Peter M from Ontario

Q: set up Airport Express with D-Link router

I am currently using a D-Link router with my MacBook . I want to use Airport Express connect my MacBook to my amplifier. When I tried to set up the Airport Express, Airport Utilities does not find it. I can't connect the Airport Express to the D-Link router by ethernet cable, because the amplifier I am connecting it to is too far from the phone jack.

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), wi-fi with D-Link router

Posted on Oct 2, 2016 6:57 PM

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Q: set up Airport Express with D-Link router

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  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Oct 3, 2016 4:39 PM in response to Peter M from Ontario
    Level 9 (52,675 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 3, 2016 4:39 PM in response to Peter M from Ontario

    You are going to use wireless bridge mode.. which apple to be different have named wireless client mode.

     

    See AirPort Express: What is client mode? - Apple Support

     

    This is older document but seems to be more up to date.

     

    AirPort Express: How to join an existing Wi-Fi network in client mode - Apple Support

  • by Peter M from Ontario,

    Peter M from Ontario Peter M from Ontario Oct 3, 2016 4:45 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 3, 2016 4:45 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Thank you! That is a helpful reply. It doesn't seem to solve my problem yet. When I got to Step 4 of the directions for Airport Utility 6, the Base Station menu was not active (none of the options were highlighted.) My wi-fi now finds the Airport Express when it is turned on, but when it is on it kills the signal from my D-Link router. Airport Utility still says "No configured Airport base stations found" even when my wireless detects it.

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 3, 2016 9:26 PM in response to Peter M from Ontario
    Level 10 (105,253 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 3, 2016 9:26 PM in response to Peter M from Ontario

    The AirPort Express will need to be either the previous A1264 version, or the current A1392 version. Older A1084 or A1088 versions will not be compatible with the Yosemite (10.10.5) operating system that you mention in your profile.

     

    Start by resetting the AirPort Express back to factory default settings

     

    Log onto the D-Link wireless network with your Mac

     

    Then, click the WiFi icon at the top of the Mac's screen and then click on AirPort Express under the listing of New AirPort Base Station

     

    New AirPort Base Express.png

     

    When you click on AirPort Express, that will get the setup "wizard" up and running. It should suggest that the AirPort Express be configured to "join" the D-Link wireless network. in the example below, the AirPort Express will be configured to join a wireless network named "2WIRE902".  You will see the name of the D-Link wireless network on your screen

     

    Follow the prompts to assign a device name to the AirPort Express and enter the password for the D-Link wireless network, click Next and you should be connected in about 60 seconds. The "wizard" does most of the work for you automatically.

     

    Join a wireless network.png

  • by Peter M from Ontario,

    Peter M from Ontario Peter M from Ontario Oct 3, 2016 9:32 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 3, 2016 9:32 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thank you, Bob. I don't know which of the "A" versions I have. It's an Airport Express Base Station, Model MC414AM/A. I purchased it in July from the online Apple store.

    I did the reset. The wi-fi menu does not show Airport Express as in your image, but lists it as "Peter's Wi-Fi network." If I click on it, it connects and kills the D-Link connection. But no set-up wizard appears.

    Peter

  • by Peter M from Ontario,

    Peter M from Ontario Peter M from Ontario Oct 3, 2016 9:50 PM in response to Peter M from Ontario
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 3, 2016 9:50 PM in response to Peter M from Ontario

    Another observation:

    In the Airport Express Utilities screen there is a large ball entitled Internet that displays the specifics of my D-Link router, with a line down to another icon labelled Peter's WiFi Network, showing the specifics for the Airport Express. I can click on either of those two icons to switch from one wi-fi signal to the next, but I cannot have both connected at the same time. The Base Station menu is not active in Utilities. So Airport Express seems to be set up as a client, but not in a way that allows both the internet router and Airport Express connected at the same time.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 4, 2016 6:07 AM in response to Peter M from Ontario
    Level 10 (105,253 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 4, 2016 6:07 AM in response to Peter M from Ontario

    I did the reset. The wi-fi menu does not show Airport Express as in your image, but lists it as "Peter's Wi-Fi network." If I click on it, it connects and kills the D-Link connection. But no set-up wizard appears.

    Either you did not reset the Express correctly......or.....it is defective.  Please perform a Hard Reset again on the AirPort Express and then run through the setup again.

     

    You will know if the Express has been reset correctly if you can see "AirPort Express" under the listing of New AirPort Base Station when you click the WiFi menu icon at the top of the Mac's screen.

     

    New AirPort Base Express.png

     

    No Ethernet cable will be used to connect to the Express at all during the setup.......since you indicate that you want the Express to connect wirelessly to the D-Link wireless network, so set the Ethernet cable aside that you have been using.....it will not be used.

  • by Peter M from Ontario,

    Peter M from Ontario Peter M from Ontario Oct 4, 2016 7:17 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 4, 2016 7:17 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thank you again! For reset, the instruction booklet says to unplug then press the reset button while plugging it in, and then "reset the base station." I'm not sure what that last step is. But it seems to me that the reset button does not depress, so perhaps my device is defective. I will see whether I can get a replacement from Apple.

    Peter

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 4, 2016 7:43 AM in response to Peter M from Ontario
    Level 10 (105,253 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 4, 2016 7:43 AM in response to Peter M from Ontario

    If you will review my post above, you will see that I suggested a Hard Reset for the AirPort Express.

     

    A Hard Reset is performed as follows:

     

    • Power up the Express and let it run a minute or two
    • Hold in the reset button on the back of the Express for 7 to 8 seconds and release
    • Allow a full minute for the Express to restart back to a slow, blinking amber light status

     

    The AirPort Express has now been reset back to factory default settings

     

    New AX Reset Button.png

  • by Peter M from Ontario,

    Peter M from Ontario Peter M from Ontario Oct 4, 2016 7:57 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 4, 2016 7:57 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    I did the reset as suggested. Airport Express did show up on the wi-fi list, but not the box you showed. When I clicked on it, it did go through a setup process, although asking only for a password not a name for the Airport Express as in your illustration. The result, sadly, was the same: I can use either the Airport Express or the D-Link router but not both. I've arranged for a replacement from Apple, so when the new device arrives I will follow your steps with it.

    Thank you again!!