What router lights mean
Guide reference: HG-0099
Quote this reference if you contact us about this guide.
Approx. 3 min read
Understand status lights on your box. Power should be on, broadband light steady green when internet is ready (often a globe icon), and phone light steady when...
Don't worry about blinking lights. Each light on your box tells you whether power, internet, and phone are healthy.
Quick answer
Power should be on, broadband light steady green when internet is ready (often a globe icon), and phone light steady when the handset is on the hook. Red or off after ten minutes means a problem.
More detail
Models differ slightly. Your quick start card shows your exact layout.
At startup, lights may turn steady green one by one. When service is working, lights may flicker as devices connect. This is normal.
The broadband light must be green before Wi-Fi or your phone will work. Flashing during reboot is normal.
On your start date, a red broadband light before 6pm is normal. Service may not go live until then.
The phone or voice light shows whether the box thinks your handset is on or off the hook.
If WAN is green but internet is red, check nothing extra is plugged into the WAN port on the back.
Read your lights
Find the light guide on the router label or quick start card in the box.
Power light off means check wall socket, power lead, and power button on the back.
Broadband light flashing a long time means the line is not connected; check main socket, filter, or fibre cable.
Broadband light steady green means internet is up and you can connect your phone to Phone1.
Phone light steady usually means handset on hook. Slow flash may mean off hook.
Red on any main light after ten minutes suggests a fault, especially after 6pm on your start date.
Photo the lights for the fault form if reporting.
Common mistakes
- Connecting the phone before the broadband light is green.
- Factory reset because one light blinked once during startup.
- Plugging an extra cable into the WAN port when internet light stays red.
Things to know
- See Internet not working when broadband will not settle.
- See How to reboot your router before assuming hardware fault.
- See How Hybrid (Home2Phone) works for Geemarc Wi-Fi and 4G lights.
Frequently asked questions
All green but no phone?
Check phone cable and socket on box.
Flashing orange?
Often connecting. Wait three minutes after reboot.
Red light on start day?
Normal until 6pm on your go-live date. Wait before reporting a fault.
No labels?
Contact us with box model from sticker for guide.
Still not working?
If lights show a fault after reboot, report a fault online and describe which lights are on, off, or flashing.