Understanding the different TP-Link router lights such as Power, WPS, USB, and Internet, and how they correspond to the operating status will enable you to spot problems and resolve them quickly.
Depending on the circumstance, these lights can either be off, solid, or flashing.
For instance, if the router is showing a solid green light, it means that it is connected to the internet.
However, if the TP-Link lights are blinking or off, then your router is experiencing problems such as loose connections, disabled WiFi bands, damaged ports, or even a service outage by your ISP.
Continue reading to understand more about your TP-Link status lights, their meaning, and what you can do if the lights are not in their ideal condition.
TP-Link Router Lights & Their Meanings
This section explains in detail the different icons on your TP-Link router with their ideal status as well as how you can troubleshoot in case there is a problem:
1. Power Light
A solid green light on the power indicator shows that the router is successfully linked to a power supply.
If you notice that the indicators are inactive, it implies that the router lacks connection to the power socket or encounters power-related problems.
Check for any loose connections or voltage irregularities, or recharge/replace the batteries to ensure the power is back on.
2. WAN Light
A solid green WAN light signifies that the router is successfully linked to the server.
If you see the WAN light flashing green, it indicates active internet communication between your router and the ISP server. When the WAN LED is not lit, it means the router is not connected to the network.
Ensure there are no power problems or loose connections in your ONT terminal or modem.
3. Internet Light
A stable green Internet light indicates an established but idle Internet connection between the router and server.
When the Internet LED blinks green, it signifies active data transmission between your home device and the ISP server.
If the lights are not illuminated, it suggests that there is no active Internet connection. This typically indicates the disconnection of wires. Please check for any connectivity issues.
If you observe an orange light on the Internet LED on your TP-Link router, it indicates that your device is having difficulty connecting to the Internet despite an established connection.
This could be due to faulty or loose cables, an outage in your area, or maintenance activities.
4. 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WLAN Lights
Most modern routers support simultaneous operation on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
The 2.4GHz band offers a longer range but slower speeds, while the 5GHz band provides faster speeds but has a shorter range. Additionally, the 2.4GHz band is more susceptible to interference from other devices.
A steady green WLAN light for the 2.4GHz or 5GHz indicates that the corresponding wireless channel is active and enabled.
When the WLAN LED flashes green, it indicates that client devices are actively transmitting data over the selected band.
If the LED indicators are not lit, it suggests that the band is either inactive or disabled.
To enable or disable a specific radio band, access the admin portal of your router. Look for the corresponding settings or checkboxes to activate or deactivate the desired wireless channel.
If you encounter difficulties activating the wireless band, contact the manufacturer. If the router is still under warranty you should be able to get a replacement device.
5. WPS Light
WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is a convenient feature that allows for easy connection of WPS-enabled devices to the network without the need of entering the Wi-Fi password.
The WPS LED will flash green when authentication is in progress. Once the client device is successfully connected, the WPS LED will turn solid green and remain so for about 5 minutes.
When WPS is not active, the WPS light will be turned off by default. To prevent any misuse, you can disable WPS authentication through the admin portal of the router.
6. LAN LEDs
A solid green LAN LED indicates that the corresponding ethernet port has an active connection with a plugged-in cable.
When the LEDs are blinking green, it means active data transmission between the server and a client device.
If you have connected devices to the router and the LEDs remain unlit, it indicates that the connection is not active. This could be due to a faulty ethernet cable.
Try using a different cable to troubleshoot the issue. If the problem persists, it suggests that the ports are faulty, and it is recommended to seek assistance from a professional or contact the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
7. Phone Light
If your Phone LED is showing a solid green, it indicates that there is an active VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) connection.
The phone LEDs will blink green when your device is in use, such as receiving voice messages, making calls, or when the device is not hooked.
If you have a connected device but the lights are not turning on, it typically means your VoIP connection has not been activated.
Call your service provider and follow their instructions to activate the voice connection. You require an active subscription for voice services as these connections are not automatically activated.
8. USB Light
TP-Link routers come with a convenient USB port at the back, allowing users to connect peripherals like printers or external storage devices directly to the router. This enables other devices on the network to access the connected devices through WiFi.
When the USB light on your router turns solid green, it indicates that an external device is recognized and ready to be used. If there is data transfer occurring with the connected USB device, the light will blink green.
If the USB lights are not lit, even with an external device connected, the issue may be with an incompatible or faulty device.
In this instance, use a different USB device and then check the admin portal to ensure the USB port is not disabled if the problem persists.
If the port is active and the issue continues, it could indicate a faulty USB port that requires professional assistance.
Troubleshooting Tips
When encountering network issues with a change in LED light colors and a loss of internet connection, try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Restart your TP-Link router.
- Inspect the cables and connectors for any signs of looseness or damage.
- Verify that all devices are correctly connected to their respective ports.
- Check if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is experiencing an outage.
- Update the firmware of your router.
- Reset your TP-Link router to its factory settings.
- Reach out to your ISP’s support for assistance.
- Contact TP-Link customer support for further guidance.
How To Fix TP-Link Extender Blinking Blue And Red?
If your TP-Link extender is blinking blue and red, you can fix this by ensuring that the power cable is securely plugged into both the extender and the wall outlet.
Additionally, check that the ethernet cables are securely connected on both ends.
If the connections are secured, but there is still a blinking red light, try resetting your extender by holding the reset button for about 10 seconds.
This will remove any bugs and glitches that may be causing the connectivity issues.
Finally, if the mentioned solutions do not solve the issue, contact customer support for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do The Lights And Symbols On TP-Link Router Mean?
TP-Link router icons are designed to provide a simpler way to understand the operational status of the router.
The main LED lights on a TP-Link router include the Power light, Internet light, WAN light, LAN light, USB light and Radio Band light.
What is the meaning of flashing blue lights on the TP-Link?
TP-Link Deco mesh routers utilize blue lights to indicate their operational status.
When the lights are flashing blue, the device is prepared for the initial setup. Conversely, if the Deco router is flashing red, it indicates an ongoing firmware update process.
What to do if the LED lights on my TP-Link Router are not working?
Ensure that your device is connected to the power source if the lights are not working. Check for any power fluctuations or loose connections.
You might have a faulty device if everything else seems fine.
Why are the lights on my TP-Link Router blinking?
Not every instance of TP-Link lights blinking indicates a problem. When a band or port is actively transmitting data, the lights will blink as intended. This is a normal and desired behavior.
My TP-Link does not have internet, but it is connected. What should I do?
If your TP-Link router is properly connected, but there is no internet access, the issue may lie with your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
First, check for any scheduled maintenance or outages by your ISP. If those are not the cause, inspect for faulty cables or loose connections. If needed, reach out to your ISP for further assistance.
Final Words
Hopefully, you now understand the meaning of the various lights on your TP-Link router when they are solid, flashing, or off.
If the lights are showing a solid color, it normally means that your router is connected to the internet.
But, if the lights are flickering or flashing, the chances that your router cannot connect to the internet are high, meaning you need to resolve the issue immediately.
If you cannot solve the problem by yourself, ensure that you contact customer support for assistance.
