The Netgear router status lights are there to provide visual information about the current connection status of your network as well as the devices connected to it wirelessly or over the network cable. The red light on your Netgear router is something you don’t see quite often unless there is a problem with it. This article will explain what the red light on your Netgear router means and give you some helpful tips on how to fix it by yourself.
So, let’s start!
CONTENTS
How to fix the Netgear Router Red Light?
If you see a red light on your Netgear router and there is no internet connection there are several quick fix solutions you can try in order to fix the problem. The best thing is that none of these fixes require special networking knowledge. They can be performed successfully even by total beginners.
Restart the Router
Simple, easy and effective. This is how we can describe this step. Restart your Netgear router and see whether it will fix the problem. To do this all just unplug the router from the electricity outlet, and plug it back in after a few minutes. This will clear the memory cache of the router and fix any possible conflicts that were causing the issue. Hopefully you won’t see the red light on your Netgear router when it boots up and you will have your internet connection working again.
Power Cycle Your Home Network
When we say that you need to power cycle your network we generally mean that you need to restart both the modem and the router. Here is a brief how-to explanation.
First power off the modem and the. After 5 minutes power on the modem. When it boots up completely, power on the Netgear router. After the router boots up completely, you can restart the other devices that are connected to the network.
Disconnect every cable that is attached to the Netgear router and modem. After some time, reconnect the cables to them.
Update the Netgear Router Firmware
Check if there is an updated firmware for your Netgear router and install it. You can do this easily by logging into your Netgear router admin dashboard or if your router is supported you can use the Nighthawk app.
Recommended reading:
- How to Update Router Firmware [A Complete Guide]
- Netgear Extender Red Light: How to Fix It?
- Internet Light Red on Router: Meaning And How To Fix It?
We also recommend watching this video:
Check the Cables
A loose cable can easily mess up your internet connection resulting in a red light on your router. Therefore, check whether all the cables are connected to the right ports and that there are no loose cables. After you confirm everything is connected properly and firmly, check whether the red light is still present. If it is, try the next solution.
Sometimes you may accidentally damage your network cable. Maybe you bend it too much or just go over it with your chair. Whatever happens sometimes we can’t see the damage on the cable but it may severely affect our network performance. If you have the chance to connect another Ethernet cable please do that. The red light should be fixed now.
Factory Reset Your Netgear Router
Another possible reason for the red light and no internet on your Netgear router is messed up configuration. Instead of trying to figure out what is wrong in the settings, the easiest thing to do is to reset the Netgear router to factory settings. This will bring the router back to the default settings it had when it was produced. However, it is important for you to understand that all the configuration changes you have made earlier will be erased, like a custom Wi-Fi password or that cool network name you had. You will practically have to configure the router again.
Here is how to properly hard- reset your Netgear router:
1. Make sure the router is powered on.
2. Find the Reset or Restore Factory Settings button at the back of the router.
3. Take a paperclip or something similar and press that button for 7 seconds.
4. When the router reboots you will be able to login to the admin dashboard using the default settings
Contact your Internet Service Provider
If you have tried the solutions described above and the red light and no internet is still present, it is recommended to contact your ISP. Maybe you are affected by a service outage in your area, or they are doing some maintenance that causes the router to receive an extremely weak signal or no signal at all. Getting in touch with them will give you an idea about what’s going on and they can even help finding a solution for your current Netgear Router red light, no Internet problem.
Final Words
As you can see there are several different solutions to try and while one solution will work for some people, for others it won’t. We hope that the Netgear router red light and no internet problem is fixed by now and that now you can use your Internet connection without any interruptions.
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.