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Forum Discussion
Ethernet Lights on cable modem port are amber
I occasionally have connectivity issues between Orbi and my cable modem. For some reason, orbi could not get an ethernet address from my cable provider. But when I plugged my TV into the ethernet port, it got an address with no issue. The other oddity is the light color on my cable modem. When I plug orbi into it, I get one steady amber and one flashing amber. When the Orbi eventually started working, the light color did not change. I have heard on this forum that this means speed is limited to either 10 or 100Mb. When I do a speed test, I get 450 Mb speeds from my cell phone. When I did the test where I connected my TV to the modem, the light color was stead green and flashing amber. I have since changed cables between Orbi and the modem to a Cat7 cable. No difference but I do have a connection to the internet now. Why would that modem light not be green with Orbi? Is there something in my orbi configuration causing this? ANyone else notice this issue?
17 Replies
What Firmware is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?Modem Combo Units:
This would be a double NAT condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktopI will give this a try this weekend. Thank you for the direction.
- Option 3 was tried and my wireless devices would not get an IP connection to ORBI. I had to do a hard reset and restore the settings prior to the change. I am stuck with no internet now. My devices can connect to Orbi but Orbi cannot get an IP from Spectrum. Not sure if this will work itself out in time or not.
You may have "Jumped the gun" in picking Option 3 before establishing exactly what your cable modem is. If the modem is only a modem, then putting the Orbi in AP mode means that there is no router to assign IP addresses to individual devices. No IP = No internet.
Please describe:
- The label on the modem (brand, model)
- How many ethernet ports are on the modem (1 or "more than 1")
Thanks
71cuda wrote:The other oddity is the light color on my cable modem. When I plug orbi into it, I get one steady amber and one flashing amber.
Identifying the specific brand and model of modem is important. You are correct that many manufacturers include tiny LED's on the actual ethernet port that specify the connection speed and flicker to indicate traffic. Alas, Netgear (apparently) decided to save a little money by leaving these LED's off the Orbi ports. (Annoying)
Something you can do is open the Orbi web interface, go to the Advanced Tab, and in the "Internet" section click on "Show Statistics". This will show what data rate of the WAN port.
71cuda wrote:
I have heard on this forum that this means speed is limited to either 10 or 100Mb. When I do a speed test, I get 450 Mb speeds from my cell phone. When I did the test where I connected my TV to the modem, the light color was stead green and flashing amber.
Most older TVs have Ethernet limited to 100 Mbps. Flashing orange for that LAN port means that traffic is flowing at 100 Mbps.
Then again, hard to see how a light can be simultaneously "stead[y] green and flashing amber". So I may not understand what is happening.
Whereas older ethernet switches often had a panel of LED's showing the connection status of the various ports, modern switches often include two tiny LED's on the actual port itself. Here's a picture of one:
One of them indicates the speed of the connection and the other flickers with actual traffic. I do n ot know that these LEDs are "standardized", but there may be a general pattern of using different colors for speed, with green indicating 1000mb. It is disappointing that Netgear did not include these LEDs on the Orbi ethernet ports. I do not "know" why, but can think of two reasons: (1) ports without LED's probably cost less, and (2) The Orbi is designed for consumer use where the ports will be out of sight (on the back of the unit). There have been several times when I seriously wanted them to be available.
