If you have an Orbi router, you likely rely on it for the internet. Fortunately, Netgear has included helpful indicator LED lights on the device for easily identifying any issues.
The different lights on the Orbi — green, yellow, and red — let users know what condition the router is in and how to easily troubleshoot each issue.
Ideally, you want the light to be green because this means the Orbi is working normally. But don’t worry if your Orbi is showing a yellow light instead, as the solution is likely to be straightforward.
What Does the Orbi Yellow Light Indicate?
Depending on whether the LED light is showing a continuous or a flashing yellow, it will mean two different things. Below, you’ll find descriptions of what each light means and how to handle them.
The Orbi Router Needs to Be Reset or Reconfigured
A solid yellow or amber light means that there is a configuration issue with the Orbi router, and it requires a reset. This can either be a soft reset or a hard factory reset.
The Orbi Router Is Currently Resetting
A flashing yellow light means that the Orbi router is resetting and there is nothing further you need to do. Simply wait for the light to turn green, which will indicate that the router has been fully reset.
If the Orbi router continues to flash a yellow light and doesn’t turn green, extra steps will be needed before the issue can be resolved.
In this case, you may need to do a factory reset of the router. This solves the vast majority of the issues that can potentially come up with the Orbi router.
How to Fix an Orbi Yellow Light — Quick Solutions
Naturally, once you notice that the LED light on your Orbi router is yellow, you’ll want to find a quick solution so you can get it back into working order. After all, you purchased the Orbi for fast in-home WiFi.
The course of action you need to take will depend on whether it’s a solid yellow light or a flashing one. This should be immediately clear by looking at the router.
Give the Orbi Router Time to Reboot
If the LED is showing a solid yellow, you’ll need to allow the router time to reboot. It’s unlikely that you need to take any further steps other than waiting it out.
The rebooting process may take a few moments, so patience is key. You can attempt a hard reset if the yellow light stays for a particularly long time.
If the yellow light changes to red, that means that there may now be a more complicated issue with the router and Orbi support may need to lend their help to troubleshoot the problem.
A red LED light won’t often be solved with a simple reset, as there may be an external issue as opposed to an internal one. Even so, most minor issues with Netgear routers can be solved with a reset.
Perform a Reset on the Orbi Router
Now, if the LED light on the Orbi is flashing or blinking yellow, you will need to follow a simple procedure. The flashing yellow indicates that the Orbi needs a reset.
Luckily, resetting the Orbi router is relatively easy and you can locate the button on the back of the device. Before attempting the reset, users should be aware that a hard reset will erase all data on the router, such as passwords and the SSID.
To reset and reconfigure your Orbi, you can also choose to unplug the Orbi from its power source. Wait for a few moments before turning it on again.
Once the Orbi is plugged back in, the reset process should be finished, and the light should now be green. If it isn’t, there may be a lingering issue.
To hard reset the Orbi device, you’ll need to hold down the “off” button for up to 15 seconds. When you turn the device back on, the light should return to its normal state of green — meaning that everything is working properly.
Return the Orbi to Factory Settings
To successfully reset your Orbi device, there are a few simple steps you need to take. You will need a small sharp object, such as a paperclip or a safety pin, to push the reset button.
On the back of the router, hold down the reset button with the small object and give the Orbi a few seconds to begin resetting. Once the device has been reset, it will need to be reconfigured.
After a hard reset such as this, the router will return to its factory settings and will be wiped clean of all information — such as passwords and any logs previously inputted.
While it may seem like a hassle to have the data erased, you will be left with a new connection and the previous issues should now be resolved. Follow the same steps as when you first set up the device to reconfigure it.
FAQ About Orbi Light Indicators
The Orbi router is a popular device in many homes and for good reason. Netgear provides a high-powered tool for high-speed internet.
However, no piece of technology comes without its own set of issues. When it comes to the different LED light indicators of this device, users can quickly resolve the issue and get their router back to working ASAP.
Other Netgear router issues may include connectivity issues or the device not reaching full speed. However, the brand is trusted to provide high-quality products and top-notch support to customers.
What Are the Orbi Colors and What Do They Mean?
First, it’s important to understand what the different lights mean on the Orbi router. There are several different options, and they all mean distinct things.
A green light indicates that the router is working normally and there are no issues that need attention.
A solid yellow light means that the Orbi is currently in a state of rebooting. If the yellow light turns to a flashing state, then a reset is needed.
A flashing red light is a less than ideal sign, as it means a bigger problem with the router. To troubleshoot this, you may need to reach out to the support team.
How Long Does It Take for Orbi to Reset?
Being without internet access can be a real inconvenience, especially nowadays when so many people work from home. If you’re feeling impatient about how long the Orbi takes to reset — there’s no need to be.
A regular reset may only take around 90 seconds in total — so you won’t be inconvenienced for too long. You’ll need to reconfigure the password as well, but this is a simple process.
What Happens When I Reset My Orbi?
Factory resetting your Orbi may sound frustrating, but it doesn’t need to be. Although the system will be wiped clean, it really doesn’t take much time to set everything back up again.
You’ll want to follow the same steps from the initial setup, as that’s basically what you’re doing again. Netgear even provides a helpful Orbi app to help users configure their router with ease.
How Do You Tell If the Orbi Is Working?
When the Orbi router is working as it should, the LED light should be green. Green means that there are no issues and your Internet access should be working just fine.
After resetting your Orbi to fix the yellow light, it should return to green once the process is complete. The vast majority of issues can be resolved with a quick reset.
Once the light is a continuous green, you can pat yourself on the back and go about your day. You troubleshot your Orbi on your own — without needing to call in tech support.
