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When trying to add an AirPort Express to my network I get the following message: an unexpected error occurred. Try again...
When plugging it in the system sees cbOd7e..... the only readable item on the AirPort Express is: R 7-34 R
iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.2
As you can tell I am not very good at this.... I currently have an AirPort Extreme connected to my Charter modem and two wireless AirPort Express units in my house as network extenders. I purchased what I thought was another AirPort Express to add to my network.... my goal here was to plug in a Canon MG7700 printer to this APE as it tells me it is in use and I can't print to it wirelessly..... I also have a Canon TR8600 that is connected to the AirPort Extreme.... Seeing I already had 2 Express units I thought I could add another.... hopefully you can understand what I am saying....
Tnx Glenn
Hi,
Also, if I may add one thing, you mentioned Canon MG7700 and TR8600 series printers. The following individual model numbers are listed in About AirPrint - Apple Support as printers supporting the AirPrint technology:
An AirPrint-enabled printer can be used without macOS printer drivers or special iOS/iPadOS apps, provided that the printer and Mac computers and/or iPhones/iPads are connected to the same network (Wi-Fi router).
AirPrint works with wireless (Wi-Fi) or wired (Ethernet) network connections. One could connect a printer with Ethernet capabilities to one of the LAN ports of a router, instead of using Wi-Fi, and still use AirPrint.
However, AirPrint is not supported for printers connected to the USB port of an AirPort Extreme or Express base station. Using a USB printer connection like that could mean that drivers or special apps would be needed.
If you have been using a Mac to try to configure the AirPort Express.....and you have an iPhone or iPad handy....try using the iOS device to set up the AirPort Express.
Home Screen > Wi-Fi > Set Up New AirPort Base Station > AirPort Express
Add to Tesserax's questions, are you able to determine if that Express is a model A1084 or A1264? Inspect every exterior surface for that tiny text.
I realize its distinguishing marks may be obscured, and will be difficult to read even if they are not, but the original Express models A1084 and A1088 are definitely obsolete and can no longer be administered with any recent macOS version. Other than those two, every other Express model remains usable.
One more thing: if you are able to successfully configure the Express and get to the step where you update its settings, the "unexpected error" occurs for the simple reason that the temporary network it creates for the sole purpose of configuring it ceases to exist after it is configured and the Express restarts. The solution is to quit AirPort Utility and explicitly connect to the wireless network you just created with it.
A few questions, if you don't mind:
The "cb0d7e" is the partial MAC address of the base station. Are you seeing this in the AirPort Utility?
As you can tell I am not very good at this.... I currently have an AirPort Extreme connected to my Charter modem and two wireless AirPort Express units in my house as network extenders. I purchased what I thought was another AirPort Express to add to my network.... my goal here was to plug in a Canon MG7700 printer to this APE as it tells me it is in use and I can't print to it wirelessly..... I also have a Canon TR8600 that is connected to the AirPort Extreme.... Seeing I already had 2 Express units I thought I could add another.... hopefully you can understand what I am saying....
Tnx Glenn
Yes, I am seeing this in AP utility
Unless I read the specs incorrectly for this particular Canon printer, it should have Wi-Fi connectivity. As such, you really don't need the additional base station to use it as it should be able to connect to your existing extended wireless network that was created with your other base stations ... unless, you are saying that this printer is located such that it cannot gain wireless access to that extended network.
I understand completely and what you want to do is totally reasonable. The only caveat particular to my question is whether that Express is one that can even be used these days:
I purchased what I thought was another AirPort Express to add to my network....
The original AirPort Express models bore designations A1084 or A1088 and that's what you need to rule out first. They won't work, and their value on the used market is essentially nil.
Unfortunately they are physically identical and indistinguishable to the later model A1264, which — should — work.
The later Express models have a "flat, square" appearance. They should work also.
Resolve that uncertainty first, and then we can address adding the Canon printer to your network.
I should have tried my iPhone setup before.... it worked beautifully.... Thank you so much.... I will try my MG7700 setup this evening.... thanks again....
Glenn
adding an air port express to my network
