can't find my network attached storage in time machine

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Feb 4, 2021 12:36 PM

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Time Capsule Network Corrupted I have a Time Capsule 802.11n connected wirelessly to a MacBook Pro and I have used it for several years as the router for my network to which all my devices at home are connected. 10 days ago I acquired a Linksys Velop router to have a mesh type of wifi and to install additional devices to my home. I wanted to use the same network created in my Time Capsule, so I asked the installer service (Best Buy technician) to use the network name and password provided by my Time Capsule. Today I got a message that backups of my Mac were not possible, so I used the Airport Utility to see what the problem was and found that my Time Capsule is not seen by the Airport Utility. Then I realized that my MacBook is connected to the network though the Linksys router and not through the Time Capsule. If I disconnect the Linksys router I see the network and I even get full wifi signal but still I do not get internet connection nor I get the Airport Utility to see the Time Capsule. After reading several posts in the Communities of similar kind and trying some solutions up to a soft reset of my Time Capsule with no success, I realized what happened: The Best Buy technician connected the Linksys router via ethernet to the modem of my ISP and not to the Time Capsule and because in the Linksys router we used the same network name and password I had in the Time Capsule, I believe that network in my Time Capsule became corrupted. I reached to this conclusion because in my Time Capsule I had also configured a Guest Network and I get wifi and internet connection in that network with no issues. However the Airport Utility do not see the Time Capsule either while in the Guest Network. Do you have a solution for me to restore the original network in my Time Capsule so that I can see it in the Airport Utility and my Mac does recognize it to continue with backups as usual? I do not need the Time Capsule so much as the router for my network as I get better speed of my internet connection with the Linksys router. If I connect the Time Capsule to the Linksys router via ethernet (instead of connecting it to the modem of my ISP) I see the Time Capsule in the Airport Utility but I get a message that the Time Capsule was previously part of my network and I do not get and Edit option in the pop-up but just a Forget option. If I do this I am just worried that I cannot get the Time Capsule back in the network to get my backups. Sorry for the lengthy explanation but hope you can help. Thanks!
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1 reply

Sheree_P

Community Specialist

Feb 10, 2021 6:18 AM in response to ffffairylights

Hi ffffairylights,

We understand that your Network-attached storage isn't being detected in Time Machine. We will do our best to assist. Have you ever used his drive for Time Machine prior? If not, we suggest checking the documentation for your NAS device.

If you've used this before, make sure the Mac is up-to-date.

If you're trying to make a backup, take a look at the article below that states "If your backup disk is on a network, the network server can use Server Message Block (SMB) file sharing. Your Mac must be connected to the SMB server when you set up Time Machine. After you select the network disk in Time Machine preferences, Time Machine automatically connects to the disk when it’s time to back up or restore your data."

Types of disks you can use with Time Machine on Mac

If we have misunderstood and this is not what you're experiencing, respond back with some more details.

Cheers.

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can't find my network attached storage in time machine

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