Getting "An unexpected error has occurred"

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Level 1

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Getting "An unexpected error has occurred"

My macbook pro stopped recognizing my wireless the other day (airport express), although my iPhone and windows based laptop had no issues connecting. I did a software update which included the Airport Utility 6.3.1 update and now cannot even reconfigure the airport express because I consistantly get the message, "and unexpected error has occurred" when trying to join the now unnamed device.

Yesterday I managed to set up the airport again via my iPhone after several failed attempts and finally, after erasing all of my wi-fi network history, my laptop connected. It worked for several hours until the airport was accidentally unplugged and now I cannot connect via computer or iPhone. (Direct ethernet has working internet.)

I've reset the airport again in hopes of adding it anew, but cannot get past the "unexpected error" message on the laptop or iphone. I changed IPv6 to Link-local only as recommended in apple support and there's no change. can anyone lend helpful advice?

Thanks!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Aug 8, 2013 3:11 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 1, 2016 1:41 PM in response to LaLinci

Sorry to report that I spent a day trying to configure a new Airport Express to wirelessly connect with w/ my existing Mac Mac Mini/Airport Extreme system running Mavericks. After trying most all the tips and tricks listed on this and other sites, I concluded that I'll need to somehow connect the Express to an Ethernet cable.

For what it's worth, the "Unexpected error. Please try again." message that typically and continually comes up once the Express is recognized by the network seems very unfortunate. The problem with such an amorphous, empty, and idiot-light-type error message is that the user/admin has no idea what to do next. Someone even re-installed Mavericks from scratch. I don't know if that worked or not.

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Answer 2

Tesserax

Level 10

148,423 points

Aug 1, 2016 2:03 PM in response to LaLinci

The AirPort Utility relies on both the mDNS (aka, Bonjour) & the IPv6 IP protocols to find an AirPort base station.

When having difficulties accessing the AirPort thru the AirPort Utility, try the following, in order, checking for accessibility with the utility after each step:

Check the local connection. If you are trying to access the AirPort wirelessly, make sure that you are connected to its wireless network before running the AirPort Utility to administer it. If you are still unable to access it with the utility, temporarily connect your computer directly using an Ethernet cable to one of the base station's LAN ports.
Try accessing the base station by using the Utility's File > Configure Other... option. Then enter the LAN-side base station IP address (the default is: 10.0.1.1) and base station administrator's password.
Verify that both the base station and your computer are configured for IPv6 Link-local only.
- For a Mac: System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi or Ethernet > Advanced > TCP/IP tab > Configure IPv6: Link-local only
- For the AirPort base station:
  Note: You may need to temporarily connect your Mac directly to the base station by Ethernet to access it.
  - From a Mac: AirPort Utility > Select the base station > Edit > Internet tab > Internet Options… > Configure IPv6: Link-local only
  - From an iOS device: AirPort Utility > Tap on the base station > Tap on Edit > Tap on Advanced > Tap on IPv6 > Change Configure IPv6 to: Link-local only > Tap on Done
Power cycle the base station. Remove the power adapter's plug from the power outlet, and then, wait 15 seconds before plugging it back in.
Perform a "factory default" reset on the base station.
Finally, if you are attempting to access the AirPort via an Ethernet connection, be sure that your Ethernet port is NOT configured for Jumbo Frames, i.e., using an MTU of 9000+.

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Answer 3

Aug 2, 2016 10:57 AM in response to Tesserax

Tesserax: Thank you very much for the comprehensive suggestions. It is so great that there are experts out there trying to help Apple network users.

Just to respond, I had already done all steps that you recommended other than entering the LAN-side base station IP address (the default is: 10.0.1.1) and base station administrator's password. (And to show a little more of my lack of expertise ... If you add multiple Airport Expresses, how would one determine each one's default IP address in advance if they don't show up in the Airport Utility?).

As noted, I luckily have the alternative of being able to connect both Airport Expresses via Ethernet cable and have concluded that doing that wiring work is a better use of my time and will likely yield a better long-term result.

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Answer 4

Tesserax

Level 10

148,423 points

Aug 2, 2016 11:34 AM in response to slothinker

If you add multiple Airport Expresses, how would one determine each one's default IP address in advance if they don't show up in the Airport Utility?).

Great question! The default LAN-side IP address of the base station would only be valid if the base station is performing as a router. That is, it is NOT in bridge mode. When in bridge mode, the base station is like any other wireless client on the network and will be assigned a local IP address from the DHCP service from your "main" router.

With that said, you would have to know the hardware MAC address of each of your base stations that are in bridge mode. From there you could check your Mac's ARP cache to find the matching IP address. Then you can just enter that IP address in the Configure Other... field.

To quickly check the ARP cache, just enter the following command in Terminal: arp -a

The result of doing so will be a table of MAC to IP addresses for devices that your Mac has "seen" on the network.

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