airport extreme connection problem

Typically the first troubleshooting step would be to perform a complete power recycle of your networking equipment when something like this happens.

Please try the following:

• Power-down the modem, AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS), and computer(s); wait at least 10-15 minutes. Note: Power-down order is not critical.
• Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes.
• Power-up (plug into power) the AEBS; wait at least 5-10 minutes.
• Power-up the computer(s).

Computers, connected to the AEBS either by wire or wireless, should now have Internet access. Please post back your results.

Ok, then please try the power recycle again, only this time leave everything powered-down at the first step. Now just power-up the AEBS and after it initializes perform a "hard" reset on it. After it resets, power it back down. Then start up the devices per the earlier set of instructions starting with the modem.

The only thing I can suggest at this point is to make an appointment with your local Apple Store to have them check out the AEBS. If you do, please post back your results.

Did you just upgrade to 10.6.8? My Macbook Pro had the same problem today. I had to use one of the other computers in the house to make it an open network. Then I repaired permissions. I was then able to sign on after I turned the Airport card off and on again. It happened one more time and responed to again turning the Airport card off and on. So far the connection is holding.

I am also experiencing similar problems. I have the Airport Extreme 802.11n using OS 10.6.8 with a Cable Modem SurfBoard SB6120. For sometime I had no problems. Last week my area had severe weather resulting in no Internet service for over a day. I did not have my equipment on during the bad weather. All my equipment is plugged in to a UPS or surge protector. Afterwards my problems began. After repeated refresh signals from Comcast, disconnecting and reconnecting the Cable modem and Airport, I would eventually regain an Internet connection. I run Disk Utility in regular and safe mode often. This went on every day. Until yesterday when after hours of trying, I again called Comcast. The tech instructed me to disconnected and bypass Airport. He thought perhaps there was a setting that needed to be adjusted and suggested I post to the Apple forum.

I have been online now for several hours without problems. I intentually restarted my MacPro and still was able maintain my Internet connection. I would like to think I am an above average but not expert user.

I do question the suggested disconnect times of 10-15 minutes stated above. What is the reasoning for that length of time? So now have an expensive white box not doing anything.

Hi Brian,

We had the same problem today and the solution came from here: http://blogs.computerworld.com/18577/pre_lion_os_x_10_6_8_update_kills_airport_n etworks

Basically, that's what I've done:

Restarted the AirPort Extreme and Express stations

Restart the Macs

Delete Mac System preference files (Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/Move SystemConfiguration foldr into trash, restart Mac).

Run Disk Utility

Rebuild the network using AirPort Utility

Good luck!

I have the Airport Extreme and my service provider is ATT, for about 1 month I have had issues, took the AE to the apple store to troubleshoot and found it to be functioning properly.

First I just had a solid amber light that no matter how many times I attempted to reset it would not stop with the solid setting. (blinked during hard reset but reverted to solid as soon as I quit depressing the reset key.) Was convienced it had something to do with my service, but the ethernet connection directly to the modem functioned properly, so I was at a loss.

Ran across the instructions here and one other place, related to bridging the network. As best as I can tell, ATT upgraded their network for the U-Verse system, the only way Airport Extreme handles the IP address is to bridge the network, it apparently eliminates some of the properties of AE but allows the wireless and back-up connections.

The above sequence, from Tesserax was the ticket. Light still blinked amber after connection was established until I bridged the network. Prior to today, my last wireless connection to AE had been about the 10th of August. Very grateful for the assist here.

Hope this can be helpful to others.

I'm having similar issues. I'm on 10.7.3, my daughter is still on Snow Leopard, and I have various mobile devices on the network. The symptoms are that the wireless network between devices works fine, the modem is fine (when directly connected to a computer). Its just like within the APExtreme it looses connection between the input from the modem and the wireless broadcasting component. The green light remains on steady, but the airport utility indicates 'disconnected' at the internet.

I can't believe is anything to do with the preference on one of my computers as all devices connect or all not connect. Cycling the power on the APExtreme sometimes brings it back on (as it is right now) - but there is no reliability.

Should I be looking for a firmware update?