What's the light on your router doing?
Aqua light
A solid aqua light shows your router is connected to broadband.
If you're having problems using the internet, you can check a few things:
Connect device to router
To connect your device, for example to a computer, phone or a tablet, use your router’s network name and password. You'll find them on the back of your router.
If your device supports WiFi Protected Setup (WPS), press the WPS button on the side of the router and follow your device’s instructions to connect.
Help connecting devices or tech to your router
Device previously worked
If your device was working before:
- try moving closer to your router to check if you're too far away
- it may be a problem with your device, try switching it off and on again
- it may be a problem with your router, try turning it off for two minutes, turn it back on and after five minutes check your lights again
- check you've not changed the name of your wireless network, select to forget the network and try to connect again
If you're still unable to use the internet, check for any issues with your service.
Flashing yellow light
A flashing yellow light means your router is connecting to broadband. Give it at least three minutes to connect. The light will turn aqua when your router is ready.
If the light keeps flashing yellow or starts flashing aqua, see the steps to fix a flashing aqua light.
Flashing aqua light
A flashing aqua light means your router hasn't been able to connect to broadband.
If the light keeps flashing, your broadband cables might not be connected securely.
Follow these steps based on your connection type.
Part fibre or copper
- Check one end of the broadband cable is securely connected to the socket marked Broadband on the back of your router.
- Check the other end of the cable is connected to the broadband filter supplied in the box.
- Check the broadband filter is connected to your phone socket.
If you have an Openreach socket with a built-in filter (labelled double master socket in the image) do not use the filter provided with your router.
If you have other phones connected to your telephone line, disconnect these for now, or make sure they're connected to a broadband filter.
Full Fibre
- Check the white cable with red ends is securely connected to the socket marked WAN or 4 on the back of the router.
- Check the other end of the cable is connected to the Openreach modem's Port 1 or LAN1 socket.
Still flashing aqua or flashing yellow?
If checking your cables doesn't help, check the status of your broadband service.
Yellow light
A solid yellow light means your router isn't connected to the internet.
Connect your router
If it's the first time you've set up your router, or you've recently returned your router to factory settings:
- Connect a device to your router using an Ethernet cable, or WiFi
- Open a new web browser window on the computer or your device
- Follow the on-screen help wizard to get connected.
Restart your router
- Turn your router off using the Power button on the back of the router.
- Wait for two minutes.
- Turn it back on.
Check your activation date
If you're new to EE or have recently moved home check your broadband line activation date has passed.
Check for service issues
Check for any issues that might cause problems with your service.
Green light
A green light means your router is starting up. Wait at least three minutes for it to turn solid aqua.
If it stays green, restart your router.
- Turn your router off using the Power button on the back of the router.
- Wait for two minutes.
- Turn it back on.
- Wait three minutes for the router to restart and connect to broadband and then check the lights again
If the light is still green after this, reset the router.
- Use a pin, straightened paperclip or similar object to press your router's Reset button while your router is switched on.
- Hold the Reset button for around 20 seconds until the light turns green again.
- Release the Reset button, wait for the router to start up and then check the lights.
No light
If the router light isn't on, either the power is off, or you've turned the light off.
Is the router plugged in and switched on?
- Check the power cable is plugged into the socket in the back of your router.
- Check your router is connected to the power socket and that it's turned on.
- Push the router's Power button to check if the lights now come on.
Has the light been turned off using the router manager?
It's possible to turn the light off on your router using the router manager. To check:
- Open your web browser on your device.
- Type 192.168.1.254.
- Select light control.
Need to know
If you want to make any changes, you'll need your 'Admin' password. You'll find this on the settings card on the back of your router.
Red light
There's a problem somewhere.
Restart your router
- Turn your router off using the Power button.
- Wait two minutes.
- Turn it back on again.
- Wait three minutes for the router to restart and connect to broadband and then check the lights again.
Check the power supply
Check you're using the correct power supply and it's connected securely. If you've recently got a new router, make sure you use the power supply that we sent with the new router.
Overheating
Make sure that that the router is vertical and the vents aren’t blocked.
Reset the router
If the light still doesn't turn aqua, reset your router.
- Use a pin, straightened paperclip or similar object to press your router's Reset button while your router is switched on.
- Hold the Reset button for around 20 seconds until the light turns green again.
- Release the Reset button, wait for the router to start up and then check the lights.
WPS light
When the WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) button on the side of your router is pressed, the light on your router will flash.
- If it's flashing blue, this means it's waiting for you to press or select the WPS option or button on your computer or device.
- If it's flashing red, it didn’t connect, give it a couple of minutes and try again.
- No light means that it’s connected successfully.
Help connecting devices or tech to your router
