algares
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Airport Extreme AC flashing amber and AP Utility can't find it.

I have a new Airport Extreme AC which was setup fine until the other day. It started to flash the amber light. I tried to hard reset it but is not doing anything. I can't find it in the iphone wifi settings or in airport utility (iphone and mac). I also tried connecting it to my mac mini with an ethernet cable but nothing happens in the mac. I'm clueless. Is this a dead router? I read the apple troubleshooting for this but is no use. :/

Posted on Oct 26, 2015 9:28 AM

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algares

Q: Airport Extreme AC flashing amber and AP Utility can't find it.

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Oct 26, 2015 10:14 AM in response to algares
    Level 9 (54,563 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 26, 2015 10:14 AM in response to algares

    A flashing amber status LED typically indicates that either a configuration setting is incorrect or that the base station has not be fully configured yet. It normally does not indicate a failed device ... although anything is possible.

     

    I would suggest that you perform a "factory default" reset on your AirPort Extreme to see if you can both access it again and be able to configure it for your networking needs. This type of reset will return the base station back to its original factory default settings. Which is to perform as an Internet router that will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a network name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN. Your Mac or iPhone should now be able to find this network so that they can connect to it. Once connected, just use the AirPort Utility to configure it a required. Please post back your results.

  • by algares,

    algares algares Oct 26, 2015 11:59 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 11:59 AM in response to Tesserax

    thanks, but I have tried several times hard resets and factory default resets and nothing. If I hold the reset button and then plug the power cord the router does the same thing. It shows a solid green light, followed by a solid amber and then a rapid flashing amber and it stays like that forever.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Oct 26, 2015 12:11 PM in response to algares
    Level 9 (54,563 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 26, 2015 12:11 PM in response to algares

    Try (again) temporarily connecting your Mac directly to one of the LAN (opposing arrows) port using an Ethernet cable. Can your Mac's AirPort Utility "see" the base station now?

     

    If not, it may be possible that your new Extreme may be defective and should be returned for a replacement.

  • by algares,

    algares algares Oct 26, 2015 5:30 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 5:30 PM in response to Tesserax

    tried several times too. nothing. I think is dead

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Oct 26, 2015 5:43 PM in response to algares
    Level 9 (52,645 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 26, 2015 5:43 PM in response to algares

    There are two different flashes of the amber.. during a reset it will flash amber quickly.. about 1/2 sec..

     

    During a normal setup it will flash amber at about 1sec intervals.

     

    The fast flash if it never stops means the reset is jammed.. double check that the switch is not stuck.. People do over pressure it and result in damage.

     

    But it can also indicate a fault in the flash RAM on the unit.. which is a fault beyond home user.. it needs to go back to apple for replacement.

  • by algares,

    algares algares Oct 26, 2015 7:26 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 7:26 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Thanks, I can feel the reset push button clicking normally in and out. I will call apple care tomorrow for a return.