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Forum Discussion
nickd3ps
Sep 17, 2021Tutor
Impossible to use premium features: Smart Parental Controls App Error on Activation ("SPC-ACT-FAIL")
I just purchased the premium plan for the "Smart Parental Control" app. I’m trying to use this on a newish iPhone and when I go to "Unlock Premium" I am taken to a SPC Activation screen to set up. Th...
- Oct 14, 2021
Hello NETGEAR Community!
We just released a patch this morning that should resolve this issue. I was also impacted by this error and can confirm, once I attempted to enable Smart Parental Controls (SPC) again and followed the pompts it worked as expected.
If you haven't done so already, please log into your Orbi app and tap the Smart Parental Controls tile to enable this feature.
If anyone is still having an issue with activation please let me know and we can continue to debug this issue further.
I appreciate everyone for your effort and patience in getting this issue resolved.
Best Regards,
Christine T.
nickd3ps
Sep 16, 2021Tutor
I just purchased the premium plan for the "Smart Parental Control" app. When I go to "Unlock Premium" I am taken to a SPC Activation screen to set up. The app goes through about 60 seconds of "setting up..." until I get a fatal error. The message says "Smart Parental Control activation is failed.Please try it again, or dismiss this message and try it later (code: SPC-ACT-FAIL)." I have attempted over the course of several days to set this up with the same error. I have rebooted my router and modem several times.
I tried calling customer support and have been swapped amongst three technicians and put on hold for 40 minutes. I don't even know how to cancel billing for the yearly subscription if this cannot get fixed.
michaelkenward
Sep 17, 2021Guru
You might get more help here:
NETGEAR Smart Home Parental Controls - NETGEAR Communities
I doubt if there are many subscribers to that service who hang out in this section.
- TenydomSep 22, 2021InitiateHave the same issue… tried factory reset… did not help… spent an hour on phone with support… they were nice but did not have the error code in their knowledge base… strange that they released a product and do not know the error codes… hope they give everyone a two month free trial…
- AintanantOct 04, 2021Guide
Wrong! I need that and I am getting that error as well. Nothing is working. Complete reinstall and reboot included.
- FlyingDocOct 04, 2021Star
I just spoke to Netgear Tech support.
I had already made sure my router/satelites were on the latest Firmware and my phone app. was uninstalled and reinstalled new(the first 2 things they asked). After 20 minutes of sending them pictures of my phone and hardware..they said its a known issue and they are working on it. I was told they will get back to me within 24-48 hours. He said that he had to escalate to his superiors. So no news for now. I would encourage those with problems to call Netgear and open a ticket (first online then call). But do the 2 steps I mentioned above first. To update firmware in ORBI: go to the orbi router IP using a desktop. ADVANCED --> ADMINISTRATION --> FIRMWARE
I have ORBI RBR850 MESH with 3 Satelites. Xfinity Modem(router turned off).
- AintanantOct 04, 2021Guide
I am 3.5 hours into tech support on this. I can not grasp the concept that in this day Parental Controls are optional. I just cannot believe how horrible the customer service is. They are clueless. My CSR did not even know details like where to go to do the things like check on firmware updates etc. Ehich I already did, on PC and in app. many reboots, uninstall and reinstalls... I am truly starting to hate netgear.