HT202663: Use Wireless Diagnostics to help you resolve Wi-Fi issues on your Mac
Learn about Use Wireless Diagnostics to help you resolve Wi-Fi issues on your Mac
Q: How do I configure my AirPort Express to use 5 GHz?
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Feb 8, 2014 9:21 AMby Bob Timmons,HelpfulIf you have a recent version of the AirPort Express, it is possible to assign a separate name to the 5 GHz network. Here's how:
On your Mac....open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click on the AirPort Express icon, then click Edit in the smaller window that appears
Click the Wireless tab at the top of the next window
Click the Wireless Options button near the bottom of the window
Enter a check mark in the box next to 5 GHz Name. This will automatically add "5 GHz"' to the name of your network.
Click Save, then click Update at the lower right of the window
Allow a full minute for the AirPort Express to restart with the new settings
Next, you will have to "point" your wireless devices to connect to the "new" network in order to use 5 GHz.
A note of caution here (under the department of things that they don't tell you).....since 5 GHz signals are much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals.... they will only work well when your wireless device is in the same room or close proximity to the AirPort Express.
If your device is a few rooms away from the AirPort Express....it may not pick up 5 GHz at all.....and you will have to switch back over to the 2.4 GHz network.
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Feb 8, 2014 10:26 AMby jsen3,Thanks! I recently spoke with Apple Support and it appears that my AirPort Express (from 2009) is probably approaching its end of life, just as my modem did three days ago. I upgraded my Airport Utility but it doesn't support this version. Anyway, I got it to work again by simply unplugging it, waiting 15 seconds, and plugging it back in, which apparently causes it to change channels, looking for the least busy one. The problem is that when my neighbors go on the Internet, their wireless router also looks for the least busy channel, joins the one I just got on, then others join that channel too...and then it drops again. So if I had a newer Airport Express, I guess I could go in through Airport Utility as you described and configure it to 5GHz, which might help. But in my "vintage" unit, that's not even available. So I'll just keep plugging and unplugging my AirportExpress until it dies or I figure something else is the problem!
