Why Is Orbi Satellite Flashing White Light? Ultimate Fix Guide

If your Orbi satellite flashing white light it generally means that the device is applying new configurations or updating its firmware.

In that regard, it’s recommended to wait for at least 10 minutes and if it’s stuck for longer than usual, we’ve prepared a series of solution steps to apply.

To resolve the Orbi satellite stuck on pulsing white light you should hard reset both your router and Orbi device. The next step is to factory reset your Orbi router which hopefully will resolve the issue. Lastly, you can manually install a firmware version which will definitely solve the flashing white light.

Now let’s first check what are the possible causes for the pulsing white light and then review each of the solutions in detail.

Why Is Orbi Flashing White Light For Longer Than Usual?

As we mentioned in the introduction, the pulsing white light means that your device is either configuring new settings or applying a firmware update.

If your Orbi cannot pass this stage it means that the new settings or the new update have failed to install.

This can happen due to several reasons that we’re going to illustrate next:

1. Interruption

In case your Orbi has lost power supply during the update, it might have failed to install and it will now be stuck flashing white light.

2. OS Glitch

If the Orbi satellite has its own issues with the OS, it might be unable to install the update, thus the flashing light will be there forever.

3. Bad Firmware

Sometimes the issue is not with your Orbi but with the new firmware update. In those cases, you have no other choice but to manually downgrade.

How To Fix Orbi Satellite Flashing White Light?

Now we will begin with the solutions you can apply to resolve the issue and hopefully you won’t have to apply any of the complex troubleshooting steps.

Before you begin we recommend performing a simple restart to see if that will fix the problem.

If you have already tried restarting, let’s start with a more advanced type of restart:

Solution #1 Power Cycle Equipment

The power cycle is not like a simple restart. This method will completely discharge your router and Orbi device which has a high chance to allow the update to complete.

If you haven’t done a power cycle before, here are the steps:

1. Turn OFF both your Orbi device and router.
2. Unplug the power adapters of your router and Orbi device.
3. Wait patiently for about 4-5 minutes.
4. Then plug the power adapters in a standalone wall outlet (if possible).
5. Turn ON both devices.

Most likely the Orbi device will still be flashing white light, but this time the update could be applied.

In that regard make sure to wait for 10 minutes to check if the update will pass. In case the pulsing light does not disappear for more than 10 minutes, move on to the next step.

Solution #2 Re-Sync Orbi Satellite With Router

Now if the satellite has lost connection to your router, there will be no internet to download the firmware update, thus it won’t complete.

In that case, you’ll need to re-sync your Orbi device to your router which helps the majority of users having the same issue as you.

Here is how to re-sync your Orbi device with your router:

1. Ensure both devices are receiving power and turned ON.
2. Press the sync button on your Orbi router.
3. After 2 minutes, press the sync button on the satellite.

Now it is really important to learn the feedback that you will receive from your satellite in case the syncing is not successful:

• Amber light – Move devices closer to each other.
• Magenta light – If this light appears for 90 seconds or more, the sync failed. Try again.
• Blue light  – Syncing is successful.

Depending on the model, the light color could be different. You can check online to see what your feedback color means.

Solution #3 Factory Reset Orbi Device

If your Orbi flashing white light, it is possible that you have made configuration changes that prevent the router from updating.

If not, then it’s possible that the OS has encountered an error, preventing the update to complete.

Regardless of what happened, the factory reset will completely erase ALL settings, install clean software and hopefully, the white light will disappear.

The factory reset is really simple:

1. Using a sharp object you need to reach the small hole in your Orbi satellite.
2. Inside is the reset button that you need to hold for 10 seconds.
3. If the amber light appears, then the reset is in progress.
4. Wait for 10 minutes for the reset to complete.

Once reset, you’ll need to jump back to solution #2 and sync your device with the router.

If the sync does not work, perform a factory reset on your router as well and then try to sync again.

Solution #4 Manually Update Orbi Firmware

So if your router does NOT want to update automatically and it is stuck on the flashing white light forever, you can do it manually where the device has no choice but to do exactly what you want.

First, you will need to enter the Orbi’s control panel.

How To Enter Orbi Satellite Control Panel?

To enter the control panel you’ll need a Windows PC connected to your Orbi network (router) via WiFi or Ethernet cable.

1. Open a web browser and paste this address: orbilogin.com.
2. Enter the username “admin” and the password is “password”.

You should be able to see the Orbi settings where you can manually update the firmware.

How To Manually Update The Firmware?

Follow the steps precisely:

1. Download the firmware from here, and save it on your PC.
2. In the Orbi control panel go Firmware Update and then to Manual Update.
3. Fill the check box next to Orbi’s model name.
4. Click on the Update button.
5. When a window appears, look for the update you’ve downloaded and select it.
6. Insert the admin/password credentials when you’re asked for it.
7. Wait for a few minutes for the update to complete.

Now you can turn OFF both your devices, wait for a few minutes, and then turn them on so you can check if the white light will be there.

If yes, go back to the download link and try installing a slightly older firmware.

Orbi Satellite Still Flashing White Light…

If you have updated/downgrade the firmware update manually, the white light should NOT be there.

That means that there is another type of issue. More serious issue. You should now contact Orbi customer service and ask for assistance.

The solution to a pulsing white light includes a hard reset on both your router and Orbi device as well as re-syncing both devices. The next step is to factory reset the Orbi device and if it does not work, reset your router as well.

The last step that guarantees success is to manually update/downgrade the firmware which will deliver an operational OS.

Read Next: Why Is Orbi Satellite Not Connecting To Router?

Bottom Line:

Now when you know how to fix the Orbi satellite flashing white light you should not be concerned in case the issue appears again in the future.

Simply find and download a firmware version that works and save it on your PC just in case you need it again.

Sometimes the new updates are glitchy and some models could be having trouble applying them and the only solution seems to be manual intervention.

We really hope that this post was helpful to you and if you need assistance with other Orbi issues, make sure to visit our blog!