Airport Utility Error -4?

Hello.


I just switched ISPs and was given a new modem. The cable modem was successfully installed and I connected it to my Apple router (not sure of the exact model, I think it's the Airport express base station? It's really small and rectangular and plugs into the wall). I knew I would have to set up my router again, so I got on my laptop and opened Airport Utility. At first it couldn't find the router but I've had that problem before and it was easily fixed by resetting the router. Now, it found the router but when I click "continue" or "manual setup" it doesn't work. First, it connects to the wireless network and then there's a status bar and it says "Detecting Apple wireless devices. Please wait..."


Once it finishes an error comes up that says: "An error ocurred while trying to access the Apple wireless device. Make sure your network connection is valid and try again.


Error -4"


My network connection is working perfectly fine, I'm using it to browse the web as I'm typing this, and to post this question. I'm using version 5.5.3 of Airport Utility. I tried updating to 5.6.1 or whatever the latest version is, but I need Windows 7 SP1 and I unfortunately do not have blank CDs with enought space to install it. I tried installing it from Windows Update, but when I searched for updates it didn't return SP1. I'm not sure what else I can try. I need it to work so I can set a password for the network, and seeing the router's light glowing amber instead of green is very annoying.


Can anyone help? Thank you!

Windows 7

Posted on Sep 28, 2013 1:02 PM

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5 replies

Sep 28, 2013 1:12 PM in response to madakdouk

Any time you change networking hardware it is always a good idea to perform a complete power reset of your networking devices. Check out the following AirPort User Tip for details. Please post back your results. Note: In this case it is important that you perform the "factory default" reset on the Express so that you can start from scratch to configure for your new modem.

Sep 28, 2013 1:53 PM in response to Tesserax

Thank you. I tried following the tip but unfortunately, the same error appeared. Maybe I did the factory default reset uncorrectly, but I'm pretty sure I did it right. Here's what I did to reset the router:


Unplugged the router, then I got a pen and pressed the reset button. Still holding the button, I plugged in the router and let it power on. It flashed green for less than a second, went to yellow and then started flashing. I released the button, it stopped flashing but stayed yellow.


Is this the correct process? I then unplugged it again, then powered on the modem, then the base station and connected the two. I waited a while for them to get started up, then I went back on my laptop and opened airport utility. It recognized the router (yes, the SSID is "Base Station XXXXXX"). I went navigated to the Assist Me option under one of the drop down menus, but after the "Detecting Apple wireless devices" status bar, I got the same error.


Do you think it has something to do with my ISP (Time Warner Cable)? The error is suggesting it has something to do with my network connection, but like I said I'm using the internet just fine. I just need the Airport utility to work so I can secure the connection.

Sep 28, 2013 4:12 PM in response to madakdouk

Unplugged the router, then I got a pen and pressed the reset button. Still holding the button, I plugged in the router and let it power on. It flashed green for less than a second, went to yellow and then started flashing. I released the button, it stopped flashing but stayed yellow.


Is this the correct process?

Yes, that is correct.


Do you think it has something to do with my ISP (Time Warner Cable)? The error is suggesting it has something to do with my network connection, but like I said I'm using the internet just fine. I just need the Airport utility to work so I can secure the connection.

No, I don't think it has to do with either your ISP or the Internet connection. I believe it has to do with your Windows 7 PC's current configuration or an application running on it. Try temporariliy disabling the Windows 7 firewall and any other security programs that you may be using, and then, try accesing the Express with the AirPort Utility again.

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Airport Utility Error -4?

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