Orbi mesh systems have become a popular choice for people looking to have seamless internet access at their locations. Given the mesh type of environment they create out of the main router and connected satellites, access rapid internet speeds and staying connected is easy. However, it is only as long as these devices are connected to each other. If the satellite loses connection with the router or there is some other issue, you’ll face trouble with internet access. If you are using an Orbi mesh system at your home/office, you might have at some point of time faced issues like Orbi satellite magenta light, which despite multiple attempts, does not go away.
If you are in a similar situation at the moment and are looking for effective troubleshooting information to resolve this issue, this blog can help. So, if you were questioning, “How do I fix a solid magenta light on my Orbi?,” from your friends or on the internet, this blog will present a definite answer. Read on to find more about what Orbi satellite magenta light blinking means and how to resolve related issues.
Orbi Satellite Magenta Light- Reasons
Learning what Orbi Satellite Solid Magenta appearing on one satellite or more helps understand the factors causing the issue and find ways to fix the same. We scoured the internet for answers on the issue and the following is what we found. You see a magenta light on your Orbi satellite because the:
- Orbi satellite has no backhaul connection to the orbi router
- Satellite has no IP address
- ISP service has been interrupted
- Orbi Router cannot connect to the internet
- Network cables between the devices have a loose connection or are damaged
- Network settings through the Orbi router management wizard are incorrect
- Firmware version needs an update
How Do I Resolve the Orbi Magenta Light Issue?
Now that you know about the reasons/factors causing the Orbi satellite magenta light issue, you can fix them easily using the steps below:
Restart the Orbi Router
The first troubleshooting step you can always follow is restarting your Orbi router and the satellite as well. Restarting the devices helps clear the temporary session cache and refreshes the device memory. To restart the devices, simply press the On/Off button on the device and then unplug them from the mains power supply.
Allow them to remain shut down for about 30 seconds and then connect the power plug back to the mains supply. Press the power button on the device again and allow the device to restart. You can follow these steps for each of the devices on the network and see if the magenta light goes away. If it does, congratulations, you have successfully resolved the issue. If not, proceed with the next troubleshooting step.
Check the Network Cable Connections
The network cable connections between devices may get loose sometimes due to unintentional movements. In other cases, these cables may get damaged due to pinching or manufacturing faults. If this is the case, the affected satellites won’t receive network signals and therefore, show Orbi satellite magenta light flashing error.
To fix this issue, first unplug and then reconnect the network cables that run between your devices. Make sure the connections are firm and the LAN LEDs on the devices light up. If you don’t see the LEDs light up, it means the cables are damaged and will need replacement. Replace these cables with new CAT5E LAN ethernet cables and then connect them to the devices. Any connectivity issues arising due to damaged/malfunctioning cables must get resolved with this step. If they don’t, proceed with the next step.
Check with your ISP for Service Disruption
If the network has service disruption from the ISP end, there’s nothing much you can do about it on your end. Ideal is to wait and let the ISP know that you are facing the issue and they can take steps to resolve the issue at the earliest.
If there’s nothing wrong at the ISP end, you’ll need to proceed with the next troubleshooting step.
Move the Orbi Router and Satellites Closer
If your Orbi router and the satellites are connected wirelessly to each other, and you are seeing a magenta light on the latter, it is possible that they are not placed close enough. To eliminate this issue, try to move the devices closer to each other and within reach. Also, check to see if there are any obstructions in the light of sight of the devices. If yes, remove them and you’ll see the magenta light turn to white or blue(depending on the model), signalling a stronger connection.
Sync the Orbi Router and Satellite Again
If your Orbi router and satellite has lost connection, either due to damaged network cables or disrupted wireless connection, you will encounter Orbi satellite magenta light flashing issue.
There will be a solid magenta light on the disconnected satellite. To resolve the issue, here are some steps you can follow:
- Make sure that the satellite is connected to a power source.
- Press the Sync button on the host router. Once the LED on the router starts to blink, go to the satellite you want to connect and press the Sync button on it. Please note that you’ll need to do this within 120 seconds.
- Wait till the devices have connected to each other and then see if the magenta light goes away.
Some people have reported temporary resolutions by resyncing the devices, but complained about the issue returning a week later, or sooner in other cases. So, what’s the one-time fix for the Orbi satellite not connecting, or the Orbi satellite magenta light blinking issue? The next troubleshooting step will help answer this question.
Update Orbi Router Firmware
We explored the internet and found that users have found respite from the Orbi satellite magenta light issue by updating their device firmware versions(Source). It is important to note that you should not update the firmware of all devices all at once. Instead, first update the Orbi router firmware and then update the satellites one by one. Here are some steps you can follow to update the Orbi router firmware:
- Login to your Orbi router’s web-based interface.
- Go to the Admin settings and navigate to Advanced. From here, go to the Device Administration menu and click on Firmware Update option.
- Now, select the Check for Updates option. Allow some time for the Orbi router to check for any updates that might be available.
- If there’s a new version available, click on the ‘Update All’ option.
Your orbi router will now update the firmware and restart on its own. Once it is back online, you can update the firmware for your satellites as well. Once the devices are up to date, you can start using the internet.
Reset your Orbi Router and Satellite- One-Step Orbi Satellite Magenta Light Fix
If you have followed each and every step and yet find Orbi Solid Magenta appearing on one satellite, you’ll need to factory reset the devices. Doing so will delete the device settings and put it back at the factory default setting stage. Settings including the network SSIDs, passwords, admin credentials, and any other settings you have customized will get reset. Here are some steps you can follow to reset your Orbi devices:
- Locate the reset button on the device. You will likely find it on the back panel or at the bottom.
- Use a thin paperclip or pin to press and hold the reset button.
- Release the button when you find the Orbi LED starts to blink in amber color.
Allow the device to reboot on its own. Once the reset process is complete, you can resync the devices and check to see if the Orbi router magenta light issue is resolved.
The Final Word
The steps discussed in this blog have provided a definite answer to the question- How to fix magenta light on Orbi? To ensure you don’t face this issue again, always ensure that the devices are receiving adequate power supply. You can also use power surge protectors to ensure any fluctuations in the same are handled well. Secondly, you can turn on automatic firmware updates. This will ensure that any device software related updates are downloaded automatically whenever a new one gets released. Finally, ensure that the device connections are secure and they are kept within the network range of the main router.
Orbi satellite magenta light blinking issues can be challenging to resolve, but it is not impossible. Using the information on this blog, you can effectively resolve the issue and keep your internet connection alive at all times. If you need more help with Orbi router issues or troubleshooting tips, you can reach out to our expert team now.