Netgear Router Orange Light (Causes & Easy Fixes)

Have you ever wondered what a Netgear router orange light means? When you see an orange light on your Netgear router, it indicates that it is having issues connecting to a power source or the internet.

The main causes for an orange light on your router include damaged cables, loose connections, service outages in your area, outdated firmware, or there are problems with the signal on the ISP’s end.

You can easily troubleshoot these issues by ensuring that all the cables and wires are not damaged, updating the router’s firmware, rebooting the router, or even checking with your service provider to see if there is an outage.

However, sometimes you may not be able to solve the problem on your own, so you should contact Netgear customer support as they can help resolve the issue or give you another router.

Continue reading to learn more about the causes of the orange light on your router and how you can easily resolve it.

Different Netgear Router States of Lights

Below are the different states of lights on a Netgear router and their meanings:

• Blinking orange on the power light means that the router is resetting or updating.
• Solid amber on the power light means that the router is booting up.
• Blinking amber and white on the power light means that the router is in AP mode.
• Solid orange on the internet light means that the router has detected an ethernet connection.
• Amber or orange on the WiFi light means that there is a weak connection on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

Causes Of An Orange Light On a Netgear Router

The following are some of the reasons why your Netgear router is showing orange lights:

• Damaged or loose cables connected to the modem or router.
• There is a firmware update happening.
• Power interruption or loss when the firmware is updating.
• The router’s reset button was accidentally pressed.
• The router is booting up after a firmware update or reset.
• The router is operating on corrupted or outdated firmware.
• Improper router setup.
• Modem router connection problems.
• Problems with the signal from your internet service provider.

How To Fix Netgear Router Orange Light

Below are the ways to fix your Netgear router if it is showing an orange light:

1. Check ISP for Service Maintenance Or Internet Outage

If you see an orange light on your Netgear router, there is a high chance that there is service maintenance or outage in your area.

Therefore, you should contact your ISP if there are any problems with the internet in your area. They should inform you whether there are any outages or scheduled maintenance.

Additionally, you should check there is nothing due on your internet bill because the ISP may have disconnected the services when the bills are not paid.

The following are the steps to check for service maintenance or internet outage in your area:

• Contact your internet service provider on their website.
• Make a phone call to them and ask if there are any outages in your area.
• Check the website if there is any maintenance happening.

If your router is still showing an orange light and there are no outages or maintenance, try the next step.

2. Check for Damaged or Loose Connection

If your internet service provider is not doing any maintenance and there are no outages in your area but your router is still showing an orange light, there may be loose or damaged cables.

To fix this issue, you should inspect all the cable connections on the router and if there are any that are damaged you should replace them.

Here are the steps to check for damaged or loose connections:

• Inspect all the cables to ensure that they are plugged into the modem and router securely.
• Check for any visible damage on the cables such as cable or wire cuts.
• If there is any damage to the cable, replace it immediately.
• Check the ethernet port for any physical or water damage.
• Try connecting the router using a different ethernet port.
• Also, you can try disconnecting the modem from the power outlet using and then connecting it back to see whether it resolves the problem.

3. Reboot Networking Devices

A solid orange light on your router can easily be fixed by simply restarting your networking devices. A restart can also fix many technical glitches or temporary bugs on your router that may happen while operating.

Your router shuts down when you reboot it and then starts up again. This can solve issues such as slow speeds and connectivity problems.

Additionally, restarting your Netgear router can help clear the cache memory which helps to solve problems related to a lot of devices being connected or other problems.

Below are the steps to reboot your router:

• Find the power cord that connects the power outlet to the router.
• Disconnect the power cord from the power outlet.
• Give it a few minutes then connect the cord back into the power outlet.
• Give the router time to start up and have an internet connection.
• This process may take a few minutes so ensure that you do not turn the router off or unplug it during this process.

If the router still has an orange light, you should consider updating the firmware as explained in the step below.

4. Update Router Firmware

Updating your router’s firmware can help fix the orange light. With updated firmware, you can expect bug fixes, better performance, and improved network stability on your router.

Generally, you should keep your router’s firmware updated to take advantage of any new features and make sure that you are using the most current version.

You can update the firmware through the browser using the following steps:

• Open any browser using your laptop, tablet, or phone.
• Make sure that you are connected to the router.
• Type routerlogin.net into the address bar and press enter.
• When you see the login window on the screen, enter the username and password.
• Go to the setting options and click on the Administration menu.
• Head over to the ‘Router Update’ or ‘Firmware Update’ section.
• Then click the ‘Check’ option to see whether there is an update available.
• Tap on ‘Yes’ if there is a new firmware to start the update process.
• This will take a few minutes to finish.

To update the firmware using the Nighthawk App, follow the steps below:

• Download the app and install it on your iOS or Android device.
• Before launching the app, ensure that your device is connected to your WiFi network.
• Sign into your account and then click on your router which should appear on the home screen.
• Go to the settings and scroll down to the option of ‘Check for Updates’.
• Click on it and if there is any update available, click on Update.

Note that once you click ‘Yes’ for the update to begin, the process should not be interrupted by turning off the router, attempting to go online, or making any changes.

You should wait until the update is completed and the router is restarted fully.

5. Factory Reset Your Router

The orange light on your router may be caused by a permanent bug in the software which can only be solved by doing a factory reset.

In most cases, resetting your router to its factory settings can help in removing any custom configurations or settings that may be causing the orange light on your Netgear.

Note that doing a factory reset will eliminate the username, password, and other settings, so you should save all the information before starting this process.

Below are the steps for performing a factory reset:

• Ensure that the router is connected to the power supply and is turned on.
• Find the reset button which is located at the back of your router.
• Use a pointed object or a paperclip to press the reset button and hold it for 10 seconds.
• Release the button gently and give the router time to fully restart which may take a few minutes.
• Once the router has restarted, you can reconfigure the settings to how you want.

If the router is still showing an orange light at this point, you should contact customer support.

6. Contact Netgear Support

The final step to solving an orange light on your Netgear router is contacting customer support by calling them at 1-888-638-4327.

They will advise you on what to do after you have explained the problems with your router.

If you have a warranty, customer support can take you through the process of getting a replacement if the router cannot be fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to fix the orange light on an Ethernet port?

If you notice an orange light on the port of your Netgear router, it could signal an issue with your connection. The first step to troubleshoot this problem is to check the Ethernet cable that is connected to your router.

Ensure that the cable is securely plugged into both your device and the router and inspect it for any signs of damage. Consider using an alternative Ethernet cable and check whether this resolves the issue.

What is the reason for my Netgear router to say no internet connection?

If your Netgear router displays a “no internet connection” message, there could be various reasons for this.

To begin troubleshooting, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to inquire if there’s a service outage in your area.

Additionally, double-check all the cable connections on your router to ensure they are correctly plugged in. It is also essential to verify that your router’s firmware is up to date as outdated firmware could result in connection issues.

Why is my Netgear upstream light orange?

When the upstream light on your Netgear router turns orange, it indicates that only one upstream channel is currently connected.

However, when there are more upstream connections on your router to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), the light will turn green.

It is worth noting that this light should only appear when there is a connection between the modem/router and your ISP and not during normal router operation.

What lights should be visible on my Netgear router?

The Netgear router has several lights that indicate different statuses of the device. If the router is turned off, no lights will be illuminated.

After turning it on, the router’s light should show an amber or orange color, which will change to white or green once the router successfully connects.

If the lights on the router are blinking, it means there is an issue with the router, such as a firmware update or connectivity issues.

Having a continuous green or white light displayed means that you have a stable internet connection.

How do I customize my Netgear router?

If you want to access additional options on your Netgear router and customize it to meet your requirements, you need to log in to the router’s web interface.

This process involves using a computer connected to the router to access the web browser and then navigating to the website routerlogin.net.

The Netgear router interface is typically straightforward to use, making it simple to locate the settings you need.

How often should I update my router firmware?

Firmware upgrades for your Netgear router may not have a fixed schedule and can happen at any time. It is essential to install updates promptly when they are available.

If the router doesn’t update automatically, you’ll need to do it manually. Therefore, it is advisable to check for new updates regularly, especially when experiencing network issues.

Final Words

Hopefully, you now know how to resolve an orange light on your Netgear router.

An orange light may be caused by certain issues such as loose cables, outdated firmware, service outages in your area, or power interruptions. Following the steps mentioned above will help you fix this problem.

However, if the above troubleshooting tips do not work, you should contact Netgear customer care for further assistance.