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My AirPort Extreme keeps blinking amber

My AirPort Extreme keeps blinking amber. I used AirPort Utility, updated the firmware and restarted the AirPort Extreme. It continues to blink amber. The message says to check the base station, if it is hot, try changing location or remove any obstruction. The base is warm, I moved it but it still blinks amber. I do have internet. What should I do to have the base station work properly?


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Posted on Jun 15, 2020 3:25 PM

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Posted on Jun 15, 2020 4:01 PM

My model is AirPort Extreme 802.11ac. It is the tower shape. How do I know if I have a USB connected disk? (I did not do the initial setup - my tech guru did it long ago).

I do not hear any fan, only a few faint clicking sounds.

4 replies

Jun 15, 2020 3:49 PM in response to Til9833

How old and which model is your Airport Extreme?


This is a common problem with AC model (tower shaped rather than earlier flat ones).


If the base and top are just warm is the fan running too fast.. can you hear it?

If the fan is still silent the report is false due to a faulty sensor or some other actual hardware fault.

A simple solution often suggested is to open the airport utility and go to the disk tab.. turn off sharing.

My screenshot is from a Time Capsule but assuming you have no USB connected disk then sharing is a suitable adjustment.

Just uncheck the enable file sharing.. and then click update.



Note.. this has absolutely nothing to do with overheating or anything.. it just does a warm reset which bypasses the sensor check.

If the problem happens again after a power cycle.. turn the file sharing back on.. and update... i.e. you are simply adjusting something to allow warm reset.


If that fails tell us as the issue can be a faulty fan or some other more complicated issues.

Jun 15, 2020 4:19 PM in response to Til9833

How do I know if I have a USB connected disk?


There is a USB memory stick or hard drive plugged into the USB port of the Airport.. if you don't know.. then the answer is you don't have any.


I do not hear any fan, only a few faint clicking sounds.


Clicking sounds are not good.


Let me suggest something else.

In the airport utility please give us a screenshot showing the actual problem.


Click the edit on the summary




Use top menu, Base Station, and Diagnostics.. could be called something else but will be obvious.



If this is off you need to turn it on. Click the checkbox to send diagnostics & usage data to Apple.



You will see thermal info.. click the arrow.



There is a whole lot of info there.. stretch the box down so you can see more of the info.. take a screenshot of that and post it. The fan should be doing around 1500rpm. If it is slower it is probably packed with dust.. and will need removal and cleaning.. or better replacement.. it is not an easy job.


N.B.

Sorry my screenshot is for example only.. I have removed the fan so it has 0 rpm. Yours will hopefully show some details.


I asked how old the Airport is? This is important as they are now over 7 years if you bought early ones in 2013.. and well and truly due replacement. I would say any over 5years should be replaced without a second thought. Apple got out of router manufacturer 2+ years ago so you will need to move to another brand at some point anyway.. now is as good as later.

My AirPort Extreme keeps blinking amber

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