Is it possible for airport extremes to just 'go bad'?

biosci said:

We've had a great setup for a long time with our extremes and expresses... But lately, the connections haven't been so hot and the wireless ranges have seemed to drop a bunch. Just wondering if this does happen from time to time due to aging hardware or the like. The wireless is still present but just as you move away from the original source, it doesn't seem to be what it used to be. Any ideas?

Thanks in adv!
Mike

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I'd expect it to completely fail instead of getting worse. If it's getting worse, I'd wager it's from some new source of interference (cordless phone, baby monitor, etc). Try changing the channel of your network in the Network Utility.

I would change your wifi channel, download an app like inSSIDer from the mac app store.

(https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/inssider/id507308266?mt=12&ign-mpt=uo=4)

Scan the wifi networks around you and see if there are any other networks on the same channel as your network.

Agree with the guys above that it may just be interference and try changing the channel. It may even be some new neighbors installing Wi-Fi or other devices and the local wireless being clogged. If you have a newer AEBS, are you still transmitting on 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or both? Try switching bands - 5GHz tends to be slightly less congested because fewer people are using it.

I have both my modem and AEBS on battery backup and the wireless connection speeds when there's a neighborhood blackout... the difference is very noticeable.