Does Orbi Work With Xfinity? We Did the Research

written by

Doug Stevenson

updated March 07, 2023

I have badly wanted to upgrade to Netgear's Orbi mesh WiFi 2-in-1 Router and wondered whether it supports my Xfinity internet connection.

Since this is a very niche yet relevant query, I figured I should make this article on whether Netgear's Orbi will work with Xfinity's internet connection.

Netgear Orbi works with Xfinity's Gateway router/modem out of the box once it is set up as an access point to the internet connection.

Orbi Works With Xfinity Devices Out of the Box

Fortunately, Netgear has officially stated that their Orbi 2-in-1 WiFi mesh router will work with Xfinity's internet connection.

The Orbi is also compatible with other major cable providers too, such as Cox and Spectrum.

But unfortunately, this doesn't mean that you can replace your Xfinity Gateway with the Orbi.

Since both are 2-in-1 router cum modem connectivity systems, they cannot replace each other, as they are designed to work in perfect harmony with each other.

This essentially means that you cannot save on the modem fees Xfinity charges for their Gateway.

But you can enjoy all the extra features the Orbi has to offer, thanks to their much better specifications and overall advancements in technology.

Connecting Orbi to Xfinity

The best way to connect Xfinity and Orbi is to simply set up the Orbi as an access point and then connect the router to it.

Out of the box, since the Xfinity Gateway has both the router and modem built in, it is preset in the Router Mode configuration.

In order to add the Orbi to the equation, this setup needs to be changed.

For that, the Xfinity Gateway router should be first set to a Bridge mode so as to add another device as a router and have the Xfinity function as a modem.

Do note that once you enable Bridge mode, you won't be able to use Xfinity's xFi pods.

In order to enable bridge mode on your Xfinity Router Gateway, do the following:

Make sure the Xfinity connection is properly set up.
Using a phone or computer connected to Xfinity, open a browser and enter the login portal of the router by typing in the following on the address bar: 10.0.0.1
Enter the router credentials to log in. Type in admin for the username and password for the password.
Once successfully inside the login portal, click on the Gateway menu.
Tap on At a Glance.
Navigate to the Bridge Mode settings and toggle the Enable option beside the Bridge Mode option.
Confirm your selection through the warning message displayed on the screen by selecting Ok.

This enables Bridge mode on your Xfinity router.

The next step is to set up the Orbi as an access point on your Xfinity Router Gateway. To do this, follow these exact steps:

Make sure the Xfinity connection and Orbi are properly set up separately.
Using an ethernet cable, connect both the Orbi and Xfinity gateway router.
Using a phone or computer connected to Xfinity, open a browser and enter the following on the address bar: orbilogin.com to enter the Orbi portal.
Enter the router credentials to log in. Type in admin for the username and password for the password, or the one you created during setup.
Once successfully inside the login portal, click on the Advanced menu.
Tap on Advances Setup.
Tap on Router/AP mode.
Tap on the Ap Mode radio icon to activate the Orbi as an access point.
Toggle the IP address setting as the dynamic IP address for best results.

This sets up the Orbi as an access point to your Xfinity Gateway Router.

Orbi Not Working With Xfinity: How to Fix

If you are facing issues with your Orbi not working correctly with your Xfinity Gateway device, then the issue is probably due to minor hardware glitches.

In such cases, it is best to follow some standard troubleshooting steps before attempting to connect your Orbi to the Xfinity Gateway again.

Power Cycle the Devices

A power cycle can be a powerful technique to solve any temporary hardware glitch and refresh the internals.

It essentially has similar effects to how a software reboot works on smart devices, but for the internal components of the Orbi and Xfinity Gateway.

Due to the constant operating schedules of your Netgear Orbi and Xfinity Gateway, there can be instances of minor hardware faults within the system.

This can cause a number of issues and can be a root cause as to why your Orbi doesn't work with your Xfinity Gateway router.

Fortunately, a power cycle is not as intimidating as it sounds and is probably something you must have tried at one point, albeit not properly.

It ensures that there are no misbehaving charges within the system and that the charging across the internal components is even.

It also helps solve a host of other issues such as when Xfinity doesn't work with Fire TV Cube and is often regarded as the go-to troubleshooting step for any device.

To properly power cycle or hardware reboot your Netgear Orbi mesh router, follow the steps given below:

Unplug your Orbi from the power socket.
Let the device sit idle for about a minute powered off.
Press the buttons on the Orbi for about 10 seconds so that all charges from within the system are reset.
Plug the Orbi back into the power socket.
Let the device sit idle for about a minute powered on.

This safe power cycles your Orbi.

To properly power cycle or hardware reboot your Xfinity Gateway router, follow the steps given below:

Unplug your Xfinity router from the power socket.
Let the device sit idle for about a minute powered off.
Plug the Xfinity router back into the power socket.
Let the device sit idle for about a minute powered on.

This safe power cycles your Xfinity Gateway router.

Final Thoughts

If you still face issues with Orbi not working correctly with Xfinity, then it is best to contact Orbi customer support for professional guidance.

I hope my article on whether Netgear's Orbi works flawlessly with Xfinity has been a worthwhile read and has aided you with the same.

Have a good day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an Orbi Outdoor satellite?

Orbi Outdoor Satellite is a device used to extend the WiFi range and signal strength of an Orbi WiFi router so as to cover a larger area for connectivity.

Is there a subscription fee for Orbi?

Orbi is a one-time payment device and does not come with a service fee. All features are readily available for all users out of the box.

How many devices can Orbi simultaneously support?

Orbi can support up to 250 devices, but it is recommended to stay under 50 devices per connection for the best performance.

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