If you are having issues with your AirPort Express, you might want to reset it. One of the most common ways of doing that is by pressing the tiny “reset” button on the device. But what if doing that doesn’t solve your problem?
Well, there are three ways you can go about performing a reset to your AirPort Express. The problem that one reset way doesn’t solve the other way simply might. The three types of resets we are talking about are “soft”, “hard” and at last the “factory”. It doesn’t matter what issue you might be facing; you should always try to perform the soft factory reset first and then follow the order.
A soft reset usually comes in handy when you have forgotten the password and needed to change it.
Let the device be plugged in, through network preference, select the AirPort from the menu. Click on the TCP/IP and then select “Using DHCP” from the popup that appears. Now press and hold for 1 second the reset button on the device. There will be a yellow light flashing, which means that you will have five minutes to make whatever changes you want, or the device will go back to its last saved settings.
Hard Reset
Hard reset is usually a good option when the device stops working. Saved profiles remain intact during the process.
Let the device be plugged in and hold the reset button on the device for 10 seconds. The flashing of the green light will indicate that the device has finished resetting itself. Make use of AirPort Admin or AirPort Express Assistant to configure your device after the reset.
Factory Reset
The process of Factory Reset requires you to unplug the device from the power outlet. Once the device is depowered, press and keep on holding the reset button on the device and while holding it, plug in the device. The green light will flash for four times; this is the time when you should release the reset button, and the device will reboot. Wait for around 1 minute and then go on configuring your device with Airport Admin Utility or AirPort Express Assistant.
Try the factory reset flash the green light ones and then remain amber without flashing changing to flashing green in time to time and then stable amber again.
I no longer have my MacBoook but haved two AirPort Extremes. I have followed your Factory Reset tip but get only one green flash before the light turns to amber. Is there any way I can do a Factory reset without a Mac?
mine got short circuited when trying factory reset as could not get blinking light when using hard reset
Try the factory reset flash the green light ones and then remain amber without flashing changing to flashing green in time to time and then stable amber again.
The above two comments apply to me as well. Airport utility is not able to contact my Express after Factory reset. Is it now for the recycle bin?
I tried all three resets. All I get is a flashing amber light.
I no longer have my MacBoook but haved two AirPort Extremes. I have followed your Factory Reset tip but get only one green flash before the light turns to amber. Is there any way I can do a Factory reset without a Mac?