Airport Express Reset

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Level 1

8 points

Airport Express Reset

I was trying to add a password and something changed. I cannot reset my airport express as instructed for the hard reset. It does not work and therefore is not found in airport utility. Please anyone have an idea what to do?

imac, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Jan 30, 2011 10:19 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2024

Level 10

168,032 points

Jan 31, 2011 4:14 AM in response to tahoelady

Welcome to the discussions, tahoelady!

To "hard reset" the AirPort Express, make sure it has been powered on a few minutes.
Hold in the reset button until you see the amber light begin to blink more quickly
Keep holding the reset button in when this occurs for 4-5 more seconds
Release the reset button

Give the Express 40-45 seconds to restart and wait until the amber light is blinking slowly
At this point, the Express is broadcasting a default network with a name like +Apple Network xxxxxx+
Click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of your screen and then click Join Other Network
Click Show Networks
Log on to the +Apple Network xxxxxx+ so that AirPort Utility can communicated with the AirPort Express

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Answer 2

tahoelady Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 31, 2011 9:59 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Thank you so much. The directions online are wrong. They don't say to have it plugged in for the 3-4 minutes. But your method worked and I appreciate it. Now, how do you add a password for the wifi? This is what got me in trouble in the first place.

Thanks again
Lynda

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Answer 3

Jan 31, 2011 3:01 PM in response to tahoelady

The directions online are wrong.

Can you provide a link for the instructions so we can follow up?

Now, how do you add a password for the wifi?

Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab located just under the row of icons
You'll see the settings for the wireless network there
Enter your new password
Confirm the password

Click Update and wait for the Experss to restart in 40-45 seconds

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Answer 4

tahoelady Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 31, 2011 6:29 PM in response to Bob Timmons

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3728. This is the link I was following about the reset. The hard reset doesn't say to have it powered up before pushing the reset button. And the factory reset doesn't say to do it either.
It may have been implied but I am a novice and it wasn't clear.

Thanks for the info on the password.

Lynda

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Answer 5

Jan 31, 2011 6:42 PM in response to tahoelady

Thanks for posting back. I can see how the confusion could occur regarding the reset.

Unless specifically instructed otherwise, it is always a good idea to have any device up and running for a few moments to let it stabilize before you attempt to make any resets or configuration changes.

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Answer 6

Dec 20, 2011 8:24 AM in response to tahoelady

Bob

Just wanted to say that this

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2252431?start=15&tstart=0

saved my sanity.

This should be placed right up at the top of all discussions on airport express.

The key is starting with the triple "hot" reset and then following your instructions

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