can make whatever adjustments I need to do.

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Answer 4

Jan 9, 2020 10:05 AM in response to ra4oasis

Resetting the devices to the factory defaults rolls the firmware back

No, that is not correct. While the current network settings are erased with a factory default reset or hard reset, the firmware will remain the same.

The only way that you can roll back the firmware is to do so manually with an option-click, but the AirPort will need to be connected to the network with a good Internet connection for the process to complete.

Post back if you are not sure how to roll back the firmware.

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Answer 5

Jan 9, 2020 7:18 PM in response to ra4oasis

7.8 is much more stable than 7.8.1.

Some users swear by 7.6.9.

If you do roll back the firmware, it will not be long before the AirPort is blinking amber, and you are pestered to "update" the AirPort.

If you don't want to see these types of annoying messages.......

Open AirPort Utility

Click on the AirPort Utility menu in the upper left corner of the Mac's screen

Click on Preferences

Uncheck the first two boxes

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Answer 6

ra4oasis Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 26, 2020 11:09 AM in response to Tesserax

I've tried rolling the firmware back to 7.6.9, 7.6.8, and others, nothing seems to make it permanently work. The longest I got it to stay connected to my network was for about 5 days, but honestly I usually lose the thing within an hour. I'm THIS close to just buying a Sonos One and being done with it.

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Answer 7

Tesserax

Level 10

152,145 points

Jan 26, 2020 11:58 AM in response to ra4oasis

The bottom line is that, depending on the AirPort base station, you are running on "borrowed" time. I was disappointed that Apple (nor anyone else) has come up with a replacement solution ... but that is just the way it is and even I have relegated my Express base stations (I only have two left) to the "time capsule" area of my closet, along with my Polaroid 108 Land camera that I got on my 8th birthday.

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Answer 8

Jan 26, 2020 12:01 PM in response to ra4oasis

After you rolled back the firmware, did you then reset the AirPort back to default settings and then set it up again?

Don't know if this will help, but worth a try if you have not already done this.

For what its worth, I have a couple of AirPort Express devices here for AirPlay use here that run on 7.8 firmware, and have had no problems since I rolled back to 7.8. But, both AirPorts are located where they either have line of sight, or very close to it......so they both receive a strong signal from the main router, which is an AirPort Extreme.

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