Airport express drops off network

I had this exact issue and had almost given up. I managed to fix it this evening, hopefully it works for you.

You can verify that we have the same issue by doing this:

1. Disable your Airport Express's wireless using AirPort Utility 5.6:

2. Connect it with Ethernet and verify that the connection is stable.

If this is the case, then the issue must specifically be with the WiFi and not something else going wrong inside the device. If you're still experiencing dropoffs in this configuration then sorry, I guess this won't help you.

The fix:

Update your router to use WPA2-PSK [AES]. This is the only configuration that worked for me. Second, set your AirPort Express to Join your network using WPA2 Personal security. Again, this is the only configuration that worked. The WPA/WPA2 Personal setting did not work.

Restart your router. It should work. My problem was identical to yours. I could see the AE in the AirPlay settings in iTunes for a few minutes after I booted it. Sometimes I could play to it, sometimes not. Once it stopped working, I would need to disconnect and reconnect the AE from power. The light would remain solid green.

But yeah, it works now. Good luck!

I have been struggling with the same issue since installing a new Netgear wireless router (WNDR4000 N750 Dual Band Ggabit). I have two older AE's (one is the original and the other is the first version of the "n"). They work flawlessly when connected via the LAN, but when connected wirelessly, they disappear, reappear, sometimes work, sometimes not.

Recently they disappeared for weeks and I set out to fix the issue. After finding this thread, I decided to look into the wireless settings on my router. I decided to change the settings on the wireless SSID they were connecting to (SSID is 2.4 Ghz b/g/n). The only change I made was to the "mode." It had been set to "up to 300 Mbps" and I changed it to "up to 54 Mbps." After this change, the AE's are functioning flawlessly on the wireless and have for several days. I have never had this long of a run with flawless wireless operation since installing the new router. So I believe this is a fix for me. . .

OK - check out this info the link to the Airplay setup - you will have substitute your devices but the concepts are the same - you will set up the Express as a wireless access point - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4587 -

To reset it to factory defaults, disconnect any devices from the Express - unplug it and press in and hold the reset button and plug it back in - when the light flashes, release the reset button - wait until the light flashes slowly indicating that the device is reset - then using the above info as a guide, re-configure the Express to join your existing network as a wireless access point using the Airport Utility - if it still doesn't work, then it is just not happy with your particular setup - this sometimes occurs in some non- Apple networks - of course I am biased and would suggest you repalce your BT router with a new Express or Extreme - but this is my opinion and the choice is yours - I hope this helps.

Charlie

My ap express (generation1 I believe) was dropping constantly.

This thing was solid as a rock when i first got it.

Problem seemed to start after upgrading to the 7.6.x firmware.

Did two changes to the unit today.

1. downgraded to 7.5.2 firmware -- so far no issues anymore.

2. Joined my existing wireless network (wndr3700 router)

Don't think number 2 was the soln as the AirP was working very well when it was just connected via ethernet thru a western didital powerline network doo-dad. Plus the other three devices connected to the powerline box have had zero issues.

Used the instructions in this thead to downgrade:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4814082?start=0&tstart=0

You would manually upgrade or downgrade firmware for an AirPort right from AirPort Utility:

The "trick" is to hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the current version number. Then, other avaiable versions will display. Simply click the one you want.

My Airport Express was experiencing audio drop outs, which looked like network disconnects because now and then the Airport Utility also lost connection with the Airport. My Airport Express is in 'Join a network' mode.

After almost a full day of trying and searching for solutions I solved the issue by doing a channel scan on the wireless router/modem. The channel was set to 11 initially, after scanning it found 3. I also selected the '802.11g only' mode (see screenshot). Not sure which of the two did the trick, but I'm not touching it anymore since it works now 😝

Hope that helps someone!

Also I hope that Apple realizes one day that their suggestion that an Airport Express 'just works' is not realistic.

Mattijs

Hi lewis, no, the settings of your router can be accessed by entering the ip address of your router in your web browser. The ip address of your router can be found in the network preferences (see Router in the screenshot below). You will need to know the login information of your router.

CRMDVM - You're a genius, and I can't thank you enough.

Followed your instructions, setting up the Express just as I did with the Extreme.

Plugged in the Ethernet cable and got the green light!

Last night when our laptops kept dropping, our Wireless Network Connection Status was only showing 78 Mbps.

Here we are now 🙂 :

Thank you so very much!

We are all volunteer users just like you - we only are trying to help - sometimes we know the answer and sometimes we make suggestions that might help and will open a dialogue that may lead to a solution - we have no affiliation with Apple nor do we know why Apple does what they do - I review unresolved posts to see if I missed something or to see if I can learn something new that can be passed on to other users - and according to forum guru King Penguin - "these are user-to-user forums, they are not monitored by Apple - there are too many forums/threads/messages for that to happen" - so I suggest that if you think you have something that Apple should know, contact Apple directly at - http://www.apple.com/feedback/

More information on this after speaking to the Apple Support team and doing some more research.

If your configuration is one wireless router/hub and one Airport Express, the Airport Express MUST be connected to the router by Ethernet cable to use AirPlay with iTunes. The Airport must be connected in Bridge mode.

Subsequent Airports can be added wirelessly, creating a 'serial chain' if you have multiple speaker systems throughout the home, but the must chain off the first bridged Airport.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4587 How to setup and configure Airport Express for AirPlay and iTunes

The last of the four use cases described contains the statement, "Due to the overhead required for this configuration, you may expect AirPlay drop-outs such as intermittent loss of audio."

This statement, IMHO, confirms that Apple have a problem that their Airport documentation (2012) doesn't explain as it suggests this configuration should be the default one.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259 Setting up and configuring an Extended Wireless Network (802.11n)

These two articles explain all the options for configuring Airports to Apple requirements.

Personally, I'm pretty hacked off having to use a cable to connect a wireless device to make it work! But that's Apple for you.

Wilson

The length of this topic and fact that it continues to grow without concern from Apple is troublesome.

As I write this, I am contemplating throwing both my Airport Extreme and Airport Express out the window.

In short:

• Have Airport Express upstairs connected to cable modem. Seemed to have uninterrupted service for a year or more.
• Started having "dropping" signals lately, so purchased an Airport Express to extend the wireless to the downstairs.
• A month or more and still no improvement. ALL devices dropping signal.
• Had TWO different cable technicians to the house to diagnose the problem. Signal issues are not coming from the service carrier.
• Moved the Airport Express into the family room, literally 2 feet from all laptops/devices and it is still dropping.
• Read almost every post here and can't seem to pinpoint my issue.
• Both the Extreme and Express are already set to WPA2 Personal security.
• Both on version 7.6.4
• Reset both the Extreme and Express and cable modem multiple times and still intermittent (far more than tolerable) drops.

Side note: Also, reading the manual, it appears that you are supposed to be able to use the Express as a 'wired' extension (Extreme to Express via ethernet to LG TV via ethernet), however, the setup in Airport Utility doesn't give the Extreme as an option to connect wired via ethernet. I thought it would be better to have it wired but guess it doesn't allow it.

Very disappointed in Apple.

I sure hope someone here can assist and I thank you in advance.

Best regards,

Jason

CRMDVM - Thank you for taking the time to help me.

• We have a SURFboard SBG6580, supplied by the cable company, which is connected via Ethernet cable to the WAN port of the Apple Extreme.
• We are using Airport Utility version 5.6.1.
• Extreme is connected to SURFboard via Ethernet cable and was set up to create a wireless network.

Thank you again.

Hi - you will probably have to do a factory reset but before that, please post back with some info about your system - which Express do you have? - how ole is it? - is is your primary router? - if not what other router or Airports do you have and how are they connected?

Thanks

I have the same issue. My AE (2012) is in "client mode", connecting wirelessly to an Airport Extreme base station. I use the AE for AirPlay only. The AE works for a few hours, then the front light goes to amber and the device is no longer visible to the network (via AirPlay or the Airport Utility). I have to unplug and replug the power to get it working again.

I also have a prior generation AE configured the same way. It works without issue.