I have been using an Airport Express Base Station, model A1084, to connect to my network and run my wired house speakers. I just updated our router with a Google Nest mesh. I can no longer access the AE device and Airport Utility does not recognize.

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I have been using an Airport Express Base Station, model A1084, to connect to my network and run my wired house speakers. I just updated our router with a Google Nest mesh. I can no longer access the AE device and Airport Utility does not recognize.

I have been using an Airport Express Base Station, model A1084, to connect to my network and run my wired house speakers. I just updated our router with a Google Nest mesh. I can no longer access the AE device and Airport Utility does not recognize it. Tried the reset button on the device... nothing.

It worked just fine with my last 4 or 5 routers. Any got any ideas? It I must replace, any suggestions?

Thanks y'all!

Posted on Jul 24, 2020 3:39 PM

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Answer 1

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CaptainMadness Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 30, 2020 8:53 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Hey Bob T - I knew I was using a dinosaur (A1084) and understand how lucky I am to have had it functioning perfectly for so long. Channeling my dad, I just hate to replace something that ain't broke. I did get the green light to come on and I have found some workarounds to access this old device and set it to my new network. None have worked so far, but I will give it one more shot and then look for a A1392. I really appreciate your advice. - CM

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Answer 2

Jul 24, 2020 4:40 PM in response to CaptainMadness

Unfortunately, the A1084 is an obsolete version of the Express that Apple discontinued over 12 years ago. This model is incompatible with AirPort Utility on a Mac or iPhone using any operating system within the last 10-11 years.

Ironically, if you have a PC, or a friend with a PC, you might be able to configure the AirPort Express using AirPort Utility 5.6.1 for Windows.

https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1547?locale=en_US

Keep in mind that this application was designed for use on PCs running Windows 7, so it may or may not work on newer versions of Windows.

On the plus side, it is remarkable that the old A1084 Express will even power up at all, since most of these devices failed after about 5 years of normal use. So, you are way ahead of the curve in that respect.

If you need a more updated version of the AirPort Express, check Ebay for both the A1264 and A1392 versions of the Express. Most are available in the $25-50 range.

The A1392 version would be recommended since it supports AirPlay2 while the A1264 does not.

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Answer 3

Jul 30, 2020 8:58 AM in response to CaptainMadness

Good luck.!

If you poke around on the Internet, you can probably find information that claims to be able to allow an older version of AirPort Utility to be run a newer Mac along with the new version of AirPort Utility.

Keep in mind that this will change some of the operating system files on the Mac, and if anything goes wrong......there will be no support from Apple on this. Often, you have to use Terminal commands to try to get things working, so if you are not familiar with Terminal, it would be best to leave it alone.

It's your call though.

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I have been using an Airport Express Base Station, model A1084, to connect to my network and run my wired house speakers. I just updated our router with a Google Nest mesh. I can no longer access the AE device and Airport Utility does not recognize.

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