Apple airport extreme - this device maybe overheating message and blinking amber light

Just a heads up to others that come upon this thread, either through error or a change in Apple's policies, the information above is incorrect. An Applecare+ eligible iPad will only extend your warranty to two years from the date of purchase, not three as described above. Maybe you get three if it's for an iMac or Macbook? Anyway, wanted to save other folks a wasted trip to the Genius Bar.

Which model is it? Most overheating issues are the tall AC version. If not please give the actual model number from the base, A1xxx.

The fan can get blocked with dust.. the details in the airport utility should give you this info.

The above only applies to the AC model Extreme and TC.

One of the things that can cause an "overheating" message.....IF....you have the current "tower" shaped version of the AriPort Extreme.....is a fan that is clogged with dust, so the cooling efficiency of the fan has been reduced.

To confirm the information about overheating take a look at the Diagnostics & Usage report to see if there are messages there about overheating. To see the report, open AirPort Utility on your Mac, then click on the picture of the AirPort Extreme. Click Edit in the smaller window that appears, then click on the Base Station menu at the upper most top of the screen where you see the File, Window, Help, etc and other menus. Click on Diagnostics and Usage.

If the AirPort Extreme is less than a year old, Apple will replace the AirPort Extreme for you. If you have AppleCare in effect on one of your Macs, the AirPort Extreme is covered for up to 3 years from its purchase date.

If the AirPort Extreme is no longer covered by the warranty, it is possible to open up the AirPort Extreme to get at the fan and clean it out, or order a replacement fan from Delta. This article will provide tips on how to open up the AirPort Extreme:

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/AirPort+Extreme+A1521+Teardown/15044