HT1145: Wi-Fi Quick Assist

Learn about Wi-Fi Quick Assist
achang
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Trouble setting up airport express to extend wifi network

I have a wirelss network that is operating find. Set airport extreme base station to allow to extend wireless network. Tried to add an airport express. When I plugged it in initially it showed up in airport utility. Tried to extend network.  Unsuccessful. Now express flashes amber and does not appear in airport utility. What to do?

MacPro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Mar 6, 2012 1:23 PM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,448 points)
Wireless
A:

Pleae follow this Apple support document to set up the AirPort Express.

 

Although an AirPort Extreme is pictured in the example, the setup of the Express is exactly the same.

 

If you are following all of the steps and continue to have problems, you should have the Express checked out at an Apple Store....as it likely defective.

 

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

Posted on Mar 7, 2012 7:34 AM

Close
achang

Q: Trouble setting up airport express to extend wifi network

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Lowell Tuttman,

    Lowell Tuttman Lowell Tuttman Mar 6, 2012 1:28 PM in response to achang
    Level 4 (1,362 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 6, 2012 1:28 PM in response to achang

    Did you also set the express to 'extend a network' mode?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 6, 2012 1:51 PM in response to achang
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 6, 2012 1:51 PM in response to achang

    Now express flashes amber and does not appear in airport utility. What to do?

    Perform a Factory Default Reset on the Express to get it back to "new" settings.

     

    Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule FAQ

     

    Move the Express to the same room as the AirPort Extreme for the setup and get to a "green light" status there. Then locate the Express at a point that is about half way between the AirPort Extreme and the area that needs more wireless coverage.

     

    Avoid obstructions as much as possible for best results. Remember that after 3-4 walls in a typical home, the signal is pretty much gone.

  • by achang,

    achang achang Mar 7, 2012 6:28 AM in response to Lowell Tuttman
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 7, 2012 6:28 AM in response to Lowell Tuttman

    Yes

  • by achang,

    achang achang Mar 7, 2012 6:30 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 7, 2012 6:30 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Did what you said, moved the Express to same room as Extreme. Express still flashed amber and didn't appear in Airport Utility. Tried turning Airport on and off. Tried resetting modem.  Nothing but flashing amber.  Is there a way to reset Express without using Airport utility?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 7, 2012 6:50 AM in response to achang
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 7, 2012 6:50 AM in response to achang

    Is there a way to reset Express without using Airport utility?

    Yes, I already posted this previously. Look for the info on a Factory Default Reset using the Reset button in this Apple support document.

     

    Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule FAQ

     

    If you don't want to read this document...here is the shortcut:

     

    Power down the Express

    Wait a few minutes

    Hold in the reset button on the Express...and keep holding it for an additional 8-10 seconds.....while you simultaneously plug the Express back in to power

    Release the reset button after the hold period

     

    The Express will stay solid amber for about 30-40 seconds, then begin to slowly blink amber. That is your signal that the Express has been reset.

  • by achang,

    achang achang Mar 7, 2012 7:29 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 7, 2012 7:29 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Got it reset. Express showed up amber in ap utility. Typed in the name of the network to extend and clicked on extend network. After a long period of time got error message saying it couldn't find wireless network

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 7, 2012 7:34 AM in response to achang
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 7, 2012 7:34 AM in response to achang

    Pleae follow this Apple support document to set up the AirPort Express.

     

    Although an AirPort Extreme is pictured in the example, the setup of the Express is exactly the same.

     

    If you are following all of the steps and continue to have problems, you should have the Express checked out at an Apple Store....as it likely defective.

     

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

  • by achang,

    achang achang Mar 7, 2012 7:34 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 7, 2012 7:34 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Reset again. Got flashing amber but now it doesn't show up in ap utility

  • by achang,

    achang achang Mar 7, 2012 7:38 AM in response to achang
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 7, 2012 7:38 AM in response to achang

    Reset it again and it worked!  Thanks Bob!

  • by Joseph Kriz,

    Joseph Kriz Joseph Kriz Mar 7, 2012 7:39 AM in response to achang
    Level 5 (5,144 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 7, 2012 7:39 AM in response to achang

    Are you using the reset button the perform the "Factory default reset" ?

    Factory default reset (using reset button)

    If the AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule isn't accessible from AirPort Utility, the Factory Default reset can be accomplished by using the reset button.

    1. Unplug the AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule from power.
    2. Press and hold the reset button with a pen or pencil, then plug the AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule back in while continuing to hold the button until you see the light (LED) flash rapidly. This should happen after a few seconds.
    3. Release the button. This will factory default reset the AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule.

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 7, 2012 7:41 AM in response to achang
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 7, 2012 7:41 AM in response to achang

    Glad you got things going!

  • by achang,

    achang achang Mar 7, 2012 8:14 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 7, 2012 8:14 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Of course, now that I got it all set up I moved the express close to the room I want to extend the network to I realize that it doesn't seem to help at all. I had a weak signal in the room and I still get a weak signal. I had hoped that adding the express would help get me a slightly stonger signal. Oh, well! Thanks for your help.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 7, 2012 8:17 AM in response to achang
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 7, 2012 8:17 AM in response to achang

    Locate the Express about half the distance from the main router to the area that needs more coverage.

     

    If that does not help, there are too many obstructions in the signal path or the distance is too great.