Why is Orbi Satellite not Connecting to the Main Router | Easy Troubleshooting Guide
Orbi satellites form an integral part of your Orbi mesh wifi system. By connecting these devices together, you are able to form a mesh type network formation that helps connect devices and facilitate internet access around your home. However, sometimes the devices may refuse to connect, given issues with the configuration or for other reasons. If you have found your Orbi satellite not connecting to the main router for some reason, this blog will walk you through the exact steps to resolve the issue.
Reasons for Netgear Orbi satellite not connecting issue
The Netgear Orbi satellite depends on the signals from the main router to connect to it. If these signals aren’t available, you will find it hard to connect. This may lead to dead zones and missing internet access. So the first reason for Orbi not connecting is picking the wrong installation location.
Secondly, all devices depend on the software to function. In the Orbi satellite’s case, it is the firmware that helps your satellite device function. If the satellite is running on outdated firmware version, you could face issues with connecting it to the main router.
Finally, incorrect device configuration can also cause trouble connecting the Orbi satellite to the main router. It is therefore important that you take care of these things whenever you are trying to connect your Orbi router and satellite device to each other.
If you find your wireless devices not connecting to Orbi satellite, it may be due to the incorrect password being used to connect. Other factors preventing access to the device network can be using MAC filters that prevents internet and network access.
Troubleshooting the Orbi satellites not connecting issue
Once you have identified the reason behind the connectivity issue of your Orbi satellite, you can follow the appropriate steps to troubleshoot them. Here are some popular troubleshooting steps you can follow:
Check the Power Connections
Check the power cable connections to the Orbi satellite and the main router. If any of the devices are not powered on, you will face issues with connecting to their network. Ensure that they are connected to a working power outlet at your place.
Also, confirm that the power adapter is firmly connected and the device is receiving power. Once turned on, the device LEDs will light up indicating successful power connection. You will see a blinking white light on the device when it is booting up.
Choose the Right Installation Location
The second important thing is to install your Orbi satellite at the proper location. If you are wondering why my orbi satellite is not connecting despite being powered on, it is likely due to poor placement. The ideal installation location should be somewhere midway between the main router and the location where you want to access the internet. Another rule of thumb is to ensure that the installation spot has at least 50% network strength from the main router. This will ensure that the device can repeat these signals forward for easy internet access.
Also, while installing, ensure that you don’t install the satellite behind thick walls or metallic objects that can defer the internet signals. Ensure to keep the devices away from other wireless devices to avoid possible interference issues.
Update the Device Firmware
As discussed, outdated firmware versions can also cause orbi satellite not connecting issues. You have to ensure that the firmware version is updated to the latest one at all times. You can either enable the auto-firmware update from the router settings wizard or do it manually as well.
To update the firmware version manually, you can login using the Orbi App or the web based setup interface from the orbilogin.com or orbilogin.net setup wizard. You can also use the IP address to login to the setup interface and continue with the setup process. Once you are logged in, you can check for the available updates for both the router and the satellite device. If available, install them and restart the devices to start using them afresh. Once the device reboots and the LED turns blue/green, you can connect your satellite back again to the router and use the internet.
Reduce Signal Interference from Other Devices
If your device is powered on, is updated, and installed correctly, the signal interference from other devices can be the reason why your Orbi satellites not connecting. Check if there are nearby wireless devices in the vicinity and remove them all. You can also try turning them off to see if that helps fix the issue.
Also, check if the router and the satellite is not placed inside a closed cabinet or behind large furniture pieces. This will help ensure seamless internet access and connectivity between your devices.
Restart your Satellite and Router
Temporary device issues can bring up issues like Orbi satellite not connecting. One ideal way to get them resolved is restarting your devices once. You can power cycle your MODEM, Orbi router and the satellite that’s not connecting. Turn them all off and keep them off for about 30 seconds minimum. After some time, turn them back on one by one. Before you connect them to each other, allow them the time to boot up completely. Restarting your devices can clear the device cache and memory related issues. It deletes the session files and refreshes system memory so it can work afresh.
Reset your Orbi Satellite
If following these troubleshooting steps doesn’t help resolve the issues with your router and satellite, you can reset them to factory settings. Doing so will delete the current system memory and take the device back to factory state. If your Orbi satellite is not connecting to the main router or the internet, despite repeated attempts or troubleshooting, resetting it can be the right step in the right direction. Here are some steps you can follow for the same:
- Locate the reset button on your Orbi satellite. Press and hold the same for about 15-20 seconds.
- When you see the LED on the device start to flash, release the button and allow the satellite to reboot.
- Once the device restarts, the reset process is complete and you can reconfigure the same to the existing main router.
The Final Word
Orbi satellite and router work in tandem with each other to enable a mesh wifi setup which you can access to use the internet. If at any point you face issues with the device connections, you can follow the troubleshooting steps we discussed in this blog. If you are still wondering why is Orbi satellite not connecting, you can reach out to the expert support team at our end.