My Airport Express ethernet port is not working

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Level 1

20 points

My Airport Express ethernet port is not working

I recently purchased a refurb Airport Express (latest version) to extend my home wifi. Extending the network works fine. I then tried to set it up as a wireless bridge to my new AV receiver but the receiver would not connect -- no IP address, nada zip. I had changed the settings to join a wireless network and checked allow ethernet client, rebooted the express several times, even tried a hard reset. I connected two laptops using a spare ethernet cable. The won't connect either. It keeps trying to connect, but it does not succeed. Am i doing something wrong or does the refurb unit have a dead ethernet port. I would appreciate any help you can provide.

Airport Express-OTHER

Posted on Dec 23, 2011 10:15 AM

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Answer 1

Koloss

Level 2

284 points

Dec 23, 2011 10:29 AM in response to rosh400

Are the wireless clients of your Express receiving an IP address?

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Answer 2

rosh400 Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 23, 2011 1:53 PM in response to Koloss

When extending the network, my wireless clients get an ip. The Express is just acting as a pass through the router. The laptop I am typing this on is getting its signal from Express.

When I change the configuration to have the express function as a wireless bridge to my new AV receiver, nothing. No IP, no connectivity of any kind. I then tried in with this laptop (Win 7 HP) and my wife's MacBook Pro. No connection. It keeps trying, it goes through an identifying cycle but then says no cable connected. I have tried different cables and still nothing. Are there any other settings in the airport utility that I am supposed to change beside the wireless tab where I set it as join the network and allow ethernet clients. I retyped the WPA2 password just in case. I'm stumped and would appreciate any assistance.

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Answer 3

Koloss

Level 2

284 points

Dec 24, 2011 3:16 AM in response to rosh400

Sorry but I can not really help you with this problem.

The only thing I know is that you should normally be able to connect an ethernet client to the Expres in both modes: "join the network" and "extend the network".

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Answer 4

Dec 24, 2011 6:57 AM in response to rosh400

When I change the configuration to have the express function as a wireless bridge to my new AV receiver, nothing.

If you have the AirPort Express set up to "Extend a wireless network", the Ethernet port is enabled.

As a test, temporarily connect a laptop to the Ethernet port of the Express. Turn off the wireless on the laptop and open your browser. Can you get an Internet connection?

If yes, you know the Express is configured correctly and may have a configuration issue with teh AV receiver.

If no, the Express is likely not extending the network and more troubleshooting will be needed. Post back in that case.

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Answer 5

rosh400 Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 24, 2011 10:10 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks for replying. Had tried that with both my Win 7 laptop and my wife's Macbook Pro. No go. Tried again with my laptop. Still no go. In the system tray, it tries to connect. It says " identifying, " stops trying and says not connected. This was true of both the Win 7 and Macbook. I think additional troubleshooting may be necessary. Thanks.

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Answer 6

Dec 24, 2011 10:50 AM in response to rosh400

Well, let's start with your "main" wireless router to make sure that it is configured correctly to allow the Express to "extend" the network.

Open AirPort Utility - select your "main" Apple router - Click Manual Setup

Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons

Make sure that there is a check mark in the box next to "Allow this network to be extended"

Click Update to save any changes

Unplug the Express and then plug it back it and give it 40-45 seconds to restart. Then check things again and post on your results.

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Answer 7

rosh400 Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 24, 2011 11:13 AM in response to Bob Timmons

My Extreme Base Station is configured correctly. I tired the express again. No go. I rebooted the express with the ethernet connected. No go. Same thing happens. Tries to identify then says not connected.

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Answer 8

Dec 24, 2011 11:35 AM in response to rosh400

Check the configuration of the Express next using AirPort Utility - Manual Setup

Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network

Wireless Network Name = Same as the AirPort Extreme

Check mark to "Allow Wireless Clients"

Wireless Security = Same as AirPort Extreme

Wireless Password = Same as AirPort Extreme

Confirm Password

Update

Test with another spare Ethernet cable

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Answer 9

rosh400 Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 24, 2011 1:15 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Samething. I tested the ethernet port on my laptop and the cable by plugging into my router and I connected so that eliminates the cable and my laptop port. I really suspect I have a bum port on the the express.

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Answer 10

Dec 24, 2011 2:02 PM in response to rosh400

I really suspect I have a bum port on the the express.

It's possible.

You could try to temporarily configure the Express to "Create a wireless network". If you get an error message that "Ethernet is not connected", that would probably confirm that the port if bad, and the Express must be replaced.

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Answer 11

rosh400 Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 24, 2011 2:30 PM in response to Bob Timmons

I was thinking along the exact same lines. I will connect the express to my router via the ethernet cable and see if it works.

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Answer 12

rosh400 Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 24, 2011 2:59 PM in response to rosh400

delete

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Answer 13

rosh400 Author

Level 1

20 points

Dec 24, 2011 3:00 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Ethernet port has got to be dead. When I tried to configure it to create a wireless network, it reported that there was no ethernet connection. I had it connected via a good cable to a good port on my router so that leaves the port on the express. I've already contacted amazon and they emailed me a return label. Hope I have better luck with the next one. Thanks for all your help in helping me troubleshoot this problem. Happy Holidays.

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Answer 14

Feb 27, 2012 10:58 AM in response to rosh400

I have a network with one airport exreme and 4 airport expresses. None of the ethernet ports are working, so I'm sure I have a setup problem. Are the ethernet ports disabled if the wireless mode is to "join" a wireless network? My main is checked to be extended.

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Answer 15

Feb 27, 2012 12:30 PM in response to safromgranite bay

Are the ethernet ports disabled if the wireless mode is to "join" a wireless network?

Yes....unless you use the Manual Setup option to "enable Ethernet clients". But, the Express does not provide any additional wireless coverage when it "joins" a wireless network.

If you configure the Express devices to "extend a wireless network", then they will provide more wireless coverage and the Ethernet port is also automatically enabled in this type of setup.

Here I am assuming that all your AirPort Extreme and Express devices are newer wireless "n" versions.

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