Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

0 points

Airport Extreme won't restart

Having problems with my airport extreme since installing Airport Utility 5.5.2 and firmware 7.5.2. I can't change any of the settings since the updates. I can find the Airport Express, go to manual setup, and change the settings, but when I tell it to update, the Airport never restarts. It does cause the network to go down, but you wouldn't know it from looking at the Airport- it just sits there with the green light on, like nothing has happened. However, the network no longer works. I have to manually unplug the Airport and plug it back in. When I do this, however, it's back to the old settings, not the updated settings. Any thoughts? I've tried using Airport Utility on two different computers, to make sure it wasn't a computer-specific problem, and no luck.

MB Pro, PowerMac G5, intel iMac, G4 CUBE, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Dec 19, 2010 11:43 AM

22 replies

InZAX

Level 1

0 points

Jan 12, 2011 12:07 PM in response to DoktorFaust

Hi Jeffrey and others,
Same rebooting problem here. Very frustrating! I bought my Airport Extreme with 7.4.2 on it, so downgrading from 7.5.2 requires the firmware file since I never downloaded it to my Mac. Can someone share the 7.4.2 firmware file if it's not too big? Maybe via dropbox?

Thanks,
Chris

naql

Level 1

8 points

Jan 13, 2011 10:53 PM in response to Christopher Rogers3

I finally got around to doing as you suggested. I exported the config, reset the base unit back to default settings, connected directly via ethernet cable, restored the configuration, edited the MAC access tables by deleting several entries and modifying another, saved and restarted and, voila! My changes were there when the base station restarted.

I then added another entry to the MAC access table and updated it again... and, the problem was still there: the airport base station light stayed green, eventually I got a dialog saying the base station could not be found. I pulled the plug and recycled the base station and it came back up minus my newly added entry.

Just to get it over with, I repeated the first procedure and added the entry. The only oddity was that after restoring to defaults, the base station did not come back up until I cycled the power, but the defaults were indeed restored. I then restored my config settings again, added the final MAC access entry and restarted.

So, there does indeed seem to be a problem with this version of the firmware. I don't think I'll have any more changes to make for a while, so I'll wait for Apple to drop a patch fix when they deem us worthy.

InZAX

Level 1

0 points

Jan 14, 2011 9:37 AM in response to naql

This firmware is junk, and no option to download the older (working!) firmware.

As for another workaround, here is what I did. Since the first import of the config file actually works...

1. Back up the config file
2. Hard reset the device
3. Edit the config file in TextEdit and add in the new MAC addresses that I wanted to give access (I use timed access control via MAC address)
4. Import the file back into the Airport Extreme

The crappy part is that if I ever want to add or remove a new MAC address, I have to hard reset the device, re-edit the config file, and re-import.

colebg

Level 1

0 points

Mar 26, 2011 6:35 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob,

Thanks for the info. I was having the same problem as everyone else and was able to successfully roll-back to 7.4.2 and it's working great again! Thanks for taking the time to post clear step-by-step details, it's much appreciated.

Ben

A H1

Level 1

53 points

Jul 10, 2011 8:27 AM in response to DoktorFaust

Thanks Jeffrey,

I ran into this problem, and was very glad to find this thread! I thought I had accidentally broke something. I was trying to debug one of client WiFi problem and was trying different configurations on my AEBS and restarting numerous times in 94F 55%RH environment---probably hotter since the AEBS is on the second floor and A/C was off and the base station was running really hot to begin with. major heatwave here...), and all of a sudden it stopped updating new setups.. and I was starting to panic...

I managed to roll back to 7.4.2, and voila. back to normal function. have just told everybody in our household to never update the firmware... whew.

J. Stein

Level 1

4 points

Nov 14, 2011 1:26 PM in response to A H1

I had this exact problem, and rolled back to 7.4.2 after reading this thread (very helpful btw) so this week apple release 7.6 version of the firmware, anybody still doing Mac Address Access filtering upgrade yet and tried to add an address. in other words does 7.6 still have the issue?

A H1

Level 1

53 points

Dec 4, 2011 11:07 PM in response to J. Stein

I don't know what v7.6 would add, but I think in this case, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies.

Only way to know is to try, and since I'm pretty happy with the current firmware, I think i'm going to just keep it.

but if you do decide to test the new firmware, make sure you (1) save your current configuration in a backup, (2) make sure you're ready to roll back to 7.4.2 quickly, and (3) don't do it if you need the network for some critical use in the immediate 24-48 hrs, just in case you run into problems...

Airport Extreme won't restart