NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
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...
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.
Wrong! I need that and I am getting that error as well. Nothing is working. Complete reinstall and reboot included.
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).
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.
Final solution to the problem: By NETGEAR!!! After trying to do nothing to help:
Thank you for trying NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls, we are sad to see you go!
This is a courtesy notice to let you know that your Smart Parental Controls account will be deactivated on 9/29/2022. After 9/29/2022, although your Premium subscription will have ended, you will still have access to your Profiles.
For any questions, please contact NETGEAR support at:
Phone Number 1-888-NETGEAR- Incredibly disappointing response from Orbi/Netgear, but I guess none of us are surprised given how long this problem has lasted.
Orbi/Netgear’s response is all I need to know about how much I should continue to rely upon and invest in my Orbi system. So, regrettably, time to investigate that Amazon trade in deal for the eero!I really wanted to like and use SPC on my RBS850 (and this coming from a long time Circle/Circle Plus customer) but sadly, this product isn't read for prime time. Every evidence that I've seen shows SPC is nothing more than just a dumbed down version of Circle Plus but with tighter integration than trying to get Circle Plus working on the RBS850, but it doesn't work and is lacking in several basic features mainly BLOCKING certain apps/sites.
1. It doesn't even list the apps or allow me to specify an app - e.g. Discord, for example - that I want to block. Sure, I can specify www.discord.com but that doesn't work
2. It shows that my kid hasn't been online for all day yet he has been for hours - and yes, his devices have been assigned to his profile.
I have turned off SPC but it's still showing being activated. How do I deactivate it for good? Looks like I am forced to try to get Circle Plus working again.