Internet Light Red on Router: Common Causes and Quick Solutions

In today’s world, the Internet is deeply ingrained in our lives and has become a crucial part of our daily routines. It has completely changed how we talk to others, gain knowledge, and have fun, to the point where it’s tough to imagine a day without it.

Imagine this scenario: you wake up early, excited to check the news and social media, or watch your favourite TV show during breakfast. But when you look at your router, you notice the red Internet light! What could this signal?

No worries! In this blog, I’ll explain the most common reasons why your Internet light on the router might turn red and offer simple solutions to get it working again. Let’s get your Internet back on track!

Pattern of Red Internet Light on Router

when your Internet connection is good light on the router usually stays green, and it intermittently blinks. However, the red internet light may be solid or blinking when your internet connection is terrible.

A solid red light means no signal transmission to the router, whereas a blinking light means that there are signals that are either weak, disrupted or caused by modem issues.

Before you jump to solutions, you must wait for about an hour because sometimes the router is upgrading the firmware in the background, and it must not be interrupted. The internet connection usually restores automatically after an upgrade. However, if this doesn’t work, you should restart the router by unplugging the power cord from the electrical outlet and leaving it for a few minutes. This usually solves the problem.

Here are the common reasons behind the red internet light on your router

1. Loose connections or Damaged internet cable
2. Issues with Power Cable (using surge protector/power strip)
3. Due bills
4. Router settings problem
5. Maintenance or problems at the ISP site
6. Damaged Router

Now let’s jump onto the solutions,

Solution 1: Inspect the Connection

If the Internet light on your router is displaying a red color first, verify if any cables are loosely connected or damaged.

Ensure that each cable is securely plugged into its designated port. When replacing cables, it’s best to handle one cable at a time to minimize the chances of plugging it in the wrong port.

Next, gently examine the cables by giving them a light pull to check for any looseness. If you detect any loose connections, firmly push them back into place.

Pay particular attention to the ends of the cables, especially if you are using fibre cables, and look for any signs of damage or bending. If any problems are identified, try using new cables to see if the red light disappears.

Solution 2: Fixing the Power Cable

Some people don’t connect the router directly to a power outlet; instead, they use a surge protector or power strip to avoid damage to the router.

However, sometimes they don’t allow enough power for the router to function correctly, and therefore, there are issues with the internet connection.

To solve this problem, you only need to directly connect the router to the outlet and see if the problem is solved.

Solution 3: Paying the Due Bills

If your internet light turns red, it could mean you haven’t paid your bills. Some companies might give you extra time, but others might cut your internet immediately if you’re late.

Contact your internet provider to fix it and ask about any unpaid bills. Once you pay, your internet should start working again.

To avoid this in the future, set reminders on your phone for bill payments. That way, you won’t forget and lose your internet connection.

Solution 4: Fixing the router settings

Sometimes, the red internet light could be due to the WAN (Wide Area Network) not being set to obtain an automatic IP address. To fix this, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your wireless router’s admin dashboard.
2. Find and access the Advanced Settings section.
3. Look for the WAN settings.
4. Check if the option for “Automatic IP” is selected. If it’s not, change it to “Automatic IP.”
5. Save the changes to apply the new settings.

Solution 5: Stay Updated for Scheduled Maintenance Services

Sometimes, the red internet light on your router can be caused by scheduled maintenance, technical issues, or power outages from your internet service provider (ISP).

To check if there is an outage causing the problem, you can try the following steps:

1. Access the internet through your cellular network (mobile data) instead of your home internet.
2. Visit the DownDetector website, which provides information about reported issues from other users regarding their internet services.
3. Check for any widespread problems reported by other users, which might indicate an outage or technical issue with your ISP.

Solution 6: Buying a New Router

Electronic equipment, including routers, can be vulnerable to various types of damage, regardless of age or condition.

Issues like power surges, high humidity, overheating, or simply reaching the end of their lifespan can cause a router to become defective, leading to the red internet light.

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and the problem persists, replacing the router might be the solution.

If the router is still under warranty, you should consider claiming it and seeking a replacement, which might be provided free of charge.

Additionally, some damages may be repairable by trained technicians, which could be another option worth exploring if you want to try before replacing the router entirely.