Airport Express 2nd Gen, cannot get them to stay configured. They keep disappearing from my network. (For use with AirPlay 2)

[ra4oasis]

I have two Airport Express’, both 2nd generation, both have the latest firmware. I want to use them as strictly for AirPlay, which seems simple enough. But I can’t get them to continue to work after the initial setup.

Device 1- I’ll set it up, add it to my existing network, and within 5 mins or so, the amber light starts blinking. When I investigate, it is complaining about the DNS settings. Then soon after, it disappears from my network all together, with a blinking amber light. I’ve factory reset it many times, same thing happens every time.

Device 2- Sort of the same from above, except it did work as it should for about 5 days, now it isn’t anymore. It still complains about the DNS, but when it stops working, the light is green, not blinking amber.

For both devices, I’ve tried leaving the DNS as is, and also tried using 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, but it doesn’t seem to matter. DNS might not even be the problem, but its the only error I’m getting.

I’m at a loss. I had a 1st gen express, and used it only for Airplay, for YEARS without issues, but these newer devices, which support Airplay 2, just won’t work, and it’s driving me crazy. Help!

 

[xraydoc]

While I can't really offer any help on your specific issue, I can tell you I do have an Airport Express gen 2 with latest firmware acting as a wifi-to-ethernet bridge for a laser printer, and it's been running a month without dropping off the network.

In fact, I'm using it this way because my printer kept dropping off the wifi network through it's own wifi hardware, and since it's in a location where I've got no ethernet outlet, I connected it this way.

Make sure you've disabled the wifi basestation function (hotspot) on the Airport Express so you're not getting a double-NAT conflict.

 

[Brian33]

Hmmm. Should work, and must be frustrating!

Would it help (even if for troubleshooting) to connect the Expresses with an Ethernet cable instead of WiFi? I'd be curious if that works (even if it's not practical for your desired use).

I'm also curious about where you see the error msg about the DNS -- in the Airport Utility app?

I'm using two 2nd-gen Expresses, one for Airplay only (ethernet connected) and one extending my wireless network. Both have been rock-solid for years -- guess I should count myself lucky!

 

[ra4oasis]

I posted this same thing over on the Apple support forums, and more than one person chimed in, and said it's the latest firmware that is the issue. I rolled back to the oldest on that was offered to me, and so far so good. I had to reboot it once, but thats it. So maybe the problem is just flaky firmware.