Last Updated on March 28, 2023 by Tomas
Have you ever experienced your CenturyLink modem blinking blue for a long period?
A CenturyLink modem blinking blue usually happens during the initial boot-up when your modem is looking for the network.
The modem should show a solid blue light when it is connected instead of a blinking one.
However, if the blinking continues for more than five minutes then there may be an issue which you need to fix. The extended blue blinking could be caused by an issue with the cables, splitter, hardware, or network outage.
The good thing is that most of the fixes are easy to implement. If it is a network outage though, you will have to be patient and wait for an internet provider technician to fix the issue.
In this article, we explain the most common causes of a CenturyLink modem flashing blue light and present easy fixes to solve the issue.
Why Is My CenturyLink Modem Blinking Blue
The following are some of the reasons why your CenturyLink modem is blinking blue:
- There is an outage by the internet service provider.
- The cables are faulty or loose.
- The firmware is outdated.
- Technical problems.
- Issues with internet connectivity.
How to Fix a Flashing Blue Light on the CenturyLink C4000 Modem
A flashing blue light on a CenturyLink modem can be solved by the following methods:
1. Inspect Cables, Splitter, and Wall Jack
There could be nothing wrong with your CenturyLink internet or modem. Instead, there could be a loose connection where the cable from the wall jack is not in a good condition or the cable that connects to the device is not fixed tightly.
The wall jack and the splitter could also have moisture or breakage, and this prevents the modem from detecting an internet connection.
To check the cables, disconnect the coaxial cable from the power source and check for any damage or moisture, and then before plugging it back in ensure that you clean both ends.
Additionally, check the ethernet cables to ensure that they are not damaged and are snug and clicked into the ports.
If the internet connection is not yet established, try using a different coaxial cable or buy a new splitter. If the CenturyLink C4000 modem is still blinking blue, do a power cycle.
2. Power Cycle the Modem
If you have used your modem for some time, then it may need a break and that is why it is slowing down and blinking blue light for an extended period.
Doing a power cycle on your modem will help fix the issue. This is achieved by completely turning your modem off and restarting it.
You can do this manually by disconnecting the modem from the power supply, then giving it about two minutes before plugging it back.
Allow it to start up and connect to the internet which should now be stable.
3. Check for Outages or Maintenance
Your internet may be down because CenturyLink is doing maintenance on their internet services or having an outage in your area and that is why your modem is taking too long to connect to the internet.
Checking for this information will enable you to know exactly what is causing the blinking blue light on your modem.
You can call CenturyLink directly through their customer care number and ask if there is an outage or maintenance in your area or you can check it on their website.
If there is an outage or some maintenance is being done, there is nothing much you can do but wait until the internet is back on as it is an issue that will be solved by CenturyLink.
4. Check the Modem for Overheating
If your modem is still blinking blue, then you should check it for overheating.
If your modem is placed in a less ventilated area where airflow is restricted such as the corner of your home, it is likely to overheat which leads to unstable internet and the blinking blue light.
Therefore, you should put your modem at the center of the house or in a location where it is getting lots of air to avoid overheating.
Avoid putting the modem in places like inside the cupboard, near heaters, or the window. Also, do not cover it.
You should also clean your modem from time to time as dust accumulates on the vents and blocks the airflow leading to overheating and in turn connectivity issues. To dust the vents use a can of compressed air as it will not damage the wires inside the modem.
Make sure that the modem is disconnected from the power source before cleaning it.
5. Check for Overloading
Your modem could be overloaded and that is why it is blinking blue.
If there are too many devices using your network, then the bandwidth might have exceeded the limit hence slowing down the modem which leads to a blinking blue light.
What you need to do is disconnect all the devices including your computers, smartphones, gaming consoles, and smart TVs and give your modem a few minutes to rest.
Then, connect the devices one by one to see which one of them is causing the blinking blue light once connected.
Additionally, some jobs can be performance-intensive which can lead to overloading. If your modem is still blinking, then check for any firmware updates on your CenturyLink website.
6. Update the Firmware
The firmware of your modem may be outdated which is why it is blinking blue. Visit the CenturyLink website to update the firmware.
Log into the admin page and check for any tabs named ‘Update’, ‘Firmware’, or ‘Router Update’. If there are any updates, click on them to download them and then follow the steps to install them.
Ensuring that the modem is operating on updated firmware makes its performance better and prevents it from having issues with the internet.
Regularly checking the CenturyLink website will enable you to know if there are any updates you need to do for your modem.
Keep the auto-update feature on so that the firmware is automatically updated which ensures your modem is operating with the latest software.
7. Reset the Modem
If your modem is still blinking blue at this stage, you should reset it using the reset button which can either be on the back or front of the device.
Use a pin or a paper clip, press the reset button, and hold it for 30 seconds to one minute. Then allow it to reset by giving it a few minutes.
After this reset, the modem will go back to default settings, meaning you have to set the password and the username again.
8. Adjust the Position of the Modem
Sometimes the position of your modem is what is causing the blinking blue lights. If the modem is too far away from your devices, then you will have a weak signal which may cause a blinking blue light.
To solve this problem, you should place your modem in an area where there is no barrier such as a wall between it and the computer. Also, ensure there is enough air space.
9. Checking the Network Speed
Checking the connectivity speed of your modem will enable you to know whether the blinking blue light is because of the network or other technical problems related to the device.
You can resort to a third-party application to verify the network speed of the modem.
If the speed test shows that the network is fine, then try the methods below to solve the blinking blue light on your modem.
10. Switch to Ethernet Connection
Doing a wired connection can help solve the blinking blue light issues on your modem.
This is where you connect the modem directly to the computer using an ethernet cable. If this works, then there is no issue with the internet connection.
11. Use a WiFi Range Extender
To increase the coverage and strength of your CenturyLink modem, you should consider using a compatible WiFi range extender.
Pair it with your modem and this should improve the internet connectivity of your modem, which can help solve the flashing blue light.
12. Remove Devices that Lead to Electromagnetic Interference
If your CenturyLink modem is put near devices that may lead to electromagnetic interference such as iPads and mobiles, then you should remove the modem or keep the devices away from it.
This will help stabilize the internet connection, hence solving the issue.
13. Contact Customer Support
Sometimes the problem could be technical and you may not be able to solve it. This is when you contact CenturyLink customer care for help with solving the blinking blue light on the modem. You can call them or send a message online through their website.
A technician will get back to you and will ask you a few questions concerning the problem.
Then they will give you some of the solutions to try but if you cannot solve the problem with their guidance, they will visit your home to check it and advise on what to do.
However, if the modem cannot be fixed, you may be required to buy a new one or get a replacement if you have a warranty.
14. Replace the Modem
If there is nothing that can be done to fix the blinking blue light on your modem, then it’s time to buy a new one. CenturyLink has options for you to select from according to your needs.
It is recommended that you buy the modem instead of renting it as it has a better performance and you avoid renting fees which can be costly.
Final Words
Hopefully, this article has given you all the information that you need to know about the causes of a blinking blue light on a CenturyLink C4000 modem and how you can solve it.
A blinking blue light on your modem appears at the beginning of the setup and it should turn green once the setup is complete.
But if the blinking continues then there are other causes including a broken cable or a damaged splitter.
The methods provided above will help you solve the issues. But sometimes, you may not be able to solve the problem as your modem is worn out and need a replacement and in this case you have to buy a new modem.
