Although Google Wi-Fi was not the first mesh Wi-Fi network, it definitely is the one that stands out from the rest. It features a sleek, minimal design and is equipped with a variety of features and this is the reason why it becomes more and more popular.
It is an excellent solution for those who want to give up on their old router and are looking for a more reliable and secure network solution. However, just like other networking devices and systems, the Google Wi-Fi system can experience some issues. They can be pretty frustrating but luckily, they can be fixed. In this article, we are going to see what does it mean when our Google Wi-Fi is flashing red and what can we do to make it work again.
CONTENTS
Google Wi-Fi Flashing Red: Meaning
A flashing red light on your Google Wi-Fi point indicates that there is an issue with the Wi-Fi point. It is interesting to know that this happens to the wirelessly connected ones much more often than on the hardwired Wi-Fi points.
One of the first solutions by Google support is to reset the Wi-Fi point to factory settings and, if it fails, to get in touch with support.
However, we would like to try a thing or two before applying these solutions.
So, let’s begin!
How to Fix The Google Wi-Fi Flashing Red Light?
We agree that the easiest way is to contact support and let them lead you through the troubleshooting process. But most of the time we are in a hurry and can’t wait to get things done. Especially if we call them and they put us on hold. So, before getting in touch, try a thing or two. Hopefully, you will get the problem fixed and there will be no need to call them again.
Have You Paid The Bill?
These days we all live in a hurry so there is nothing strange when we forget a thing or two. Luckily, we will easily notice these things if they affect us directly. So, if you have forgotten to pay the cable bill, you can expect to have no connection at all. So, check this first. IF everything is fine, move to the next step.
Power Cycle The Google Wi-Fi System
The Google Wi-Fi network can be restarted manually and over the Google Home app.
If you decide to do it manually, you have to disconnect the power cable from the Google Wi-Fi device.
Leave it disconnected for half a minute and then connect the Power cable back in. Give it some time to power up completely and to stabilize. Check the lights.
Alternatively, if you want to do it using the Google Home app, launch the app on your device. Then tap on WiFi. Now tap on the Settings icon and find and tap on Restart Network.
You will have to confirm your choice and during the network restart, all your devices will be offline. After a few minutes everything should work fine.
Hardwire The Problematic Wi-Fi Point
As we have mentioned earlier, this issue is frequently seen on wirelessly connected Wi-Fi points. So if you have the possibility to connect the problematic Wi-Fi point to the primary point using a network Ethernet cable, do it. Then, see whether this fixes the problem.
Recommended reading:
- How Far Apart Can Google Wi-Fi Points Be?
- Google Fiber Network Box Blinking Red
- Google Fiber Network Box Blinking Blue: Why and How to fix it?
Reset The Wi-Fi Point To Factory Defaults
When it comes to resetting the Wi-Fi point to factory settings there are two ways to do it. You can either use the Google Wi-Fi app or do it manually with the reset button at the back or the bottom of the device. Here is a detailed explanation about how to factory reset your Google Wi-Fi devices.
Please note that if you reset the Wi-Fi point manually you will have to use the Google Home app to set it up again and add it to the network. If you are having a more complicated network setup it may take some time while you get everything back as it was, but the main goal is to get rid of this issue and use your internet connection as before.
1. Find the reset button on your Wi-Fi point.
2. Press and hold the button for ten seconds. You will notice that the light will turn orange and then blue. When you notice the solid blue light, release the button.
3. Give it some time to complete the reset process. It generally doesn’t take long, somewhere around 10 minutes and you need to make sure not to disrupt the process until it completes. Simply don’t touch the device and don’t disconnect it from the power source.
4. As the factory reset process completes, you will notice that the solid blue light is starting to pulse which indicates that it is ready to be set up.
5. After you complete the setup, check the lights.
Contact Support
After you have tried everything we have suggested above and you still see the red flashing light you should get in touch with support. They can test your connection and do their thing on their side and there are high chances that they will help you fix the issue. You may need to restart the network and devices a few more times as per their instructions, so get ready to do that and be patient. We are pretty sure you will have a fully functional network in a few minutes.
Final Words
The Google Wi-Fi flashing red is an issue often reported by Google Wi-Fi users. However, it is not that difficult to get it fixed unless there is a more serious reason for that. In that case, we need to get help from the support. When you get in touch, explain the problem in as many details as possible in order to get the problem fixed.
Hey, I’m David. I’ve been working as a wireless network engineer and a network administrator for 15 years. During my studies, I also worked as an ISP field technician – that’s when I met Jeremy.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in network engineering and a master’s degree in computer science and engineering. I’m also a Cisco-certified service provider.
In my professional career, I worked for router/modem manufacturers and internet providers. I like to think that I’m good at explaining network-related issues in simple terms. That’s exactly what I’m doing on this website – I’m making simple and easy-to-follow guides on how to install, set up, and troubleshoot your networking hardware. I also review new network equipment – modems, gateways, switches, routers, extenders, mesh systems, cables, etc.
My goal is to help regular users with their everyday network issues, educate them, and make them less scared of their equipment. In my articles, you can find tips on what to look for when buying new networking hardware, and how to adjust your network settings to get the most out of your wi-fi.
Since my work is closely related to computers, servers, and other network equipment, I like to spend most of my spare time outdoors. When I want to blow off some steam, I like to ride my bike. I also love hiking and swimming. When I need to calm down and clear my mind, my go-to activity is fishing.
