Orbi Router Cannot Be Found After Factory Reset (How to Fix)

When Orbi can’t be found after a reset, it doesn’t mean it is broken. It just means it’s not connecting to your app or your phone. The reset basically kicks it back into setup mode, but sometimes the app doesn’t recognize it properly, especially if the router’s still hanging onto a previous firmware or your phone cached the old network details. So, no need to throw it out yet. Here in this guide, we will discuss how to factory reset Orbi router and to get the Orbi router back after factory reset.

The Actual Fixes: Step-by-Step

1. How to Factory Reset Orbi Router

Look at the LED on top of the main router. After a proper factory reset, it should flash white which is setup mode. If it is solid white or just dark, it didn’t actually reset. You might think you did but Orbi is picky about timing. Here’s how to factory reset Orbi router:

• Turn the router on.
• Find the reset pinhole at the back.
• Hold it for 15 seconds until the white light starts flashing then release.
• Give it a good 2 to 3 minutes.

If it doesn’t flash white then do it again. Sometimes you have to hold the pin for a few seconds longer. When it finally starts blinking, that’s your signal that it is ready to be discovered.

2. Connect Directly, Skip the App

This is where most people get stuck. The Orbi app relies on Bluetooth or the phone’s Wi-Fi to find the router. After a reset, it generates a temporary SSID but your phone can’t see because it still remembers the old SSID and password. So, here is what you can do instead of using Orbi app:

• Go to your phone’s Wi-Fi list.
• Forget every Orbi or home network you see.
• Refresh.
• Wait 30 seconds.
• Look for the open Orbi network and connect to it.

If you can’t see it, move your router closer, sometimes the signal is weak right after a reset. Once you’re connected, try again through the app.

3. If It Still Doesn’t Work, Use a Laptop Instead

I know the app’s supposed to make things easy but you can’t rely completely on it. Use your laptop if Orbi app doesn’t work

• Plug your laptop directly into the Orbi router’s LAN port using an Ethernet cable.
• Open your browser and type orbilogin.com to reach the orbilogin interface.
• Once you see the setup page, it means you are back online.

Here you can setup the router manually from network name and password to reconnecting the devices. Once all done, app will automatically find the router again.

4. Check for IP Conflict or Modem Hang-Up

Sometimes it’s not even Orbi’s fault. The modem can hold onto the old IP lease and won’t recognize the router after the reset. That’s why the app keeps spinning, trying to find it. Here’s the fix:

• Unplug the modem and the Orbi router.
• Wait 2 minutes.
• Plug in the modem first.
• Wait until all modem lights are stable.
• Then power up the Orbi router.

Now try the app again. This resets the IP handshake between them.

5. Firmware Can Mess You Up Too

Let’s be real, firmware updates can sometimes break more than the fix. If your Orbi was halfway through an update then this is why it’s not showing up. You can manually flash the firmware if you can access it via Ethernet. Grab the latest firmware automatically or manually. Then go to orbilogin interface and upload the file.

Once it reboots, do another Orbi factory reset. Yes, it is tedious but this usually fixes the invisible-router problem for good.

6. Don’t Forget About Satellites

If your satellites were paired before, they will flash magenta light after the reset which means satellite is unable to find the router. It is totally normal; don’t try to sync them until the main router is back online and visible in the app or through the browser.

After the router’s solid white or blue, press Sync on both the router and the satellite for about 10 seconds. You’ll see the satellite light go white then turn blue when it connects. If it stays magenta, reset it too.

7. Network Name Caching: The Hidden Culprit

Here’s one most people overlook. Even after a factory reset, your phone or computer might still store the old network name and password. So when the new default Orbi Wi-Fi appears, your device ignores it, assuming that it is already connected to something similar.

On Windows:

Go to Wi-Fi settings > Manage known networks > Forget all Orbi ones

On Mac:

Go to System Settings > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Forget networks

Afterwards, restart your phone or laptop to clear the cache.

8. Hard Power Reset Combo

Unplug everything: modem, router, satellites then wait for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, plug in the router back in and hold the reset button for 10 seconds. Keep holding until it starts flashing white. Then release. This may fix the issue and you can see the Orbi router again.

Once your Orbi is visible again, go straight into settings and turn off the ‘Automatic Firmware Updates’. Do them manually after checking the forums. Also, take a screenshot of your network settings such as SSID, passwords, IPs. If it ever vanishes again, you can reconfigure faster.

Conclusion

In short, we can say that if Orbi router can’t be found after a factory reset, it’s almost never truly dead. It’s just being lost because of a firmware hiccup, cached device information, or a modem. The key is to know how to factory reset Orbi router, light check, direct connection, modem reset, and firmware refresh. Once you get through it and finally see the ‘connected’ message on the app, it feels like worth it.