AirPort Extreme (802.11n): Base station displays a blinking amber light (LED)

Resolution

A persistent, flashing amber light indicates that any of several potential conditions may require your attention:

• The base station has not yet been configured because it is new, or the reset switch has been set.
• You have selected a security configuration that is not recommended.
• One of several other conditions, such as a disconnected ethernet cable or invalid IP address has been detected.

Note: The blinking LED might look amber, yellow, or orange to you.

How to stop the LED from blinking amber

Follow these steps to identify and resolve any warnings produced by the AirPort Extreme 802.11n base station.

1. AirPort Utility 5.2 or later opens automatically if there is an issue. For earlier versions, open AirPort Utility, located in Mac OS X in the Applications folder, within the Utilities folder; in Microsoft Windows, look in Start > All Programs > AirPort.
   
   
   Note: If you do not see the AirPort Utility with the icon shown above, install the software that came with your AirPort Extreme (802.11n) base station. Do not use any version of AirPort Utility earlier than 5.0.
2. In the AirPort Utility window, double click the base station icon that has an amber/orange/yellow circle next to it.
   
3. When the Summary window appears, double-click the amber circle icon that's to the right of "Base Station Status".
   
   
   
   
   Note: In AirPort Utility 5.0 or 5.1, this line would appear as "2 errors" instead of "2 problems".
4. The status window lists any conditions that require your attention. Respond to each item as shown below until there are no more items listed. Important: You must reset the base station using the reset switch to re-enable checking for the conditions you ignored.
   
   
   • AirPort Utility 5.2 or later
     
     This may require either making changes based on the provided options, or by putting a checkmark in the "Ignore" checkbox beside each issue if you don't wish to change the condition. A checkmark simply tells the AirPort that you are aware of the issue and choose to ignore it. For example, you may wish to leave your AirPort open without a password so that anybody can join your wireless network.
     
     
   • AirPort Utility 5.0 or 5.1
     
     This may require either making changes based on the provided options, or by putting a checkmark in the "Do not show this warning again" checkbox beside each issue if you don't wish to change the condition.
     
5. Click Update to apply your changes (the base station will restart). The LED should be green and not flashing after the base station restarts.
6. If the LED continues to blink/flash after the base station restarts, repeat the above steps.