Why is My Orbi Purple? Can You Help Me Fix It?

If you're staring at your Orbi router or satellite and wondering, "Why is my Orbi purple?" you're not alone. It’s a common issue that many users face, and the purple light can signal various problems. But don’t worry — we’ll walk you through why this happens and how to fix it in just a few easy steps.

Whether you're dealing with a router flashing purple or a satellite flashing purple, we’ve got you covered with troubleshooting tips and fixes.

Let’s dive in!

What Does a Purple Light on Orbi Mean?

When you notice a purple light on your Orbi, it’s a signal that something is wrong. The purple light typically means there’s a connection issue between your Orbi devices (like the router and satellite) or a problem with your internet connection.

On the Orbi Router: A purple light usually indicates that your Orbi router is unable to connect to the internet. This could happen for various reasons, such as a problem with your ISP (Internet Service Provider), a loose Ethernet connection, or an issue with the router’s settings.
On the Orbi Satellite: If your Orbi satellite is flashing purple, it means it’s having trouble connecting to the Orbi router. This could be due to the satellite being too far from the router or a failure during the sync process.

Now that we know why the light turns purple, let's move on to fixing it.

Why Is My Orbi Flashing Purple?

The flashing purple light on your Orbi can have different meanings based on which device it’s on:

Router Flashing Purple: If your Orbi router is blinking purple, it usually means the router is having trouble establishing a stable connection to the internet. This could be because your modem isn’t working properly, there’s an outage with your ISP, or the router itself may need a reset or firmware update.
Satellite Flashing Purple: If the Orbi satellite is flashing purple, it means it has lost connection to the router or failed to sync properly. This is typically caused by distance between the satellite and router, or the satellite not being in range to get a strong connection.

How to Fix the Purple Light on Your Orbi

1. Check Your Internet Connection

The first thing you should do when your Orbi turns purple is check if the problem is with your internet connection.

Test your internet connection by connecting a device (like your phone or laptop) directly to your modem using an Ethernet cable.
If there’s no internet on the connected device, then the issue likely lies with your ISP and not your Orbi router.
If the internet works fine on your device, proceed to the next steps.

2. Inspect Cables and Connections

Sometimes, the issue might be as simple as a loose cable. Here’s how to troubleshoot:

Check the Ethernet cable between your modem and router. Ensure that it’s securely plugged in on both ends.
Inspect the power cables for both the router and satellite. Make sure everything is plugged in and working correctly.
If any of the cables appear damaged or frayed, try replacing them.

3. Restart Your Orbi Devices

A quick restart can often resolve temporary issues:

Turn off your modem, router, and satellite.
Wait for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then power them back on.
Wait for the devices to fully reboot, and check if the purple light disappears.

This step can help clear up temporary issues with your router’s connection or synchronization between the router and satellite.

4. Sync the Satellite to the Router

If the purple light is on the Orbi satellite, the issue is likely with the satellite-router connection. Here’s how to re-sync them:

Press the Sync button on your Orbi router.
Within 2 minutes, press the Sync button on your Orbi satellite.
Wait for the satellite to connect with the router. The light should turn blue (if it’s connected properly) or amber (if the connection is fair).

If the satellite continues to blink purple, try moving the satellite closer to the router to ensure it’s within a better range for syncing.

5. Update Your Orbi’s Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause all sorts of issues, including connectivity problems. To ensure your Orbi is up to date:

Connect to the Orbi network on your device.
Open a browser and go to orbilogin.com or 192.168.1.1.
Log in using your admin credentials.
Go to the Firmware Update section and check if there’s a new version available.
If an update is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete.

A firmware update can help fix bugs and improve the performance of your Orbi router and satellite.

6. Perform a Factory Reset

If none of the above steps work, you can try resetting your Orbi router and satellite to factory settings.

To reset the Orbi router or satellite:

Locate the Reset button (usually a small pinhole button).
Press and hold the reset button for 10-15 seconds using a paperclip or similar object.
Wait for the lights to flash, indicating that the device has been reset.

Note: A reset will erase any custom settings, including your WiFi name and password, so you will need to set it up again.

Preventing the Purple Light Issue in the Future

Once you’ve fixed the purple light problem, you’ll want to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. Here are some tips:

Keep your router and satellite within a good range: If your satellite is too far from the router, it may not maintain a stable connection.
Check for firmware updates regularly to ensure your devices are always running the latest software.
Regularly restart your Orbi devices: Restarting your modem and router once a month can help clear up minor issues and keep your network stable.
Use wired connections when possible: If you’re facing issues with WiFi, connecting the satellite directly to the router using Ethernet can help establish a stable link.

Conclusion

Seeing a purple light on your Orbi is definitely frustrating, but it’s usually a sign that something small needs fixing. Whether it’s a router connectivity issue, a satellite syncing problem, or something else, following the troubleshooting steps above can help you get your Orbi back to normal quickly.

By checking your internet connection, inspecting cables, restarting devices, and syncing your satellite, you can fix the purple light in no time. And remember, keeping your firmware up to date and performing regular maintenance on your devices can prevent this problem from happening again.

If you’ve tried all these steps and the purple light persists, it may be time to contact Netgear Support for further assistance. With a little patience and troubleshooting, your Orbi should be back up and running smoothly!

Blog