Time Capsule AirPort Express no longer found

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Level 1

4 points

Time Capsule AirPort Express no longer found

I have been able to use my Time Capsule for Time Machine backups. It is directly connected to my Netgear modem, router with an Ethernet cable. I have two other AirPort Express devices, one the tall one, one the flat one. In the past I have been able to access them to store more files. I have not used them for several months. When I turned them on, the yellow flashing light was on for a long time. But eventually turned green. However, they were no longer visible on my network since the Time Capsule is not visible.

In my effort to correct the problem I use Airport Utility, File, Configure Other. Wrong move, the result was that the Time Capsule no longer shows up on the Network, but is visible and seems to be running Time Machine when I examine it with Finder/Network/home arc/Airport Disk. home arc is name of the network originally created by the Time Capsule,Airport Express device.

I am running a Mac Air M4 with Sequoia

Can you advise me on how to get the Time Capsule shown as a device on the network and then use that to add the other 2 AirPort Express devises to the network?

Also the Time Capsule does not show up on the Wifi link on the Mac menu bar. Nor does the network name home arc

Thank you

[Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Sep 29, 2025 6:00 PM

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Answer 1

dcistaro Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 1, 2025 7:52 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks Bob,

This helps, also did a soft reset on the Time Capsule. It now shows up on the network. I powered on the other two AirPort Express devices and they attached to the network and now I see all the files stored there.

Again, Thank you case closed

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Answer 2

Sep 30, 2025 7:37 PM in response to dcistaro

Start by powering off the devices for now that you are calling AirPort Expresses.....(which are actually AirPort Extremes).....and leaving them off while you work with the Time Capsule.

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Answer 3

Sep 30, 2025 5:33 PM in response to dcistaro

An Ethernet switch would be helpful for troubleshooting here too, if the NETGEAR gateway doesn’t have enough LAN ports to connect everything directly to the gateway.

As for where this Time Machine configuration is generally headed, Airport Time Capsule is deprecated and won’t work with macOS 26 and later. (It does work with your current macOS 15.)

And entirely FWIW, if you're potentially interested in continuing with network-attached storage akin to Time Capsule, remote backups to network-attached storage devices with Time Machine Server capabilities (including macOS, UNAS Pro, Synology, TrueNAS, etc) are supported on all recent macOS versions, including on macOS 26.

Previous discussions:

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Answer 4

Sep 30, 2025 4:24 PM in response to dcistaro

This is not going to be a quick fix. Frankly, there may be no fix if the Ethernet ports on the Time Capsule have ailed.

The diagnositic process will be mostly time consuming trial and error.

If you have a lot of patience and can accept a possible disappointing outcome, post back and we will begin. It will really help if you have a few other Ethernet cables that you know are working.

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Answer 5

Oct 1, 2025 8:00 AM in response to dcistaro

So, the problem was not really a Time Capsule or AirPort problem at all.....it was an Ethernet cable problem? Is that correct?

It is not a big deal, but the devices that you are calling AirPort Express are not AirPort Express devices. They are AirPort Extreme devices.

(The AirPort Express cannot support a hard drive connected to its USB port, so if you have a hard drive connected to the USB port on an AirPort, that device must be an AirPort Extreme.)

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Answer 6

dcistaro Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 30, 2025 7:31 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks Bob, Let me explore the Ethernet cable fix and get back to you.

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Answer 7

dcistaro Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 30, 2025 7:33 PM in response to MrHoffman

Thanks Mr Hoffman, I will explore a new NAS in a couple months. I want to fix my current situation if possible.

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