An access point that restarts is almost always a power problem. Ubiquiti's help notes that insufficient PoE shows as devices randomly going offline or restarting, so check that the switch or injector delivers enough power for the AP, especially a Wi-Fi 7 model, which draws more than a Wi-Fi 6 one. Replace the cable, since a damaged cable is among the most common causes of power faults, try a different switch port or PoE adapter, and check the total PoE budget on the switch.
The checks in more detail
Watch the LED: strobing white and off means power cycle the AP and call support if it repeats; flashing white and blue quickly is a firmware upgrade; blue flashing off every five seconds means it lost its network; flashing white, blue and off is TFTP mode, entered by holding the Reset button before power, so make sure the button is not jammed.
Keep APs in the open and away from heat sources: an AP in a hot ceiling void or enclosed box runs hotter. Update firmware, and check logs for reboot reasons. If it keeps restarting on a known-good port and cable, factory reset it with the Reset button held for five to ten seconds, and request an RMA if it is still in warranty and continues.
If several APs restart at the same time, look at what they share, usually a switch, a PoE budget or a power feed. If only one restarts, look at its own cable and port. Moving an AP to another port on a healthy switch is a quick test, and swapping two APs shows whether the fault follows the unit or the location. Ceiling voids can be hot in summer, so if restarts cluster on warm afternoons, an AP mounted below the ceiling line is worth testing.
Differential
Likely causes of “Ubiquiti UniFi access points restarts, freezes or overheats”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Insufficient PoE
What separates it The access point restarts at random because it does not get enough PoE power
How to confirm Check the PoE budget and the PoE standard that the switch supplies to the access point
- 2
A damaged cable
What separates it The power drops because the cable to the access point is damaged
How to confirm Replace the cable, and try another port on the switch
- 3
A hot enclosure
What separates it The access point runs hot because it is in an enclosure with no airflow
How to confirm Give it airflow, by moving it out of a sealed box or a hot ceiling void
- 4
A jammed Reset button
What separates it The access point starts in TFTP mode because the Reset button is stuck down
How to confirm Check that the Reset button clicks and springs back, and is not jammed
- 5
A failing AP
What separates it The access point restarts even on good power because the unit itself is failing
How to confirm Send the unit for an RMA under warranty, since a failing unit will keep restarting
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The LED pattern around a restart
- The PoE source and its budget
- The cable between the switch and the access point
- The firmware version that the access point runs
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck PoE
ReversibleCheck the PoE budget and the standard, to make sure the switch can power the access point.
Replace the cable
ReversibleReplace the cable, and try another port on the switch, to rule out a bad connection.
Read the LED
ReversibleRead the light, since a strobing white light means that you should power cycle the device.
Give it airflow
ReversibleGive it airflow, and do not mount it inside a sealed box where the heat cannot escape.
Update firmware
ReversibleUpdate the firmware, and then watch whether the access point still restarts, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reset if needed
ReversibleReset the access point if needed, by holding the Reset button for five to ten seconds.
RMA if it persists
ReversibleSend it for an RMA if the problem persists, and it is still under its warranty.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Power
- Check each model's PoE requirement at techspecs.ui.com.
- Mounting
- Ceiling mounts should leave room for airflow.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the UniFi U6 Pro access point.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If restarts continue on a known-good port and cable, request an RMA
- !If the LED strobes white, power cycle and contact support
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
White, blue and port LEDs.
Cables, ports and RMA.
Reset button and app reset.
Update Manager, auto-updates and update troubleshooting.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my AP restart?+
Insufficient PoE is the usual cause of a restart, so check the power first.
What does strobing white mean?+
A strobing white light means that you should power cycle the access point.
What is TFTP mode?+
TFTP mode is a recovery mode, which is entered by holding Reset at power on.
Does Wi-Fi 7 need more power?+
Yes, Wi-Fi 7 access points draw more power than Wi-Fi 6 ones, so check the budget.
Should I check the PoE budget?+
Yes, check the PoE budget, since the switch may not be able to power every device.
What is the warranty?+
The warranty is two years from Ubiquiti's webstore, so keep your proof of purchase.