CharlieTOG
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Airport Express. Mac not finding.

Hi - bought the Airport Express to extend my existing wireless connection. Went to set up and Mac saw the Airport, went through steps but didn't work. Tried it again, but this time the Mac won't even recognise the Airport. Despite rescanning, turning my Mac off and on again, still won't work.

 

Any ideas??

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 21, 2012 7:39 AM

Close
CharlieTOG

Q: Airport Express. Mac not finding.

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 21, 2012 7:46 AM in response to CharlieTOG
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 21, 2012 7:46 AM in response to CharlieTOG

    You will need to perform a Factory Default Reset on the AirPort Express and then start over with the configuration again.

     

    Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule FAQ

     

     

    Keep in mind that the AirPort Express can only "extend" the wireless signal if you have another Apple router providing the wireless network. Is that the case?

  • by CharlieTOG,

    CharlieTOG CharlieTOG Jan 21, 2012 7:54 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 21, 2012 7:54 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks for your help Bob. I have an existing router (not Apple) providing the wireless network. I'm thinking that if the AirPort Express works well to extend the network, I might get another one to replace the existing router and then have both. Is that common? Thanks.

  • by CharlieTOG,

    CharlieTOG CharlieTOG Jan 21, 2012 7:59 AM in response to CharlieTOG
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 21, 2012 7:59 AM in response to CharlieTOG

    By the way, just did the hard reset on the AirPort and it worked! Brilliant! Thank you. I might need your help again if I can't get it linked up.....

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 21, 2012 8:12 AM in response to CharlieTOG
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 21, 2012 8:12 AM in response to CharlieTOG

    Apple's instructions to "Extend a wireless network" are here:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259

     

    The illustration pictures an AirPort Extreme as the extending device, but the setup for an AirPort Express is exactly the same.

  • by CharlieTOG,

    CharlieTOG CharlieTOG Jan 21, 2012 8:19 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 21, 2012 8:19 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Still not congifuring: 'AirPort Utility was unable to find your AirPort wireless device after restarting.' Any ideas?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 21, 2012 8:33 AM in response to CharlieTOG
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 21, 2012 8:33 AM in response to CharlieTOG

    Before you even try to configure the AirPort Express, you must make sure that the "main" router has been setup to "Allow this network to be extended".

     

    Open AirPort Utility - Manual Setup

    Click the Wireless tab below the icons

     

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

    Update to save settings

     

    Configure the Express near the main router.

     

    When you configure the Express, close AirPort Utility as soon as you see the message that the settings have been stored sucessfully and wait 40-45 seconds for a green light.

     

    Then you can move it to the desired location.