
Resetting your Airport Extreme base station is a way to 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. There are different types of resets, including a soft reset, which disables security for 5 minutes so that you can join the network to make changes, and a hard reset, which restores the base station to an unconfigured state while retaining the last saved configuration and any profiles. You can also perform a factory-default reset, but this is only available with firmware version 7.9.1 on Airport Time Capsule 802.11ac and Airport Extreme 802.11ac.
How to reset an Airport Extreme
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soft reset | Resets the base station password and disables security for 5 minutes |
| Soft reset action | Hold the reset button for 1 second, then release |
| Hard reset | Resets the base station to an unconfigured state but retains the last saved configuration and any profiles |
| Hard reset action | Disconnect the base station from power, hold down the reset button and reconnect the power, continue to hold for 5-6 seconds until the status light flashes amber |
| Factory-default reset | Only available with firmware version 7.9.1 on AirPort Time Capsule 802.11ac and AirPort Extreme 802.11ac |
| Factory-default reset action | Disconnect from power, hold down the reset button and reconnect power, continue to hold for 5 seconds until the three status lights turn on |
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What You'll Learn
- Soft reset: Resetting the password and disabling security for 5 minutes
- Hard reset: Restoring the base station to an unconfigured state
- Factory-default reset: Disconnecting the base station from power and holding down the reset button
- Using AirPort Utility: Opening AirPort Utility to reconfigure the base station
- Reset button: Locating and pressing the reset button with a paperclip or pen

Soft reset: Resetting the password and disabling security for 5 minutes
If you have forgotten your AirPort base station password and are unable to administer the device, you can perform a soft reset. This will reset the base station password and disable security for 5 minutes, allowing you to join the network and make changes. If no changes are made within this time, the base station will revert to its previous settings.
- Ensure that your base station is connected to power.
- Press and hold the reset button, located next to the ports, for 1 second, then release.
- The status light on the base station will flash amber.
- From the Wi-Fi status menu in the menu bar, select the Wi-Fi network created by your base station.
- Open AirPort Utility, found in the Utilities folder within your Applications folder.
- Click on the icon for your base station in AirPort Utility, then select Edit from the pop-up menu.
- You can now change the password or make any necessary configuration changes.
- Once you have made your changes, click Update.
Note: If you are unable to locate the reset button, it can be pressed with a pen or a straightened paperclip.
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Hard reset: Restoring the base station to an unconfigured state
To perform a hard reset on your AirPort Extreme, you will need to reset the base station to an unconfigured state. This will restore the base station to its factory default settings. This process will also retain the last saved configuration and any profiles, allowing you to restore your base station from previous settings.
- Power off your AirPort Extreme base station by disconnecting it from its power source.
- Press and hold the reset button, located next to the ports on the base station.
- While continuing to hold the reset button, reconnect the base station to power.
- Keep holding the reset button for about 5-6 seconds, until you see the status light on the base station flashing amber rapidly.
- Release the reset button and wait for about a minute to allow the base station to finish restarting.
After performing these steps, your AirPort Extreme base station will be reset to its factory default settings, but you will still be able to restore your previous settings if needed.
Note: Before performing a hard reset, it is recommended to ensure that your base station's firmware is up to date.
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Factory-default reset: Disconnecting the base station from power and holding down the reset button
To perform a factory-default reset on your AirPort Extreme, start by disconnecting the base station from its power source. While the base station is disconnected, locate the reset button, which is found next to the ports, and hold it down. With the reset button still held down, reconnect the base station to power. Keep holding the reset button for about 5 to 6 seconds, until you see the status light flashing rapidly in amber or until you see the three status lights turn on.
Once you have released the reset button, wait about a minute for the base station to finish restarting. After restarting, the base station won't be visible in the Wi-Fi status menu or AirPort Utility for up to a minute. You can then use AirPort Utility to reconfigure the base station, or you may use the device in its default state.
Before resetting your base station, it is recommended to ensure that its firmware is up to date. To locate the reset button, use a pen or a straightened paperclip and press the button when instructed to do so. Make sure that the base station is connected to power.
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Using AirPort Utility: Opening AirPort Utility to reconfigure the base station
To reconfigure your base station using AirPort Utility, first make sure that your base station is connected to power. Next, press and hold the reset button for one second, then release. The status light on the base station will flash amber.
Now, 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 located 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 reconfigure the base station as needed. When you are done, click 'Update'.
If you are performing a hard reset or factory reset, the base station won't be visible in the Wi-Fi status menu or AirPort Utility for up to a minute. After this, you may use the device in its default state or reconfigure it using AirPort Utility.
If you are using an older model, such as the Airport Extreme 802.11n, you will need to unplug the base station from the power, then press and hold the reset button with a pen or pencil. Plug the base station back in while continuing to hold the button until you see the light flash rapidly. Release the button, and the base station will now be factory-reset.
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Reset button: Locating and pressing the reset button with a paperclip or pen
Resetting your AirPort Extreme base station is a relatively straightforward process. The reset button is located on the base station, next to the ports. When attempting a reset, you will need to press this button with a pen or a straightened paperclip.
Before you begin the reset, it is recommended that you ensure your base station's firmware is up to date. Also, make sure that the base station is connected to a power source.
For a soft reset, press and hold the reset button for 1 second and then release. The status light on the base station will flash amber. From the Wi-Fi status menu in the menu bar, select the Wi-Fi network created by your base station. Now, open AirPort Utility, which can be found in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. Click on the icon for your base station in AirPort Utility, and then click Edit from the pop-up menu. You can now change the password or reconfigure the base station as required. Finally, click Update.
For a hard reset or factory reset, start by powering off the AirPort Extreme and leaving it off for a minute or two. Now, hold the reset button and, while still holding it, plug the power cord back into the AirPort Extreme. Keep holding the reset button for another 5-6 seconds and then release.
After a reset, the base station will be set to request an IP address by DHCP. The base station name will be set to "base station," followed by the last six digits of the base station's MAC address. The base station network name will be set to "Apple Network," followed by the last six digits of the base station's MAC address. The base station may not be visible in the Wi-Fi status menu or AirPort Utility for up to a minute. You may then use the device in its default state or reconfigure it using AirPort Utility.
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Frequently asked questions
First, make sure your firmware is up to date. Then, locate the reset button on the base station, next to the ports. Press and hold the reset button for 1 second and then release. The status light on the base station should flash amber.
Power off your Airport Extreme and leave it off for a minute or two. Then, hold the reset button while simultaneously plugging the power cord back in. Keep holding the reset button for another 5-6 seconds and then release.
Perform a soft reset. This will reset the base station password and disable security for 5 minutes so that you can join the network and make changes. If no changes are made within 5 minutes, the base station will revert to its former settings.
You can perform a hard reset. This will reset the base station to an unconfigured state but retain the last saved configuration and any profiles, allowing you to restore your base station from previous settings.











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