Retina MacBook Pro is not connecting with Airport Extreme 5 GHz signal

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Level 1

4 points

Retina MacBook Pro is not connecting with Airport Extreme 5 GHz signal

I believe I have done my due diligence to find the answer to my question here and other places but I must be missing it. I have a Retina MacBook Pro that as far as I know should select the 5 GHz signal from my Airport Extreme (Generation 1 with 7.6.4 firmware) which is literally 3 ft. from my computer. When I click on the Airport icon in the menu bar, it is indicating a 2.4 GHz connection. I have looked at discussions which say I can give separate names to to both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals. I can't seem to find that. I also read where you can reorder the order of signal preference. I can't seem to find that either. Interestingly, I have an Airport Express that is extending the network. When option clicking on its icon in airport utility, I can see both the 2.4 and 5 GHz information. I don't se that in the Airport Extreme. I am thinking about gettng the newest Airport Extreme but if I don't need to...

Thanks for any help!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Mar 15, 2014 1:34 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2024

Level 10

159,278 points

Mar 15, 2014 1:50 PM in response to smes

as far as I know should select the 5 GHz signal from my Airport Extreme (Generation 1 with 7.6.4 firmware) which is literally 3 ft. from my computer

A Generation 1 AirPort Extreme is not a simultaneous dual band wireless router. It can produce either a 2.4 GHz....or....a 5 GHz wireless network signal, but not both simultaneously.

If you want the Gen 1 Extreme to produce and deliver a 5 GHz wireless network, it can do so, but any 2.4 GHz devices that you have will not be able to connect to the 5 GHz signal.

A new simultaneous dual band AirPort Extreme will produce both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signal simultaneously. Wireless devices will automatically connect to the best signal quality based on their capabilities and location in relation to the AirPort Extreme.

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Answer 2

smes Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 15, 2014 1:56 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob, Thank you so much! Sorry that I did not give you the "Solved my question" for 10 points. I was going to give you that and the "This helped me". I didn't realize that there was only one choice. A new Airport Extereme it is!

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