Orbi is known for its cable modem router WiFi system that provides WiFi coverage for the entire house.
Thanks to its fast tri-band WiFi, you will never have to worry about internet coverage in your home again.
However, even a system as innovative as the Orbi satellite can come across specific issues and signal them via a blue light.
In this guide, we will focus on the message your Netgear Orbi is trying to convey with a blue light and the best solutions for this problem.
What does blue light on orbi mean?
Not every light indicator color on your Orbi router is necessarily alarming. However, each has a meaning and conveys a different message regarding your device’s status and/or internet connection.
A blinking white light on your Orbi router usually means that the device is syncing with another device or that the router is currently booting up.
A solid white light on the Orbi router means that the router is currently resetting to default (factory settings). In contrast, a purple light indicates issues preventing the device from connecting to the internet.
You could also notice an orange Orbi satellite color, which notifies you of a successful sync between the Orbi router and Orbi satellite, while a purple light on the Orbi satellite means a failed sync between the two devices.
A blinking white light on the Orbi satellite is a sign that the device is currently booting up, and if there is no light – the router and the satellite are now synced and functioning correctly.
A persistent blue light on your Orbi device usually indicates network and connectivity issues, but here’s what could be causing them.
Outdated Orbi firmware
Running on outdated Orbi firmware and having a pending Netgear Orbi firmware update can undoubtedly result in network and connectivity issues, which you want to avoid by updating the software regularly.
While these system updates usually take place automatically, something may block or delay the updating process, which calls for manual updating.
Cable issue
Blue Orbi light can often indicate an issue with the cable connections.
It is possible that you haven’t properly connected all the cables – hence the persistent blue light on your Orbi device.
Any damaged, loose, or faulty cables, wires, or other hardware components will also affect your WiFi coverage and the entire Orbi system.
Service outage
Often, the problem doesn’t concern your particular device but the entire network. There could be a service outage due to a power surge in your area, scheduled maintenance, or another internet issue.
A service outage is something that won’t affect your Orbi device in the long run. Still, if the blue light persists even after the connection has been reestablished, there may be an underlying issue causing the Orbi system to act up.
How to fix blue light on an Orbi router
An unstable internet connection is never a fun experience. Luckily, when it comes to issues indicated by a blue light on your Orbi, they rarely call for professional help.
Let’s see how you can fix your Orbi device all by yourself in a matter of minutes.
1. Update Orbi firmware
Sometimes the answer to a stable internet connection lies in an Orbi firmware update, which can be completed manually in case it hasn’t started automatically.
Launch the Orbi admin dashboard and log in using your account credentials. In the dashboard menu, select Advanced, navigate to Administration and find the option Firmware update/Online update.
Click on the Check button to allow the Orbi system to scan the web for any pending updates you haven’t installed yet.
If the latest firmware version shows up in this scan, click on Update All to start the updating process and get your device’s newest version of Orbi software.
Once the Orbi device has been updated, it will restart automatically, after which the blue light should disappear.
2. Check all the cable connections
This step will require consulting the user manual, as you want to ensure all the connections are in their respective ports and inlets.
Perhaps the easiest way to check the connections would be to unplug them all, then ensure to reinsert them according to the instructions in the user manual. This way, you’ll be sure that no mismatched connections are compromising the system.
However, before you reinsert all the cables and wires, it is necessary to inspect every single one of them for any signs of physical damage.
If you come across any damaged hardware components, make sure to replace them or have them repaired, depending on how severe the damage is.
If any connections seem loose, ensure to tighten them and ensure they fit snuggly into their respective ports and inlets.
3. Power cycle the Orbi network
Sometimes, the easiest way to fix your Orbi network and eliminate the blue light is to restart the entire network, including all the connected Orbi devices.
To do so, turn off the Orbi modem and unplug it from the power source, then do the same with the Orbi router and the satellites.
After a few minutes, turn on the modem and plug it back into the power source. Wait for it to boot up, then plug the router back into the power source, turn it on, and allow it to boot up.
Once the modem and the router have booted up, plug in all the satellites and turn them back on. Once they boot up, the blue light should disappear, and the network should work impeccably.
Remember that this is a soft restart that will not erase any of your system adjustments and custom settings, as opposed to a factory reset.
4. Make sure that the router and the satellite are in sync
The blue light on your Orbi device often indicates that the router and the satellite have been synced.
However, if the blue light persists, it could signify an issue in the syncing process, so you want to ensure that the two Orbi devices are indeed in sync.
Ensure that the Orbi satellite is getting enough power and that it is turned on. The light indicator on the satellite should be either magenta or solid white if the satellite is working correctly.
Find the SYNC button on your Orbi router and press it to start the syncing process. The light indicator on the satellite ring should blink white and then transform into solid blue if the operation is successful, but it should turn off after some time.
You may also see an amber light on the satellite, which means that the sync is satisfactory. An unsuccessful sync, on the other hand, will be indicated with a solid magenta light.
5. Reset the main Orbi
If the power cycle (soft reset) didn’t yield any positive results, you can try resetting the main Orbi and see if a secure connection is established after this step.
However, remember that a hard reset will require you to resync all the other Orbi devices with the main one afterward.
To reset the main Orbi, make sure it is turned on. Grab a paperclip or a bobby pin, which will allow you to reach the reset button in a pinhole on the back of the main Orbi.
Hold the reset button until the color switches to amber. Let the Orbi reset for a few minutes, then sync all the Orbi satellites with the main Orbi.
