received this error message from iTunes: An error occurred while connecting to the Bluetooth device “xx”. An unknown error occurred (9039). The device is an Airport Express which is connected via wifi.
iMac, iOS 12
I downgraded the firmware on my Airport Express to 7.6.9 and now AirPlay works as it should. Here is the how-to:
"If one of your network devices isn't compatible with the updated firmware, you might be able to reinstall older firmware. On Mac, click the base station in AirPort Utility, then Option-click the firmware version number. On iOS devices, tap the base station in AirPort Utility, then go to Version > Older Versions."
Update the firmware on your AirPort base station - Apple Support
The downside is that AirPort Utility now alerts me to upgrade my firmware...
I downgraded the firmware on my Airport Express to 7.6.9 and now AirPlay works as it should. Here is the how-to:
"If one of your network devices isn't compatible with the updated firmware, you might be able to reinstall older firmware. On Mac, click the base station in AirPort Utility, then Option-click the firmware version number. On iOS devices, tap the base station in AirPort Utility, then go to Version > Older Versions."
Update the firmware on your AirPort base station - Apple Support
The downside is that AirPort Utility now alerts me to upgrade my firmware...
I have this same problem; however, I also have a 2nd gen Apple TV in my setup and if I stream iTunes output to it the stream to the Airport Express becomes `solid' rather than there for a couple of seconds then stops with the `flat line' instead of the `tick' in the box! Downgrading the firmware to 7.6.9 resolves the issue!
We see numerous posts here about steaming issues with the new firmware that Apple has released for this base station. At this point, I would suggest that you downgrade it back to 7.6.9 to see if the issue gets resolved.
See if any of the following articles can help:
I downgraded the Express firmware to 7.6.9, but it didn't really solve the problem. I no longer get the 9039 error message, and everything looks good in Airport Utility (except for the little alert about a software update), and I can select that Express in iTunes without the dreaded spinner appearing, but not a bit of sound gets through the Express. I'm pretty sure it's not my receiver because the radio and CD play just fine on the speakers, but the Express simply sits there with its green light on but no sound. I've checked all the connections and buttons ... no obvious problem there. Another problem that's cropped up recently is that my bluetooth mouse and keyboard have started disconnecting every couple of days. The only way to solve that problem is to restart the iMac. Could there possibly be a connection between these two issues? Any suggestion would be welcome.
Thanks.
AirPlay used to work, so I know it meets the system requirements. I went through the Troubleshooting guide, and made some tweaks including changing the name of the WIFI network. The Express has all green lights, so it seems to be in order.
In iTunes I check the Express in the AirPlay drop down, then play a song, which plays for about 2 seconds, then stops. There is now a flat line besides the Express in the AirPlay drop down.
I have the same error 9039 problem. I have the 2nd gen airport extreme base station, as well as two 2nd gen airport express. One of the airport expresses works just fine, but the other rarely works now with iTunes. Your suggestion about downgrading the firmware makes sense ... but how do I do that? And should I do that for the Extreme base station, the airport express, or both??? Thanks!
The downside is that AirPort Utility now alerts me to upgrade my firmware...
If you do not want to be pestered with alerts.....
Open AirPort Utility
Click on the AirPort Utility menu in the upper left corner of the window
Click on Preferences
Uncheck all of the boxes
Restart your Mac
Is your Express a 2nd gen 802.11n model ... and did you recently upgrade it firmware to 7.8?
thank you.
iTunes cannot connect to Airport Express
