NETGEAR router · Status lights
What the lights on a NETGEAR router mean
Sources checked · how we check
NETGEAR uses the same few colours across its routers: white or green when something is working, amber when it is starting up or running slower, and blinking to say something is in progress. Find the light that is lit and read across.
What this covers
This is NETGEAR's general router LED table, which it applies to its WiFi 5, WiFi 6, WiFi 6E and gaming routers, and it says the icons vary slightly by age and model. NETGEAR publishes separate tables for Orbi systems and its cable modems — if your router is one of those, or a row below does not match what you see, check the LED article for your own model.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Power LED
Solid amber
The router is powering on.
What to do: Give it a minute to finish starting up. NETGEAR says that if the Power LED does not turn white or green, or stays blinking for an unusually long time, the router might have a problem, and its first fix is to power-cycle the whole network.
Source: NETGEAR: how do I resolve amber LEDs or a blinking power LED on my router?
Blinking amber
The router's firmware is upgrading, or the Reset button was pressed.
What to do: Leave it alone until it finishes, and do not unplug it during a firmware upgrade.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Blinking white
The router's firmware is corrupted.
What to do: Waiting will not fix this. NETGEAR's fix for corrupt firmware is to upload the firmware again from a computer using a TFTP client, and its amber-LED article links the steps for Windows and macOS.
Source: NETGEAR: how do I resolve amber LEDs or a blinking power LED on my router?
Blinking white and amber (R8000 only)
On an R8000, the router is in access point (AP) mode.
What to do: Nothing, if you set it up as an access point. NETGEAR lists this pattern for the R8000 only.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Off
The router is not powered on.
What to do: NETGEAR says to use the power adapter that came with the router, and to try plugging it straight into a wall outlet rather than a surge protector, or a different outlet.
Source: NETGEAR: how do I resolve amber LEDs or a blinking power LED on my router?
Internet LED
Solid green or white
The internet connection is ready.
What to do: Nothing. This is the normal state.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Solid amber
The router detected an Ethernet cable connection to the modem.
What to do: The cable to the modem is seen, so if you still have no internet the problem is upstream of the router. Restart the modem, then the router.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Blinking white
The port is sending or receiving traffic.
What to do: Nothing. This is normal activity.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Off
No Ethernet cable is connected between the router and the modem.
What to do: Check the cable from the modem is plugged into the router's Internet port at both ends.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Ethernet port LEDs
White or green
That port has a Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps) connection.
What to do: Nothing. This is the fastest of the wired states.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Amber
That port has a 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps Ethernet connection.
What to do: Working, but slower than the port can manage. If you expected Gigabit, try a different cable or a different port.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Blinking, in either colour
The port is sending or receiving traffic.
What to do: Nothing. This is normal activity; the colour still shows the speed.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Off
No device is connected to this Ethernet port.
What to do: If something is plugged in, check that device is switched on, then try another cable.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
WiFi LED
Solid white
The WiFi radios are operating.
What to do: Nothing. This is the normal state.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Blinking
The router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic.
What to do: Nothing. This is normal activity.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Off
The WiFi radios are off.
What to do: Check whether WiFi has been switched off in the router's settings.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
If none of these match your light
NETGEAR publishes its own LED article per product line, and an Orbi satellite, a Nighthawk range extender and a cable modem each use a different set of colours from the router table above. Look up the LED article for your exact model on NETGEAR's support site rather than assuming the router meanings carry over.
Source: NETGEAR: what do the LEDs on my NETGEAR router mean?
Frequently asked questions
What does a blinking amber light on a NETGEAR router mean?
NETGEAR says the Power LED blinks amber while the router's firmware is upgrading, or when the Reset button has been pressed. Leave it to finish rather than unplugging it.
Why is my NETGEAR internet light amber?
A solid amber Internet LED means the router detected an Ethernet cable connection to the modem. The router can see the cable, so if there is still no internet the problem is usually the modem or the line rather than the router.
What does a blinking white power light mean?
NETGEAR says a blinking white Power LED means the router's firmware is corrupted. Waiting will not fix it: NETGEAR's fix is to upload the firmware again from a computer using a TFTP client.
Is an amber Ethernet port light a problem?
No. Amber means that port has a 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps connection rather than Gigabit. It works; it is just slower. A different cable or port often brings it up to white or green.