Lois Larson
If you've forgotten your Airport Extreme password, you can reset it by performing a soft or hard reset. Soft reset is a temporary measure that disables all passwords for up to five minutes, allowing you to access the base station and change the password. Hard reset, on the other hand, restores the base station to its original settings while retaining the last saved configuration. To perform a reset, locate the reset button on the base station, usually next to the ports, and press it with a paper clip or pen for about one to five seconds until the status light flashes amber or the middle LED blinks. You can then reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and change your password.
How to Reset Airport Extreme Password
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to reset | When you've lost the base station password or the base station isn't responding as expected |
| Soft reset | Resets the base station password and disables security for 5 minutes so you can join the network to make changes. If no changes are made within 5 minutes, the base station reverts to its former settings |
| Hard reset | Resets 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 |
| Factory-default reset | Disconnect the base station from power. Press and hold the reset button for about 5 seconds until the status light on the base station flashes amber rapidly. Then release the button. Wait about a minute for the base station to finish restarting |
| Other reset methods | Disconnect the base station from power, then connect it again. When all three status lights turn on, hold down the reset button for 30 seconds until the middle AirPort base station status light turns on. If using a Graphite base station and the middle light is green, you pressed the reset button too late. Disconnect power and try again |
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What You'll Learn
Soft reset: Resetting the password and disabling security for 5 minutes
To perform a soft reset on your AirPort Extreme, start by locating the reset button on the base station, next to the ports. You can then use a pen or a straightened paper clip to press and hold the reset button for about one second. The middle LED will blink once every second while the device is in soft reset mode. The base station password will be set to "public" and the IP address will be reset.
You can then connect to the reset base station using the following manual network settings on your computer: From the Wi-Fi status menu, choose the network created by the base station. Open AirPort Admin Utility for Graphite and Snow 4.2.5 to reconfigure the base station.
Note that you should not change the IP address unless you have been given one by your Internet Service Provider or system administrator.
After you have made changes to passwords or other settings, click Update. The base station will use the new settings after it has restarted.
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Hard reset: Resetting the base station to an unconfigured state
Resetting your AirPort base station restores it to an unconfigured state, allowing you to regain control if you've lost the base station password or the base station isn't responding as expected.
Here's how to perform a hard reset:
- Ensure that the base station is connected to a power source.
- Disconnect the base station from power, then connect it again.
- When all three status lights turn on, hold down the reset button for 30 seconds, until the middle AirPort base station status light turns on.
- If you're using a Graphite base station and the middle light is green, you've pressed the reset button too late. Disconnect the power and start again.
- Open AirPort Admin Utility for Graphite and Snow 4.2.5 to reconfigure your base station and reinstall the base station software. The base station name will be set to the Ethernet ID of the base station.
- The base station won't 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.
Note: Before resetting your base station, it's best to ensure that its firmware is up to date, if possible.
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Using a ballpoint pen to reset
If you've forgotten your AirPort Extreme password, you can reset it by performing a soft or hard reset. A soft reset is ideal if you've forgotten your password and need to regain control of your base station. It resets the base station password and disables security for 5 minutes, allowing you to make changes. If no changes are made within 5 minutes, the base station reverts to its former settings.
To perform a soft reset using a ballpoint pen, follow these steps:
- Ensure that your base station is connected to power.
- Locate the reset button on the base station, usually found next to the ports.
- Use the tip of a ballpoint pen to press and hold the reset button for 1 second. Be careful not to hold it for longer than 1 second, as this may result in the deletion of your network settings.
- The status light on the base station will flash amber.
- From the Wi-Fi status menu, choose the Wi-Fi network created by your base station.
- Open AirPort Utility on your computer. On a Mac, it's located in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder. On Windows, go to Start > All Programs > AirPort. If you can't find AirPort Utility, you can download it from the Apple Support website.
- Once AirPort Utility is open, click on the icon for your base station, then select "Edit" from the pop-up menu.
- You can now change your password or reconfigure other settings as needed.
- When you're done, click "Update" for the base station to use the new settings after restarting.
If you need to perform a hard reset, the process is similar, but it involves disconnecting and reconnecting power to the base station while holding the reset button. This will reset the base station to an unconfigured state but will retain the last saved configuration and any profiles.
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Activating password protection
After releasing the button, wait for the base station to restart. This should take about a minute. Then, open the AirPort Utility on your computer. This can be found in the Utilities folder within your Applications folder. If you are using Windows, you can find it by going to Start > All Programs > AirPort. If you do not have the AirPort Utility, you can download it from the Apple website.
Once open, click on the "Other Wi-Fi Devices" button and select your base station from the list. Click "Edit", and then "Other Options". From here, you can activate password protection by selecting an encryption method from the Wireless Security pop-up menu. You will then be prompted to enter a new password. Finally, click "Update" for your base station to restart with the new settings.
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Using the AirPort Utility
Resetting your AirPort Extreme Base Station will allow you to create a new password so you can connect to your router. Before you reset your base station, make sure that its firmware is up to date.
To reset your AirPort Extreme Base Station, first, locate the reset button on the base station, next to the ports. Use a straightened paper clip to press and hold the reset button for one second. If you hold the reset button for longer than one second, you may erase your network settings.
Now, select your AirPort network. On a Mac, use the AirPort status menu in the menu bar to select the network created by AirPort Extreme. On a computer using Windows, hold the pointer over the wireless connection icon until you see your AirPort Network Name (SSID), and choose it from the list if there are multiple networks available.
Next, open AirPort Utility, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. If AirPort Utility isn't installed on your computer, you can download it from www.apple.com/support/airport. Click on the AirPort in the toolbar, then Base Station. Select your base station and from the menu, choose Manual Setup. Here you will be able to enter a new password.
Click on Wireless and choose the encryption method you would like to use for the wireless security. Click Update to restart the base station and load the new settings.
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Frequently asked questions
First, make sure your base station is connected to a power source. Then, press and hold the reset button 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.
Double-click on your base station name listing. If required, enter your Mac's administrator account password. Your base station password should now be displayed.
Open AirPort Utility and select your base station. Click "Edit", then click "Other Options" and "Restore previous settings". Click "Next" until you get to the final window. When AirPort Utility indicates that the setup is complete, click "Done".
Hold the pointer over the wireless connection icon until you see your AirPort Network Name (SSID). Choose it from the list if there are multiple networks available. Open AirPort Utility and select your base station. Then, select "Manual Setup" from the Base Station menu.
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