When you can’t get online, it might be your router having a bit of trouble. The lights on your router are like its way of talking to you, and they can tell you what’s going on.
Seeing lights flashing on your router but no internet? Figuring out why can help you fix the issue. Routers come with lights in different colors like orange, blue, white, red, green, and purple. Each color means something different, depending on your router model.
Blinking lights might be telling you about outdated software, damaged cables, something broken inside, or that the whole network is down.
A quick restart or reset of your router usually fixes these problems. But sometimes, you might need to update the software or call for help. Keep reading to understand more about why you might not have internet even if your router’s lights are blinking, and what those different colors mean.
Understanding Your Router’s Lights
Your router uses lights and symbols to communicate. Knowing which light is blinking helps you figure out the problem.
Usually, a blinking light means the router is trying to connect or talk to your devices. But what a blinking light means can vary from one brand to another.
Depending on your router, blinking lights could signal connection problems, device issues, or the need for a software update.
For instance, here’s what different lights might mean, but remember, it can vary:
- White light: Everything’s good.
- Blinking white: The router is starting up.
- Yellow: No internet connection.
- Solid red: There’s a problem with the system or hardware.
- Fast blinking red: The router might be too hot.
- Slow blinking red: Connecting to a device didn’t work.
- Solid blue: Devices are successfully connected.
- Flashing blue: The router is ready to connect to a device.
- Solid green: WiFi is turned off.
Before you start fixing anything, figure out what the lights on your router are trying to tell you. The best place to find out is on the router manufacturer’s support site or in the manual. If you’re stuck, it might be time to call your internet service provider for help.
How to Fix a Router With Flashing Lights But No Internet
We discuss the details problem-solving procedure for this problem. Some fixes for flashing lights on your network can be found below:
1. Perform a power cycle or router reboot
The first thing you should try to fix any flashing lights on your router is to reboot it. This technique resets any open sessions and clears the router’s cache, which frequently resolves any problems.
Turn off the router, unplug it from the power source, and take out all of the cords to conduct a power cycle.
Before plugging it back in and turning it on, let it a few minutes. Your internet should resume after doing this, along with any blinking lights.
2. Upgrade the firmware on your router
You can attempt updating your router’s firmware if its lights are blinking but you are unable to connect to the internet.
You should not stop the upgrade process if you want to prevent permanent damage to your device.
Although the procedures for updating firmware vary slightly depending on the router, the main procedures are as follows:
1. Use any web browser to see your router’s settings. Head to the Firmware, Advanced, Administration Management, or a related section.
2. Press the “Check” button. The option to “Update Software” or “Update Firmware” will appear on the screen if a firmware upgrade is required.
3. You should update the firmware manually if you are unable to do so using the aforementioned approach.
4. To accomplish this, though, you must be aware of your router’s model number.
5. Navigate to the Firmware area on the support website of the manufacturer.
6. If there is a firmware update, download it and enter the model number that you found in step 4.
7. Go back to the firmware section on your router’s settings page and select Upload file.
8. To proceed with the upgrade, select the file you downloaded in Step 6 and click “OK.”
If the flickering lights are not resolved by changing the firmware on your router, move on to the next action.
3. Examine the security app or the antivirus
Blinking lights may occasionally result from issues with your internet connection caused by the antivirus software you have installed to shield your devices from online threats.
You should turn off your antivirus software to fix this problem and check to see whether you can again access the internet.
To make sure that all malware is eliminated, you should perform a thorough scan on your device if turning off the antivirus does not resolve the issue.
This is because your router’s flickering lights and lack of an internet connection could be the result of malware.
4. Examine the Driver
Even when the lights are blinking, you might not be able to access the internet if your router’s driver is out of date.
Windows updates the drivers automatically, however errors can cause the changes to be overlooked. To make sure that every driver is up to date, take the following actions:
1. On your keyboard, press Windows and X.
2. From the options displayed on the screen, choose Device Management.
3. On the Network Adapters, tap.
4. Locate the Wireless Network Adapter by right-clicking on it from the provided list.
5. Choose “Update driver software” from the menu.
6. Set it to Search Automatically For Updated Driver Software as the final setting.
After completing the aforementioned procedures, Windows will determine whether an update is available and install it. After updating the driver, hopefully, you can now establish a connection to the internet.
5. Inspect for Malfunctioning Parts
Connection issues, which are frequently signaled by the router’s lights flashing, may be caused by defective parts, such as broken cables or connectors.
Depending on which light is blinking, you should look into the pertinent component to determine the problem. For instance, it could be essential to check the Ethernet cables and RJ45 connectors if the LAN light is blinking.
These days, a lot of wireless routers combine the features of wireless access points, modems, and routers. Nevertheless, the link indicator may flicker if your modem and router are not connected.
It’s critical to check the connection between the router and the modem in such circumstances.
6. Restart the router
The router’s factory settings will be restored and all customized settings will be lost if you do a hard reset. This should resolve the issue if the connectivity issues indicated by the flashing lights were brought on by erroneous settings.
You’ll need a paper clip or a pin to reset a router. Hold down the reset button or pinhole for around 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The router will be using its default configuration after it restarts.
7. Make use of an Ethernet cord
If you try restarting your devices and it still doesn’t work, you might try utilizing an Ethernet cable. Ethernet cables can solve possible issues with your internet connection by providing a direct connection from your device to the router.
Compared to wireless WiFi, they offer a more reliable connection and are less prone to interference. Consider connecting the Ethernet connection straight to the laptop.
Try plugging in the wire to the rear of your desktop PC to check whether the internet connection is made there.
8. Turn off the firewall
Given that a firewall is an essential security component, turning it off is not advised. If you want uninterrupted internet access, you can switch it off for a short while.
Xfinity Modem Router Blinking Green Light – Causes & Easy Fixes
Make sure the internet connection is operational after turning off the firewall. Re-enable the firewall and look into the program that caused the firewall to block the connection if no problems are discovered.
9. Speak with your internet provider
Most of the time, the average user cannot figure out how to fix blinking lights on a network. Technical know-how is required to troubleshoot the root causes of this problem, which include malfunctioning parts (even the router itself in certain cases).
In a similar vein, network settings made by the ISP also need technical know-how. Service interruptions should also be taken into account; in these situations, a support technician’s aid is required. If you are unable to resolve the issue on your own, we suggest contacting your ISP for support.
Conclusion
With any luck, this article has given you all the information you require to fix your router’s blinking lights. Possible causes of your router’s blinking lights include unsecured cables, obsolete firmware, malfunctioning hardware, and power outages.
Manufacturer-specific interpretations of the lights’ meanings vary, therefore it’s best to consult the product handbook for the most up-to-date details on what the solid and flashing light colors indicate.
Flashing lights and no internet can be fixed by restarting your router, upgrading the firmware, purchasing new wires, or temporarily turning off the firewall. You should get in touch with your internet service provider if the suggested fixes are unable to restore your internet connection.
