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Airport Express Unexpected Error

When trying to setup my Airport Express, my Airport Utility recognizes it; however when I go to set it up it gives me an "Unexpected Error, Try Again" response. I have on numerous occasions reset it to factory default settings by holding down the reset pin and plugging it into power. Any ideas how to get around the error message?

iMac 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Jan 17, 2014 12:20 PM

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Posted on Jan 17, 2014 12:31 PM

Temporarily, connect an Ethernet cable from your Mac to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express for the setup.


This assumes that you are trying to configure the Express to wirelessly join or extend an existing network. Things are different if you are connecting the Express to an modem.


Post back to tell us what model of Express you have in that case, and what operating system you are using. It sounds like you are no longer using OS X (10.6.x) as you indicate in your profile.


Once you have the Express configured and the settings have been updated, you can disconnect the Ethernet cable.

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Jan 17, 2014 12:31 PM in response to dtwaldo1

Temporarily, connect an Ethernet cable from your Mac to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express for the setup.


This assumes that you are trying to configure the Express to wirelessly join or extend an existing network. Things are different if you are connecting the Express to an modem.


Post back to tell us what model of Express you have in that case, and what operating system you are using. It sounds like you are no longer using OS X (10.6.x) as you indicate in your profile.


Once you have the Express configured and the settings have been updated, you can disconnect the Ethernet cable.

Sep 6, 2017 3:34 PM in response to dtwaldo1

Hi, hope you must have found the solution to the airport express unexpected error message...but for the information of others I thought of sharing a very easy solution to the issue, which I happen to discover lately.....hope it helps.....

I started facing the error issue after changing the router...after trying a lot of things what I found was that by reducing the security level of the router from WPA(AES) to WPA(TKIP) the airport express connected immediately, User uploaded filenow for those who are not able to understand this is the router page, you can ask your service provider to guide you, usually by default the username of the router is ADMIN & password is PASSWORD, if not changed by the service provider, this is the same where you keep your wifi router security key for connecting to your wifi connection, just reduce the level of security and you should be able to connect...uploading my router page screenshot for reference, hope it helps...don't forget to leave comments/feedback if it was helpful.

Jan 17, 2014 4:20 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob,


You've bee a big help. I am running 10.9.1. Also, I am trying to extend my Express using an ethernet connection. Your advice helped me get recoginition of the Express under WiFi from my Extreme. I now connected an ethernet connection from my Extreme and things are a little messy. My Express is now going thru an initial setup. What values do I use in the Airport Utility? Thanks for your help.

Apr 6, 2017 2:35 AM in response to dtwaldo1

I spent some time sorting this out when I bought a new Airport Express. Interestingly my old unit, the one built into a mains plug, was never a problem. All I wanted to do was to add it to my network so I could use Airplay with my Sonos wireless sound system. I tried the Apple fix of setting 'Link-local' in the 'Configure IPvP' pop-up menu but the Airport Utility screen just sat there trying to find a network with the spinning circle. From my previous experience with the older Airport Express I new this could take some time so I left it. 20 minutes later the circle was still spinning & the Airport Utility was still saying it was trying to find a network. However, when I looked at the Airport Express box a steady green light was now showing. Hoping for the best I turned off the Airport Utility, plugged the Airport Express into my Sonos system & it worked!! Looks like being patient is the answer. Hope it helps. PS: I was using an iMac to do this.

Jan 17, 2014 6:19 PM in response to dtwaldo1

Also, Bob, my Airport Express model is A1264. I am at a standstill since I don't want my Express to be in WiFi extension since it reduces my internet speed. Your suggestion worked for WiFi extension; however, when I connected an ethernet cable from my Extreme, it goofed things up. I guess I need to know how to hook up my Express by ethernet to my Extreme while using Airport Utility on my ethernet connected iMac. Your help would be appreciated.

Jan 20, 2014 11:52 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob,


I still need your help. My Express is Model A1264. I am running OS 10.9.1 on my iMac. The iMac is hooked up to ethernet to my Airport Extreme. How do I hook up my Express via ethernet to my Extreme and avoid the Unexpected Error, Try Again message? I have an ethernet connection to my Express. I wish to extend my Express to where I have my iOS devices since they are only receiving a weak wifi signal from my Extreme. Your help would be much appreciated.

Jan 20, 2014 12:28 PM in response to Bob Timmons

My Extreme is a Model A1143. Pretty old but still working well.

I performed the steps that you outlined above by removing my iMac ethernet connection, resetting the Extreme, plugging it into my iMac via an ethernet cable, having iMac's wifi turned on, setting up automatically my Extreme to extend the wifi; however, it was using my weak wifi signal and it showed up in Airport Utility with a dotted line. What I want to do is turn that line into a solid line. I have an ethernet switch at my iMac which ties into my Express. I hope I am making sense to you. Thanks a lot for your time. By the way, my son works for Apple designing chips in Austin. He can't tell me a thing because he would have to shoot me.

Jan 20, 2014 12:59 PM in response to dtwaldo1

Power up the AirPort Express for a few minutes


Hold in the reset button on the Express firmly for 10 seconds and then release



User uploaded file




Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow blinking amber light


Connect the Ethernet cable from the switch to the AirPort Express. Here, I assume that you have tested the Ethernet cable connection to verify that it is working correctly.


On the iMac.....open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility


Click on Other WiFi Devices


Click on AirPort Express xxxxxx


AirPort Utility will take a minute, then suggest that the Express be configured to extend the AirPort Extreme network


Enter a name for the AirPort Express and click Next


Now watch carefully to confirm that the message will change to indicate that the Express is being configured to extend the AirPort Extreme network using Ethernet. (and not using a wireless connection)


When you see the Setup Complete message, click Done. That's it.


Close AirPort Utility and you are all set.

Jan 20, 2014 1:16 PM in response to dtwaldo1

Could be problems, then.


Try the setup on an iPad.


On the iPad home screen......


Tap settings


Tap WiFi


Under the heading of Setup a new AirPort Base Station....


Tap on AirPort Express


Follow the prompts


If still no luck, I suspect a defective Express, as I'm testing with an A1264 here and the setup works perfectly with an iMac or iPad

Airport Express Unexpected Error

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