Is Your Fios Router Blinking White? Here’s What to Do
Hey there, Fios users! If you’ve noticed that your router’s LED is blinking white, you’re not alone. While Verizon’s Fios Router is known for its reliability, it’s not uncommon for technical hiccups to occur. But before you start panicking, let us put your mind at ease – this issue is usually easily fixable at home. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what a blinking white light on your Fios router means and share five simple ways to get it back to its steady, reliable state
Why is your Fios Router Blinking White?
A blinking white light on your Fios router can be a bit perplexing, but fear not! It’s actually quite common and usually not a cause for alarm. In fact, a blinking white light is typically an indicator that your router is in the process of rebooting and reconnecting to Verizon’s service.
To help you understand the different LED light colors and their meanings, here’s a quick breakdown:
- Red: This indicates a serious issue, such as a hardware fault or overheating.
- Yellow: A yellow light means there is currently no connection to the internet.
- Green: If the light is green, it means the Wi-Fi has been deactivated at your end.
- Blue: When blinking, it indicates that the router is currently pairing, and when solid blue, it means it has successfully paired.
- White: In normal operation, a blinking white light may occur after a hard reset of the device. It signifies that the router is in the process of rebooting and connecting back to Verizon’s service.
So, if you see that blinking white light, rest assured that your Fios router is simply going through a reboot and will soon be back to its steady, reliable state. But if the blinking persists or you experience other issues, keep reading as we dive into common causes and troubleshooting solutions in the next sections.
Currently rebooting
The syncing process is a natural part of the router’s boot procedure and is to be expected after any manual reboot or firmware update. If you just wait for a while, it may turn solid white by itself, which indicates that everything is fine.
However, if it continues to blink white, it may indicate a problem that is stopping the rebooting process from successfully completing. These are the potential issues that can cause this to happen.
Unable to connect
If the blinking continues for a prolonged period of time, it may indicate that the router is unable to complete its connection to Verizon services. This can be quite frustrating, as it suggests there may be underlying issues that need to be addressed.
These issues can range from hardware problems with the router itself to software conflicts that are preventing the connection. In some cases, the issue may even lie with the service at Verizon’s end. But don’t worry, we’ll explore some troubleshooting solutions in the next section to help you get your Fios router back online and connected to the internet.
Defective LED light
If you notice that the blinking is erratic or there is an unusual dimming of the light, it may indicate a defective or damaged LED light. This shouldn’t affect the overall operation of the device, but it can make reading the front panel’s information more difficult. In this case, it might be worth contacting Verizon for additional support. They can provide guidance on how to address the defective LED light and ensure your Fios router is working optimally.
A hardware malfunction
There are numerous causes for a hardware malfunction, so if you find your device becomes unresponsive and you are not able to log into the device on a computer, you may need to power the device off and give it a “hard reset” to regain control.
This can help resolve minor hardware issues. However, if the hardware issue continues, it’s best to contact Verizon for further assistance. They can provide guidance and potentially arrange for a replacement device if necessary. Remember, they’re here to help get your Fios router back up and running smoothly.
Software issue
Out of date or defective software can also cause a host of issues that might cause the front panel to respond incorrectly. This will require double-checking that both the router’s firmware and any associated software/apps are up to date. Keeping your software updated is crucial to ensuring smooth and reliable operation of your Fios router.
If you suspect a software issue, make sure to check for any available updates and install them promptly. This simple step can often resolve the blinking white light issue and keep your router functioning optimally.
How to fix Fios router blinking white
Check all cables/connections
Even if you are sure you plugged everything in, there are many reasons why a connection can come loose, and it’s worth double-checking all cables are seated correctly. For the Ethernet cable, you should hear a definitive click when it is seated properly.
It’s very common for the little tab that secures them in place to break off, so if you don’t hear that click, the cable might need to be replaced. The power cable is also susceptible to working itself loose, particularly if the router is ever lifted up and placed back down (when dusting or cleaning, for example).
In addition to that, also check that none of the cables are obviously frayed or have any exposed wire. Things like pets chewing on them to accidentally running over them with the vacuum may cause damage that can prevent them from functioning correctly.
Reboot the router
Once you are sure all the cables are seated and secure, the next thing to try is a simple hard reboot of the device. This is a simple process where all you need to do is unplug the device from the power, wait for about a minute, and then plug it back in.
Wait a good five minutes for it to fully restart and let it run through its initialization process, which may fix the issue. Remember, patience is key during this process, but it’s worth a try to get your Fios router back up and running smoothly.
Check the ISP for issues
Internet service providers often experience service outages or perform maintenance that can affect your Fios router. To check the current status and identify power outages in your area, you can visit Verizon’s “service outage” page.
If there is an outage or service suspension, you just need to wait for the service to be restored. Once it’s back up and running, your Fios router’s blinking white light should turn solid on its own. Patience is key, but soon enough, you’ll be back online and connected to the internet.
Restore factory default settings
This is the nuclear option for fixing the blinking white light on your Fios router, but it can be highly effective. Restoring the router to its factory default settings completely erases all stored settings and login credentials, so make sure to write down a copy of your settings and back up all login details before proceeding.
This process will bring the router back to its original state as it would have shipped from the factory, helping to reverse any issues that have occurred since its initial setup, such as a faulty firmware upgrade. To restore factory default settings, locate the reset button on the back of the Fios router and press and hold it for 20 seconds. After releasing the button, the router will begin its rebooting process. During this time, the white light will blink, so be patient and wait a few minutes until it stops.
Contact Verizon support
If you’ve exhausted all the troubleshooting options mentioned earlier and your Fios router’s blinking white light persists, it’s time to reach out to Verizon support. Don’t worry, they’re here to help! Contacting their tech specialists will allow you to discuss your specific issue and the steps you’ve already taken to resolve it.
They may ask some initial questions to better understand the problem before potentially referring you to a technician. If it’s determined that your hardware needs to be replaced, Verizon will quickly send you a new unit to ensure you’re back online and connected to the internet in no time.
What color should the light be on my Fios router?
Under standard operation, a solid white light is most desirable. This means your router is powered on, has established a connection to the network, and has a good internet connection. After a reset, your router will blink blue while it’s pairing, and then you will receive a solid blue light to indicate the pairing is successful. This is a good thing. Just wait a bit, and it should turn white. So, keep an eye out for that steady white light to ensure your Fios router is functioning properly.
Why is my Verizon Fios box blinking?
There are multiple reasons that can cause a blinking light on your Verizon Fios box. The exact cause is determined by the color of the light and the speed at which it is blinking. A slow blinking red light means the router has failed to pair with the network, while a fast blinking red light indicates that the device is overheating.
A slow blinking blue light means the device is currently pairing and you should wait for it to finish. Finally, a fast blinking white light means the router is currently booting, usually after a reset or firmware upgrade. It’s important to remember that these are the standard causes of a blinking light and assume that the device is currently working and operational.
How do I reboot my Verizon Fios router?
There are three kinds of reboots you can perform to your Fios router. The first is a “soft reset,” which will simply restart the device without powering off. To do this, you can simply press the “reset” button on the back of the router. This can oftentimes rectify small connection issues and bugs. The next is a “hard reset.”
This involves turning the device off and unplugging it from the power. Then, you should wait an additional minute or so to let the power fully dissipate from the device before plugging it back in and booting it up. This can solve some of the more troublesome issues. Then, as a last resort, you can perform a “factory restore.” This involves holding the reset button in for 20 seconds and then releasing it.
This will completely wipe all your user-stored settings and login credentials and completely reset the router back to the state it would have shipped from the factory. This can help solve things such as a faulty firmware upgrade.
