Tp-Link Router Lights Meaning & Troubleshooting Tips in 2023

Router lights are there for a reason. It informs you about the status of your router and whether it is connected to the network or not.

Like all other routers, TP-Link routers also come with their own set of LED indicators, such as USB, power, internet, and WPS. Understanding these lights will help you to identify problems and fix them quickly.

Based on different circumstances, TP-Link router lights will either be solid, flashing/blinking, or off.

For example, if the lights are off or blinking, it indicates a network problem or hardware issue. If the lights are solid green, it means the router is connected to the internet and working fine.

In this article, we will explain the different tp-link router lights meaning. So if you are a TP-Link user, you may find this article useful.

TP-Link Router Lights Explained

A TP-Link router is equipped with multiple LED light indicators and each of them has a different meaning. The status of the light informs about the router’s condition.

#1. Power Light

The power light helps you understand if the router is turned on or off. If the light is solid green, it means the router is connected to a power source.

In case, the indicators are off, it implies that the power supply to the router is stopped. It can happen either because of a power cut or connection problems.

Check for voltage irregularities or loose cables. If those things are fine, you should consider replacing the batteries of the router. This should bring the power back on.

#2. WAN LED

When the WAN LED shows a bright, solid green light, it indicates that the router is connected to the server.

The light will start blinking green when the link between the ISP server and your router is active. The indicator will go off if the router loses connection to the network.

Make sure that your modem or ONT terminal is working fine and have no loose connections.

#3. 2.4Ghz Light

Dual routers work with two bands – 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Both the bands have their pros and cons.

For example, 2.4 GHz provides longer coverage, but it is slower than 5 GHz. Similarly, 5Ghz has a shorter coverage but is much faster than 2.4Ghz.

If the 2.4 GHz is on, it indicates that the router is using the 2.4 GHz network. If the 2.4 GHz is off, it means the 2.4 band is inactive.

#4. 5Ghz Light

As the name implies, the 5Ghz indicator is reserved for the 5Ghz network. The light will stay lit when you enable the 5Ghz band.

The light will turn off the moment you disable the 5Ghz network and switch to 2.4Ghz.

It’s up to you to decide which network to use. You can switch between 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz at any given time, depending on your requirements.

#5. Internet LED

The internet light indicates the status of the internet connection. A solid green light implies that the router has an active internet connection. It also means that there is no data transmission between the router and the ISP server.

The light will start blinking green whenever data transmission takes place between your router and server. However, if the lights are turned off, it denotes no internet connection. This can happen due to a loose connection, so we suggest you check the cables.

If the internet light turns orange, it indicates that the router is facing problems connecting to the network. This could happen because of a server outage or ongoing maintenance work.

#6. LAN LED

If the LAN LED is solid green, it indicates an active LAN port. The light starts blinking green when data transmission takes place between the server and the client device.

If the lights are not lit even after connecting devices to the router, it suggests no connection. This might happen because of a damaged cable.

In this case, you should consider using a new Ethernet cable. If the issue persists, chances are that the ports are broken, meaning you will need a professional to fix it.

#7. USB

You know the USB port is active when the USB light is solid green. It indicates that the external device is available for usage.

The USB light will start blinking green during data transmission in the connected device.

However, if the USB light is not lit even after connecting an external device, it could mean that the device is incompatible or faulty. In this case, you should try connecting to another USB device and see how the light reacts. If still nothing happens, check if you have disabled the USB port. It is also possible that the USB port on your router is damaged.

#8. Phone LED

The phone LED indicates the status of VoIP service on your router. If the light is solid green, it means that VoIP is active.

If the light starts blinking green, it implies that you are receiving messages, or making calls. It can also happen if the device is off the hook.

If the lights don’t get turned on even after connecting a VoIP device, it means the VoIP connection is not active. To address this, you should call your service provider and inform them about the problem.

Voice connections are active only when you pay for the subscription. So if you delay payments, your service provider may disable the connection.

#9. Ethernet Lights

These lights inform you about the status of the Ethernet ports on your router. It allows you to connect different Ethernet devices to your router.

When the Ethernet device is connected, the Ethernet light will turn on. If there are no Ethernet devices linked, the lights will remain off.

In case, the Ethernet lights don’t turn on, despite connecting a device, it indicates an issue. Either the device is not compatible or the Ethernet port is damaged.

Troubleshooting Tips

Now that you know about the different TP-Link router lights meaning, let’s take a look at some network troubleshooting tips. You can apply these tips whenever you experience network issues on your router.

• Turn off and on your router.
• Check if all the devices are connected to the correct port on the router. If you use the wrong port, the device will not work.
• Install the latest firmware update.
• Check if the cables are connected firmly. Also, make sure that no cables are loose or damaged.
• Check if there’s a server outage in your area.
• Contact your ISP for assistance.
• Make sure that the router is not heated or overloaded.
• Factory reset your router to return it to its default settings.
• Contact TP-Link customer service for help.
• Get a new router and replace the old one. To ensure smooth functioning, you should replace your router every 2-3 years.

Final Words on TP-Link Router Lights Flashing

TP-Link routers have LED indicators for every function. The status of the light helps you know if your router is facing any connection issues. Now that you know the meaning of TP-Link router lights, it will be easier for you to recognize a problem and fix it.

TP-Link Router Lights Meaning FAQ