If you’ve ever wondered why your router has a red light, you’re not alone. Most people have no idea what that little light is for, or what it means when it’s on or off. Fortunately, we can help clear things up. Here’s a quick rundown of why your router has a red light, and what it means.
When you first plug in your router, the red light will be on to indicate that it’s receiving power. Once it’s connected to the internet and ready to use, the red light will usually turn off. However, there are a few reasons why the red light might stay on or start blinking.
In this article, we’ll discuss the most common reasons for a red light on your router and how to fix them.
What do the different colors on a router mean?
Most routers have a few different colored lights that indicate different things. Here’s a quick overview of the most common colors and what they mean:
Red: Usually indicates that the router is receiving power
Green: Indicates that the router is connected to the internet
Yellow: Indicates that there is activity on the network (data being transferred)
Blue: Usually indicates that the router’s wireless feature is enabled
Flashing red or green: Usually indicates that there is an error or a problem with the connection.
What to do if your router has a red light?
If your router has a solid red light, it usually indicates that there is no internet connection. This means that the router is not receiving any signal from the modem. There are a few things you can do to fix this:
- Check all the connections between your modem and router. Make sure that the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into both devices.
- Restart your modem and router. This will reset the connection and may fix the problem.
- Contact your ISP. There may be an issue with your internet service that they need to resolve.
How do fix common router problems?
One of the most common problems that people face with their routers is that they can’t seem to get a good signal. If you’re having trouble getting a consistent signal from your router, there are a few things you can try:
- Move your router to a different location.
- Adjust the antennae on your router.
- Update the firmware on your router.
- Change the channel that your router is broadcasting on.
- Use a signal booster or repeater.
- Get a new router.
- Contact your ISP.
- Use a wired connection.
- Disable wireless security.
- Try a different device.
If you’re still having trouble after trying all of these things, it’s possible that there’s something wrong with your router or your internet connection. In this case, you’ll need to contact your ISP or a technician for help.
How to reset your router
If your router isn’t working the way it should, you may need to reset it. This can be a helpful troubleshooting step if you’re having issues connecting to the internet or if your internet connection is slow.
To reset your router:
- Unplug the power cord from the back of the router.
- Wait 30 seconds, then plug the power cord back in.
- Once the router is powered on, check to see if your internet connection is now working. If not, you can try repeating these steps.
If resetting your router doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to contact your internet service provider for further assistance.
How to change your router’s password?
It’s important to choose a strong password for your router to prevent others from accessing your home network. A strong password should be at least 8 characters long and include a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
To change your router’s password:
- Log in to the router’s web interface. This can usually be done by entering http://192.168.1.1 into your web browser’s address bar.
- Enter your router’s username and password when prompted. If you don’t know these, you can check your router’s documentation or contact your internet service provider.
- Once logged in, look for a section labeled “Password” or “Security.”
- Enter your new password in the appropriate field and save your changes.
- Test the new password by trying to log into the router’s web interface again. If you can’t log in, make sure you’re using the correct password and try again.
If you’re still having trouble, you may need to reset your router and then try changing the password again.
Final Verdict:
At the end of the article, you should have a better understanding of what to do if your router has a red light. You should also know how to fix common router problems and how to reset your router. Finally, you should know how to change your router’s password to something more secure.
If you’re still having trouble, you may need to contact your ISP or a technician for help. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading!

I am the founder and CEO of Ownrouter. I have been in the industry for over 15 years, and I am passionate about routers. I have a degree in computer science from the University of London and worked as a network engineer for a large ISP. I am also a member of the board of directors for the Open Source Router Project. Learn more