NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.

Forum Discussion

Justin1975's avatar
Justin1975
Aspirant
Jul 14, 2020

Orbi not showing up as WiFi choice

Orbi acting up... the main router has no white ring showing and no orbi WiFi is showing up on our devices. The power light is still ok. Tried to turn off and back on. Tried reset button. Unplugged for...
CrimpOn's avatar
CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Jul 14, 2020

Can you please provide a little more detail.

 

  • The "ring light" at the top  of the Orbi router goes through a sequence of colors when the unit power up:
    https://kb.netgear.com/31030/What-do-the-LEDs-on-my-Orbi-mean 
    At the conclusion, there normally is no "ring light".
    When power is applied to the Orbii router, does it follow the color sequence on the web page, or .... what?
    Plus, I am always impatient at the time it takes for my Orbi to start running.  "It's a computer", I mumble. "Why is it taking so long?"
  • Which WiFi name are you expecting to see?
    When the Orbi comes "out of the box" or is "Reset to Factory", the WiFi name (SSID) and password match the information printed on the product label (bottom of the unit).
    During setup, a lot of people elect to change the WiFi name and password.  (I, for example, set up each new WiFi system to exactly match the one it is replacing so that (a) I do not have to reconfigure all 35 WiFi devices around the house, and (b) so that if I decide "this was a mistake", I can go back by simply unplugging the new WiFi and restoring the old one.)
    Are you looking for the original Orbi WiFi or one that you configured?
  • Note that having WiFi and having "internet" are two different issues, and what we are talking about is only the Orbi WiFi showing up.
Justin1975's avatar
Justin1975
Aspirant
Jul 14, 2020
Just without warning or reason (no storm, electrical outages) noticed devices that normally use orbi were now disconnected from internet. On available WiFi signals on phone for example, orbi did not show up anymore. Our provider that the orbi is plugged into, centurylink is working fine and that WiFi works fine. So back to the orbi, powered it off and back on, unplugged for an hour, those things don’t cause it to start working again. The power light is on however. Did the paperclip in the reset, nothing happens. LED ring does not do anything. The remote orbi has the magenta ring lit, meaning not getting the signal, correct.

So the orbi, while powered and showing “on” is not transmitting a WiFi signal to connect to. We never changed the name, it was just orbi74. Not showing as a choice and again things connected to it like Alexa now don’t work.
  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jul 14, 2020

    If it is less than one year old, it is covered by warranty and can be replaced.

     

    Can you please describe what happens when you perform the "Factory Reset" (power LED colors, etc.):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMw4ePACgc4 

    • Justin1975's avatar
      Justin1975
      Aspirant
      Jul 14, 2020
      It is about 3 years old unfortunately.

      When trying factory reset, nothing changes. The power light does not turn to amber as the video shows and the ring does not light up at all. Definitely feel the “click” of the button depressed when putting in the paper clip. Held it for up to a minute.