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No DNS servers for Time Capsule...

I just moved to Germany, and I'm trying to set up my home wi-fi network. However, my Time Capsule is giving me an error message telling me that there are no DNS servers. Anybody know how I can find that information?

Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Mar 22, 2012 1:15 PM

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Posted on Mar 22, 2012 5:01 PM

DNS servers are typically provided by your ISP or you can add ones like OpenDNS or Google DNS. By default, your Time Capsule will be configured as a DHCP client. As such it would make a request to your ISP for the required DNS servers. Something may have go awry with the set up of either the Time Capsule or the modem.


Anytime you change ISPs, it is always a good idea to perform a complete power recycle of your networking components.


I would recommend that you do the following as a minimum:

  • Power-down the modem, AirPort base station, and computer(s).
  • Disconnect the AirPort base station from the Internet broadband modem.
  • While all of the devices are powered-down, perform a "factory default" reset on the base station. This will get it back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration and make setting it up much easier, especially if you use the "Assist me" process within the AirPort Utility. (ref: Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule)
  • After the base station resets, go ahead and power it back down.
  • Reconnect the AirPort base station to the Internet broadband modem. For the Extreme and Time Capsule, be sure to connect the cable to the base station's WAN (circle-of-dots) port.
  • Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it adequate time to initialize.
  • Power-up the AirPort base station; wait at least 5-10 minutes. Note: The AirPort's status light may continue to flash amber after it has intialized. That is because, there may be some additional configuration items necessary, like setting up wireless security, before the overall setup is completed to get a green status.
  • Power-up your computer(s).

In this basic configuration, the AirPort base station will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name (SSID) of Apple Network NNNNNN. Network clients, connected to the base station either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the ISP's modem. Once Internet connectivity has been verified, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the base station for wireless security and any other desired options. Please post back your results.

16 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 22, 2012 5:01 PM in response to McUhles

DNS servers are typically provided by your ISP or you can add ones like OpenDNS or Google DNS. By default, your Time Capsule will be configured as a DHCP client. As such it would make a request to your ISP for the required DNS servers. Something may have go awry with the set up of either the Time Capsule or the modem.


Anytime you change ISPs, it is always a good idea to perform a complete power recycle of your networking components.


I would recommend that you do the following as a minimum:

  • Power-down the modem, AirPort base station, and computer(s).
  • Disconnect the AirPort base station from the Internet broadband modem.
  • While all of the devices are powered-down, perform a "factory default" reset on the base station. This will get it back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration and make setting it up much easier, especially if you use the "Assist me" process within the AirPort Utility. (ref: Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule)
  • After the base station resets, go ahead and power it back down.
  • Reconnect the AirPort base station to the Internet broadband modem. For the Extreme and Time Capsule, be sure to connect the cable to the base station's WAN (circle-of-dots) port.
  • Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it adequate time to initialize.
  • Power-up the AirPort base station; wait at least 5-10 minutes. Note: The AirPort's status light may continue to flash amber after it has intialized. That is because, there may be some additional configuration items necessary, like setting up wireless security, before the overall setup is completed to get a green status.
  • Power-up your computer(s).

In this basic configuration, the AirPort base station will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name (SSID) of Apple Network NNNNNN. Network clients, connected to the base station either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the ISP's modem. Once Internet connectivity has been verified, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the base station for wireless security and any other desired options. Please post back your results.

Mar 23, 2012 2:09 PM in response to Tesserax

Ok, that sounds great, I'll try that out. I have one question before I do though. Because this is a Time Machine, it has a 1TB HD in it as well, and I've got a large portion of my movies and music backed up on it. Will resetting performing a "factory default" reset delete that information or is that a non-issue?

Mar 23, 2012 6:35 PM in response to Tesserax

Ok, so it looks like there's a new problem. I managed to get the Time Capsule (idk why I was saying Time Machine) reset and it's broadcasting my wireless network now, and I can access it just fine with my iPad and iPod touch. However, I can't use that wireless network to access the internet through my desktop. I'm writing this message from my iPad, using my Time Capsule's wi-fi signal.


I'm also unable to access the internet through a direct Ethernet connection from the Time Capsule to my desktop.


Any ideas on what the problem might be?

Mar 23, 2012 8:04 PM in response to McUhles

I have one question before I do though. Because this is a Time Machine, it has a 1TB HD in it as well, and I've got a large portion of my movies and music backed up on it. Will resetting performing a "factory default" reset delete that information or is that a non-issue?

Any of the reset types (soft, hard, or factory default) do NOT affect the data stored on the Time Capsule's internal or externally attached HDDs.

Mar 24, 2012 1:30 AM in response to Tesserax

The only devices right now that are a part of the network are the there you said I should reset: the modem, the Time Capsule, and the desktop. Unfortunately, I don't have any other devices with which to test that particular hypothesis you have just mentioned.


I did go into the Advanced section of Network Preferemces though, and noted two things:first, it says that it has a self-assigned IP, and second, there is nothing listed under the DNS tab.


I'm assuming that second observation is an indication that you are correct in saying that the computer has no DNS information. If that's the case, how do I go about finding that info and what do I do with it once I have it?

No DNS servers for Time Capsule...

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