Keefer-in-space
Level 1 (4 points)
Wireless

Q: Airport utility not recognizing airport express extender

I'm a little concerned about what I'm reading trying to research this problem. Was told I could extend my wi-fi with a second Airport Express. But it won't show up in the Utility. And did I read it only extends for Apple products? I have a Roku that runs off the base station I currently have set up now but the signal could be stronger. So I purchased a second Airport Express. It doesn't even show up in the utility when plugged in 20 feet away. I can't even get off the ground. I'm sure I'm an idiot; what am I missing?!!!

G5, Quad core 2.93, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on May 25, 2016 7:28 PM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,018 points)
Wireless
A:

Thanks for the info. Please follow these instructions carefully.

 

Temporarily, move the newest AirPort Express that has not yet been installed to the same room or close proximity to your "main" AirPort Express.

 

Power up the newest Express for a full minute. Then, hold in the reset button on the back of the Express for 7 to 8 seconds and then release. Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status

 

New AX Reset Button.png

Power off both the "main" AirPort Express and newest Express

Wait a minute

Then, power up the "main" AirPort Express and let it run a full minute

Now power up the newest Express and let it run a full minute

 

On your Mac running 10.7.5.......

Click the WiFi menu icon at the top of the screen

Look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station

Click on AirPort Express

 

New AirPort Base Express.png

 

When you click on AirPort Express, that will start up the setup "wizard". It will take a few seconds to analyze the network and then display a screen that looks like this, except that you will see your devices pictured and the name of your wireless network.

 

Extend Wireless 1.png

 

Type in a name that you want to call the newest Express

Click Next

The setup wizard will set everything up for you automatically in the next screen that appears

 

Extend Wireless 2.png

 

After a minute or so, you will see a message of Setup Complete

Click Done and close the wizard window

 

Now move the Express that you just set up to a location that is about half way between the "main" Express and the general area where you need more wireless signal coverage.  The more that you have line-of-sight between the two AirPort Express devices, the better the network will operate.

 

Power up the Express and you should be all set.

Posted on May 26, 2016 9:58 AM

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Keefer-in-space

Q: Airport utility not recognizing airport express extender

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  • by Keefer-in-space,

    Keefer-in-space Keefer-in-space May 26, 2016 11:24 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    May 26, 2016 11:24 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    It was set to "Automatic." I set it to Link Local Only but it's still coming back with the error message. At least it's showing up now but can't get it past being just listed. Maybe it IS defective. Already spent five hours on something that should have taken a few minutes.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons May 26, 2016 11:29 AM in response to Keefer-in-space
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    May 26, 2016 11:29 AM in response to Keefer-in-space

    Do you have an iPhone or iPad?  I ask, because there a fewer bugs in the iOS version of the utility than there are in the Mac version of AirPort Utility.

  • by Keefer-in-space,

    Keefer-in-space Keefer-in-space May 26, 2016 12:04 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    May 26, 2016 12:04 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I contacted Apple. We went through the steps as you described Bob BUT we did it on my MacBook Pro with El Capitan. Everything worked fine. That simple. Morale of the story: Use the latest version of the OS X Software you have. El Capitan slowed my newest MacBook down to a crawl so it's been useless to me—except for this.

    Thanks Bob!

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons May 26, 2016 5:42 PM in response to Keefer-in-space
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    May 26, 2016 5:42 PM in response to Keefer-in-space

    We suggested trying another Mac several posts ago.....before you contacted Apple.....as well as an iPhone or iPad (which are better than a Mac as far as setup software).

     

    But, glad that you got things working. The entire setup should not have taken more than 5 minutes including the time to unwrap the new Express, but sometimes everything seems to go wrong, even when you are doing everything right.

  • by trudypc,

    trudypc trudypc Jul 31, 2016 6:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 31, 2016 6:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob - I use a pc with a airport extreme network and had an extra airport express around I hadn't been using, was adding wireless outdoor remote and needed an extended network.  I followed a few other instructions and the ones you had about powering up (been at this a few hours) and nothing worked...  I got further down to your instructions on using my iphone and it worked like magic saw both airports and as soon as i went to my airport utility they both also showed.  Thank you so much.   Your instructions are great.  

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