NETGEAR router lights: what each colour means, by model
NETGEAR sells Orbi mesh systems (a router plus one or more satellites) and Nighthawk and other single routers. They use different light schemes: an Orbi has a power-button light and a ring light on the router and on each satellite, where the ring going dark is the good sign; a Nighthawk has a row of lights, with power and Internet the two that tell you what is wrong. The model number is on the label underneath (Orbi starts RBR, RBS, RBK or CBR; Nighthawk routers R, RAX or XR).
Which NETGEAR router do you have?
The router’s name is on the label on the router itself. Pick it to see every light it has.
- NETGEAR Orbi router and satellitea power-button light and a ring light on both the router and each satellite 13 states
- NETGEAR Nighthawk and other NETGEAR routersa row of lights; the Power and Internet lights are the two that say what is wrong (the WiFi, USB, Ethernet and WPS lights only show activity) 10 states
Sources
NETGEAR’s own pages only, read on the date shown.
- NETGEAR: What do the LEDs on my Orbi router and satellite mean? — Orbi WiFi 5, WiFi 6, Orbi Voice and Orbi Cable (RBK, RBR, RBS, CBK, CBR), article 31030, last updated 07/07/2025. kb.netgear.com Checked 2026-09-29.
- NETGEAR: What do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean? — Nighthawk and other NETGEAR routers (R, RAX and XR series), article 24244, last updated 07/07/2025. kb.netgear.com Checked 2026-09-29.
Find a light by colour on any provider’s hub or maker’s router →