Among budget-friendly mesh WiFi systems, few products have sold as many units as Netgear Orbi.
At the same time, it seems like few products have less accessible tech support than Netgear Orbi, too.
From sporadic downtime with no known cause, to issues that can’t be resolved by adjusting settings, to firmware updates you didn’t ask for, it is sadly pretty common to need to reset your Orbi.
None of this is to say the Orbi a bad device, mind you. In fact, we have rated the Orbi above the far-pricier Amazon eero Pro when it comes to performance, and above the Linksys Velop for both speed and range.
But when nothing else works, you will need to resort to a good old-fashioned factory reset. Although it will lose your settings, it is the most certain way to restore an Orbi to proper working condition and get your home’s WiFi back online.
Before Resetting Orbi — Things to Consider
By resetting the Orbi, your settings will be lost. This includes your network name, password, and configuration.
Additionally, a reset will un-pair the router from the satellites.
For these reasons, you only want to reset the device if you have exhausted other options.
Assuming you have exhausted other troubleshooting options and want to proceed with a factory reset of the device, continue reading this guide.
How to Reset Orbi: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Options
1st Method — Netgear Recommended
This is the standard reset method that is recommended by Netgear. In 90%+ of cases, this reset will be the only one you need.
Thankfully, the process is very simple.
- Power your Orbi router “ON.”
- Locate the “RESET” button on Orbi. This is a pinhole opening that is located on the rear of the router, near the bottom of the device. The button is found on the farthest right side of the controls, where all the device’s ports are located.
- Take a straightened paper clip, toothpick, or thumbtack and press and hold the reset button for 7 or more seconds. When the “POWER” LED (which is initially green) starts flashing an amber color, you have held the button for long enough.
At this point, the reset is completed and the device is returned to factory default settings. Note that it may take a few moments for the device to reboot and power back on.
2nd Method
In some cases, the default factory reset method will not work.
If you are unsuccessful with the above-described reset method, proceed with the following steps. This method is called a “30-30-30” reset — and it will soon become obvious where the name is derived from.
- Power your Orbi router “ON.”
- With the power “ON,” hold the reset for 30 seconds (using a paper clip or toothpick as described above). Once complete, do not release the reset button.
- Next, turn the power “OFF” and continue to hold the reset button for 30 seconds. Again, do not release the reset button.
- Finally, turn the device’s power back “ON,” and continue to hold the reset button for 30 additional seconds.
At this point, the device should be factory reset.
If this didn’t work, re-read the above instructions and try again.
Make sure that you didn’t release the reset button at any point in the process. In total, you should hold the reset button (with a paper clip) for 90 seconds while going through the steps.
3rd Method
If the above two methods don’t work, there is one last way to try. If this doesn’t work, you officially know it’s time to give up and call tech support.
- Disconnect all cables from the Orbi except the power cable.
- Power your Orbi router “ON.”
- Hold down the reset button for 7+ seconds, as described in the 1st method. Don’t release the reset button yet.
- Next, unplug the Orbi and continue to hold the reset button for 7+ seconds. Again, don’t release the power button yet.
- Next, plug the Orbi back in and continue to hold the reset button for 7+ seconds.
- Finally, you can release the reset button at this point.
After Reset is Complete
As mentioned above, a factory reset will remove all of your settings and configurations. Additionally, you will have the re-pair the Orbi to your satellites.
Thankfully, the setup process is pretty simple. You will just need to follow the same steps that you followed during the initial setup.
Troubleshooting Steps Before Resorting to Factory Reset
Before you jump into performing a factory reset on your Orbi, which will erase all of your saved settings and configurations, it is crucial to try a few troubleshooting steps. These procedures could potentially fix the issue without the need for a reset:
- Check Your Internet Connection: The problem could stem from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Ensure you have an active connection by connecting a device directly to your modem via an Ethernet cable.
- Reboot Your Orbi Router: Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve connectivity problems. Unplug your Orbi router from the power source, wait for a few minutes, and then plug it back in. This can help clear any system glitches and restore the connection.
- Update Your Orbi Firmware: Ensure that your Orbi router and satellite are running the latest firmware version. Older firmware versions may have bugs or compatibility issues that could cause connection problems.
- Check the Placement of Your Orbi Router and Satellites: Poor Wi-Fi signals can sometimes be due to the placement of your Orbi devices. Make sure that your router and satellites are placed centrally in your home, away from walls, other electronic devices, and sources of interference.
- Change Wi-Fi Channels: Your Orbi router automatically selects the Wi-Fi channel with the least interference. However, you can manually select a channel through the router’s admin settings if you suspect that this could be causing issues.
- Check Your Wi-Fi Network Settings: Check if your Orbi network’s settings are correct. This includes the SSID (network name), password, security type (WPA/WPA2), and the network mode (mixed mode, N-only, or AC-only).
Final thoughts
If none of the three reset methods worked, it is probably time to call Netgear’s customer support. Hope you sprang for the expensive extended warranty with included tech support!
In all seriousness, there are some additional message boards you can peruse which may be able to answer your specific question. So don’t despair just yet.
But for 90%+ of problems, one of the three reset methods should be all you need to get back online!
FAQs
How long does it take to reset the Orbi router?
The standard factory reset method, which involves holding the reset button for 7 seconds, typically takes a few minutes to complete the reset process and reboot the router. The “30-30-30” method and the 3rd method will take a bit longer due to the additional steps involved.
After a factory reset, do I need to update the Orbi’s firmware again?
Yes. A factory reset will revert your Orbi router back to its original settings, including the firmware. You will need to download and install any firmware updates that were released after you purchased your device.
Can I recover my settings after a factory reset?
No. A factory reset will permanently erase all of your customized settings. It’s a good idea to write down or take screenshots of your important settings before performing a factory reset.
