ColBnyc
Level 1 (4 points)
Wireless

Q: 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

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,433 points)
Wireless
A:

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.

Posted on Oct 22, 2016 8:20 AM

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ColBnyc

Q: Can't connect to Time Capsule for backup?

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  • by ColBnyc,

    ColBnyc ColBnyc Oct 21, 2016 4:42 AM in response to ColBnyc
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    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!

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 22, 2016 8:20 AM in response to ColBnyc
    Level 10 (105,433 points)
    Wireless
    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.

  • by ColBnyc,

    ColBnyc ColBnyc Oct 21, 2016 12:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    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 <

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 22, 2016 8:22 AM in response to ColBnyc
    Level 10 (105,433 points)
    Wireless
    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.

  • by ColBnyc,

    ColBnyc ColBnyc Oct 21, 2016 12:37 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    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 <

  • by ColBnyc,

    ColBnyc ColBnyc Oct 22, 2016 8:22 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    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!