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A purple light on your Orbi satellite means that your device is not able to sync with other Orbi nodes or it is having difficulties detecting an internet connection.
Either way, this problem can be easily fixed by following the steps outlined in this article.
Orbi is a WiFi mesh system that can provide you with a reliable and strong internet connection throughout your home.
The system includes a main router and satellite devices which are placed throughout the home.
Although the system is very reliable, sometimes the Orbi system can have issues that result in the router or satellite devices displaying a purple light.
Before solving the issue of a purple light on your Orbi device, you need to understand the potential causes of the syncing or internet connection issues.
The causes can range from damaged ethernet cables, internet outages in your area, firmware problems, faulty satellite, or router.
One of the best fixes that you can apply to this problem is restarting your device. If this does not work, there are other solutions provided in this article that you can follow.
Continue reading to learn more!
What Does the Purple Light on Orbi Mean?
The color of the LED light on your Orbi router will change depending on the current status of your network.
When it comes to the purple light, you need to pay attention to where the light is coming from. Is it the satellites or the router?
If your Orbi router is showing a solid purple light, it means that your router is not able to establish an internet connection.
However, if your Orbi satellite is showing a purple light, it means it cannot sync with the router.
Reasons Why My Orbi Has a Solid Purple Light
A purple light on your Orbi means that the device is having difficulties syncing with other nodes or connecting to the internet. Either of the problems could be caused by the following:
- Damaged or loose ethernet cables.
- The router having issues communicating with the satellite.
- Internet outage in your area.
- Incomplete firmware installation or corrupted firmware.
- Your device has been inactive for long hours.
- System diagnostics are going on.
- Malware/virus attack on the system.
- Faulty router or satellite.
How To Fix An Orbi With Purple Light
Now that you know the reasons why your Orbi is showing a purple light, let’s take a look at some of the solutions that you can try to fix this problem:
1. Disconnect/Disable Unwanted Devices
Sometimes if your network is overcrowded, your internet may fail to operate which leads to connectivity issues. This congestion may cause your Orbi device to show a purple light.
This solution is very easy and simple, as all you need to do is remove any unused or unwanted devices from the network.
This will increase the bandwidth for the other devices that are connected and solve the purple light on your Orbi.
To disable or disconnect unwanted devices, open the app or log in to the router settings then go to the menu of the connected device.
Now remove the unused or unwanted devices from the network.
2. Restart the Entire Orbi Network
If removing any devices that are not used or not wanted on your network does not solve the purple light on your Orbi, you should restart your router.
This step needs you to turn off the router, modem, and satellites. It should be done in order, and you need to be patient.
Here are the steps to restart your Orbi network:
- Turn off the satellite, router, and modem. Then unplug them from the power outlet and wait for a few minutes.
- Connect the modem to the power source then turn it on and give it around two minutes to boot and stabilize.
- Plug in the router and turn it on.
- Plug in the satellite and turn it on.
- Wait for the satellite and router to boot and connect.
The purple light should disappear if the restart is successful.
3. Check for Damaged or Loose Connections
There is a high chance that the purple light on your Orbi is caused by loose or damaged cables or wires. It is possible that the wires and cables became loose when the router was being moved or when you were cleaning around it.
Below are the steps to check for damaged or loose connections:
- First, disconnect every cable from your router and inspect them for any obvious signs of damage.
- Then reconnect all cables and make sure that every cable is securely connected to the port.
- Restart your router and see whether the purple light has gone.
- If the purple light is still there, check the cables on the modem and satellites to confirm if there are any loose connections or signs of damage.
- If any cable is faulty, you should buy a new cable, connect it, restart the router, and see if it solves the issue.
If your cable connections are not the issue, try doing the next step to solve the purple light issue on your Orbi.
4. Resync Satellite Units
If your router and satellite fail to sync properly, a solid purple light may appear. Therefore, to get the connection back you need to sync them again. Even though the process is simple, it should be done in the correct order:
Below are the steps to resync your satellites units:
- Press the sync button which is at the back of your router.
- Then press the sync button on the satellite.
- You should press these buttons within two minutes.
- Give the router and the satellite a few minutes to sync.
- During the syncing process, the satellite should show a blinking white light.
There can be four scenarios after this process:
- The sync is successful if the Orbi light turns blue.
- The device is applying new configurations if the Orbi light is blinking white, therefore, you should wait until it stabilizes.
- The sync is successful but there is a weak connection if the Orbi light turns yellow or orange.
- The sync is unsuccessful if the light turns purple, so you should repeat the process.
5. Generate a New Backhaul Password and Re-sync Orbi Devices
If resyncing the satellite units does not solve the problem, try creating a new backhaul password and then resync the Orbi devices.
The backhaul password is a security key between the satellite and the router.
After creating a new password, use the Sync button to generate new backhaul connections so that your device can communicate with the satellite.
The following are the steps to create a new backhaul password:
- Use a device that is connected to the same network to open any web browser.
- Log in to orbilogin.com using your username and password.
- The default credentials are password for the password and admin for the username.
- Now go to Advance Menu and choose Advanced Setup then click Wireless Settings.
- There is a Generate button under the Wireless Settings. Tap on it and the system will create a new backhaul password.
- After creating the backhaul password, follow the steps mentioned above to resync your satellite and router.
6. Factory Reset Orbi Device
If you have tried the above steps but your Orbi is still showing a solid purple light, you can do a factory reset on your device.
Generally, an error or flaw in the firmware of your router could be causing this problem, and doing a factory reset can fix it.
Note that a factory reset will remove all of your passwords, settings, and configuration. Here are the steps to do a factory reset on your Orbi device:
- Locate the reset button which should be at the back of your router.
- Press the pinhole opening using a pointed object such as a needle. Hold the needle for around 10 seconds.
- Now, release the button gently and give the device a few minutes to reboot to its factory settings.
- Ensure that the router is turned on during this process.
7. Check Your Internet Provider For Outages
The easiest way to get help when you are struggling to access the internet is by contacting your internet service provider.
After reaching out, explain to them your issues and they will do their best to help you. Alternatively, you can visit their website page and look for their outages in your area.
Although there are alternative websites available to check for internet outages, your internet service provider is likely to provide the most information and an estimated timeframe for when the issue will be resolved.
8. Check Your Configurations
If the Orbi device, whether it’s the router or a satellite, fails to obtain an IP address, the device’s indicator light will turn purple.
In case the Orbi router displays a purple light, it indicates that it’s unable to obtain an IP address from the modem.
To resolve the issue, you can verify the configuration of the modem to confirm that it is correctly providing IP addresses.
It’s important to keep in mind the specific type of Orbi router you’re using since some models, such as the CBR750, have an integrated modem and don’t require an external modem.
Therefore, it’s important to check the requirements of your Orbi router model before proceeding with any troubleshooting steps.
9. Move the Units Closer
When the light on a satellite turns purple, it might indicate that the satellite is located too far away from the router, which can cause an unstable connection.
Even though Orbi devices are known for their excellent range, various factors such as distance and wall materials can still influence their performance.
To resolve the problem, try bringing the satellite unit closer to the router. Once the units are in closer proximity, synchronize the satellite with the router. This should help address the issue you’re experiencing.
10. Contact Orbi Support
If you’re still having difficulties with your Orbi, reaching out to customer support may be your last option.
You can get in touch with them using any of the communication channels specified on their website and see if they can assist you in resolving the issue.
Although this may not provide an immediate fix for your Orbi, seeking professional assistance can help diagnose the issue and provide a permanent solution.
Additionally, they can advise you on whether your Orbi can be replaced or guide you on how to claim the warranty.
Final Words
Hopefully, you now have all the information that you need to solve an Orbi purple light issue.
A purple light on your Orbi device means that it is trying to connect to the internet, or it is having issues communicating with the satellite.
Some of the causes for a purple light on an Orbi router are network outages, loose cables, firmware issues, a faulty device, and malware attacks to name a few.
To solve this problem, you can restart, or factory reset your device, do a power cycle, ensure that the cables are connected, or contact customer support if none of the fixes work.
