Can't connect to Time Capsule for backup?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Can't connect to Time Capsule for backup?

Hi all! I just bought a brand new iMac (21.5 inch, running Sierra) and Time Capsule. The TC is running absolutely fine for wireless broadband but somehow will not connect for Time Machine. When I try to (and yes, I'm using the right password), I get a "can't connect" error, plus an OSStatus error 5. Everything else is humming along beautifully so I don't get it. Should I do a hard reset?

I'm sure this question has probably been answered a hundred times but I have searched a lot and can't find a good answer.

Thanks in advance so much!

Posted on Oct 21, 2016 4:41 AM

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Answer 1

ColBnyc Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2016 4:42 AM in response to ColBnyc

Oh and also it shows up in Finder as "not connected," but obviously it's doing just fine as a base station!

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Answer 2

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,128 points

Oct 22, 2016 8:20 AM in response to ColBnyc

When I try to (and yes, I'm using the right password), I get a "can't connect" error, plus an OSStatus error 5. Everything else is humming along beautifully so I don't get it.

Depending on how you originally set up the Time Capsule, it may have up to 3 different passwords.....and possibly more:

Base Station Password
Disk Password
Wireless Network Password

Time Machine is likely looking for the Base Station Password unless you set up the Time Capsule to use the same password for both the Base Station and Wireless network.

If you set up a separate Disk password for the Time Capsule (most users do not do this), then Time Machine is looking for the Disk Password

So, if you are using the Wireless password to set up Time Machine and you are seeing an error, try using the Base Station password for the Time Capsule to see if that will get things working.

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Answer 3

ColBnyc Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2016 12:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thank you Bob! But no, all of those passwords are the same. No joy.

On Fri, Oct 21, 2016 at 1:35 PM, Apple Support Communities Updates <

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Answer 4

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,128 points

Oct 22, 2016 8:22 AM in response to ColBnyc

OK, thanks for the clarification on that.

I'm not clear on whether Time Machine backups were working fine before, and you are now having issues since you upgraded to Sierra (which is having a number of permissions issues).....or....whether backups have also been working OK with Sierra, but are suddenly now having difficulty.

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Answer 5

ColBnyc Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2016 12:37 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob: thanks again. Both the iMac and the Time Capsule are new out of the

box! Have not upgraded either. Baffled.

On Fri, Oct 21, 2016 at 3:32 PM, Apple Support Communities Updates <

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Answer 6

ColBnyc Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 22, 2016 8:22 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob:

Problem solved! Once I went back and read your original post again, it finally went through my skull what you meant. I tried the other password and was instantly off and running. Thanks for your help!

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