Use an AirPort Extreme as a *wired* extension for my WiFi network

I had an AirPort Extreme 11n (4th gen?) as my primary router, but I replaced it with a late model Time Capsule (3rd gen?). After many years of sitting around, I re-purposed the APE to help my car get updates. I powered it up near my Mac and then used the configuration app to set it to Wireless->Network Mode:->Extend a wireless network, and Network->Router Mode:->Off (Bridge mode). Then plugged it in in the garage. Poof! The connection is poor, but still better than what the car itself got.


As part of repaving the driveway, I ran some conduit to the garage and pulled some direct-burial outdoor CAT6. I plugged that into the APE and it immediately started spamming the network. I turned off the wifi on the APE and that works fine, I can talk to it over the wire and the connection is perfectly solid. However, this defeats the purpose of having the wire.


Is there a way to do this, use the APE as a wired Wifi access point?


I see hints that it used to have another mode, "Join a wireless network", but it is not clear that is what I wanted, nor does it appear there is any way to set that up any more. Perhaps the Router Mode is wrong? I am at a loss where to go from here.

AirPort Extreme

Posted on Jun 20, 2025 05:06 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 20, 2025 05:51 PM

"Extend a wireless network" is a setting that is correct only when the AirPort Extreme connects back another Apple AirPort router using a wireless connection. It is the wrong setting if you want to use Ethernet to connect to the AirPort Extreme.


There is no "Join" setting for an AirPort Extreme. Even if here was, it would not be useful at all.


Is there a way to do this, use the APE as a wired Wifi access point?


Yes, but you may be surprised to learn that the correct setting for what you want to do is "Create a wireless network" using the same wireless network name and security setting as your "main" router. The Network setting for Router Mode remains at Off (Bridge Mode).


All things considered, it might be better to reset the AirPort Extreme back to factory defaults and then set it up again using AirPort Utility on your Mac.


Post back if you need step-by-step instructions.



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3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 20, 2025 05:51 PM in response to MauryMarkowitz

"Extend a wireless network" is a setting that is correct only when the AirPort Extreme connects back another Apple AirPort router using a wireless connection. It is the wrong setting if you want to use Ethernet to connect to the AirPort Extreme.


There is no "Join" setting for an AirPort Extreme. Even if here was, it would not be useful at all.


Is there a way to do this, use the APE as a wired Wifi access point?


Yes, but you may be surprised to learn that the correct setting for what you want to do is "Create a wireless network" using the same wireless network name and security setting as your "main" router. The Network setting for Router Mode remains at Off (Bridge Mode).


All things considered, it might be better to reset the AirPort Extreme back to factory defaults and then set it up again using AirPort Utility on your Mac.


Post back if you need step-by-step instructions.



Jun 21, 2025 06:44 AM in response to MauryMarkowitz

Wow, that is entirely non-obvious!


Well, you know that "extend a wireless network" is only used when the AirPort connects to the network using wireless.....not Ethernet.


So, the only other choice that you have is "create a wireless network".


If you reset the AirPort back to default settings and used AirPort Utility for the setup, AirPort Utility will automatically choose the correct setting to use.





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Use an AirPort Extreme as a *wired* extension for my WiFi network

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