You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Missing Time Capsule Device in AirPort Utilities + Want Backup Mode Only

Until today, I was using a Time Capsule as a router and for automatic backups to Time Machine. I know, I know, it's old, but it'd been doing just fine and I didn't want to mess with it. Today, I purchased and setup a new router. Instead of the expense of a new external hard drive right now, I'd like to continue using Time Capsule for backups. I thought I was doing okay, but messed up and have now "lost" Time Capsule in AirPort Utility.


I connected the Time Capsule to the router using ethernet (LAN port to ethernet port). I then opened AirPort Utility > Time Capsule > Wireless Mode to "Off" and then Time Capsule disappeared altogether. I obviously messed up and chose the wrong setting. How do I find my Time Capsule again?! And what settings *should* I be changing to use it for backups only?

Posted on Jan 18, 2021 12:48 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 18, 2021 2:38 PM

Reset your TC to factory by powering it off.. holding the reset button .. power on and keep holding in reset for about 10sec.

No files are lost on the hard drive.

The TC will reappear in your Airport Utility and you can reconfigure it.. For now leave the wireless on unless you are using ethernet to the TC.. ethernet makes life much much easier.


So there are several important changes to make.


1 Change it to static IP


This is exactly like your situation .. a TC plugged into my main router. It will get an IP by DHCP.. sometimes your main router will have dhcp reservation.. but you can also fix it on the TC itself.



Swap to static. All the current settings remain except DNS.. no idea why dns greys out but you need it for the TC not to complain. So fill it in with the same number as was there. or 8.8.8.8 (Google public DNS)




2 Go to the Internet Options down the bottom and change the IPv6 to link-local only.



Save and then use update to fix all that up.


Take special note of that IP address you have assigned the TC.


Now something really strange will happen..

If your computer is using ethernet the TC will likely disappear entirely.. if by wireless to your main computer you should not have issues.



Simply turn off your airport utility and restart it.. it is fairly dumb.. do not use forget.


But since you have the IP .. use configure other in the top menu.



Use the IP address and put in the password.. and thereupon behold all manner of mysteries.



Your TC will magically reappear.



And you should now have a full airport utility.




Similar questions

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 18, 2021 2:38 PM in response to applegirl0207

Reset your TC to factory by powering it off.. holding the reset button .. power on and keep holding in reset for about 10sec.

No files are lost on the hard drive.

The TC will reappear in your Airport Utility and you can reconfigure it.. For now leave the wireless on unless you are using ethernet to the TC.. ethernet makes life much much easier.


So there are several important changes to make.


1 Change it to static IP


This is exactly like your situation .. a TC plugged into my main router. It will get an IP by DHCP.. sometimes your main router will have dhcp reservation.. but you can also fix it on the TC itself.



Swap to static. All the current settings remain except DNS.. no idea why dns greys out but you need it for the TC not to complain. So fill it in with the same number as was there. or 8.8.8.8 (Google public DNS)




2 Go to the Internet Options down the bottom and change the IPv6 to link-local only.



Save and then use update to fix all that up.


Take special note of that IP address you have assigned the TC.


Now something really strange will happen..

If your computer is using ethernet the TC will likely disappear entirely.. if by wireless to your main computer you should not have issues.



Simply turn off your airport utility and restart it.. it is fairly dumb.. do not use forget.


But since you have the IP .. use configure other in the top menu.



Use the IP address and put in the password.. and thereupon behold all manner of mysteries.



Your TC will magically reappear.



And you should now have a full airport utility.




Jan 18, 2021 3:15 PM in response to applegirl0207

There is an old network saying that goes something like this........whenever you make a change on a network, everything will change on the network.


The "secret" is to perform a Hard Reset on the Time Capsule and then set it up again. As it stands now, the Time Capsule is still remembering the settings that it used to connect to your "old" network, so it has no idea how to connect to your "new" network.


So, the Time Capsule needs to "forget" its old settings so that it can be set up again with the "new" correct settings to connect to your new network.


Get things working that way first......then.....you can turn off the WiFi and use the Time Capsule only as a wired back up hard drive.


If you need more help.....without all the jargon......post back to let us know.

Missing Time Capsule Device in AirPort Utilities + Want Backup Mode Only

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.