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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

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22 replies

Dec 25, 2010 12:33 PM in response to sjbaird

I am experiencing exactly the same problem. I am on OSX 10.6.5; Airport Extreme firmware 7.5.2 and AirPort Utility 5.5.2 (552.11). I recently updated the firmware in the Airport Extreme. My son got an iPod Touch for Christmas, which I need to add to my MAC address filter. I can add it, but when I update the Airport Extreme, it stops working like it is rebooting, the green light continues to blink, and it never comes back. If I power cycle it, it boots and functions just as it was, but without the updated configuration.

Dec 25, 2010 2:41 PM in response to Lumsden

I am experiencing exactly the same thing. Got a new Kindle for Christmas, today, when trying to add it to my MAC address list, the airport extreme won't update. It restarts like it is updating, then won't come back up. My Mac says it can't find the device. I am directly connected with this computer. I have to unplug it to restart it and have it com back up, which it does without the setting changes I have made. Can't add my kindle to my network this way.

Dec 25, 2010 2:53 PM in response to Lumsden

My neighbor had the same problem yesterday.

We solved it by performing a factory default reset on the AirPort and then reconfiguring the device again. It's a hassle to have to manually input all the settings, but everything is working just fine. Might be worth a try.

The other option is to to rollback the firmware to the previous version and then try to add the new device to the Access List.

Dec 26, 2010 1:14 PM in response to sjbaird

I had the exact same issue with firmware 7.5.2, but was unable to solve the problem after multiple factory resets. Instead, I had to downgrade the firmware to version 7.4.2 and now everything works well again.

Downgrading to 7.4.2 was quite easy. It turns out you can just select 'Upload Firmware…' from the Base Station menu and choose which firmware you want to upload. Of course, even doing this it wouldn't restart on its own (as that seems to be the primary bug), so I still had to power cycle to get it to restart. Everything is working beautifully again with 7.4.2 running and I can add the MAC address of my shiny new AppleTV.

Jeffrey

Dec 28, 2010 10:39 PM in response to DoktorFaust

Exactly the same problem here with an Airport Extreme 802.11n. But, how to download the 7.4.2 firmware? I see it listed on the apple support page and there is a download button, but that button just leads to an article(Old Article: 305301). I have many MAC entries in my timed access control tables and I sure don't want to reset it back to factory state.

Dec 29, 2010 1:59 AM in response to naql

I suggest you do a backup of your configuration file by opening the problematic AP in Airport Utility, then choose File > Save Configuration... Then do a Reset to Defaults (using ethernet not wirelessly) and then upon opening the reset base station, just import and save the new configuration file.

I've done this to two separate AP Extremes and it's corrected odd behavior in both and improved speeds. I noticed a difference since the new firmware... once restored they seem peppy again.

Hope this helps.

Jan 8, 2011 1:03 PM in response to scappylappy

Same issue here. Does Apple even TEST this stuff before they release it (force it) on us?

Trying to add MAC address for my step-daughter's iPhone4. Make changes, reboot and nothing...Airport won't complete the restart, network down, yellow light on the box. I have to manually reset the power - unplug/plug in - the device and then the old settings are shown.

Tried saving the configuration, reset to factory defaults (from the airport utility) then reloaded the config...no difference.

I'd like to try rolling back to the 7.4.2 firmware but I can't find it. Where can I download this file? When I choose "Upload Firmware" I only see 7.5.2 and Other. I have searched the entire computer but I can't find any *.afrm files and Apple seems to have wiped them off the web.

Any help appreciated!

Thank you

Jan 8, 2011 1:15 PM in response to 93fd3s

I'd like to try rolling back to the 7.4.2 firmware but I can't find it. Where can I download this file? When I choose "Upload Firmware" I only see 7.5.2 and Other. I have searched the entire computer but I can't find any *.afrm files and Apple seems to have wiped them off the web.


Two methods:

Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup
Click directly on the word "Version" (3rd line) and choose what you want

Or

Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup
Click on the File menu at the upper left hand corner of the screen next to the Apple icon
Hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on Check for Updates

Method 2 is much more dangerous because it may allow you to download a version of firmware that is not recommended for your device

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Jan 8, 2011 1:54 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks, Bob. I'm on a win7 PC so I don't see some of the things you mentioned such as the apple icon or an option key on my keyboard. However, your instructions caused me to THOROUGHLY explore all the menu items in the windows version of the airport utility and though there are at least three ways to bring up the "upload firmware" window only one of those ways displays the full list of firmware versions. Needless to say I am rolled back to 7.4.2 and enjoying smooth sailing once again, step-daughter's iPhone4 is now on my network...life is good!

Again, thank you for your help!

Airport Extreme won't restart

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