Few minutes (less than 5), most of that time is spent rebooting the Extreme/Express.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Releases Firmware Update 7.6.7 and 7.7.7 for AirPort Base Stations
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Few minutes (less than 5), most of that time is spent rebooting the Extreme/Express.
On the local network, do any of you guys experience a slower transfer rate for downloads vs. uploads over WiFi on your AE 6th Gens? And/or do you notice that 802.11ac Macs frequently drop to 867 Mbps instead of 1300 Mbps when just a few feet away from the AE in a very uncrowded wireless space? Just curious.
My FreeNAS file server (9.10) consistently transfers up and down at 110+ MB/s on wired gigabit. On AE WiFi I get about 80 MB/s copying to the NAS, but frequently only about half that copying from the NAS.
Do any of you observe that difference in up vs. down on AE WiFi?
My FreeNAS file server (9.10) consistently transfers up and down at 110+ MB/s on wired gigabit. On AE WiFi I get about 80 MB/s copying to the NAS, but frequently only about half that copying from the NAS.
Do any of you observe that difference in up vs. down on AE WiFi?
I definitely noticed like you mentioned the link speed usually shows only 867 Mbps when even next to the router. This is one of the reasons I returned it. All the other AC routers I tested didn't do that.
Don't have any experience with the current express, mine is an old one from like 2008... and during the time since purchase it has been rebooted for firmware updates and to move house. it hasn't skipped a beat in 7 years...
Update went well for all of my Apple Routers 
I had to press the update button several times though on some of the routers, probably becasue I started the updates from my iPhone. The bottle neck in my network is a Netgear powerline adapter that sometimes crashes, not my Apple routers :3
I had to press the update button several times though on some of the routers, probably becasue I started the updates from my iPhone. The bottle neck in my network is a Netgear powerline adapter that sometimes crashes, not my Apple routers :3Since updating to 7.7.7, i have had nothing but wifi issues. Constantly dropping and then i am unable to reconnect. Hard wired equipment works just fine. When the wifi drops, my hard wired apple tv is stiil streaming Netflix just fine. My hardwired iMac still has internet access. A hard reboot of the time capsule seems to fix the issue for a few minutes before starting again.
I finally needed to downgrade back to 7.7.3. Since downgrading, i have had no issues with wifi.
Anyone else experiencing wifi issues since updating?
I finally needed to downgrade back to 7.7.3. Since downgrading, i have had no issues with wifi.
Anyone else experiencing wifi issues since updating?
Last edited:
Yup. But not sure if that's the AirPort Extreme/Express or surrounding interference because the TX rate keeps fluctuating in general even when I'm right beside the Extreme/Express. But to clarify, this had nothing to do with the update, I've always had this issue.
Damn that sucks, have not heard of any issues as of yet. More good than bad with this network update
I haven't. Note that 1300 Mbps requires full use of the 80 mhz bandwidth (and extrmely short distance). You'll want to keep any other devices that use less than 80 mhz bandwidth off that channel. So, no iPhones, iPads, or Apple TVs (or non-3x3 Macs - Airs?), even though they operate on the 5 GHz channel and use 802.11ac. Also, I'd stay away from DFS channels.
So, really there are only two 80 mhz wide blocks - channels 36+++ and 149+++. And I suppose 36+++ might have better range than 149+++.
Using channel 36, having a separate SSID for the 5 GHz band, limiting usage of the 5 GHz channel to 3x3 Macs (watch out for keychain syncing enabling devices to connect when you didn't want them to), and being within 7 feet of the TC, I'm able to get 1300 Mbps - though it comes and goes. Sometiems 1170, 1053, or lower.
Then, I have asecond 1st gen TC, 5 GHz only, channel 149, with the same SSID as the 2.4 GHz channel on my main TC. So between the 2.4 GHz channel of my main TC and the 5 GHz channel of my old TC, I have 2.4/5 GHz dual radio coverage throughout, while having a dedicated 5 GHz radio for 3x3 Macs that covers almost everywhere, and fortunately everywhere I use the Macs. Oh, and I turned off keychain syncing on my iOS devices to prevent them from being able to connect to the channel dedicated to the Macs.
Last edited:
[doublepost=1464477290][/doublepost]Had the same issue with 7.7.7 some devices not connecting to wifi which were fine before. Downgraded to old firmware and everything is back to normal
Thanks for the reply. Very interesting about other AC routers - which one(s) do you use that consistently (or at least usually, even) maintain 1300 Mbps?
[doublepost=1464483071][/doublepost]
Thanks for the feedback.
[doublepost=1464483621][/doublepost]
Good info - thanks for the feedback. I have perhaps the atypical scenario where I can control for any other AC device on my three-acre property, and actually have a pretty accurate knowledge of the further 15 or so acres around me. The details in my original post apply to all of these conditions and my Mac within a few feet of the AE. I might understand the slow-down in a crowded WiFi environment, but in my scenario it is somewhat surprising. Oh well.
I always assumed it was a Cox issue since nothing changed with any of my equipment at the time the trouble started. It never dawned on me to contact AppleCare.
What I was avoiding was wasting my time with Cox support. I've been around the block enough times to know that they'd put me through all of the usual BS - treating me like a rookie, steps I've already taken, multiple tech appointments that yield no results, and ultimately blaming my hardware for what was likely an infrastructure issue on their end. From what other posters in the thread have said, I made the right call on not engaging them on this one.
I suppose you're right that AppleCare may have given me the workaround if I called. I'll keep that in mind in case there are problems in the future (this is the first issue I've ever had with Airport equipment in many, many years of using it exclusively in my home).
I would highly suggest contacting AppleCare if you have internet issues of any kind. Most of the time they can get you up and running, even if it's not actually the AirPort at fault. Usually, the only reason they wouldn't be able to is if your service is just down. And if they can't fix it, they'll get you pointed in the right direction. Much easier to deal with them.
[doublepost=1464510217][/doublepost]
Contact AppleCare and let them know about the issue
[doublepost=1464510247][/doublepost]
Contact AppleCare and let them know about the issue
How does one hear of these Airport firmware updates? I only later noticed the light on my tower changed from green to orange a couple of days later.
Apple today released a new firmware update for all of its 802.11n Wi-Fi base stations, including the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule. According to Apple's release notes, the update includes bug fixes and is designed to improve the stability and performance of the products.Apple has also released a 7.7.7 update for its 802.11ac Wi-Fi Base stations, including the latest AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule models. It fixes the same issues.
The firmware updates can be installed through the AirPort Utility app for iOS or OS X.
Article Link: Apple Releases Firmware Update 7.6.7 and 7.7.7 for AirPort Base Stations
All working fine on my network after update
- one primary Airport Extreme (5th gen) as the main router (plus DHCP, port mappings) which then connects to a 16 port gigabit switch.
- another AE (5th gen) on the 3rd floor in bridge mode to extend wifi/network (Ethernet run up from the basement to the 3rd floor for this connection)
- a 1st gen Airport Express just as an Airplay device to an amp for backyard speakers (wired ethernet connection, wifi not on)
- a 2nd gen Airport Express (wired ethernet) in bridge mode to extend wifi to the garage as well as Airplay to an amp in the garage.
I had seen a case where my primary Mac mini server would lose all network connections after running for a couple weeks with many connections going (many web pages left open, server tasks like app caching, Plex server, the mini connects to a FreeNAS box for storage, 6 constant streams from IP cameras to Security Spy). Because rebooting would always fix, it seemed like a 10.11 issue (hadn't seen it before that, and it seems to be stable after 10.11.5, although it has only been 2 weeks since release, so may be speaking too soon)
Wifi is stable and Airplay has always reliable to the 5 airplay options on my network (Teac NP-H750, AppleTV, Yamaha Reciever, Airport Express to backyard, and Airport express in Garage)
There are also 6 IP cameras (SD to 1080p HD, 3 wired, 3 wireless - combine for 700 KB/s to 1 MB/s), and a FreeNAS box (for media storage, as well as backups - averages 110 MB/s copies) always running so it's not like the network has no traffic on it.
On average there are around 8-9 devices active on wifi (out of 14 wifi capable devices), so it's not like wifi isn't used.
- one primary Airport Extreme (5th gen) as the main router (plus DHCP, port mappings) which then connects to a 16 port gigabit switch.
- another AE (5th gen) on the 3rd floor in bridge mode to extend wifi/network (Ethernet run up from the basement to the 3rd floor for this connection)
- a 1st gen Airport Express just as an Airplay device to an amp for backyard speakers (wired ethernet connection, wifi not on)
- a 2nd gen Airport Express (wired ethernet) in bridge mode to extend wifi to the garage as well as Airplay to an amp in the garage.
I had seen a case where my primary Mac mini server would lose all network connections after running for a couple weeks with many connections going (many web pages left open, server tasks like app caching, Plex server, the mini connects to a FreeNAS box for storage, 6 constant streams from IP cameras to Security Spy). Because rebooting would always fix, it seemed like a 10.11 issue (hadn't seen it before that, and it seems to be stable after 10.11.5, although it has only been 2 weeks since release, so may be speaking too soon)
Wifi is stable and Airplay has always reliable to the 5 airplay options on my network (Teac NP-H750, AppleTV, Yamaha Reciever, Airport Express to backyard, and Airport express in Garage)
There are also 6 IP cameras (SD to 1080p HD, 3 wired, 3 wireless - combine for 700 KB/s to 1 MB/s), and a FreeNAS box (for media storage, as well as backups - averages 110 MB/s copies) always running so it's not like the network has no traffic on it.
On average there are around 8-9 devices active on wifi (out of 14 wifi capable devices), so it's not like wifi isn't used.
Well, unless Apple has changed significantly in the last couple of years, my experience has been one of the blame game -- I call Time Warner Cable. They blame Apple. I call Apple. They blame TWC. And around I go without ever solving the problem.
Fortunately Apple Support User Community has been the most helpful. Not sure what most Apple customers would do if not for the good will of most of the Apple community.
I was having wifi issues on my main base station before the update staying green lit, showing up but no data moving. Only reset by unpluging would help. After 7.7.7 no issues so far on the 4 base stations in the house now.
In my case, the OSX Airport Utility opened automatically showing "yellow" blinking light with number "1" icon.
The way I learned of the firmware update was through Macrumors, and so I went ahead and did the update without waiting for my Airport Extreme to start blinking at me. A friend emailed yesterday and at the end of her email mentioned that her Time Capsule was blinking and she thought there was something wrong, so unplugged and rebooted it and was relieved that it seemed to be fine again. I quickly responded and told her to go into Airport Utility and that she'd find that there was a firmware update to do. Otherwise she wouldn't have known.
My AE has been working fine since the update; previously I had experienced the problems others have mentioned here with the sudden drops in WiFi and needing to reboot. I am hoping that this firmware update has truly indeed resolved that issue.
My AE has been working fine since the update; previously I had experienced the problems others have mentioned here with the sudden drops in WiFi and needing to reboot. I am hoping that this firmware update has truly indeed resolved that issue.
The thing is, Apple will actually help or get you pointed in the right direction. TWC will just tell you everything is fine without checking anything and as soon as they hear that you have an Apple Router, they'll refer you to Apple without any actual reasoning behind it, other than to get you off the phone. There is a reason AppleCare consistently wins tech service awards.
EDIT: Also, the BEST way to know who is to blame is to plug a computer DIRECTLY into a modem. IF you have internet access that way, but NOT when connected to the AirPort Router, the router is to blame. If you plug in directly and DON'T have internet access, the modem/ISP is to blame.
Though I agree Apple have better service than most company, I begun to see there's more problems with their software and hardware than in the past. Even the Apple Geniuses are stumped sometimes and just asked to "reset".
1 percent failure rate is normal for any product line of any manufacture. So Apple is making more product so that 1% is more apparent than before as they have different product lines. Its the same with any manufacturing process. Considering the size of the components I would say they are still on par with any brand name.
Have no idea what Airport Extreme I am using, when I bring up AirPort Utility it does not even grace me with the option to determine what model it is. I have it labeled as 2012 Airport Extreme. My setup is AirPort -> HP Procurve Switch -> pfSense -> Zoom Cable Modem. What I meant is that I am using the Airport in Bridge mode, therefore it is not doing DHCP, DNS lookups, etc. It nearly relays these to the pfSense.