Setting Up Airport Express: A Step-By-Step Guide

Apple AirPort Express is a device that allows you to connect to WiFi and wirelessly print documents to printers in other rooms. It was discontinued in 2018, but you can still buy it on the secondary market. To set it up, you need to download the AirPort Utility software, which comes loaded with Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) through 10.13 (High Sierra), or you can download it from Apple's website. Once you've installed the software, you can reset your AirPort Express by pressing the reset button on the bottom of the device. This will allow you to set it up again using the AirPort Utility.

How to set up an Apple AirPort Express

To set up an Apple AirPort Express, you'll need to plug the device into an electrical outlet in the room where you want to use it. You'll also need to have the AirPort Utility software installed on your computer. If you don't have it, you can install it from the CD that came with the AirPort Express or download it from Apple's website.

Once you've launched AirPort Utility, you'll see the AirPort Express base station listed in the left pane. Single-click to highlight it, if it's not already highlighted, and complete the fields on the right side. Give the AirPort Express a name and a password that you'll remember so you can access it later.

Next, you'll need to decide what kind of Wi-Fi connection you want to set up. Choose whether you're connecting the AirPort Express to an existing Wi-Fi network, replacing another, or connecting via Ethernet.

If you're having trouble connecting, you can try resetting the AirPort Express by pressing the reset button on the bottom of the device. This may require a paper clip or other item with a small point. Hold the button for about a second until the light flashes amber. This will reset the base station password so you can set it up again using the AirPort Utility. If all else fails, you can try a hard reset, which will erase all data from the AirPort Express and let you start from scratch.

How to reset an AirPort Express

To reset an AirPort Express, you can press the reset button on the bottom of the device. You may need a paper clip or another item with a small point to do this. Hold the button for about a second until the light flashes amber. This will reset the base station password so you can set it up again using the AirPort Utility.

You can also try a hard reset, which will erase all data from the AirPort Express and let you set it up from scratch with the AirPort Utility.

To set up your AirPort Express, you will need to download the AirPort Utility software from Apple's website. Once you have the software, you can launch it and select the AirPort Express base station from the left pane. Complete the fields on the right side, including the name and password for your AirPort Express.

Next, you will need to decide what kind of Wi-Fi connection you want to set up. You can choose to connect the AirPort Express to an existing Wi-Fi network, replace another, or connect via Ethernet.

How to set up an old AirPort Express

To set up an old AirPort Express, you'll need to download the AirPort Utility software. This comes loaded with Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) through 10.13 (High Sierra), and you can download it for newer Macs from Apple's website. You can also use the CD that came with the AirPort Express.

Once you've installed the software, launch AirPort Utility. You should see the AirPort Express base station listed in the left pane. Single-click to highlight it, if it's not already highlighted. Complete the fields on the right side, including Name and Password. Select Continue.

Next, you'll need to decide what kind of Wi-Fi connection you want to set up. Choose whether you're connecting the AirPort Express to an existing Wi-Fi network, replacing another, or connecting via Ethernet. Select Continue again.

Choose the network you want to use and select Continue. If you need to, you can reset the AirPort Express by pressing the reset button on the bottom of the device. This may require a paper clip or other item with a small point. Hold the button for about a second until the light flashes amber. This resets the base station password so you can set it up again.

How to set up AirPrint

To set up AirPrint, you first need to plug the AirPort Express into an electrical outlet in the room where you want to use it. If you don't already have the AirPort Utility software installed, you can install it from the CD that came with the AirPort Express or download it from Apple's website. Once you've done that, launch AirPort Utility. You should see the AirPort Express base station listed in the left pane. Single-click to highlight it, if it's not already highlighted, and complete the fields on the right side. Give the AirPort Express a name and a password that you'll remember so you can access it later.

Next, you'll need to decide what kind of Wi-Fi connection you want to set up. Choose whether you're connecting the AirPort Express to an existing Wi-Fi network, replacing another, or connecting via Ethernet. Select Continue. Choose a network option and select Continue. Choose the network you want to use and select Continue.

If you need to reset your AirPort Express, you can do this by pressing the reset button on the bottom of the device. This may require a paper clip or other item with a small point. Hold the button for about a second until the light flashes amber. This resets the base station password so you can set it up again using the AirPort Utility. You can also try a hard reset, which erases all data from the AirPort Express and lets you set it up from scratch with the AirPort Utility.

How to connect to WiFi

To connect to WiFi using an Apple AirPort Express, you'll first need to install the AirPort Utility software. This comes loaded with Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) through 10.13 (High Sierra), and you can download it for newer Macs from Apple's website. Once you've installed the software, launch it and select the AirPort Express base station from the left panel. You'll then need to complete the fields on the right side, including the name and password for your AirPort Express.

Next, you'll need to decide what kind of WiFi connection you want to set up. You can choose to connect the AirPort Express to an existing WiFi network, replace another, or connect via Ethernet. Once you've made your selection, select 'Continue' and choose the network you want to use.

If you're having trouble connecting to WiFi, try resetting your AirPort Express. You can do this by pressing the reset button on the bottom of the device. This will reset the base station password so you can set it up again. If that doesn't work, try a hard reset by holding the reset button for about a second until the light flashes amber. This will erase all data from the AirPort Express and let you set it up from scratch.

If you're using an iPhone, you can also factory reset the device and then go to Settings -> WiFi and scroll to the bottom. You should see an option to set up a new AirPort Express.

Frequently asked questions