Your Verizon router has a series of lights, each with its own meaning. These lights let you know the status of your internet connection. And if you want to know what a blinking light on your Verizon router indicates, we’ve got the answer for you!
Why Is the Light Blinking White?
There are two reasons why your Verizon Router is blinking white. The first answer is pretty straightforward. A router usually blinks white when it’s transmitting or receiving data over a 2.4 or 5 gigahertz (GHz) network. The heavier the traffic on a network, the more the light will blink. So this is a good thing. However, it can also indicate an issue with your router.
When the Blinking White Light Indicates a Problem
Certain issues arise even if the router is blinking white as it should be. Sometimes a very fast blinking light indicates something other than data transmission. You can also be connected to your router, which shows as white light but not to the internet. Here are a few common problems along with their solutions.
Potential Problems
Configuration Issue
If your internet connection continuously drops, this could indicate that something isn’t properly configured or a missing configuration.
Booting
A fast blinking white light also happens when your router is booting. However, if the router’s not completing the booting process, this could indicate faulty firmware, an update gone wrong, or a hardware issue inside the router.
Bad or broken cables
Bad or broken cables sometimes might not cause a complete loss in connection as some of the signal is getting through. This could make the router work a bit harder, causing the light to flash. The result can be a very slow connection, constant drops, or even a complete loss of internet.
Installation
A fast blinking light also indicates an upgrade installation, and the light will continue blinking until complete. However, sometimes this process can get stuck.
Malware
A virus can cause all kinds of issues with your computer and even impact your router. If your access point is a single PC or laptop, you might want to see if you can connect to your router using a different device. If the connection’s fine with something else, then it could be an issue connected to your other device and not your router. However, a virus can also change your router’s settings, causing your connection to suffer in speed or a loss of connection.
Ideally, hackers who hijack your router want to redirect it to their servers so they can pirate information. But, these services can go down due to many factors, such as law enforcement, causing you to be stuck with a static IP address leading to a dead server.
Possible Solutions
Run Malware Program
It’s never a bad idea to run an antivirus scan on your pc or laptop just to make sure your access point hasn’t been compromised. This can sometimes solve issues related to slow or dropping connections if there’s malware in your system.
Check Cable Connections
A loose connection at the terminal end of a cable can explain partial or buggy connection issues. Ensure that each end of the cables connected to your router is securely in place. If you feel any wiggle in the connection end of a cable, then it’s time to have that cable replaced.
Check Cables
Perform a physical check of all cables connected to your Verizon router. If you notice any worn spots or tears, you need to replace the cable immediately if you have a spare. There’s also a possibility that external cables, such as those inside your walls or on the outside of your home, suffered damage as well due to animals or other causes. Call for a Verizon technician who can replace any cables you can not reach or if you don’t have spare cables.
Hard Restart
To complete a hard restart (or power cycle your router), you’ll need to unplug your router and any other devices such as an ONT box which is sometimes located outside the home, in the same room as the router, or another room in the home such as the basement. If your router has a backup battery, that will need to be unplugged as well, same goes for the ONT box.
Wait about a minute or two before plugging everything back in.
After about three to five minutes, your router should reboot. Now check your internet status again to see if this fixed your issue.
Hard Reset
Sometimes a hard reset back to default factory settings can fix many issues associated with a fast blinking white light. Here are the steps you need to take to do this.
- For most Verizon router models, there should be a red or recessed button on the back near your cable connections. You’ll need to press this reset button and hold it down for two to four seconds until the LED light turns off.
- Depending on your connection, the router should complete the rebooting process in about three to five minutes.
- Now, your router should be reset to its factory settings.
- You may need to reconfigure any special configurations such as a static IP address, otherwise, try your internet connection and see if this solved your problem.
Fixing Bad or Missing Configuration Issues
This can be a very complicated issue that would require you to get in touch with Verizon’s advanced technical support. The tier one support team usually can only check to see if your router’s sending and receiving information. However, the advanced team can actually check your “customer profile configuration” for any issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I can I change the configuration settings on my Verizon router?
To configure your router, take the following steps.
- Connect your PC or laptop to the Verizon network.
- Open a browser and type in 192.168.1.1 into the address bar.
- Input your username and password. This information is usually found on a sticker located on the back, front, or side of your router.
- You should now have access to your router’s settings.
How often do I need to reboot my router?
It’s recommended that you complete a soft or hard reboot of your Verizon router at least once a month or more frequently, such as once a week or even once a day, depending on the edge and condition of your router.
However, if you find you have to do this every day, it may be time to call Verizon for a new router.
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