Airport Express Unexpected Error

Bob,

This too worked for me as i was trying to set up an airport express as an extension to our home network. Thank you.

Have same problem with AE gen 2 model. Worked one day and then not the next. Tried all suggestions on this post. Only difference is my config is all wireless, i.e. MacMini and MaBook Air connected via wifi to AExtreme router. When I reset AExpress, I can then see it on my iPad but not on my Mini. doesn't this indicate the wifi circuitry in the Express is Ok? After the setup sequence on the iPad , it then indicates "unexpected error. Any other suggestions or is it I have a defective unit?

Have same problem with AE gen 2 model which was setup to extend network for purpose of connecting to powered speakers. Worked one day and then not the next. Tried all your suggestions. Only difference is my config is all wireless, i.e. MacMini and MaBook Air connected via wifi to AExtreme router. When I reset AExpress, I can then see it on my iPad - doesn't this indicate the wifi circuitry in the Express is Ok? After the setup sequence on the iPad , it then indicates "unexpected error. Any other suggestions or is it I have a defective unit?

I am getting the "unexpected error" from the airport utility on my macbook pro. I have had the macbook and airport extreme? (the tall one) since Jan 2014. It all worked fine out of the box until about 2 weeks ago when my macbook Time Machine suddenly stopped backing up to the airport.

I have tried the factory reset and then reconnecting. It says :-

"Joining airport time capsule"

then a few minutes later:-

"An unexpected error occurred try again."

I have tried again about a dozen times!

I was able to connect wirelessly using airport utility "File..Configure Other" option prior to doing the factory reset, so my macbook was able to connect but wouldn't do so via time machine.

I don't have an ethernet port on my macbook so don't have the option of setting via a wire.

Where do I go from here?

That dreaded error happened. After reset. After setting the ipv6. Nothing worked.

I have Yosemite and after reading about a possible bug, I followed the steps and finally got it working.

Airport Express configuration failure on Yosemite

Same problem here trying to configure an AE from my iMac with Yosemite and tried all the suggestions.

Then I tried to disconnect the ethernet cable from my iMac with the AE connected to my wireless hub with a cable and lo and behold, it worked!!

If you're not able to do it on your mac, then check your firewall settings.

Go to System Preferences->Security & Privacy ->Firewall Options and uncheck 'Block all incoming connections'

This is what helped me. Reboot your mac. Take express from the power outlet. No network cable needed! Hold reset button down with pen and insert the express in the power outlet with the reset button still inserted.

The expres wil flash a green light. Then it will glow solid orange. Keep the pen down after a while it will start t blink rapidly. Now release the reset button.

Wait a while (couple of minutes) and your express should be visible on the left top corner of airport utility on you mac

Follow the steps. If the Unexpected message reappears, start with resetting the express again and start over. It will kick in when it wants to kick in. With me it took more than 7 times. Don't forget to reboot your mac.

I followed this procedure with a 2nd line specialist of apple on the phone. Imagine I tried it all weekend with no luck and when I called apple suddenly it worked!

Good Luck!

I have an Airport Express A1392, and was having the same problem trying to connect it to my existing Airport Extreme wireless network. I am running OS X 10.9.5, and have Airport Utility 6.3.2. Temporarily connecting the Airport Express to my iMac with an ethernet cable solved the problem.

Thank you!

What worked for me to configure an Airport Express as a wireless network extension

Make the wireless ipv6 change as

What worked for me to configure an Airport Express as a wireless network extension

1. Make the wireless ipv6 change as described in AirPort base station not seen or "An unexpected error occurred" appears in AirPort Utility 6.3 - Apple Support
2. Temporally disable the ethernet-interface on the iMac using the network configuration in the setup utility
3. Hard reset of Airport Express (10 sec reset button)
4. Reboot iMac
5. Configure wireless Airport Express
6. Enable the ethernet interface on the iMac using the network configuration in the setup utility

After these steps, it works as advertised

Problem seems to be the dual network interface on the iMac (ethernet and wireless jointly working). I haven't tried it without the ipv6 change.

Bob,

I am trying to setup my Airport Express MC414LL/A by adding it to my existing home wifi; I am setting it up from my IPhone. I can see the Aiport base from the IPhone wifi settings and the phone allows me to select other options and then select "add to existing network", the tool is using the wifi password from the key chain.

However, once I click into the last steps and the base tries to handshake with the wifi it gives a message " an unexpected error occurred. Try again".

Troubleshoots I have done:

1. Hard reset the airport Multiple times

2. Hard reset the wifi base multiple times

3. Requested and installed a new wifi base from verizon

4. Took the airport to the apple store and they tested and successfully connected to the store wifi.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

audiopink, I had the exact same experience as you. Went through the procedures suggested in this forum, switched TCP/IP to "link local only". What did it for me was your advice on disconnecting all ethernet cables, then Airport Utility recognized my new out-of-the-box Airport Express and set-up was easy. Thank you.

Hi Bob

I have been following all the posts with the same problem. when I link my airport extreme boxes using my iPad it works first time on wifi. I have run ethernet to my extended room and always get the unexpected error messages on my iMac. i changed the settings to link local only, what else could cause the error ? airport utility see's the extending airport extreme but I can't connect to it via ethernet

chris

Hi there, I have followed the instructions and it still doesn't work. I have a Bell Home Hub 2000 router upstairs at the front of the house.

New Apple TV main level at the back of the house and the basement Wifi is just terrible.

When I reset the my Apple Express and use the Utility to add it to the network there are no issues. When I select edit and then wireless in the utility, my options in "Network Mode" are create a network, Join a network (which I have already successfully done) or extend a network, which is what I'm attempting to do.

So I select extend and when I update it appears to be updating but then I get this error message."An error occurred while updating the configuration'.

I press OK and the Express is no longer connected to the network.

1. Can you extend the router that is not an Apple router?

2. Is there a firmware update required for the Express?

3. Help?