Lois Larson
Resetting your AirPort Time Capsule can be done in several ways, depending on the base station model. A soft reset is useful if you've forgotten your password, while a hard reset is more comprehensive but retains the last saved configuration and any profiles. If you're selling or giving away your AirPort Time Capsule, a factory-default reset is recommended, which can be done by disconnecting the base station from power, holding down the reset button, and reconnecting it to power. This guide will outline the steps to perform each type of reset and provide additional context for when to use them.
How to reset Airport Time Capsule
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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 | Similar to a hard reset, but removes any saved configurations and profiles. This reset is recommended if you are selling or giving away your base station. |
| Factory Reset Steps | 1. Disconnect the base station from power. 2. While holding down the reset button, connect the base station to power and continue to hold the reset button for about 6 seconds, until the status light on the base station flashes amber rapidly. 3. Wait about a minute for the base station to finish restarting. 4. You can then use AirPort Utility to reconfigure the base station. |
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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: Similar to a hard reset, but removing saved configurations and profiles
- Using AirPort Utility on Mac: Erasing the disk and resetting the Time Capsule
- Reset button: Pressing and holding the reset button for 1 second, then 5 seconds
Soft reset: Resetting the password and disabling security for 5 minutes
If you have forgotten the password to your Apple AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule base station, you can use the soft reset option to disable security settings and reset the password for five minutes. This will allow you to make changes to the settings and reset the password to something more memorable.
To perform a soft reset, first make sure the base station is plugged in. Then, use the tip of a ballpoint pen to press and hold the reset button for no more than five seconds. Once you have reset the base station, no password will be required to connect to the wireless network.
Open the AirPort Utility app on your Mac and select the base station in the graphical overview. Then, select the base station again, enter a new password, and click "Update." If you do not make any changes within five minutes after resetting your base station password, you must reset the base station again.
It is important to note that the soft reset feature only temporarily disables the wireless network password and device password. If no changes are made within the five-minute window, the AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule will revert to its former state, and all the original settings will be available after it restarts.
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Hard reset: Restoring the base station to an unconfigured state
A hard reset of your AirPort Time Capsule base station will restore it to an unconfigured state, but it will retain the last saved configuration and any profiles. This means that you can restore your base station from its previous settings. This is useful if you have lost the base station password or the base station is not responding as expected.
To perform a hard reset, first disconnect the base station from its power source. While holding down the reset button, reconnect the base station to power and continue to hold the reset button. Do this for about 6 seconds, until the status light on the base station flashes amber rapidly. Once you see the flashing amber light, release the button and wait about a minute for the base station to finish restarting.
After the base station has restarted, you can use AirPort Utility to reconfigure it. Open AirPort Utility, which can be found in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. Click the Other Wi-Fi Devices button, then select your base station from the list. You can now change the password or reconfigure the base station as needed. When you are done, click Update.
Note that a factory-default reset is like a hard reset, but it will remove any saved configurations and profiles. Perform this reset if you are selling or giving away your base station.
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Factory-default reset: Similar to a hard reset, but removing saved configurations and profiles
If you are selling or giving away your AirPort Time Capsule, you should perform a factory-default reset. This is similar to a hard reset but removes saved configurations and profiles.
To perform a factory-default reset, first disconnect the base station from its power source. While holding down the reset button, reconnect the power and continue to hold the reset button for about 6 seconds, until the status light on the base station 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.
The reset button is located next to the ports. You can press this with a pen or a straightened paperclip. Ensure that the base station is connected to power, then hold down the reset button for 10 seconds and release.
Next, disconnect the base station from power. While holding down the reset button, reconnect the power and continue to hold the button for about 5 seconds, until you see the three status lights turn on.
Please note that a factory-default reset will not erase data stored on the built-in hard drive of a Time Capsule or on any external hard drive connected to the base station. If you want to wipe the hard drive, you will need to perform a separate Erase Disk procedure.
Factory-default reset is only available with firmware version 7.9.1 on AirPort Time Capsule 802.11ac and AirPort Extreme 802.11ac.
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Using AirPort Utility on Mac: Erasing the disk and resetting the Time Capsule
Resetting your AirPort Time Capsule 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. Before you give away your base station or Time Capsule, erase and restore it to Apple factory settings.
To erase your AirPort Time Capsule in AirPort Utility on Mac, first, open the AirPort Utility app on your Mac, which is located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder. In the graphical overview, select the Time Capsule you want to erase, then click 'Edit'. You may need to enter a password for the Time Capsule. Next, click 'Disks', then click 'Erase Disk'. Click the 'Security Method' pop-up menu and choose a security level. You can choose from the following levels of security when erasing the internal disk:
- Quick Erase (non-secure): Quick Erase erases directory information from the disk so that the data is no longer accessible. The data remains on the disk until additional data is written over it. Data can be recovered, so this choice is the least secure.
- Zero Out Data: This option writes zeros over all the data on the disk.
After making your selection, click 'Erase'. The AirPort Time Capsule status light will flash amber while the disk is being erased. You won't be able to change settings, update the firmware, or restart the AirPort Time Capsule until the disk is erased and becomes available again.
To reset your AirPort base station to Apple factory settings, choose 'Base Station' > 'Restore Default Settings'. Read the message, then click 'Continue'.
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Reset button: Pressing and holding the reset button for 1 second, then 5 seconds
Resetting your AirPort Time Capsule will restore it to a state that allows you to regain control of it if you've lost the base station password or the base station isn't responding as expected. There are different types of resets available, depending on your needs.
If you're looking to 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. To do this, press and hold the reset button for 1 second, then release it. The status light on the base station will flash amber. From the Wi-Fi status menu in the menu bar, choose the Wi-Fi network created by your base station. 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 select Edit from the pop-up menu. You can now change the password or make any necessary configuration changes. When you're done, click Update.
For a more comprehensive reset, you can perform a hard reset or a factory-default reset. These options will reset the base station to an unconfigured state. A factory-default reset is similar to a hard reset, but it will also remove any saved configurations and profiles. This type of reset is particularly useful if you're planning to sell or give away your base station. To perform either of these resets, follow the steps below:
- Ensure that the base station is connected to power.
- 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.
- Open AirPort Utility, located in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
- Click on the "Other Wi-Fi Devices" button and select your base station from the list.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.
It's important to note that performing a factory-default reset will not erase data stored on the built-in hard drive of a Time Capsule or any external hard drive connected to the base station. If you wish to erase the data, you can use AirPort Utility on your Mac to wipe the Time Capsule before performing the reset.
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Frequently asked questions
To reset your Airport Time Capsule to its factory settings, you can use AirPort Utility on a Mac. First, disconnect the base station from the power and hold down the reset button. Then, reconnect the base station to power and continue to hold the reset button for about 6 seconds, until the status light flashes amber. Wait about a minute for the base station to finish restarting, then use AirPort Utility to reconfigure the base station.
There are three types of resets: soft reset, hard reset, and factory-default reset. A soft reset is useful when you've forgotten your password as it disables security for 5 minutes, allowing you to join the network and make changes. A hard reset restores the base station to an unconfigured state but retains the last saved configuration and profiles. A factory-default reset is like a hard reset but removes any saved configurations and profiles.
To perform a soft reset, press and hold the reset button for 1 second, then release. 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, then open AirPort Utility. Click on the icon for your base station, select Edit, and you can now change the password or make other configurations. When you're done, click Update.
