Don’t worry — this is a common issue and usually easy to fix!
“Wi-Fi Router Lights Are Off or Blinking Red”
What This Means (In Plain English)
Your Wi-Fi router is not working properly. If the lights are off, it may not have power. If blinking red, it is indicating a problem.
Common Causes
- •Power outage or loose power cable
- •The router overheated
- •Internet provider outage
- •A hardware failure in an old router
How to Fix It — Step by Step
- 1
Check that the router is plugged in and the power outlet is working (try plugging in something else).
- 2
Unplug the router, wait 60 seconds, and plug it back in.
- 3
Check all cable connections — the internet cable from the wall should be firmly connected.
- 4
Wait 5 minutes after plugging back in for the router to fully restart.
- 5
If lights remain red or off, check for a power switch on the router.
- 6
If the internet light is red, the problem may be with your internet provider — call them.
- 7
If the router is old (5+ years), it may need replacement.
How to Prevent This in the Future
Place your router in a well-ventilated area. Avoid stacking things on top of it. Consider replacing routers older than 5 years.
Related Errors You Might See
Connected, No Internet
Your device is connected to the Wi-Fi network but cannot actually reach the internet. The problem is usually with your router or internet provider.
No Wi-Fi Networks Found
Your device cannot find any Wi-Fi networks at all. The Wi-Fi antenna on your device may be turned off, or there are no networks in range.
Still stuck? Don’t worry!
If the steps above did not solve the problem, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or contact us and we will do our best to assist you.