LED meaning depends on whether the light is Power, WAN, downstream, upstream, Wi‑Fi or Ethernet. Identify label and color before rebooting or resetting. Check the provider's status page or app and see whether the modem's online light is lit. Reseat both ends of the cable and try another cable.
What this covers
- Consumer gateways, modems, routers and mesh systems
What it does not cover
Differential
Likely causes of “Router or modem internet light is blinking, red or off”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The internet or WAN light is off or red because the provider has an outage
What separates it The internet light is red or off on the modem or the router and every device has no internet, and the provider reports an outage.
How to confirm Check the provider's status page or app and see whether the modem's online light is lit.
- 2
The cable between the modem and the router has come loose
What separates it The light is off or blinks and the cable end is loose or damaged.
How to confirm Reseat both ends of the cable and try another cable.
- 3
The modem and router restarted in the wrong order
What separates it The lights show a partial start after a power cut, and the modem has not gone online.
How to confirm Restart the modem first and wait until it is online, then restart the router.
- 4
The Wi-Fi or Ethernet light is the one in question
What separates it The internet works on a wired device and not on Wi-Fi, or the reverse.
How to confirm Check the light labeled for Wi-Fi or the Ethernet port and test another device.
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- A photograph of the panel with each light's color and blink pattern.
- Whether other devices have internet and the provider's status.
- The model of the modem and the router and the manual's table of light meanings.
Try in this order
0 of 4 completedCapture the exact state
ReversiblePhotograph the panel and test service on another device.
Separate the likely fault domains
ReversibleSeparate ISP signal, WAN addressing, Wi‑Fi state and Ethernet activity.
Correct only the proven, accessible condition
ReversibleReseat external cables, perform one normal restart and check provider status; avoid factory reset.
Verify once before going farther
ReversibleConfirm stable wired/wireless service and documented normal LEDs.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Avoid a factory reset; do one normal restart and then contact the provider with the light pattern.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does a red light on my router mean?+
It usually means no internet connection or a fault. Check which light is red, since the meaning depends on the light's label and your model.
What do the internet light colors mean?+
Colors vary by brand, but generally green or white means connected, amber or red means a problem, and off can mean no signal from the provider.
Should I restart the router?+
A restart is a fair first step. Power the modem and router off, wait about 30 seconds, and power them back on, then wait a few minutes.
When do I call my provider?+
If the internet light stays red, amber or off after a restart and cable checks, the fault may be on the provider's side and worth a call.