No wifi with Airport express

I have a wireless bridge that is pulling a strong signal and an Airport express connected to it via ethernet.


The setup has been consistently working until recently. Based on the status lights in attached photo, it seems like the wifi source is still strong but the Airport is not working correctly.


Via another forum answer, I did a long hard reset on the whole thing. Unplugged for over an hour and factory reset the Airport. I recreated the network and am now getting the same 2 errors.


I have confirmed that the source of the internet on the other side of the bridge is working very strong. Hoping there is a solution.

Posted on Feb 27, 2022 4:14 PM

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Posted on Feb 27, 2022 5:11 PM

Try move the Ethernet cable to the other Ethernet port on the Express.


If still no luck, as a temporary test, connect the Express directly to an Ethernet port on your main router. Restart the router and Express.


If things work that way, then you know the Express is OK and the problem is elsewhere.


If still no luck, it looks like Ethernet on the Express has failed, so WiFi will not be able to connect to the Internet. The Express is at least 5+ years old and as much as 11+ depending on when it was placed into service. 5-6 years is about the average useful life of an Express.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 27, 2022 5:11 PM in response to Rymurf

Try move the Ethernet cable to the other Ethernet port on the Express.


If still no luck, as a temporary test, connect the Express directly to an Ethernet port on your main router. Restart the router and Express.


If things work that way, then you know the Express is OK and the problem is elsewhere.


If still no luck, it looks like Ethernet on the Express has failed, so WiFi will not be able to connect to the Internet. The Express is at least 5+ years old and as much as 11+ depending on when it was placed into service. 5-6 years is about the average useful life of an Express.

Feb 27, 2022 6:09 PM in response to Rymurf

Do one more setup on the Express.


Power up the Express and let it run for a minute

Hold in the reset button for 7-8 seconds and release

Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow blinking amber light status


Run the setup again.


Unless something is very wrong, Airport Utility will set up the Express in Bridge Mode......Apple calls this "Off (Bridge Mode)". That is the correct setting.


Setup using a Mac is easier than an iPhone / iPad in my experience.



Feb 27, 2022 4:40 PM in response to Rymurf

I assume that you have powered off the wireless bridge and the AirPort Express, waited a minute, then powered up the wireless bridge, let it run for a few minutes, then connected the AirPort Express and powered it up and let it run for a minute or two.......correct?


If not, please try that sequence.


If still no luck, please try the same sequence again with a different Ethernet cable.


If still no luck, not much else that you can do other than try another Hard Reset on the Express and set it up again. There is no need to power the AirPort Express off for an hour after the Hard Reset.

Feb 27, 2022 5:58 PM in response to Bob Timmons

It wasn’t in bridge mode by default but I’ve switched to that. Now when I look on my phone it shows both are green (but still no wifi)


I’ve also opened my macbook pro, and in the utility there the airport shows green and the internet shows orange. so maybe it is in fact an issue with the bridge. photos show the differing utility screens


Especially confusing because I can see my network, it shows 3 bar strength, and I can attempt to connect but it just spins forever and never connects.


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No wifi with Airport express

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