Have you ever discovered a TP-Link router orange light and wondered what it means? We’re here to help by explaining the causes and easy fixes to this issue.
An orange light on a TP-link device means that the WAN port is connected but there are issues connecting to the internet.
The causes of this could include outdated firmware, a software glitch, or damaged cables.
Luckily, there are several easy ways to fix this issue such as restarting your device, implementing a factory reset or simply checking the cable connections.
If you follow the easy steps outlined in this article, you will fix the issue in most cases.
Sometimes the issue may be due to an ISP outage or a hardware issue. In these cases, some patience will be required, but it’s always good practice to contact the ISP Customer Support for more advice.
Causes Of An Orange Internet Light On A TP-Link Router
The causes of the orange light on a TP-Link router could be simple or complex.
The main causes of the issue are listed below:
- Software or technical issues
- Firmware that is outdated
- Damaged or loose cable connections
- Problems with the hardware
- Loss of power during a firmware update
- Network connection is lost or fluctuating.
- TP-Link network undergoing maintenance in your local area.
- A fault with your router device
Fixes For An Orange Light On A TP-Link Router
There are many easy fixes that you can implement by yourself at home to fix the issue of an orange light on a TP-Link router.
You don’t need much technical knowledge to implement these fixes either. Follow the steps below and hopefully you’ll fix this annoying issue.
1. Power Cycle or Restart the Modem and Router
Most issues with a router or modem can be fixed with a restart or power cycle of the device.
A restart of the device means simply turning the device off and on again, while a power cycle means removing all power connections from your router device and leaving it to rest for some time.
Follow the steps below to implement a router power cycle:
- Turn the router off using the on/off switch.
- Remove the power plugs of the router and modem.
- Disconnect the ethernet cables connecting the router and modem.
- Wait a few minutes.
- Plug back in all the connections, including power plugs and ethernet cables.
- Turn the router back on and give it time to restart without interference.
- Now you can check to see if the device lights are reverting to normal.
- If you see a solid green or white light, the issue should be resolved.
- If the orange light persists after the restart or power cycle, move to the next step.
2. Inspect Your Cables for Damage or Loose Connections
Loose or damaged cables often cause orange light issues on a TP-Link router. If you’ve recently moved the router or modem, or simply haven’t checked the connections for a while, doing this step could solve the issue.
If you’ve had your cables in place for many years, they can acquire physical or moisture damage over time which leads to internet connection issues.
Simply check your cable connections and the cables themselves by following the steps below:
- Unplug on cables from the modem and router.
- Inspect the LAN and WAN ports on the router and see if any of the connector pins are damaged.
- Check the ports on the modem for the same issue.
- Inspect your ethernet cables to see if they are in a good condition.
- Review the cable wall jack, which is where the internet connection comes from, for any signs of damage.
- If you discover any moisture or damage on any cables, you should replace them.
- Once all cables have been inspected, fixed, or replaced, plug them back into the relevant ports and restart your modem and router. Hopefully, the orange light should be removed from the TP-Link router.
3. Remove Obstructions from the Router
Sometimes a physical obstruction around your router can cause a TP-Link orange light. The obstruction affects the quality of the wireless connection to the router, leading to the orange light being indicated.
To ensure quality router performance you should place your router in an open space with minimal obstructions.
Follow the steps below to remove physical obstructions from your TP-Link router:
- Observe the router location and see if any objects are obstructing it, such as books, shelves folders etc.
- Check if the router is in an enclosed space such as a cupboard.
- If you notice any obstructions, find a new place in your home to locate the router. This place should be open with minimal obstructions.
- Once obstructions are removed, restart the device to see if the orange light is removed.
4. Check for Internet Service Provider Maintenance or Outages
Sometimes the issue of the orange light on a TP-Link router is the cause of the internet service provider.
Whether it be scheduled maintenance or an emergency repair, it can cause the whole network to go down in a locality.
Unfortunately, there is not much you can do while this issue is being fixed. You can check the ISP website to see if they have updated their service maintenance information to give you more information.
Generally, these issues will be fixed within a few hours and the network will be back up and running.
If you suspect some ISP maintenance, implement the following steps:
- Visiting the official ISP website.
- Check for updates or notifications on service maintenance or network outages.
- If no updates are available, visit the Contact page and call a contact number or direct message using a chatbot.
- If an ISP issue is identified, be patient and wait for the issue to be resolved. Consider using your phone hotspot in the meantime.
5. Update the Device Firmware
Firmware updates are generally run automatically, but in some cases, they are required manually.
Sometimes firmware updates can cause internet connection issues, but generally they fix pre-existing bugs and allow for better connectivity.
Follow the steps below to check and update your device’s firmware:
- Open the TP-Link website and locate the firmware updates portal.
- Select the model of your router.
- Then, download the latest firmware available for your router model.
- For the next step, log in to your account on the TP-Link website.
- Next, locate Settings > Advanced > System Tools > Firmware Upgrade.
- You can then locate the downloaded firmware file in the section labelled ‘manual upgrade’.
- Click ‘update’ and the firmware should update on your device.
- Once complete, the router will automatically restart and hopefully the orange light is removed.
6. Run a TP-Link Router Factory Reset
A factory reset should be one of the last steps you take as it restores all settings and customizations to the factory default.
While this is not the end of the world, it will take some time to get back to your device preferences.
Follow the steps below to implement a factory reset on your TP-Link router:
- Locate the small reset button at the back of your router.
- Press the button for a few seconds using small pin or clip.
- The router will then automatically restart in the factory settings.
- When fully restarted, the orange light should be removed.
7. Try Cloning The Current MAC Address
Cloning the MAC address is a useful solution to overcome network connectivity issues, especially when your TP-Link router is displaying an orange light.
In some home or work network setups, only a certain number of MAC addresses are approved.
Cloning enables you to overcome this issue by copying the MAC address from an approved hardware to the troublesome device, allowing it to connect to the network.
Cloning a MAC address to a router is fairly straightforward. You will need the old and new routers available and find the IP address for both.
First, access your old router by entering the IP address into a web browser. This may be something like 192.168.1.1 but can differ between models.
Next, log in to the portal and find the status page where the Physical address or MAC address will appear. Copy this address then log out and shut down the router.
Next, log in to the new router using the same approach. Once logged in, navigate to the network settings page and enter the address of your old router into the MAC or Physical address field.
Then, save your settings, and the clone should be complete.
8. Contact TP-Link Product Support
If you’ve followed all the previous steps and had no luck removing the orange light from your TP-Link router, the final option available is to contact an ISP technician or customer support.
Follow the steps below to contact TP-Link technical support:
- Visit the Contact Us section on the TP-Link website.
- Select your preferred mode of contact through text, email, or call.
- Once the issue is understood, a member of the support team will suggest either to repair or replace the device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of an orange light on a TP-Link router?
The TP-Link router orange lights indicate internet connectivity issues. The light indicates that the WAN port is connected well, but still the device is unable to access the ISP network.
What are some easy fixes for a TP-Link orange light?
There are many easy ways to fix the orange light on a TP-Link router. Firstly, you should try restarting the device and then checking the cable connections.
Also consider updating the firmware and a factory reset if the orange light is still showing.
How long can a TP-Link router take to connect to the internet?
Generally, a TP-Link router should take a maximum of five minutes to establish an internet connection following a restart.
When connected, the device will show a white or green light. If the device takes longer, or shows an orange or red light, there is an issue connecting to the network.
Final Words
Hopefully, you’re now clear on the causes and fixes of the orange light on a TP-Link router.
This issue is generally not a cause for concern and can be corrected via a device reset or firmware update.
However, if the issue persists, contact the ISP for more tailored advice and they can suggest a device repair or replacement.
