Updated OS to Monterey 12.6 and now my Airport Express doesn't work

[tomznyc]

I know Apple no longer really supports the Airport Express, but does anyone else who still uses them have the same problem? I've tried resetting the Airplay, but it's not working.

(I plug my old analog stereo into mine and use it to play music wirelessly from my Mac or Phone.)

Thanks!

 

[Raz0rEdge]

What Mac are you using? The version of macOS shouldn't affect your ability to connect to the Airport Express. I think the Airport only supports 802.11 a/b, maybe g. But all computers support 802.11 a/b/g/n/x/<whatever new thing comes out>, while usually continuing to support the older versions.

Some devices might choose to stop supporting really old versions, but the Mac hasn't done that yet.

 

[tomznyc]

Thanks for responding Ashwin. I'm using a 2017 MacBook Pro. I have three Airport Express units, and all three have stopped connecting.

I've completely reset each one, and the Airport Utility on my Mac starts to go through the setup process, but then it says "An unexpected error occurred. Try again."

I've also tried re-setting them up using my iPhone, but the same problem happens there too.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

If the iPhone is having issues connecting to the AE, then it's likely unrelated to the Monterrey upgrade. Unlike other stand-alone routers, this is one of the issues with he AE and AEBS, you have to use the Airport utility on other devices to manage them.

I really don't have any ideas to explore here, but perhaps this is your opportunity to upgrade to significantly better (faster) thing like a Mesh network and jump all the way to WiFi6 standards.

 

[tomznyc]

You're probably right--the Airport going kaput the same day I upgraded the OS is probably a coincidence.

I'd held off on upgrading, because I was just using the Airport to get a home stereo onto my network. It wasn't complicated, and it worked fine...until it stopped. I knew this day would come.

Thanks for your help, Ashwin.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

You're probably right--the Airport going kaput the same day I upgraded the OS is probably a coincidence.

I'd held off on upgrading, because I was just using the Airport to get a home stereo onto my network. It wasn't complicated, and it worked fine...until it stopped. I knew this day would come.

You can do something similar using older Apple TV devices, easily gotten cheap off eBay. You'd need a working wi-fi network, of course. Here's a guide:

Add AirPlay to Your Classic Stereo with an Old Apple TV - TidBITS

Ever wish you could hear what’s playing on your iPhone through your stereo system? Here’s a step-by-step guide to add AirPlay support to your stereo for less than $20 and about an hour of your time.

tidbits.com

As a side note... I think it is very strange that you lost connectivity to all 3 AirPort Express units at the same time. I found an interesting article that may have a solution.

Airport Express an Unexpected Error has Occurred Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave: Here's Fix

Airport Express is all of sudden showing an unexpected error occured, for what reason it is happening? Discover in this article and fix it.

www.howtoisolve.com

And one more:

"Unexpected error" while extending Time Capsule with Airport Express

I picked up an Airport Express before they disappeared from the market, with the objective of using its audio-out to connect remotely to a HiFi. My set-up is as follows: Time Capsule connected to...

apple.stackexchange.com

 

[tomznyc]

Brilliant! I took a little bit from articles two and three: First I clicked on the "link-local only" from the configure iPv6 pop-up menu in network settings on my Mac, and then reconfigured the Airport Express using my phone. And it works on all of them.

You saved me a lot of heartache (and some coin). Thank you!

 

[pm-r]

Here's a guide:

Or as the article says:
"A cheaper solution would be to use one of Apple’s now-obsolete AirPort Express base stations."

But from the OP's reply, it seems not even that would be necessary. Congratulations on the fix.




- Patrick
=======

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Or as the article says:
"A cheaper solution would be to use one of Apple’s now-obsolete AirPort Express base stations."

But from the OP's reply, it seems not even that would be necessary. Congratulations on the fix.

He had three AirPort Expresses and all had stopped working at once. The ATV would have been an option in lieu of the APEs if they were indeed unusable (i.e. "obsolete") as a platform, which wasn't the case.