Lois Larson
Resetting your Apple AirPort Express can be a useful way to restore it to its original factory settings, which is ideal if you've lost your password or the device isn't responding as expected. There are a few different ways to reset your AirPort Express, including a soft reset, a hard reset, and a factory reset. Each method involves a slightly different process, but they all require you to locate and press the reset button on the base station, next to the ports. Depending on the issue you're trying to resolve, you may also need to open AirPort Utility and reconfigure your settings.
How to Reset an Airport Express
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to reset | If you forgot your password or if the Airport Express has stopped operating correctly |
| Types of reset | Soft reset, hard reset, factory default reset |
| Soft reset (steps) | 1. Connect Airport Express to power 2. Select System Preferences from the Apple menu 3. Select the Network icon from the System Preferences Window 4. Select Airport from the list of connection types on the left 5. Click to select the TCP/IP tab 6. From the Configure IPv4 dropdown, choose Using DHCP 7. Press and hold the reset button for 1 second 8. Choose the network created by Airport Express 9. Open Airport Admin Utility 10. Select Airport Express and click Configure |
| Hard reset (steps) | 1. Push and hold the reset button 2. Continue holding until the status light (LED) starts to flash rapidly (about 5 seconds) 3. Release the button 4. Wait for the device to restart |
| Factory default reset (steps) | 1. Unplug the Airport Express from the power outlet 2. Press and hold the reset button 3. Plug the Airport Express back into an AC outlet while still holding the button 4. Continue holding the button until the light flashes green four times |
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What You'll Learn
How to perform a soft reset
To perform a soft reset on your AirPort Express, follow these steps:
First, make sure that your AirPort Express is connected to a power source. You can use the power cable that came with the device and plug it into an electrical outlet. Once it is plugged in, locate the reset button on the base station, usually found next to the ports.
With the AirPort Express powered on, it's time to initiate the soft reset. Using a pen, paperclip, or similar tool, press and hold the reset button for about one second. You should see the status light on the base station flash amber or yellow, indicating that the device has entered soft reset mode.
At this point, you have about five minutes to make any desired changes before the AirPort Express automatically reverts to its previous configuration. If you need to access the network settings, go to the Wi-Fi status menu and select the network created by your base station.
From here, you can open the AirPort Utility software on your computer to further customise your network settings. The AirPort Utility can typically be found within the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. Once you've made any necessary changes, such as updating your password or network name, click "Update" to finalise the process.
Performing a soft reset is an excellent way to quickly reset your AirPort Express password or make minor configuration changes without losing your previous settings.
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How to perform a hard reset
Resetting your AirPort Express base station restores it to a state that allows you to regain control of it when you've lost the base station password or the base station isn't responding as expected. A hard reset will reset the base station to an unconfigured state but will retain the last saved configuration and any profiles, allowing you to restore your base station from previous settings.
Step 1:
Ensure that your AirPort Express is connected to a power source. It is important that the device does not get disconnected from the power source during the reset process.
Step 2:
Locate the reset button on your AirPort Express. The reset button is usually located next to the ports.
Step 3:
Press and hold the reset button for about 5 seconds. You may use a pen or a straightened paperclip to press the button.
Step 4:
Wait until the status light on the base station flashes amber rapidly. The status light will indicate that the device is in the process of resetting.
Step 5:
Release the reset button once the light flashes rapidly. The AirPort Express will now reset itself.
Step 6:
Wait for the AirPort Express to finish restarting. This process may take up to a minute or two. During this time, the AirPort Express will not be visible in the Wi-Fi status menu or AirPort Utility.
Step 7:
After the device has restarted, you may use it in its default state or reconfigure it using AirPort Utility. Open AirPort Utility, which can be found in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
By following these steps, you will successfully perform a hard reset on your AirPort Express, allowing you to regain control of your device and restore it to a functional state.
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How to perform a factory reset
To perform a factory reset on your AirPort Express, follow these steps:
First, make sure your AirPort Express is connected to a power source. Then, press and hold the reset button for 1 second and release. The status light on the base station will flash amber. Now, select the Wi-Fi network created by your base station from the Wi-Fi status menu in the menu bar.
Next, open AirPort Utility, found in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. Click on the icon for your base station, then click 'Edit' from the pop-up menu. Here, you can change the password or make any other required changes. Once you're done, click 'Update'.
At this point, you will need to press and hold the reset button again, this time for about 5 seconds, until the status light on the base station flashes amber rapidly. Release the button and wait about a minute for the base station to finish restarting.
Finally, open AirPort Utility once more and click on 'Other Wi-Fi Devices'. Select your base station from the list and follow any additional on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
If you have the firmware version 7.9.1 on AirPort Time Capsule 802.11ac and AirPort Extreme 802.11ac, you can also perform a factory-default reset. To do this, first, disconnect the base station from power. Then, while holding down the reset button, reconnect the power and continue to hold the button for about 6 seconds, until the status light flashes amber rapidly. Wait about a minute for the base station to finish restarting, then use AirPort Utility to reconfigure the settings.
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What to do if your Airport Express won't reset
If your Airport Express won't reset, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, make sure that the base station is connected to a power source. If it is, try performing a hard reset by following these steps:
- Press and hold the reset button for 1 second, then release. The status light on the base station should flash amber.
- Choose the Wi-Fi network created by your base station from the Wi-Fi status menu in the menu bar.
- Open AirPort Utility, located in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
- Click on the icon for your base station in AirPort Utility, then select "Edit" from the pop-up menu.
- Make any desired changes to the password or base station configuration.
- Finally, click "Update".
If the above steps do not work, you may need to try a factory-default reset. This will remove any saved configurations and profiles, so only perform this reset if you are selling or giving away your base station. Here are the steps:
- Ensure that the firmware is up to date.
- Disconnect the base station from power.
- While holding down the reset button, connect the base station to power again and continue to hold the reset button for about 6 seconds, until the status light flashes amber rapidly.
- Wait about a minute for the base station to finish restarting.
- Reconfigure the base station using AirPort Utility.
If your Airport Express still won't reset, there may be a problem with the electronics of the device, possibly the power supply. The average useful life of the product is about 4-5 years, so if your device is older, it may be time to consider a replacement.
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How to reset your Airport Express password
Resetting your AirPort Express will restore it to a state that allows you to regain control of it when you've lost the base station password or the base station isn't responding as expected. Depending on the base station model, you can perform a soft or hard reset.
A soft reset resets the base station password and disables security for 5 minutes so that you can join the network to make changes. If no changes are made within 5 minutes, the base station reverts to its former settings.
To perform a soft reset, first make sure your AirPort Express is connected to power. Then, locate the reset button on the base station, next to the ports. Use a pen or straightened paperclip to press and hold the reset button for 1 second. The status light on the base station will flash amber, or the middle LED will blink once every second while the device is in soft reset mode.
From the Wi-Fi status menu in the menu bar, choose the Wi-Fi network created by your base station. Then, open AirPort Utility, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. Click the icon for your base station in AirPort Utility, then click Edit from the pop-up menu. You can now change the password or reconfigure the base station as needed. When done, click Update.
A hard reset restores the base station to an unconfigured state but retains the last saved configuration and any profiles, allowing you to restore your base station from previous settings.
To perform a hard reset, unplug the AirPort Express from the power outlet. Press and hold the reset button, then plug the AirPort Express back into an AC outlet while still holding the button. Continue to hold the button until you see the light flash green four times, then release the button. The whole process takes approximately 45 seconds to complete. You may then use the AirPort Express in its default state or reconfigure it using either the AirPort Express Assistant or AirPort Admin Utility.
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Frequently asked questions
To reset your Airport Express, you need to locate the reset button on the base station, next to the ports. Press and hold the reset button for 1 second, then release. The status light on the base station will flash amber. Choose the Wi-Fi network created by your base station from the Wi-Fi status menu in the menu bar. Open AirPort Utility and click the icon for your base station, then click Edit and change the password or reconfigure as needed.
To perform a hard reset, make sure your Airport Express is connected to power. Hold down the reset button for 7-8 seconds and release. Allow a minute for the Airport Express to restart—the status light should be a slow, blinking amber light.
A blinking amber light means the device is restarting. If the light stays solid amber, this indicates a problem with the electronics of the device, likely the power supply.
To perform a factory reset, disconnect the base station from power. While holding down the reset button, reconnect the power and continue to hold for about 6 seconds, until the status light flashes amber rapidly. Wait about a minute for the base station to finish restarting. You can then use AirPort Utility to reconfigure the base station.
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