Impossible to use premium features: Smart Parental Controls App Error on Activation ("SPC-A

[Drumclimber]

Unable to enable parental controls after purchase. Code SPC-ACT-FAIL

[Drumclimber]

SOLVED**** I was able to get SPC working by manually installing older firmware 2.7.2.104 via the web browser interface then attempting the install again via the Netgear Orbi IOS app. After installing I then updated the firmware, and all seems to still be working. One thing to note, after installing SPC you can no longer use access control via the web browser. It will only work through the app. This was ok with me since the web access control seemed buggy. 

[FlyingDoc]

I would not waste time with forum moderators.  They say the same thing over and over again.  "Please contact me privately for help."  They never help or helped (me at least).  Never got a response from them.  I am not sure why the same old tired post is getting put up over and over ad nauseum.  This product borderlines on a money making skeme.  Pay up for something that does not work.   I have oppened a ticket with the FCC and with the BBB.  I would encourage everyone with problems to do the same rather than wasting time with "robot" moderatores and nice but useless netgear help line.

[FURRYe38]

Thanks for posting about this. Glad you got it working.

Yes, SPC is going to be access by only the Orbi app from now on.

Please mark your thread as solved so others will know. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
Enjoy. 📡

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@Drumclimber wrote:

SOLVED**** I was able to get SPC working by manually installing older firmware 2.7.2.104 via the web browser interface then attempting the install again via the Netgear Orbi IOS app. After installing I then updated the firmware, and all seems to still be working. One thing to note, after installing SPC you can no longer use access control via the web browser. It will only work through the app. This was ok with me since the web access control seemed buggy. 

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[RhonnieK]

I have paid for Smart Parent Control but keep getting error message SPC-ACT-FAIL? How to I resolve?

[RhonnieK]

Hi,
I am still having this issue!

[Milto]

I got it working. I had to reset the router which gave no results. Then I had to uninstall and reinstall the app. Which was a disaster. Mostcof the tiles and functions vanished. Including parental controls. Then over the next few days misding tiles and functions returned and everything was working. I still haven't had a chance to use it but it let me set it up which it wasn't doing before.

Good luck everybody. Thank you to those who responded. And have a great new year!

[FURRYe38]

If it's for the 50 series Orbi, try what this user did to get it working:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/NETGEAR-Smart-Home-Parental/Impossible-to-use-premium-features-Smar...

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@RhonnieK wrote:
I have paid for Smart Parent Control but keep getting error message SPC-ACT-FAIL? How to I resolve?

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[JorgeU]

Hi Christine,
I am trying to enable circle in my Orbi as I had to replace my Orbi router but I cannot find the option to enable the parental control in the app or in orbilogin. I am in Switzerland but I had Circle on the Orbi working without any problems till I replace the previous router.

Any help will be appreciated

Thank you

[Chuckg1]

The thread is not resolved. People post that they fixed the problem going to older firmware or doing factory reset but in my case, the produc then works for  48-72 hours then  without warning stops tracking usage, history, etc.  The solution is an other hour long factory reset, reinstall, re-setup for 2-3 days of parental control. This SPC product DOES NOT work.  They trial has only been frustration and I am not trying to get my subscription to the teaser 60% off cancelled.  

(RBR50; 2X RBS50, 1XRBS50Y with CM1200)

[Dinermay]

I set up the parent control features in the App and then paid the subscription. When I go to the Parent Control tile I can either ‘unlock premium’ or ‘add profile’. This leads to the same SPC-ACT-FAIL error. Anywhere I go to activate my premium subscription in the app gives the same error. I’ve tried everything everywhere. It sets up and errors out half way.

[MatteoPessina]

Same problem for me, but one month after purchasing the premium subscription I tried the oldest remedy in computer science .... Switch off and on again....

And the magic happened!
Activating from the app, it has finally completed the process

[FURRYe38]

Glad you got it working. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
Enjoy. 📡

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@MatteoPessina wrote:

Same problem for me, but one month after purchasing the premium subscription I tried the oldest remedy in computer science .... Switch off and on again....

And the magic happened!
Activating from the app, it has finally completed the process

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[HockeyNut12]

Hi Christine T,

I signed up for SPC back in December 2021 and I have updated all of the latest firmware on my router, I am also running the latest APP and I still can't update my SPC.  I keep getting the SPC-ACT-FAIL error.

Please help!! It has been 3-months of tryng and trying with no success.  It is very frustrating specially when a paid service is not being rendered!

Please advice,

THank you and Regards,

[FURRYe38]

What NG router model do you have?

What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?

What devices are you using with SPC? Try a different device to compare. 

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@HockeyNut12 wrote:

Hi Christine T,

I signed up for SPC back in December 2021 and I have updated all of the latest firmware on my router, I am also running the latest APP and I still can't update my SPC.  I keep getting the SPC-ACT-FAIL error.

Please help!! It has been 3-months of tryng and trying with no success.  It is very frustrating specially when a paid service is not being rendered!

Please advice,

THank you and Regards,

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[Asaf99]

This problem/error message is occurring for me-despite turning router on and off and getting the newest version of the app. What gives? any other ideas?

[JDaddy]

Rax20
Final analysis: Netgear hardware good, Netgear software worst in the industry. Nothing works, even if you pay for premium products like Armor & Parental control. Continual failures throughout every aspect of software.

[Aintanant]

this issue id NOT fixed, why would you post it is?

[Aintanant]

What other product did you change to.  I also will need to toss mine because with 6 kids in the home, parental controls are essential!

[Aintanant]

I did this months ago!

[FURRYe38]

https://community.netgear.com/t5/NETGEAR-Smart-Home-Parental/Smart-Parental-Controls-Help-and-Inform...

[AE8U]

I have a new beta firmware running that fixed an issue with static ip addresses and I cannot get the parental control to activate. I get the SPC-ACT-FAIL dialog box. Please help.

[FURRYe38]

https://community.netgear.com/t5/NETGEAR-Smart-Home-Parental/Smart-Parental-Controls-Help-and-Inform...

[Tmac69]

Bought the SPC subscription and received an email that said to allow 24 hours, it has been over 24 hours, still getting the SPC-ACT-Fail error code.  How long does it take, should I reboot my router, should I reinstall the nighthawk app or should I wait a couple of more days? After reading up on the Netgear SPC and the issues in just getting it started and the horrific writeups on the lack of customer support things arent looking good for SPC, Netgear, or my Nighthawk router... Netgear, please fix this.

[31hz]

i bought parental control march 6 2022. it is April 17, still just get spc-act-fail. i have rebooted, updated firmware, etc. still unusable.