Cannot connect to Aiport Extreme wirelessly to do a firmware update

Hello!

I for the life of me cannot configure my Airport Extreme router from my 2021 MacBook Pro (M1 Pro) WIRELESSLY. If I open Airport Utility All it shows is the gray "Globe" with the word "Internet" under it, but does not show any devices below it. I need to do a long overdue firmware update, but am unable to connect to the station itself to do said update.

Must I be physically connected to the Airport via an Ethernet cable to do this? Why can this not be done wirelessly?

Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Thanks!