How to Connect Orbi Satellite With Ethernet Easily?

Here we’ll learn how to connect Orbi satellite with ethernet as well as the entire process, which also involves the Orib router.

This guide covers everything from the start to the point where you’ll be enjoying your satellite’s WiFi when connected to the router via ethernet!

Connecting the Orbi satellite, the wired way is enough to plug the ethernet cable into the ethernet port of the Orbi router and into the ethernet port of the Orbi satellite.

The setup will only work when the Orbi router was previously set up in the Orbi application!

Let’s continue to unwrap!

Can I Connect Orbi Satellite with Ethernet?

Definitely, Yes. Orbi satellites can be connected to the Orbi router via Ethernet cable or via WiFi, both of which have good and bad differences.

So let’s take a moment and learn the pros and cons for both occasions as well as the main requirements for you to be prepared.

Wireless Vs. Wired Orbi Setup?

The main difference between connecting your Orbi satellite to the router via Ethernet versus hooking up the satellite with WiFi is in the performance.

When connected to the Orbi router, the satellite becomes a “hotspot” for WiFi connections, which is based on the speed of the router.

Hence, when connected wirelessly, the speed of the satellite’s WiFi would be based on many factors, considering the wireless nature of the connection.

In contrast, with the Ethernet, the Orbi satellite receives the same speeds as your router, hence the WiFi will be better.

How to Connect Orbi Satellite via Ethernet in 5 Easy Steps!

Note: If your Orbi router and Orbi WiFi are already set up, jump to step #3.

1. Setup the Orbi App & Orbi Router!

Before you can connect the Orbi satellite to the Orbi router via ethernet, you first need to set up the Orbi application and sign into your Netgear account.

In case you haven’t done this yet, then the Orbi router is not fully set up, hence you still can’t proceed with connecting the Orbi satellite.

Follow the steps below to set up the Orbi app and Orbi router:

1. Download the Orbi app, available for iOS & Android.
2. Open the app and sign into your Netgear account.
3. Connect your Orbi router’s service cable and power.
4. Tap on the “Get Started” button to begin the setup.
5. Press on the “Enable Camera and Scan” button.
6. Scan the QR code located on your Orbi router.
7. Select your device plus the number of satellites.
8. You will need to restart your Orbi router to continue.

Yellow Port: The yellow port on the Orbi router is used to connect the router to an existing modem, and not to your Orbi satellites.

2. Carry Out the Orbi App WiFi Setup

This is another very important step before you can connect the satellite to the Orbi router.

Upon completing the router setup, you would need to enable the WiFi, by using your mobile device.

Follow the steps below to complete the Orbi WiFi setup (necessary):

1. Your Orbi router should be in solid white light.
2. From the Orbi application, tap on Continue.
3. Open the WiFi options on your mobile device.
4. Connect to the temporary Orbi router SSID.
5. Go back into the Orbi app and tap Continue.
6. Personalize all settings and Orbi WiFi SSIDs.
7. Complete the on-screen prompts until the end.

Only when your Orbi setup is ready, continue with connecting the satellite with Ethernet…

3. Connect Orbi Satellite via Ethernet

The next step is the actual wired connection, which would be possible only now when the Orbi router is set up in the Orbi app.

The next step is to acquire an Ethernet cable that is typically not supplied, which you can use to connect the satellite to the router.

How to Connect the Ethernet Cable?

To connect the Orbi satellite to the Orbi router via Ethernet cable, connect one side of the cable to one of the two available Ethernet ports on the Orbi router.

Then connect the other side of the Ethernet cable to one of the three available ports on your Orbi satellite.

Now your Orbi satellite is connected to the Orbi router. However, you might be concerned about a limitation, considering that there are only 2 ethernet ports on the router.

Well, any user can easily overcome this and connect as many satellites as needed with – Daisy Chain Topology.

4. Set up a Daisy Chain Topology!

The main fact to understand is that not all of the Orbi satellites have to be connected to the Orib router.

In fact, you can have only one satellite directly connected to the Orbi router and other satellites, respectively connected to one another, such as a chain, creating a wired backhaul.

In other words, connect only one satellite to the Orbi router via Ethernet connection and simply connect every next satellite, respectively to the previous one.

This way all satellites receive the same *wired* internet, and you’re not limited by the lack of ethernet ports on the Orbi router.

Note: You can include up to six Orbi satellites in a daisy chain setup!

5. Test Orbi Satellite Connection

Now that we’ve learned how to connect Orbi satellite with ethernet, we’re ready to test!

The final step is to check whether the Orbi satellite is now connected via Ethernet and receiving internet from the Orbi router.

The quickest way to do so would be by using the same mobile with the Orbi app and attempting to connect to the WiFi SSID from the satellite (not the main one).

✅ If you’re able to connect and surf the web, congratulations, you’re done!

✅ If you’re not able to connect or there is no internet, continue reading!

Why is Orbi Satellite with Ethernet Not Working?

Well, if you’ve first set up your Orbi router and then connected the Orbi satellite via Ethernet cable, but the setup is not working – we know why! 

Some experienced users suggest first setting up a wireless connection between the satellite and Orbi router, and then connecting via Ethernet cable.

For some reason, this approach overcomes potential bugs with a first-time installation so it’s worth checking whether this will help!

How to Connect Orbi Satellite via WiFi > Ethernet?

1. Disconnect the Ethernet cable between the satellite and router.
2. Then, locate and press the “Sync” button on the Orbi satellite.
3. Within 2 minutes, press the “Sync” button on the Orbi router.
4. The satellite LED will blink in white while the connection is set.
5. When ready, connect the Ethernet between the router and the satellite.

Info: Be patient for about 5 minutes for the satellite to switch from wireless to wired connection!

Connecting Orbi Satellite via Ethernet (Switch)?

In case you’ve got an Ethernet Switch involved in your setup, the setup is not that different but there are some key points to note.

The Ethernet Switch connects many wired devices in a local (LAN) allowing smooth connection as well as many available Ethernet ports at your disposal.

Follow the steps to connect Orbi satellite via ethernet to an ethernet switch:

1. Connect your Orbi router to the ethernet switch!
2. Note: Do not use the “yellow” port on the router.
3. Then the Orbi satellite connects to the switch.
4. The daisy chain topology won’t work with a switch.
5. Connect every next Orbi satellite to the switch.

Info: The Ethernet ports on the Orbi satellite support up to 1 Gbps data transfer speed, hence for optimal performance the switch’s ports have to be 1 Gbps or faster.

Quick Recap:

Here we’ve learned how to connect Orbi satellite with ethernet cable and how to establish a multi-satellite Orbi (wired) setup.

The most important part to remember is that the Orbi router’s yellow port is for modem connection and the other ports are for Orbi satellites!

We hope this guide was helpful so follow us for more!

Read Next: Orbi Satellite Not Syncing? – Here’s How to Fix