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Unboxing and Initial Setup

What you need before you start, what is in the boxes, and the nine setup steps in order.

What do I need before I start?

Set aside about 30 minutes. Have these ready before you open anything:

  • Distilled water. You will need it at Step 8. Tap and filtered water leave mineral deposits that affect performance

  • Your phone, with the Orion app downloaded

  • A pitcher or large cup for filling

  • A power outlet within reach of the head of your bed

Strip your fitted sheet before you begin. You will put it back on over the Smart Cover.

What comes in the box?

Your Orion Sleep System ships in two boxes.

Control Tower box:

  • The Orion Control Tower

  • A wooden lid

  • An information kit

  • Warranty and registration documentation

  • A power cord

Smart Cover box:

  • Your Orion Smart Cover, packaged inside a carrying case

Check that everything is present, choose a spot beside your bed for the Control Tower, make sure there is room at the head of the bed for the hose, and leave the tower unplugged for now.

Step 1: Install the Smart Cover

  1. Remove your existing fitted sheet from the mattress

  2. Take the Smart Cover out of its carrying case

  3. Find the orientation labels on the Smart Cover

  4. Place it on the mattress following the labels so the top and bottom are aligned correctly

  5. Make sure the hose tail exits at the head of the bed

  6. Pull the elastic skirt down around the mattress so the cover sits securely

  7. Put your own fitted sheet back on over the Smart Cover

Step 2: Position the Control Tower

  1. Place the Control Tower on the floor near the head of the bed

  2. Turn it so the vents on the back face out into the room rather than into a wall or furniture

  3. Leave three to five inches of space behind it for ventilation

  4. Never place it under the bed or inside furniture

The wooden lid sits on top and works as a small bedside surface if you want it to.

Step 3: Connect the Smart Cover to the Control Tower

  1. Find the hose connector at the end of the Smart Cover tail

  2. Check that the orientation markings match up

  3. Align the connector with the port on the back of the Control Tower

  4. Push it in firmly until you hear two audible clicks, one for each side

To disconnect later, press both release buttons on the connector at the same time and pull gently.

Step 4: Connect the sensor cables

  1. Find the two USB-C cables attached to the Smart Cover tail connection piece

  2. Plug each one into the matching left and right USB-C ports on the back of the Control Tower

These carry your sleep sensing data. If they are loose, your sleep insights will not appear.

Step 5: Power on the system

  1. Plug the power cord into the back of the Control Tower

  2. Plug the other end into a grounded wall outlet

  3. The tower powers on and enters setup mode

Step 6: Download the Orion app

  1. Scan the QR code in the box, or search for Orion in the App Store or Google Play

  2. Download and open the app

  3. Sign in or create an account using your phone number

The app is required to finish setup and to use the system.

Step 7: Pair the Control Tower

  1. Follow the pairing instructions in the app

  2. The app connects over Bluetooth and asks for your Wi-Fi details

  3. Once connected, the system may update its firmware automatically

  4. The app guides you through what remains

Step 8: Fill and prime the system

  1. Remove the wooden lid from the Control Tower

  2. Use distilled water only

  3. Add water only when the app tells you to

  4. Follow the guided fill and priming process in the app

  5. Expect to be prompted to add water more than once

  6. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes

Priming is louder than normal running. That is expected, and it quiets down once the system is full.

For more detail, see Filling and Priming Your Orion System.

Step 9: Finish setup in the app

Once priming is done, the app walks you through:

  • Naming your device

  • Adding a partner

  • Assigning left and right sides

  • Setting initial temperature preferences

  • Creating schedules and alarms

Your Orion is ready to use.

What should I expect on the first night?

  • Nothing else to check before you sleep

  • Light fan and pump noise is normal

  • Temperature changes happen gradually rather than instantly

  • Almost nobody gets their setting right on night one. See Your First Week With Orion

What if something does not go to plan?

Stuck asking for water? See My Orion Is Stuck In Needs Water Mode.

Not connecting? See Wi-Fi Connection and Offline Issues.

Moving or storing the system later? You will need a drain tool, which we send out on request. Contact Orion Support.

Anything else, message Orion Support. Your 30 nights start at delivery, and we would rather fix it tonight than have you sleep on a half-built bed.

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