Airport time capsule disrupts internet connection when plugged in to a BTHub6 by ethernet cable

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Airport time capsule disrupts internet connection when plugged in to a BTHub6 by ethernet cable

My 2TB Airport Time Capsule (802.11ac) has worked like a dream for several years (it's probably ten years old now), I had it set up as a wifi network and to automatically back up my MacBook Pro. A couple of weeks ago the broadband connection from the BTHub6 dropped out across all devices, the message on attempting to join the BTHub6 connection being 'incorrect password for BTHub6 xxxx'. I got a new hub from BT and disconnected/reconnected every device with the same outcome. Finally, I determined that once the ethernet cable for the Airport Time Capsule was removed from the BTHub6 the internet connection was restored and all was well.......except of course now I am unable to use the Airport Time Capsule. I've tried a soft and hard reset - I am a little wary of going back to factory settings in case anyone here has a work around I can try first. I am using Catalina on my MacBook Pro.

Posted on Jun 6, 2024 1:57 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 6, 2024 12:28 PM in response to C4gsy

Frankly, the Time Capsule's power supply and hard drive are both suspect at this point, so that might be a factor here. Hopefully you are not trying to use the Time Capsule as your sole backup plan for your Mac.

There is no need to perform a Factory Default Reset because it is almost identical to a Hard Reset, which is much easier for users to perform.

Power off the Time Capsule if it is is on

Connect an Ethernet cable......(which you have tested to confirm that it is working correctly)......from one of the LAN <---> Ethernet ports on the BT Hub....(there are probably 4 of them, choose any one that you wish).....to the bottom "O" port on the Time Capsule

Power up the Time Capsule and let it run for a full minute

Hold in the reset button on the back of the Time Capsule for 8-10 seconds and release

Allow a full minute for the Time Capsule to restart to a slow blinking amber light status

On your Mac......open AirPort Utility......(Applicatons > Utilities > AirPort Utility)

Click on the Other Wi-Fi devices button

Click on Time Capsule xxxxxx

That will start up the AirPort Utility set "wizard". The wizard will display a window that looks like the example below except that you will see a Time Capsule pictured

Network Name......Type in a name for the Time Capsule wireless

Base Station Name.....Type in a name that you want to call the Time Capsule

Password.....Type in a password that will be used for the Time Capsule

Verify....Type in the same password to confirm

Click Next and the set up wizard will configure the Time Capsule with the correct settings. There will be a green light displayed on the Time Capsule when this occurs to notify you that the Time Capsule has been set up correctly

You should be all set.

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Answer 2

Jun 7, 2024 11:35 AM in response to C4gsy

Frankly, the Time Capsule's power supply and hard drive are both suspect at this point.

You can reset the Time Capsule and go through the set up process again, but I think you will probably see the same kind of results.

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Answer 3

C4gsy Author

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Jun 7, 2024 1:53 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Many thanks for your time and reply to this Bob, I have followed your instructions using a new ethernet cable. This has solved the issue in so far as the internet connection is now stable even with the Airport Time Capsule plugged in, and I have a green light.

However, when I try to run a back up the error message says that "There was a problem connecting to the server "Carol AirPort Time Capsule'. The server may not exist or it is unavailable at this time. Check the server name or IP address, check your network connection and try again." Additionally, I get the message "Time Machine cannot connect to the back up disk. The Operation could not be completed. (OS Status error 64)." The Airport Time Capsule doesn't show up in Airport Utility even though I set it up via the wizard; but it does show up as a wifi network!

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Answer 4

C4gsy Author

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Jun 7, 2024 3:15 AM in response to C4gsy

Update, I spoke too soon, the internet connection has dropped out to all devices again. It's looking like I'm going to need a new back up solution and will have to ditch the wifi network the airport time capsule provided. :-(

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