PatsyKB51

Q: airport utility not detecting other remote base station

I use Time Capsule as our wi fi router throughout the house.

 

Downstairs, we also have an Airport Extreme Base Station which allows us to access online movies, etc. on the television down there.

 

It has been blinking amber for some time. I did a hard reset. But it's still blinking amber.

 

I came downstairs with my MacBook Air, opened Aiport Utility and searched for "Other Wi-Fi Devices" to see if perhaps it was a firmware issue. However, Airport Utility is only detecting the Time Capsule upstairs; not the Base Station right in front of me.

 

Help please.

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1)

Posted on Jun 30, 2013 11:58 AM

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Q: airport utility not detecting other remote base station

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jun 30, 2013 12:10 PM in response to PatsyKB51
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 30, 2013 12:10 PM in response to PatsyKB51

    If you performed a Hard Reset by holding down the reset button for 7-8 seconds, then the network settings on the AirPort Express have been erased, and you will need to reconfigure it again.

     

    Click the AirPort icon at the top of the screen and wait a few seconds for a listing of New AirPort Base Station to appear. Just below that, you will see AirPort Extreme. Click directly on AirPort Extreme.

     

    The example below shows an AirPort Express as the new device, but you will see AirPort Extreme on your screen.

     

     

    New AirPort Base Station.png

     

     

    AirPort Setup should open up automatically and take a minute or two to anayze the network and sugggest a recommended configuration for the AirPort Extreme.

     

    Enter a device name that you want to use for the AirPort Extreme and click Next.

     

    Wait another minute while things are being configured. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.

  • by PatsyKB51,

    PatsyKB51 PatsyKB51 Jun 30, 2013 12:21 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPad
    Jun 30, 2013 12:21 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks for the try, Bob. Unfortunately, the Airport Extreme Base Station doesn't show up in the list.

     

    Here are screen shots from just now.

     

    Screen Shot 2013-06-30 at 12.16.18 PM.png

     

    Screen Shot 2013-06-30 at 12.14.32 PM.png

     

     

    Screen Shot 2013-06-30 at 12.14.13 PM.png

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jun 30, 2013 12:27 PM in response to PatsyKB51
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 30, 2013 12:27 PM in response to PatsyKB51

    Sometimes, the Hard Reset settings do not fully "stick".

     

    With the AirPort Extreme powered on, press in and hold the reset button for 10 seconds, then release.

     

    Allow a full minute for the AirPort Extreme to restart.

     

    Restart the Mac as well and try again.

     

    Have you performed any updates to your Mountain Lion operating system recently?  Are you still using 10.8.1 as your profile indicates?

     

    The reason that I ask is that there are some issues with recent Mountain Lion updates.

  • by PatsyKB51,

    PatsyKB51 PatsyKB51 Jun 30, 2013 1:07 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPad
    Jun 30, 2013 1:07 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks, Bob. I have Mountain Lion 10.8.4.

     

    I tried your suggestion (resetting using 10 seconds on the reset button; and restarting my MacBook Air).

     

    Airport base station is blinking amber.

     

    Airport Utility doesn't detect the base station.

     

    Airport icon wireless-finder doesn't find the base station.

     

    I'm perplexed.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jun 30, 2013 1:28 PM in response to PatsyKB51
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 30, 2013 1:28 PM in response to PatsyKB51

    There are some issues with disappearing AirPorts in AirPort Utilty in the latest Mountain Lion updates.

     

    See if the info in this support document will get the AirPort to appear, so you can reconfigure it again.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4597

     

    If this does not do it, then I am out of ideas other than suggesting that you may have a defective AirPort Extreme there. Take the AirPort to an Apple Store.....if you have one near you.....or contact Apple Support directly:

     

    http://www.apple.com/support/contact/

  • by PatsyKB51,

    PatsyKB51 PatsyKB51 Jun 30, 2013 1:52 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPad
    Jun 30, 2013 1:52 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Well, I think we're at the end of the road. It may well be a defective airport extreme. I'll take it to my Apple guys here - and if it is defective, will simply order a new one.

     

    Thanks much for your clear instructions and your patient assistance.

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jun 30, 2013 2:03 PM in response to PatsyKB51
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 30, 2013 2:03 PM in response to PatsyKB51

    One last gasp would be to try a Factory Default Reset.  Worth a try if you have the time. It helps if you have 3 hands to do this, or stand the device up for the procedure.

     

    Power off the AirPort Extreme by pulling the power cord from the back of the device

    Wait a few minutes

    Hold in the reset button first, and keep holding it in for for 10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power back into the back of the AirPort Extreme

    Release the rest button after the hold period and allow a full minute for the AirPort Extreme to restart

     

    If you have an iPad or iPhone, we could try the setup on one of those as well as the Mac.

  • by PatsyKB51,

    PatsyKB51 PatsyKB51 Jun 30, 2013 4:10 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPad
    Jun 30, 2013 4:10 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    BINGO! Factory reset did the trick. I was then able to update the firmware and now all is good.

     

    Thank you again for all the help.