Is your Orbi router displaying a solid or blinking purple light, leaving you puzzled and worried? You have nothing to worry about because we’re here to help you understand and fix the Orbi purple light issue.
In this post, we are going explain the meaning of the Orbi purple light on the Orbi router or satellite, what are the possible causes, and how to fix it step by step.
So, let’s dive in!
What Does The Purple Light On Orbi Mean?
IMPORTANT: When we talk about the Orbi LED light colors, we have to point out that the terms magenta, purple, and pink are often used interchangeably. All these colors refer to the same color, which indicates the same status: the router and satellite are trying to sync, or the satellite can’t connect to the router.
Although it is normal to see the purple light when you set up the Orbi system or when you are adding a new satellite, this light shouldn’t stay on for an extended period of time.
In case the magenta/purple/pink light remains on for an extended period, it indicates that there is a connection issue between the router and the satellite.
Additionally, the purple light on your Orbi router or satellite can be either solid or blinking. The blinking purple light can be seen on both the router and the satellite, while the solid purple light can be seen just on the satellite.
Here is what the blinking or solid purple light means:
Orbi Router Blinking Purple – The WAN port link is down. The router has problems getting an IP address from the modem or ISP, or the router can’t connect to the internet.
Orbi Satellite Blinking Purple – The satellite is trying to connect to the Orbi router
Orbi Satellite Solid Purple – The satellite can’t get an IP address from the router or it can’t sync and connect to the router. This light can also indicate a malfunctioning satellite or router.
Causes Of The Purple Light On Orbi
There are several different factors that can cause the Orbi purple light. Of course, when you know the cause, troubleshooting the issue is much easier.
- The satellite might be too far from the router
- Physical obstructions or interference from other electronic devices
- Outdated or corrupted firmware
- A faulty satellite or router
- WAN port link is down
- The router can’t obtain an IP from the ISP or the modem
6 Ways To Fix The Orbi Purple Light
In this section, we are going to explain the steps needed to troubleshoot and fix the purple light on your Orbi device.
Move The Satellite Closer To The Router
The distance between the router and the satellite is one of the most common reasons for the Orbi purple light. When the router and the satellite are too far apart, it will affect the connection which will become weak or even non-existent.
Move the satellite closer to the router gradually until you see that the purple light changes to amber or blue light on your Orbi. This indicates a fair or excellent connection.
Eliminate Physical Obstructions And Minimize Interference
Physical obstacles and interference from other electronic devices can also cause the purple light on Orbi.
- Thick walls, metal objects, and similar can affect signal strength. Make sure there are no or just a few such obstacles between the router and the satellite.
- Position the satellite in a higher position or mount it to a wall. This should improve signal strength.
- If possible keep the router and satellite away from other electronic devices (microwaves, cordless phones, or Bluetooth devices) as these can severely affect the wireless signal.
- To minimize interference from neighboring Wi-Fi networks, position the router and satellite on separate floors (if applicable)
Power Cycle The Router And Satellite
Whenever you start experiencing issues with your network, the first thing you should try is to reboot either the router or both the router and the satellite. This should resolve any temporary glitches and restore the connection.
- Unplug both the router and the satellite from the power source.
- Wait for 1-3 minutes to make sure the devices are completely turned off.
- Plug the router and satellite back in and wait for them to reboot. Check if the purple light issue is resolved.
Verify The Modem Connection And Check The Ethernet Cable
Make sure that the modem is properly connected to the Orbi router’s WAN (Internet) port using an Ethernet cable.
Check that the modem is turned on and functioning correctly. If necessary, power cycle the modem as described above.
Also, don’t forget to check the Ethernet cable connecting the modem to the Orbi router. There shouldn’t be any signs of damage. If there is any visible damage replace the cable.
Check If Your ISP Is Down Or Not
Sometimes the purple light on your Orbi router will appear because there are issues with your ISP.
Get in touch with your ISP customer support to see whether there are any internet service issues or outages in your area. If there are, you will have to wait until they fix everything.
Reset The Router And Satellite To Factory Settings
If nothing works, you should try resetting the router and satellite to factory default. However, it is important to know that this procedure erases all the custom settings. This means that the network will have to be configured again.
- Locate the reset button (a small, recessed one) on the back of the router and the satellite.
- Use a paperclip or a similar object to press and hold the reset button for about 10 seconds. Release the button when the LED lights start flashing orange.
- The device will reboot and once it boots up again, it will be reverted to its default settings. The LED lights should turn white during the process.
- Access the Orbi router settings, reconfigure your network and try to sync the router and satellite again.
If you have followed the steps explained above, you should be able to fix the Orbi purple light efficiently by now.
Conclusion
Now that you know the steps to fix the Orbi purple light, it’s time to give it a try. Remember to be patient when troubleshooting, and always give the router or the satellite time to boot up completely before trying the next solution.
If the purple light on your Orbi router stays even after your troubleshooting attempts, it is time to get in touch with Netgear support.
