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Time Capsule: No Ethernet Jack, Must Connect Via WiFi - Desperately Need Help ASAP, Please!!

I've recently moved into a new building that has wifi included for its tenants. I have no access to the modem, router, or any ethernet jacks. I have an AirPort Time Capsule 802.11ac that I would like to connect to this network. In my last home, I was able to connect my Time Capsule to the existing internet through an ethernet jack. In turn, I then created my own wireless network which I used to connect all of my devices - rather than connecting them directly to the home's internet. Since I don't have an ethernet jack in my new building, I can't set it up like this.

I've been on all kinds of forums this afternoon attempting to find a solution to this problem. I've read enough to know that setting it up wireless is not ideal and believe me, I understand that. The upside (I think) is that the Time Capsule already has my previous backups. As much as I know it's not ideal, I do know that there are workarounds - especially with an increasing number of people living in buildings with wifi for tenants. I've tried soft, hard, and factory resets along with various options through the Air Port utility including an attempt to use my Time Capsule as a bridge, an attempt to extend the network, and an attempt to join the network. I'm not stupid and am decently literate with technology, but clearly seem to be missing something because nothing is working. I can connect to the Time Capsule, but then the Time Capsule doesn't connect to the wifi. I'm just absolutely confused at this point.

Would someone please, please provide me detailed step-by-step directions for how to set up this Time Capsule at my new building using the existing wifi? Thank you so very much!

I have:

AirPort Time Capsule 802.11ac (model A1470)

MacBook Pro w/ Yosemite

iPhone 6

iPad Mini

wifi network name

wifi network pw

ethernet cable

I do NOT have:

access to the router

access to the modem

access to an ethernet jack

Airport Time Capsule 802.11ac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), null

Posted on Jun 9, 2015 11:57 AM

39 replies

Jun 23, 2015 7:08 AM in response to Bob Timmons

I completed all of these steps last night before going to bed. Things were looking good and both lights glowed a promising green. I planned to test internet through the Time Capsule this morning, but alas awoke to problems:

1) TC and Express both with slow flashing amber lights w/ Airport Utility indicating a strong connection to the building wifi, but no internet. Message: No DNS servers found.

2) None of my devices (iphone, iPad, Apple TV) have internet through the building wifi this morning. Again, strong signal strength but no internet. I've had this problem several times during the course of my attempting to setup the Express and the TC. My only workaround had been to unplug the TC and Express then restart my devices. That's not working this morning. And as an additional piece of information, other people in the building DO have Internet through the building wifi every time this has happened. That's what's caused me to believe it has to be something going awry on my end.

Suggestions for moving forward? Is there any chance that the same IP address is getting assigned to multiple devices?

Jun 23, 2015 10:18 AM in response to applegirl0207

We still don't know whether you have an AirPort Express problem or a Time Capsule problem.

Power off the Time Capsule for now, and disconnect the Ethernet cable from the Time Capsule's WAN "O" port. Then, connect that cable to your Mac and test to see whether you have a good Internet connection.

Post back on your results.

Is there any chance that the same IP address is getting assigned to multiple devices?

No, not unless the "main" router that is providing the wireless signal that the Express is picking up is defective.

Jun 25, 2015 7:07 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi Bob--

I've been following this post for quite some time. I finally bought the Airport Express and I'm am getting a green light and it is connected to the internet. However, I am failing at getting the TC to act as a router. But most importantly I need to hide it from the network and using your earlier "simple" instructions, other people in the building can see my TC. I don't want that.

Additional info:

Operating System: OS X 10.9.5

TC is the older 2TB white box

No ethernet ports; Only Wifi for building

Airport Express small slender box

Also I tried the 10.0.1.1 setup and nothing occurs. It don't get the pop-up box you show when I tried to 3 way connect via ethernet hardwire to the Airport Express, TC and my MacBook Pro.

Would you be able to help me create a personal wi-fi network that is invisible to the building? Additionally I NEED to connect to the TC wirelessly.

Anything you can do to help would be fantastic.

Thanks!

Jun 26, 2015 11:46 AM in response to MonkeyBallZ88

Sorry, not sure that I understand what you are asking when you say that you want to hide the TC from network.

Do you not want folks to "see" the TC on the network.....even though they cannot access it?

Or, do you mean that you do not want folks to "see" the wireless network that the TC produces? If yes, you do know that there are a number of free utilities on the Internet that will reveal a "hidden" network in seconds, correct?

The 10.0.1.1 setup is a workaround for users who are having trouble with the setup of the TC. As long as you can "see" the TC in AirPort utility, you won't have to worry about workarounds. You can use AirPort Utility in the normal way.

Jun 27, 2015 7:13 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Apologies for not clarifying. Yes, I am having trouble connecting my older TC to the Express. I am also having trouble creating a home network inside my unit that has only wifi capabilities and no Ethernet. I have a green light on my airport express and a blinking Amber light on my TC.

Also is there a way to set up a network using the building's wifi so that other tenants do not see my TC at least? Or gain access to my network? I'm a complete novice and my concern is that since I'm connecting to the building's wifi and using their password to connect my express to, that others might gain access to my TC.

Hope that clarifies.

Jun 27, 2015 7:33 AM in response to MonkeyBallZ88

I am also having trouble creating a home network inside my unit that has only wifi capabilities and no Ethernet.

The Time Capsule cannot do this. It will provide wireless service to wireless clients and wired service to Ethernet clients. You can turn off the wireless service if you want.....but you cannot turn off the wired Ethernet section of the Time Capsule.

my concern is that since I'm connecting to the building's wifi and using their password to connect my express to, that others might gain access to my TC

You have the TC is now connected to the AirPort Express in Bridge Mode. Other users cannot connect to the TC unless they have the device password for the TC that you used when you set up the TC.

There is another more complicated and more difficult way to set up the TC, but I'm not sure that it is worth the effort of messing up something that is working now.

Jun 29, 2015 8:47 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Confirming that I have Internet when ethernet is connected MacBook to Express (with Mac wifi turned off). I've been at this point before, yet TC is still not working correctly. Next step, please?

Jun 29, 2015 9:01 AM in response to applegirl0207

Additional information:

It's now 10 minutes after my previous posting and I'm still sitting in front of my laptop and the Express. The Express is now slow-flashing amber. Despite that, I am still connected to the internet and have confirmed by loading webpages I don't usually access. When I look at Airport Utility right now, I see the following: Despite several minutes of searching, it doesn't seem to pick up the Express, yet absolutely nothing has changed with the configuration. I've done nothing except browse a lunch takeout menu in the span of time it took for things to go south. The Express continues to slow-flash amber...

Jun 29, 2015 9:21 AM in response to applegirl0207

Two other users have posted to report that the same setup works for them, and it works for me when I test here.

I don't know what the problem is with your setup, but my opinion would be that you likely have a defective AirPort Express or a defective Time Capsule, or both may be defective.

I would suggest that you take both devices to the Apple Store to let the folks there take a look.

If things check out OK with both devices, then I'm sorry, but this may one of those times when everyone has done their best, you do everything right, but things just don't work. Unfortunately, things like this do happen.

Your best bet at this point is to get an IT guy or lady out and let him or her work through things. They can see things we cannot, and they may learn that the wireless at your complex has some particular requirement that we don't know about.

Good luck on finding a solution.

***Time Capsule: No Ethernet Jack, Must Connect Via WiFi - Desperately Need Help ASAP, Please!!***