Skip to main content

How to fix a UDB Pro stuck on "Adopting"

Learn how to fix a UniFi Device Bridge Pro that is stuck adopting in UniFi

Alex Lowe avatar
Written by Alex Lowe
Updated this week

If you have purchased the UniFi Device Bridge Pro (UDB Pro), you might find that it becomes stuck on the Adopting stage after plugging it in to wirelessly adopt using UniFi Auto-Link.

If you want fast and reliable UniFi hosting, check out HostiFi with fast support, regular backups, managed updates and prices from just $9 per month.

If you are interested in learning more about our hosting plans, create an account and get started today.

Things to check first

  • Check that UniFi Auto-Link is enabled. This is required for the UDB Pro to establish a connection with existing wireless access points.

  • Check that Wireless Meshing is enabled.

  • Check that Mesh Parent is enabled on the AP that the UDB Pro is going to link to.

If all the above are correct, move on to the next section.

Symptoms

If the UDB Pro is having issues being adopted over a wireless connection, it will do an adopt loop. Meaning it'll show up for adoption, then say Adopting for 5 mins and then go back to Click to Adopt.

What to do if the UDB Pro is stuck adopting

First, unplug the UDB Pro from its separate power supply and plug in direct into a network switch on the same network. The main thing that causes this issue is the early version of firmware the UDB Pro is shipped with and this prevents the wireless adoption from working. We need to get it online in the controller to get it updated first before we can adopt wirelessly.

Next factory reset the UDB Pro. There is a reset button between the two Ethernet ports. Hold this down with a SIM ejection tool or paperclip for 5 seconds, or until the blue lights flash.

This step is more of a precaution than anything else, as this is something we ran into. If possible, disable Wireless Meshing or turn off Mesh Parent on the AP the UDB Pro is likely to link to, as we ran into some network loop issues when the UDB Pro was adopted via a cable, but also connected to an AP wirelessly.

Next, wait for the UDB Pro to boot up. It'll now show two lights, one blue for the ethernet status and one white for the power on status.

Once the UDB Pro has booted up, click Adopt

Once adopted, check the firmware version. The one I have for testing was on 1.0.0, which is the cause of why it was not adopting wirelessly.

UniFi Network will now prompt you to update

Next unplug the UDB Pro from the network and plug back in to the remote location

After a few minutes, the UDB Pro will go from Isolated to Online and it'll show its uplink RSSI and connected AP.

HostiFi

HostiFi provides hosting for both Ubiquiti and TP-Link software-defined-networking (SDN) applications, with servers for UniFi, UISP and Omada. We also offer professional networking consulting, with HostiFi Professional Services.

If you run into any issues, send an email to support@hostifi.com or contact us via live chat.

Did this answer your question?