If you use the NETGEAR Nighthawk or Orbi app to install your router or mesh system, and the app can’t detect your NETGEAR or Orbi device, the app might display a Router Not Found error message. A few common situations can cause this problem.
If you previously completed installation and the Nighthawk or Orbi app can’t detect your router, see Why can’t the Nighthawk or Orbi app detect my NETGEAR or Orbi device?
If you get a Router Not Found error when you try to install your NETGEAR router using the Nighthawk or Orbi app, try the following:
Rejoin your router’s WiFi network
During the install process, your mobile device might drift to another WiFi network or to cellular data depending on your network environment. To rejoin your router’s default WiFi network:
- On your mobile device, go to Settings > WiFi and join your router’s default WiFi network.
Your router’s default WiFi network information is located on a sticker on your router. - From the Nighthawk or Orbi app, tap Try Again.
If you get the Router Not Found error after you change your router’s SSID (wireless network name) or password during setup, make sure that your device is connected to the new WiFi network with the name and password that you chose.
Troubleshoot your WiFi connection
If reconnecting to your router’s default WiFi network doesn’t resolve the error, you might be experiencing one of the following issues:
- Device Connectivity: If you have other networking equipment like a router, gateway, or access point that broadcasts a WiFi network, your mobile device might be drifting to that network. To ensure that your device connects to your NETGEAR router:
- Turn off the other equipment or disable its WiFi.
- If you can’t turn off your other equipment or disable its WiFi, change its wireless network name to something different than the wireless network name that you set up on your new NETGEAR router.
- If you don’t know how to change the wireless network name on your other equipment, use a new, unique wireless network name on your NETGEAR router.
Note: After you finish setting up your new router, you must reconfigure your WiFi devices to connect to the new wireless network with the name that you chose.
- WiFi Turned Off: Your NETGEAR router’s WiFi might be disabled. To enable it:
- If you have a Nighthawk router, press the WiFi On/Off button. The WiFi LED lights.
- If you have an Orbi router, the ring LED is solid magenta. Refer to the Cannot Access the Internet section of the user manual for your Orbi product. For more information, see Where can I find information about my NETGEAR product?
- Cellular or Mobile Data: Your mobile device might be using cellular data to try to connect to your router. Turn cellular data off and try the app again. For more information, see How do I turn off mobile data on my smartphone if I get an error during installation?
Perform a factory reset
If none of the troubleshooting suggestions resolve the error, perform a factory reset and try installing using the Nighthawk or Orbi app again. For more information, see How do I perform a factory reset on my NETGEAR router?
For more information:
- How do I set up and install my NETGEAR router?
- I’m getting an Internet not connected error when I try to install my NETGEAR router using the Nighthawk or Orbi app; what do I do?