I have used an Apple Tower for many years as a router and have an airport express and Apple TV linked to it. In order to expand my WiFi coverage area I just installed a mesh WiFi 6 system. Everything (devices, phones, Sonos) is up except the airport express and Apple TV. How do I reset those two up with my new system?
Apple TV
We can offer a potential solution, but have no way to verify that it will be successful, since we are not using Spotify, nor are we using a mesh WiFi network to test things out. The Express......designed more than 8 years ago.....does sometimes have difficulty trying to connect to newer mesh WiFi systems.
So, you might be better served if you wait to see if another user has set up the Express with Spotify on the same type of mesh system that you are now using. If you could provide the manufacturer name and model number off the mesh system, that would certainly be helpful.
If you want to go ahead and try things out now.........here is what we would suggest:
Power up the Express if it is not already on and let it run a minute or two
Hold in the reset button on the back of the Express for 7-8 seconds and release
Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow blinking amber light status
On your Mac.....
Open AirPort Utility (Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility)
Click on the Other WiFi Devices button
Click directly on Airport Express xxxxxx
When you click on AirPort Express that will start up the setup utility. The utility will take a few seconds to analyze the network and then display another screen
Click on the Other Options button
Click on the button next to Add to an existing network
Click Next
On the next screen, select the name of the mesh WiFi network that you are using by click on the selection box. You may see other WiFi networks there as well.
Click Next
On the next screen, type in a device name for the AirPort Express
Type in the WiFi password for the mesh WiFi network
Type in the same password again to verify
Click Next
The setup utility will now try to configure the Express to join the mesh WiFi network, since the Express cannot "extend" the network. A green light on the Express would be a nice thing to see after a minute or two. If that is the case, the Express should now be set up.
RRHar wrote:
...I presumed that the airport express was linked by my WiFi system or Bluetooth.
It would connect by Wi-Fi. With your new mesh system, the Express would need to be configured as a wireless client to allow it to be used for AirPlay streaming. Most likely, the way you had it configured before. You just need to have it connect to your Mesh Wi-Fi network instead.
Ref: AirPort Express: How to join an existing Wi-Fi network in client mode - Apple Support
Let's take the AirPort Express first. But, before we dive in to unknown waters, just want to make sure that you understand that the AirPort Express will not be able to extend the mesh WiFi network like it could the Apple "tower" router network that you have used previously.
That being the case, how were you planning to use the AirPort Express with the mesh WiFi network?
Bob, thanks for the reply. My airport express is attached to a tuner in my stereo system. I use it to solely pick up Bluetooth Spotify for music in this system.
AND ... I just connected the Apple TV to my new WiFi network.
Sorry, I am not familiar with Spotify. Are you saying that you want to use the AirPort Express for its AirPlay capabilities?
That might work......IF.......the AirPort Express can be set up to "Add" to the mesh network, but the AirPort Express will not be "extending" the mesh WiFi network the way that it did with your previous AirPort router.
We can tell you how to try to do this, but cannot say whether it will be successful. Post back if you want to give it a try.
Spotify is a music streaming service. My stereo is an old but very good system some years ago I hooked the airport express to the stereo tuner and have been able to stream music into sets of speakers hooked to that system. I presumed that the airport express was linked by my WiFi system or Bluetooth. I was able to direct Spotify to the airport express from my iMac, iPhone, or iPad. I would like to do that again. The mesh system has replaced my old Tower router. I would appreciate any solutions you can offer.
Bob,
Thank you again for the help. I followed your directions a few times and found nothing under the Other Wi-Fi Devices. I took a break and later unplugged my Airport Time Capsule. I then pushed the reset button on the Airport Express. Still no Other Wi-Fi devices found. Time went by and we lost our power for a few hours due to high winds. When everything came back on, lo and behold 1 Device is detected and it is my Airport Express! I joined my new Wi-Fi mesh network and it now works to stream Spotify music to my stereo system. I appreciate your help in getting me there.
Thanks, for posting back. Nice to see that the AirPort Express was able to "join" the new mesh wireless network.
What is your goal for the continued use of the AirPort Express with your new wireless mesh system?
For the Apple TV, you should just be able to reconfigure it to connect to your mesh network.
Apple TV and airport express setup with new router
