Airport Express not seeing ethernet cable during setup

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Airport Express not seeing ethernet cable during setup

Hi there,

I'm trying to trouble-shoot a friend's Apple Express. I brought it back to my house and reset the device to its original settings. I plugged it in, went into Setting on my iPad, and saw the device lsted under "Set up an AirPort Base Station...". I tapped the device name and followed the prompts. The setup took me through the steps where it created a new network and gave it a default name. I added a password and hit "Next". The next screen shows it is "Waiting for an Ethernet cable to be plugged in..." and flashes the graphic of the connection wire between the 2 devices. And that's where it stays. I've tried several different ethernet cables that I know to be good, but it never goes past ths point.

Am I doing something wrong? Or is the device a lemon? I appreciate any advice or assistance. If more information is needed, I'll gladly supply. Thank you in advance.

Posted on Aug 16, 2013 9:54 AM

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Answer 1

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mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Aug 16, 2013 9:57 AM in response to gtifeld

The Ethernet cable must be connected to the WAN port of your AirPort Express. Also, that cable must connect your AirPort with your modem. Check this > http://www.apple.com/airport-express/specs/

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Answer 2

gtifeld Author

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Aug 16, 2013 11:18 AM in response to mende1

Thank you so much, Mende1. That solved that problem. It's funny because the diagram on the setup assistant indicated the other port which is why I was using that. Thank you for setting me straight.

Which brings me to the next question: How does one set this up as a Range Extender so that it does not need to be hard-wired to the router? I can't seem to find the instructions for that, nor can I figure it out by looking at the admin utiltiy app.

Do you (or does anyone else) have a link with the directions for that? Thanks again in advance. 🙂

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Answer 3

mende1

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93,538 points

Aug 16, 2013 11:20 AM in response to gtifeld

See > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145

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Answer 4

Aug 16, 2013 11:37 AM in response to gtifeld

The AirPort Express will be able to "extend" the signal wirelessly if you have another Apple router configured as your "main" router.

The instructions in the Apple HT4145 support document are getting to be somewhat dated in that they assume that you are using the Leopard or Snow Leopard operating system.

Things are somewhat different....and easier...if you are using Lion or Mountain Lion.

Post back if you need additional help on that.

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Answer 5

gtifeld Author

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Aug 16, 2013 11:44 AM in response to mende1

Thank you once again.

Regards,

--- Gary

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Answer 6

gtifeld Author

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Aug 16, 2013 11:45 AM in response to Bob Timmons

HI Bob,

Thank you for your response. Will the Express only work as an extender in conjunction with another Apple router? Will it not work with another non-Apple device?

--- Gary

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Answer 7

Aug 16, 2013 11:53 AM in response to gtifeld

Apple appears to use proprietary settings for their "extend" feature, so it is extremely unlikely that an Express....or any other Apple router would extend a signal wirelessly from a 3rd party router.

If you decide to try....make sure that you understand the store's return policy before you buy.....or have a Plan B in mind to connect the Express to the other router using a wired Ethernet connection.

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Answer 8

gtifeld Author

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Aug 16, 2013 11:58 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Thank you, Bob. I'm trouble-shooting this for a friend who DOES have an Apple network at home, so it shouldn't be a problem. I was just trying to test it in my home off my existing Verizon network. Thanks. again. I appreciate it.

Regards,

--- Gary

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