You’re sitting at your computer, trying to get some work done, but you keep getting disconnected. You go to the router and notice that the lights are flashing. What do you do?
Don’t worry – we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll walk you through some troubleshooting steps if your router is flashing but you still can’t get online.
The main reasons your router is flashing with no internet are the router is currently booting up, restarting, or there is a network issue with your service provider.
If your router is booting up, it will go through a series of lights before it is ready to be used. The process will differ based on the router’s make and model.
Once all the lights are on and solid, you should be able to access the internet.
1. Quick Fix to Renable Internet Access on a Router
Sometimes, after a few days without restarting, routers can develop issues that require a complete restart to restore wifi and via ethernet cable internet access.
If this is the case, unplug the router from the power outlet and the router itself. Once entirely disconnected, wait 30 seconds and plug everything back in.
The router will go through the same series of lights as when it was first turned on.
Once all the lights are on and solid again, you should be able to connect to the internet.
2. Is Your Router Overheating? (Causing Bad Internet Performance)
Overheating can also cause intermittent internet or connection drops.
Unplug your router and feel it underneath to check. If it feels warm to the touch, it may be overheating.
The first thing you’ll want to do is try to give your router some space.
Ensure no objects are blocking its ventilation ports, as this can cause overheating.
One way to help mitigate this is to elevate the router off the surface it sits on. A good place in the house for a router to sit is in an open space on a high shelf.
If you have an older model router, placing it in a well-ventilated area can also help.
Another way to help keep your router cool is to shut off unused features or ports. Disable these in the router settings if you’re not using the USB port, for example.
Another common reason for router overheating is a high load on the device.
If your router is being used to support a lot of devices or if you have multiple people streaming video or gaming simultaneously, it can put a lot of stress on the router.
This can cause it to overheat and lead to decreased performance.
If your device is already hot to the touch, then switch it off and leave it to cool down for at least an hour.
Once it has cooled down, move the router to a more open space with ventilation and turn it back on, often you will see an improved internet speed and better connections all round.
3. What About Using a Router Cooling Pad?
If you’re still having issues after taking these steps, we recommend you try a router cooling pad specifically designed to help cool down your router.
Cooling pads have fans, much like computer cooling fans, and can connect to the router via a USB port. They are a raised platform with plenty of space for air to circulate around the hardware.
They help to control the temperature of the router and can improve performance.
4. My Router is Completely Dead – What Should I Do?
If your router is not working properly, there are a couple of ways that you can try to fix it.
One of these is by resetting it. This can be done by holding the power button down for around 10 seconds.
After that, you can try connecting again. If you still can’t connect to the internet using your router, you might need to update its firmware.
You can find the latest version of this software by visiting the manufacturer’s website. Follow the instructions below to install it.
If the router is still not powering on after it has been plugged in, it might be related to the power outlet or the power adapter.
If you still can’t get it to work, then it’s likely that the router is faulty and will need to be replaced. Get in touch with your local IT service technician.
Routers used daily typically have a lifespan of about 2-3 years. Most households have many devices that connect to the internet, so it’s not uncommon to need a replacement every few years.
If your router is still within its warranty period, you may be able to get a replacement from the manufacturer, and some ISPs will have a free replacement policy, so get in touch and see what they can do to help.
Conclusion
If you’re experiencing problems with your router, such as router lights flashing but no internet connection, overheating, or a dead device, the first thing to do is to turn off your router and restart it after leaving it to rest for at least 5 minutes.
Finally, overheating is a real problem for routers and can be caused by several things, so it’s essential to try and prevent it.
If you cannot fix the problem, it may be time to invest in a new router.
Though it can be frustrating to deal with technical issues, using a new router may be the best solution.