Papajak

Q: How do I change channels on the Airport Express?

We are having difficulty accessing out WiFi signal from areas where we couild do so previously. At the same time, there are a lot of WiFi systems that show up on our screen, almost all of them operating on channel one. Our local cable provider has suggested that we change wireless channels.

How do you do that on and Airport Express?

Airport Express, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on May 12, 2013 8:33 AM

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Q: How do I change channels on the Airport Express?

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  • by Bob Timmons,Apple recommended

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons May 12, 2013 8:45 AM in response to Papajak
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    May 12, 2013 8:45 AM in response to Papajak

    Your best bet is to power down the AirPort Express, wait a minute, then power it back up.

     

    This simple reset forces the Express to automatically scan all available channels and select the best available channel to use.

     

    Try that first, before you start to guess at what channel to use. To guess at a channel.....

     

    Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility

    Click on the AirPort icon, then click Edit

    Click the Wireless tab at the top of the screen

    Click Wireless Options near the bottom of the window

    Change the setting for 2.4 GHz Channel from Automatic to a manual setting that you select

    Leave the 5 GHz Channel setting at Automatic

    Click Save, then click Update

     

     

    Screen Shot 2013-05-12 at 10.42.25 AM.png

     

     

    Screen Shot 2013-05-12 at 10.42.44 AM.png

  • by mhardey,

    mhardey mhardey Aug 17, 2016 11:19 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 17, 2016 11:19 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob,  I have the identical options for my AirPort Extreme, but the AirPort Express does not seem to have the same Wireless Options Panel. The only choice appears to relate to the 5mhz band, whether it's active or not, and there is no list of channels available for 2.4ghz band.  Any thoughts?  Do I need to update the firmware to have that option available on the AirPort Express?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 17, 2016 11:29 AM in response to mhardey
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 17, 2016 11:29 AM in response to mhardey

    Sounds like you have the AirPort Express set up to "extend" a network, or "join" a network. You don't have channel options in that case, since the Express uses the same channel that the "main" router is using.

     

    Only if you have the Express connected to another router or modem using a wired Ethernet connection and the Express is setup to "create a wireless network" will wireless channel options appear.

  • by mhardey,

    mhardey mhardey Aug 18, 2016 4:27 PM in response to Papajak
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 18, 2016 4:27 PM in response to Papajak

    Bob,

     

    Great answer.  Changed the channel number on the two Extreme's anchoring our network and the AirPort Express units followed like good soldiers.  Worked like a charm!

     

    Matt