We’ve all become very reliant on our internet access for everything from work to entertainment and shopping.
It’s a household emergency when we don’t have internet, and having no internet light on your modem is a sure sign that you aren’t going to get online as things stand.
So, is there an easy way to fix it? Sometimes, there is!
The quickest fix we can recommend is to check your ethernet cables, power cables and their connections. If they check out OK, try power cycling your router and modem to see if that works.
However, there are a few additional things you can try, and you may need a bit of help understanding power cycling. Let’s look at all the whys and hows next.
Why Is There No Internet Light On Your Modem?
Some of the reasons why you might have no internet light on your modem are really obvious.
Nevertheless, they still bear mentioning since knowing what’s wrong helps you to determine whether you stand a chance of fixing the issue.
Then, there are the less obvious reasons for having no internet, and some of them are pretty easy to fix without help. But before we continue, let’s clarify some terminology.
Is It a Router, a Modem, or Both?
There are still systems that work through a modem, plus a router (two devices). However, most setups are modem/routers in one. Whichever you have, the basic principles remain more-or-less the same.
However, it’s good to know what device does which work. In a nutshell, your modem receives connectivity, and your router distributes the signal, either through wired cables, or your wireless network.
If your modem is a modem/router combo, it does both jobs.
Troubleshooting: Common Reasons For No Internet Light On Modem
- There’s a power failure: This is a good place to start since all you have to do is try a light switch to see whether there’s power supply to your home. If it’s off, check your main breaker to see if it tripped. If it didn’t, well, we aren’t going to troubleshoot power failures right now – you probably know how to take it from here anyway.
- Your modem’s power cable or power outlet isn’t working: Your house may have power but you still aren’t getting power to your modem. Most modems have an indicator light for the power supply, so check it.
- Your ISP is down or under maintenance: If your ISP is down, there isn’t much you can do but wait. Check this one by checking their app for outage notifications or giving them a call.
- There’s an issue with your account: It’s worth mentioning. If you are behind on payments to your ISP, or (sometimes) if your subscription contract has expired, they’ll deactivate your account. Most ISPs have an app that allows you to check your account status.
- Your ISP needs to reset your access: This has worked for me on multiple occasions. I had no internet light, failed with home troubleshooting and called my ISP. They reset my port from their side, and it was a case of problem solved.
- There’s a cable issue: your modem receives access to the internet through a cable. If the cable isn’t connected properly or is damaged, there will be no internet light on your modem. Check the connection to see if it’s tight and try a spare cable if you have one.
- Your modem’s settings are wrong: If you have a new modem, you may not have set it up correctly. If it was working OK before, remember that it can “forget” its settings. It’s still worth checking out.
- Your firmware is out of date: Your modem/router runs on its own software (firmware), and usually updates automatically. However, if a firmware update is interrupted or fails to occur, your modem may no longer be able to work. Not sure how to check firmware? We’ll give you a generic description on how to do so a little further on.
- Your modem keeps resetting – it’s off, and then on again: The most likely explanation for a modem that keeps rebooting over and over again is a loose power supply connection or faulty cable. Try wiggling the connector and power plug and watch what happens to the device. If it’s repeatedly on and off, depending on how you wiggle the connections, you just found the problem. Alternatively, try another cable or, if using an adaptor, try another one.
- Your modem is faulty: Have you recently had a major electrical storm or power failure? Even if you have surge protection, it doesn’t always protect your router/modem. Of course, if your modem got wet or suffered an impact, it might also break. Even if nothing untoward occurred. Hardware doesn’t last forever. If you have an extra router/modem, try using it to see whether that corrects the problem. If not, ask friends if they have a working one to spare, or take your router/modem to a shop to have it tested.
No Internet Light on Modem? Extra Tips to Help You
In the previous section, we gave you a quick lowdown on the reasons why your internet light may be off.
We also gave a brief description of fixes – but you might need to take a more in depth look or need simple instructions on how to do those fixes. So, here goes!
1. Cable Issue With No Visible Damage and No Loose Connection
Just because wiggling cables and testing contact didn’t work, doesn’t mean your cable isn’t to blame. You can’t always see cable damage when internal wires are broken.
Sometimes, you might see pinch points or kinks on cables, and that’s a possible sign of internal damage. Sometimes, you may not see anything at all.
Trying a spare cable (if you have one) is the best way to see if one of your cables is the cause of your dead modem and resulting internet woes.
2. Checking Your Modem’s Settings: Maybe a Factory Reset is Easier?
Combing through your modem’s settings to look for errors isn’t easy unless you know what to look for.
If you know how to implement the right settings, it may be easier to simply do a factory reset and reconfigure your modem from scratch.
You might also be able to clear away any software glitches if they’re the cause of your problem. So, if you know how to set up your router/modem, a factory reset may be an easy solution.
Most modems/routers have a recessed reset button at the back of the device. Find it and press it using a bent-open paper clip or pin. Hold it for about ten seconds. When your router restarts, all settings will have been cleared.
Now, reconfigure your router using the same steps you were given when you first got it.
3. How to Check for Firmware Updates (Generic)
It’s easiest to check for firmware updates using your ISP’s app. Alternatively, you can enter the router/modem’s IP address into your browser’s search bar.
Information on your firmware will be located in settings under “firmware” or “update.” If there’s a new version available and you don’t have it yet, it should show up here.
There will be an option to update to the latest version. Follow the prompts to get it.
While you’re updating firmware, don’t turn off your modem-router or cut off its power supply. Let it download and install. It should only take a few minutes.
4. Restarting or Power Cycling: Easy Fix When There is No Internet Light
No internet light on modem? Restarting could be a solution. But while you’re at it, you may as well do a proper power cycle.
Power cycling is somewhere between a factory reset and a restart in terms of what it does.
By leaving your device unplugged for a few minutes, your modem is able to clear away glitched software without you having to reconfigure everything.
So, to clarify the differences, a restart is a quick on-and-off. A power cycle means unplugging everything for a few minutes before starting up again. A factory reset clears your settings, but a power cycle doesn’t.
Chances are, your ISP will ask you to power cycle before it goes ahead with other forms of troubleshooting. So, even if you’re happy to let support take you through a troubleshooting process, it saves time if you’ve already done this yourself.
5. Overheating Can be an Issue Too: check the Environment and the Vents
Assuming that your internet light is off or burns intermittently, you shouldn’t discount the possibility of overheating, especially in summer.
It’s fairly easy to check this out. Your modem/router should have room to “breathe” and it shouldn’t be located in a spot where it gets direct sun.
Apart from having enough space and a shaded spot, dust can also hamper your device’s ability to cool itself.
If you think dust may be the problem, consider the environment and the age of the router/modem.
I live on a dirt road, and my router/modem gets covered with dust fairly quickly. I don’t have a compressor, but one can get cans of compressed air that help to blow out accumulated dust.
Unplug your device and blast compressed air into the vents to clear out the gunk.
Plug it back in and see if your issue is resolved,
Internet Light On But No Internet?
If your internet light is on but the connection is slow or unreliable, there are more things to consider – but we’ll cover that elsewhere.
All the same, we’re here to help. Hints include checking whether you’re demanding more bandwidth than your modem/router can supply.
Tips For Contacting Support
Are you on hold for ages when you contact your ISP? I am too! So, to make every second count, try the basic troubleshooting steps we’ve listed here. When you reach support, tell them what you’ve already tried.
Give them as much detail as you can. You might be able to eliminate some of the possible reasons for having no internet light on your modem, helping them to solve your issue faster.
If support can’t solve your problem, have your router.modem tested in store before resorting to a technician.
Most ISPs are willing to give free service if they’re at fault, but if your gear is faulty, there’s a price to pay. Save a few dollars by eliminating this possibility.
Already sorted? We hope our tips led you to a solution – and there’ll be more to come, so watch this space!
