Orbi Firmware Check Error? (Fix & Update Now!)

The Orbi firmware check error is a widely-spread problem, which is easy to resolve!

In this quick guide, we’ll mainly show you how to update your Orbi router/satellite the manual way, which is guaranteed to work. 

Regarding the app’s error message, you can easily resolve the error by performing some troubleshooting, so let’s peek into the steps.

To resolve the Orbi firmware check problem soft reset your Orbi Wi-Fi network, verify the availability of your broadband, and reconnect all cables.

Let’s begin with the correct ways to update Orbi…

Netgear Orbi Firmware Check Error – Manual Bypass

There are two ways to update your Orbi router and satellites, one via the Orbi app or manually, which requires many more extra steps.

So if you’re unable to update your router or satellite, try the instructions below, as they guarantee you’re doing the update correctly and problem-free.

How to Update Orbi via the Orbi App?

Here’s the traditional way to update Orbi devices from the NETGEAR Orbi app:

1. Connect your mobile to the Orbi router’s Wi-Fi.
2. In the Orbi app sign into your admin account.
3. Go to the Menu → Settings → Router Settings.
4. Scroll down and press on “Check for Updates.”
5. If you see “Update Firmware” select it to begin.
6. Follow the on-screen steps to finalize the update.

If you encounter the “Orbi firmware check error,” you need to try the manual update!

How to Update Orbi via PC (Manually)?

If you’re facing an Orbi check firmware error, then the majority of users with the same problem, simply bypass the issue by updating manually.

Updating manually involves 3 general steps:

• Downloading the update.
• Updating the Orbi router.
• Updating the Orbi satellite.

Step #1 Download the Firmware

Here’s how to get the latest firmware downloaded on your computer:

1. Use a PC connected to the Orbi router via Ethernet.
2. Download the update from NETGEAR Downloads.
3. Unzip the file on your desktop computer (if needed).
4. Open any browser and go to “http://orbilogin.com”.
5. Sign in using “admin” for both username/password.
6. From the dashboard, navigate to the “Advanced” tab. 
7. Then, go to Administration and Firmware Update.
8. Then, click the “Manual Update” section to reveal it.

Step #2 Update Your Orbi Satellite

Here’s how to update the Orbi satellite with the downloaded firmware:

1. Tick the box next to your Orbi satellite’s name.
2. Click the “Update” button to begin the upload.
3. Click “BROWSE” to locate the downloaded file.
4. Info: The firmware file ends with (.img) or (.chk).
5. Select the file and click on “UPLOAD” to load it.
6. The Orbi satellite will automatically start updating.

Step #3 Update Your Orbi Router

Here’s how to update the Orbi router with the downloaded firmware:

1. First, verify that you’re on your Orbi dashboard.
2. Open a new tab and go to “http://orbilogin.com”.
3. Then, again go to Advanced → Administration.
4. There, you must select “Firmware Update” again.
5. Click the “Manual Update” button to reveal the tab.
6. Click “UPLOAD” to load the downloaded (.img) file.
7. The Orbi update process will begin automatically.

Tip: After the Orbi router or Orbi satellite finishes the update, return to the Firmware Version tab to check whether the new version is installed.

How to Fix Orbi Firmware Check Error in Easy Steps?

If you can’t update your Orbi firmware due to an error, the steps below will help you!

1. Soft Reset Orbi Router/Satellite

The first step against the “firmware check error” on Orbi is to soft reset, also known as the power cycle process.

This is harmless, won’t erase anything from your device but will reset the power, which will refresh all operational services and hopefully resolve your updating problem.

To power cycle the Orbi satellite/router, simply unplug the power adapter from the outlet for at least 60 seconds for a proper discharge.

Note: When the power circulation is ready on both devices, test whether you can update them!

2. Check Your Broadband Internet

A fundamental requirement for updating the Orbi router or satellite is the broadband connection from the modem and whether it’s intact.

When your broadband connection is down, your Orbi will attempt to scan for new firmware but will surely bring the “firmware check error” quickly.

So, one of the quickest ways to check if you have internet access is to connect your modem directly to your PC’s Ethernet port and test. 

One More Thing – Your Mobile’s Internet!

When updating your Orbi router/satellite from the app, your phone must be paired to a functional Wi-Fi network.

If your mobile is offline you will definitely see a “firmware check error”, so verify that you’re connected to your Orbi router via Wi-Fi and then go back into the app to try updating.

Note: If your internet is down, wait until the problem is resolved, and then try updating your Orbi.

3. Verify your Ethernet Connection

The Ethernet connection between your Orbi router and modem or Orbi router and Orbi satellite is fundamental for the updating process.

The issue could be with the Ethernet cable connection as it may be loose, disconnected, or plugged improperly into your Orbi or modem’s ports.

So disconnect ALL cables, and check the bullets below:

• The Ethernet cable plugs into the “LAN” port on your modem.
• The other side plugs into the available port on the Orbi router.
• The secondary Ethernet wire plugs into the 2nd available port.
• The other end plugs into your satellite for a wired connection.

Don’t forget that you must have an internet input cable that (Ethernet) plugs into the “WAN” port on your modem.

This is the main link between your devices and the internet service provider, so the network modem can supply internet to your Orbi router, and therefore carry out your update.

Note: Inspect the Ethernet cables in the setup for faults such as breakage, missing connectors, or broken plastic (doesn’t click).

4. Uninstall & Reinstall the Orbi App

If you’re determined to update your Orbi network units through the app, know that the firmware check error Orbi sometimes appears because of app issues. 

If you don’t want to update manually and solve the error you’re seeing, reinstalling your Orbi app is your best shot against the issue.

Here’s how to uninstall and reinstall the Orbi app on Android/iOS:

1. First, locate the Orbi app on the main screen.
2. Tap and hold the Orbi app’s icon continuously.
3. On an Android, drag the icon to the Trash Bin.
4. On an iOS, select the “Remove this App” tab.
5. Then open the App Store or the Google Store.
6. Then search for the NETGEAR Orbi application.
7. Download, install, and sign in to the application.

When the app is freshly installed on your device, go to the Settings → Router Settings and try to update the firmware from there.

If you still see “firmware check error” it’s time for a bit harsh measures against the problem in the next step…

5. Hard Reset Orbi Router/Satellite

The final and ultimate solution against the Orbi firmware update error is to perform a hard reset also known as “factory reset.”

This method will disconnect the router and satellite from the app and reset all settings to default, which is the only solution that works against software problems.

Here’s how to factory reset your Orbi router and satellites:

1. Verify that your Orbi router/satellite is “ON.”
2. Acquire a sharp and pointy object (needle).
3. Find the small “Reset” pinhole on the back.
4. Reach within the reset pinhole and push in.
5. Hold until the device LED flashes in amber.

Your Orbi device is now reset. If you’re resetting an Orbi router, this means that the Wi-Fi names and passwords are also gone.

You can now sign in at http://orbilogin.com with “admin” for the name and password and configure your Wi-Fi settings.

As for the updating, we recommend first trying to update from the app, and if it doesn’t work, just proceed with the manual method which is guaranteed to succeed.

Quick Recap

Hence, when the Orbi firmware check error starts to appear you only need to soft reset your Orbi devices, inspect the cable connections, and reinstall the app.

If nothing helps, you must factory reset the problematic Orbi.

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