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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

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13 replies

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Trouble setting up airport express to extend wifi network

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