flashing light

Question

flashing light

On occasion the light on my Airport Express blinks on and off for hours; then the next day it stays on.

It doesn't seem to affect my wi-fi reception or performance; but why does it keep blinking?

Posted on Apr 5, 2012 11:49 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Apr 5, 2012 12:07 PM in response to David L Gerber

.....but why does it keep blinking?

The AirPort Express is trying to tell you something.

To find out what it is......

Open AirPort Utility, select the AirPort Express and click Manual Setup

Click directly on the word Status (2nd line) and another window will open to tell you why the AirPort Express is complaining....along with suggested remedies.

If everything seems to be normal otherwise, the message might be something as simple as a notice that an update is available for the AirPort Express.

Reply

Answer 2

Apr 5, 2012 12:49 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob, I chain two Express units, one of which is quite old.

I've been told the only compatible Airport Utility is 5.6. I also have 6.0 on my computer but was told I can not delete it.

Anyway, I opened 5.6 and was able to resolve the blinking light problem. Thanks for your help.

Reply

Answer 3

Apr 5, 2012 3:16 PM in response to David L Gerber

AirPort Utility 5.6 will configure both your older Express and device and any newer "n" AirPort, so it would be a good idea to keep both 5.6 and 6.0 on your Mac.

AirPort Utility 6.0 cannot easily be deleted since it now part of the Lion operating system.

Reply

Answer 4

May 2, 2012 9:53 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob,

The same problem arises again.

I get the following message, when opening 5.6:

"Airport Utility was unable to find any Airport wireless devices.....Rescan.

I have rescanned twice and it still does not recognize any of the devices.

I am still able to use the Internet, but my primary device keeps blinking on and off.

What t do?

Reply

Answer 5

May 2, 2012 11:02 AM in response to David L Gerber

Try powering down the entire network, wait a minute, power up the modem first, then the main Airport, then the "remote" AirPOrt and then other devices.

Keep your laptop in the same room as the main AirPort Express. Then, test the remote area. Experiment with the placment of the remote Express by moving it closer the main Express.

Reply

Answer 6

May 3, 2012 6:19 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob, I had forgotten to unplug the remote AirPort Express; so I unplugged both and the modem; then powered up again, and now everything is fine. AirPort Utility recognizes both Express units.

Thanks for your assitance with this.

Reply

Answer 7

Jun 12, 2012 10:50 PM in response to Bob Timmons

now my older AirPort Express appeared to have died. The light does not come on at all and the unit is cold.

We had a thunderstorm while I was gone for a week on vacation, and I wonder if it fried the unit.

My newer, primary AirPort Express works fine.

How do I determine if the old unit is salvagable?

Reply

Answer 8

HACKINT0SH

Level 5

5,804 points

Jun 13, 2012 7:44 AM in response to David L Gerber

Plug it into an outlet that you are SURE is working.

If it still won't light up, try to do a factory reset.

If that don't work, it's 99% dead, but you can have a genius bar do a diagnostic on it just to be sure.

If it gets warm, just maybe only the light is kaput...

Reply