How to Set Up a Netgear Orbi Mesh WiFi System

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Getting reliable WiFi signal everywhere in your home can be challenging. Often times, having a single wireless router can provide decent WiFi coverage within a certain range, but can end up leaving certain areas of your home with very slow or no WiFi coverage at all. Netgear Orbi mesh networking devices aim to make this a problem of the past.

Using mesh networking technology, multiple Orbi devices can be placed throughout your home, eliminating dead spots altogether. This guide will help you get to know how Netgear Orbi devices work, and how to build a mesh network in your home that will provide WiFi coverage everywhere you want and need it to be.

Before You Begin:

Install the App
You need to have the Netgear Orbi app already installed on your phone or tablet to be able to set up your Mesh WiFi System.

• How to Install the Netgear Orbi App

How does a Netgear Orbi mesh network work?

Before you begin setting up a Netgear Orbi mesh network system in your home, it's important to understand how the hardware itself works.

The idea behind a mesh network is to have multiple WiFi broadcast points throughout your home whose signals overlap one another to provide wireless coverage everywhere. This is much different than traditional WiFi, which usually only consisted of a single wireless router that was either attached to your Internet Provider's modem, or was built right into their modem. That single router is only able to broadcast WiFi from wherever its location is in your home, and getting coverage everywhere can be next to impossible depending on how large of a home you have.

Mesh networks are designed to be modular. This means that your home network will consist of multiple Netgear Orbi mesh networking devices; one primary Orbi device that connects to your Internet Provider's modem, and up to three "satellite" devices that will all broadcast WiFi. The number of satellite devices you'll need for your home largely depends on its size. Netgear offers solutions for homes sizing 1500-6000 square feet. While these distances are a rough estimation, other factors can increase or decrease the number of Orbi devices you might need to create a reliable WiFi signal in all the areas of your home that are important to you.

Primary Orbi Devices

Getting started with Netgear Orbi mesh networking devices is not much different than setting up a traditional wireless router. All Orbi mesh networks must begin with a primary device or router. This primary device is made to connect to your Internet Provider's modem. Netgear also makes a cable modem/router which replaces your Internet Provider's modem altogether and also acts as your primary Orbi device. This primary Orbi device is where your WiFi network begins, very much like how a traditional wireless router creates a WiFi signal in your home.

Secondary Orbi "Satellite" Devices

Once you have a primary Orbi device working with your internet service to create a WiFi signal in your home, this is where the modular nature of mesh networks really shine. You can add up to three Orbi "satellite" devices in your home that will also broadcast WiFi. Having these multiple WiFi broadcast points ensures that all of your home is blanketed in WiFi signal. Keep in mind that each one of your Orbi satellite devices need to be placed strategically in your home so they're close enough to be able to wirelessly communicate with one another to be able to create a reliable WiFi signal.

As an added benefit, there are multiple types of Orbi satellite devices on the market such as:

• Standard Orbi Satellites
• Orbi Wall Plug Satellites
• Orbi Outdoor Satellites
• Orbi Voice (Orbi satellite with a built-in speaker, microphone, and Amazon Alexa)

2. Set Up the Primary Orbi Device

All Orbi mesh networks must begin with a primary device or "router." Depending on which Orbi package you've purchased, you may be connecting your primary Orbi device/router to your Internet Provider's existing modem, or you may be replacing your provider's existing modem altogether if you're working with an Orbi cable modem router.

Select the type of primary device you are setting up:

Orbi Router

1. Place the Orbi Router near your modem or gateway.
2. Firmly plug the Ethernet cable into the yellow Internet port on the rear of the router.
   

1. Firmly plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into the rear of your modem or gateway.
   

1. Plug the router's power adapter into an available electrical outlet.
   

1. Plug the other end of the power adapter into the DC connector on the rear of the router.
   

1. Press the Power button to turn the router on.
   

Orbi Cable Modem Router

1. Place the Orbi Cable Modem Router in the room where your coaxial cable comes in or where you have a coaxial connector on the wall.
2. Firmly connect the coaxial cable to the Cable connector on the rear of the cable modem router.
   

1. If you're connecting the coaxial cable to a connector on the wall, make sure that end of the cable is also firmly connected.
2. Plug the modem's power adapter into an available electrical outlet.
   

1. Plug the other end of the power adapter into the DC connector.
   

1. Press the Power button to turn the cable modem router on.
   

1. Wait for all the Indicator Lights to turn solid blue on the front of the cable modem router.
   

1. If the Online Light (fourth on the right) doesn't turn solid blue within 10 minutes, you may need to contact your Internet Service Provider to be able to continue.
2. When the Online light turns solid blue, the cable modem router is not yet connected to the Internet and it must be activated. This process will be covered later on.

3. Set Up Secondary Orbi "Satellite" Device(s)

You can add up to three secondary Orbi "satellite" devices in your home that will also broadcast WiFi. There are a number of Orbi satellite devices available from Netgear.

If you have multiple secondary "satellite" devices, these instructions can be repeated to set up each one of them.

Select the type of secondary "satellite" device(s) you are setting up:

Orbi Satellite

1. Place the Orbi Satellite in a room where you'd like to extend your WiFi network.
2. Plug the satellite's power adapter into an available electrical outlet.
   

1. Plug the other end of the power adapter into the DC connector on the rear of the satellite.
   

1. Press the Power button to turn the satellite on.
   

1. Next, you will have to sync the satellite to the primary device. The ring light at the top of the satellite will help you accomplish that. We will cover this process below.
   

Orbi Wall Plug Satellite

1. Bring the Orbi Wall Plug Satellite into a room where you'd like to extend your WiFi network.
2. Plug the satellite into an available electrical outlet.
   

1. Next, you will have to sync the satellite to the primary device. The ring light at the top of the satellite will help you accomplish that. We will cover this process below.
   

Orbi Outdoor Satellite

For easier setup, place your Orbi Outdoor Satellite close to the primary Orbi device first. Once it has been added to your WiFi mesh network, it can be relocated outdoors.

1. Plug the satellite's power adapter into an available electrical outlet.
   

1. Plug the other end of the power adapter into the DC connector.
   

1. Press the Power button to turn the satellite on.
   

1. Next, you will have to sync the satellite to the primary device. The indicator light at the bottom of the satellite will help you accomplish that. We will cover this process below.
   

Orbi Voice

1. Place the Orbi Voice in a room where you'd like to extend your WiFi network and interact with Alexa.
2. Plug the satellite's power adapter into an available electrical outlet.
   

1. Plug the other end of the power adapter into the DC connector on the rear of the satellite.
   

1. Press the Power button to turn the satellite on.
   

1. Next, you will have to sync the satellite to the primary device. The ring light at the top of the satellite will help you accomplish that. We will cover this process below.
   

4. Synchronize Secondary "Satellites" to the Primary Orbi Device

Now that your primary and secondary Orbi devices have been physically set up, we need to make sure that they are properly communicating with one another. By default, any secondary "satellite" devices that were purchased in a package with a primary device will have already attempted to synchronize with one another. Thankfully, each secondary Orbi "satellite" device has a light that will indicate what our next steps need to be. Take a look at the light on each secondary Orbi device in your home to determine which action you'll need to take next:

While each secondary device is booting up, the LED will be white while it attempts to sync with the primary device. The LED will then light one of the following colors to show its status for about three minutes and then will turn off. You may have to power off and power back on each secondary "satellite" device to properly assess its status.

Blinking White

This satellite is still booting up and searching for the primary device in the home to connect to. Check again in a few minutes.

Solid White

This satellite is not connected to the primary device and is ready to be manually synchronized.

Solid Blue

This satellite has successfully connected to the primary device and has excellent signal strength. No synchronization is required.

Solid Amber

This satellite has successfully connected to the primary device, but has poor signal. It will need to be moved closer to the primary device for better signal.

Solid Magenta

This satellite was unable to connect to the primary device. It will need to be moved closer to the primary device for better signal to be able to establish a connection with the primary device.

Off

This satellite has successfully connected to the primary device and is working properly.

If any of your secondary Orbi devices displayed an amber or magenta light, they will need to be relocated before you proceed further.

Attempting to proceed using a secondary device that has poor or no signal will result in your Orbi network not functioning properly, or performing poorly. Relocate these secondary devices until they display either a solid blue or solid white light.

At this point, all of your secondary Orbi "satellite" devices should display a solid blue or white light.

• Satellites that are displaying a solid blue light do not require synchronization.
• Satellites that are displaying a solid white light need to be manually synchronized.

To Synchronize Secondary "Satellites" to the Primary Device

1. Press the Sync button on the rear or side of the secondary "satellite" device. Select the type of secondary "satellite" device(s) you are attempting to synchronize:
2. Orbi Satellite

2. Orbi Wall Plug Satellite

2. Orbi Wall Outdoor Satellite

2. Orbi Voice

1. Within two minutes, press the Sync button on the rear of the primary device. Select the type of primary device you're synchronizing with:
2. Orbi Router

2. Orbi Cable Modem Router

5. Set Up the Orbi Network Using the Orbi App

1. Launch the Orbi app on your phone or tablet.
   

1. On the welcome screen you'll be asked if you want to install a new product. Choose Yes.
   

1. Then point your camera at the QR code on the clear sleeve on top or the sticker on the bottom of the Orbi primary device.
   

1. You will be presented with some instructions on how to ready your Orbi devices for setup. We've already gone through these earlier, so you can skip them by tapping Next.
   

1. After that, the app will attempt to connect your phone or tablet to the default WiFi network of the Orbi primary device.
   

1. If it fails to automatically connect to the WiFi, you will have to do it manually. Expand the instructions below for more details.
2. To Manually Connect to WiFi
3. Retrieve the default WiFi Network Name and Password from the clear sleeve on top or the sticker on the bottom of the Orbi primary device.
   

1. 
   Expand the instructions below for the type of mobile device you have.

1. Android Phone or Tablet
2. Open Settings.
   

1. Go to Wi-Fi.
   

1. Select the WiFi network name that matches the ORBIXX pattern on the sticker.
   

1. Type in the WiFi password found on the sticker.
2. Now return to the Orbi app.
   

1. iPhone or iPad
2. Open Settings.
   

1. Go to Wi-Fi.
   

1. Select the WiFi network name that matches the ORBIXX pattern on the sticker.
   

1. Type in the WiFi password found on the sticker.
2. Now return to the Orbi app.
   

1. If your primary device is an Orbi Cable Modem Router, you will need to activate the internet service. Expand the instructions below for more details.
2. To Activate the Internet Service
3. Select your Internet Service Provider.
   

1. Most Internet Service Providers will require you to call them and provide the information showing on your screen so they can provision your new modem and activate the internet service.
   

1. Others allow you to provision your new modem and activate the internet service on your own by verifying some personal information they have on file for you.
   

1. Your secondary devices will then be detected. Tap Continue when all are found.
   

1. With all your Orbi devices connected to each other, your WiFi mesh network will become active. Tap Next to proceed and personalize your settings.
   

1. Fill in the WiFi Network Name and WiFi Password you'd like your mesh network to have then tap Next.
   

1. Create a Password for the Admin account, toggle the Remember Me option on and tap Next.
   
2. The Admin Password is different from the WiFi Password. It gives you access to configure the settings for and manage your Orbi WiFi mesh network.

1. Set up your Security Questions and Answers to be able to recover the Admin Password in case you forget it, then tap Next.
   

1. Wait for your settings to be applied.
   

1. The app will check for updates for your Orbi system. Tap Update if a new firmware version is available.
   

1. Wait for the update process to complete and your Orbi devices to be rebooted. Once the firmware update is successful, tap Next to proceed.
   

1. Tthe app will try to switch your phone or tablet from the default WiFi network to the one you created earlier.
   
2. If the app is unable to switch to the new WiFi network, you will have to do it manually.

1. After that, the setup will be completed. Tap Continue to finish.