AEBS 2,4GHz network does not connect, but 5GHz works fine.

Question

Level 4

1,220 points

AEBS 2,4GHz network does not connect, but 5GHz works fine.

Hello experts

What would cause this behaviour? I am not able to connect to the 2,4GHz network of my AEBS, but the 5GHz network connects fine.

I recently renamed both networks and set tougher passwords. I made no changes to the settings in the Airport Utility.

The AEBS is in Off/Bridge mode, being connected with a LAN cable to our ISP's modem. Under Wireless, it still says Create a wireless network, and under Wireless Options I have the 5GHz network active (unhidden) and the channels set to Auto for both networks.

If I change the channel for the 2,4GHz network I get an error and then Airport Utility says "Device Not Found" in a bubble next to the AEBS.

Thank you in advance for your help

Philip

AirPort Extreme

Posted on Nov 20, 2025 7:19 AM

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Answer 1

pullman Author

Level 4

1,220 points

Nov 21, 2025 9:05 AM in response to Old Toad

I just wanted to post back. I did a factory reset which (as opposed to Apple's document) is possible for the A1408 model (as noted by Bob Timmons here). I then set it up again from scratch.

Though being a bit lazy I re-used the information from the last setup, which seems to have worked with most of the various other things I have connected to wifi.

I'll keep monitoring the situation, but the first impression is that things have improved. For instance, if I make a change in the Airport Utility, the AEBS will apply it a lot faster than before. So perhaps there were actually gremlins in the circuits somehow.

cheers

philip

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

215,094 points

Nov 20, 2025 4:37 PM in response to pullman

I have an AirPort Extreme also and the 2.4 GHz band died on me also. Like you the 5 GHz band works fine. The only thing I miss is the capability to share a drive over WiFi on the 2.4 GHz band.

My son bought me a refurbished AirPort Extreme from Amazon for my birthday but I haven't put it into service. Actually, I'm a little afraid to try since I have 2 AirPrint printers, 2 smart TVs and an extended setup for the current band which are working fine. The printers are especially difficult to pair to the WiFi so I'm reluctance to try at this time If the 5 GHz band dies then I'll fall back on the refurbished AE.

I know Apple won't work on it. Don't know if an Apple Authorized Service Provider will or have the parts to fix it.

If you have to replace the router there are much newer and more advanced models to choose from today.

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Answer 3

pullman Author

Level 4

1,220 points

Nov 21, 2025 12:24 AM in response to Old Toad

Thank you very much for your reply. So you think that there's a problem with the radio? I hadn't thought of that actually. What's odd with mine is that the 2,4GHz network does work occasionally. Like just now it connected perfectly fine from my MBA M1. Last night I could change the channel without the strange error I described earlier.

This has always been such a stable unit and it works well with things like our HP LaserJet which is a big pain to hook up to the network. So if at all possible I'd like to keep using it. I think I might try to restore it to factory settings and set it up again, just to see if it's a ghost in the machine or actually broken.

Cheers

philip

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