This used to be possible. Is it any longer? I have replaced my Airport Extremes with a more modern LAN Router providing wired and wireless LAN. I still have an AirPort Express that I would like to carry on using to stream audio using Airplay. Is it possible?
AirPort
Are you asking about connecting the AirPort Express to a Wi-Fi network using only a wireless connection?
Or, will the AirPort Express connect to your new router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection?
The AirPort Express.....even the "latest version" with two Ethernet ports......was designed more than 10 years ago. As such, it is likely going have to trouble trying to connect to a new router that is using newer Wi-Fi versions....like Wi-Fi 6 for example.....and newer WPA3 Security.
Will the AirPort Express connect using wireless only to your new router's Wi-Fi network?
This is one of those times when you won't know how well.....or even if.....this will work until you try it out in your home.
Will the AirPort Express connect to your new router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection? Probably.
If you want to try to set up the Airport Express, hopefully you have a Mac, since AirPort Utility on a Mac is much easier to deal with than AirPort Utility on an iPhone or iPad, or PC.
Are you asking about connecting the AirPort Express to a Wi-Fi network using only a wireless connection?
Or, will the AirPort Express connect to your new router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection?
The AirPort Express.....even the "latest version" with two Ethernet ports......was designed more than 10 years ago. As such, it is likely going have to trouble trying to connect to a new router that is using newer Wi-Fi versions....like Wi-Fi 6 for example.....and newer WPA3 Security.
Will the AirPort Express connect using wireless only to your new router's Wi-Fi network?
This is one of those times when you won't know how well.....or even if.....this will work until you try it out in your home.
Will the AirPort Express connect to your new router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection? Probably.
If you want to try to set up the Airport Express, hopefully you have a Mac, since AirPort Utility on a Mac is much easier to deal with than AirPort Utility on an iPhone or iPad, or PC.
The message I'm not clear about is when it appears to be searching for a network named with the identity of the Express."eec03a".
When you perform the Hard Reset on the Express by holding in the reset button for 10-15 seconds or so, that erases any current network settings and sets the Express back to default settings. "eec0Ca" is the name of the default Wi-Fi network that the Express is broadcasting, so another Wi-Fi device can connect to the Express to set it up using wireless.
If the Express was not sending out a Wi-Fi signal, then the only way to set up the Express would be to connect an Ethernet cable from your computer to the Express, so the computer could be used to set up the Express.
Every Express will have a different name for the default network. Mine is "dd3d4".
The "Unexpected Error" is displayed because the Express is seeing an "unexpected" Wi-Fi signal that is using newer Wi-Fi like WI-FI 6 or newer security like WPA3 that the Express does not recognize....because these settings did not exist when the Express was designed 10+ years ago.
If you can connect the Express to your new router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection, we can probably get the Express working that way. Ethernet is Ethernet.
You can try using AirPort Utility on an iPhone or iPad, but I'm afraid that it will be just that......a try.
The Express does not appear in AirPort Utility for setup on the iPhone or iPad because you are probably not looking in the right place.
Start over again and hold in the reset button on the Express for 10-15 seconds and then give the Express a full minute to restart to slow blinking amber light.
On your iPhone or iPad........
Tap Settings, then tap Wi-Fi
Scroll down to look for a listing of SET UP NEW AIRPORT BASE STATION
Tap on AirPort Express "eec03a"
Follow the prompts
Here's a sequence of screen shots. All looks quite promising at first. The message I'm not clear about is when it appears to be searching for a network named with the identity of the Express."eec03a".
I choose the reset Express from the wifi menu.
The Fritz!Box is my new router.
I click on "Other Options"
I choose "Add"
55PB is my SSID
That's the unexpected message (unexpected by me at least).
Thanks Bob. Your answers are always so useful. Yes, this was going to be wireless connection to a modern router and from my experience the “join” function from my Mac Apple Utility won’t work. The iOS version of Apple Utility can’t even see the Express!
On the Express......
Power up the Express and let it run for a minute
Then, hold in the reset button on the Express for 10-15 seconds and release
Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status
On your Mac......
Restart the Mac
Click on the Wi-Fi "bars" at the top of the Mac's screen
Look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station
Click on AirPort Express just below that listing
The Express will take a few seconds and try to suggest a setup based on the info that it picks up
Follow the prompts to select the Wi-Fi network to join and enter the Wi-Fi password
What happens?
Thanks Bob, but the reason for wanting to use the Express was to Airplay audio to a different room. I have audio in the room where the router sits. Looks like a brick wall. Unfortunately the iOS apps on iPhone and iPad don't even see the reset Express.
Thanks again for your guidance.
David
Woohoo!
iOS allowed me too join it to my new network.
Thank you so much.
David
That is amazing. Nice work.
Something weird was going on with AirPort Utility on your Mac.
Joining a wifi network with AirPort Express just for Airplay
