Wifi light blinking rapidly – Meaning and how to fix

Have you noticed the wifi light on your router blinking? If yes, check whether you can access the web as usual. If you have no problem with this, it means that your router is working correctly.

The problem comes in when the router keeps on blinking rapidly, and you are having difficulty trying to access the web. This shows that your internet connection has a problem. It could be caused by a service outage, splitter problem, too many wifi-enabled devices, or loose wires. Once you identify the specific cause, you can try to fix it easily. Read on.

Learn more about wifi light blinking

The lights on your router blink when data is being transmitted to different wifi devices such as your mobile phone or computer. As long as such devices send or receive data over the wireless connection, you don’t have to worry about the blinking lights on your router. In normal circumstances, the blinking lights show that data is being appropriately processed to these devices.

Constant blinking is, however, not a good sign. This shows a problem with your internet connection. You should, however, not confuse this blinking with the one that occurs during the firmware update process. Once you notice the wifi light blinking rapidly, you should try the steps below.

How to fix the problem

Contact the ISP

Sometimes, service outage can make the wifi lights on your device to blink persistently. You can find out if the service outage is causing the problem by looking at the company’s website. Look for any notifications related to a service outage. If you don’t see anything, call the ISP. They can give you a solution to this.

Re-initialize the router

One of the solutions that can help you stop the wifi lights from blinking fast is re-initializing your device. You can cut the supply of power to your router for a few minutes by unplugging it from the power source. Press the power button on your router for some time then plug back your device. Check if the rapid blinking light has gone. You can even try accessing the web after re-initializing the router. If you don’t notice any changes, try restarting other devices connected to the network, such as your modem, smartphone, or computer.

Direct plugging

We mentioned that a problem with the splitter could also make the wifi lights blink rapidly. When the splitter is not working correctly, it can negatively affect your connection. To eliminate any splitter issues, you could try connecting the router directly to the cable. Doing this can help you establish a reliable connection. Once you have tried direct plugging, check the wifi lights on your device to see if the problem is resolved.

Try to solve the device’s connection

If you notice that you cannot access the router using a wifi device such as your phone, but the wifi lights on the router are still blinking, the problem lies in your device’s connection. For you to make a wireless connection to the router, you have to activate your smartphone’s wireless connectivity function. Go to the device’s settings on your phone and activate the network function. This can help you get a proper connection, and the rapid blinking lights on the router may stop.

Consider the number of wifi enabled devices connected

Your wireless router can support connections for at least five wifi-enabled devices at the same time. Whenever you connect another device to the network, you may notice the rate of lights blinking on the router increasing. When this device reaches its support limit, you might notice the blinking lights remaining lit throughout. This happens because the router is receiving and sending transmissions faster than when you had connected fewer devices.

Removing some of the wifi devices, you have connected to the network might help you see some changes in the lights. For instance, if you rarely use some smart home devices connected to the network, try eliminating them. If you are using an old router and connect so many devices to the network, it may struggle to work as expected.

Check for loose wires

You should also ensure that wires that connect to the router and modem are secure. Any loose wires can prevent you from getting a reliable internet connection. Once you secure the wires firmly, check if the rapidly blinking light has disappeared. If you notice that some of the wires are not in the best condition, you should replace them with new ones. Any damaged wires can cause connectivity problems with the router. Also, inspect the cable that connects to your router. Get such items from a well-known supplier so that you don’t have to worry about their quality.

Conclusion

Wifi light blinking indicates that your device is working. In normal circumstances, you should expect the lights to flash but not continuously. If the wifi lights on your device are blinking rapidly, your internet connection has a problem. When this occurs, you may find it challenging to access any content through the web. Fortunately, you can solve this issue by doing a few things such as re-initializing your router, plugging it directly to the cable, activating the network function on a wifi device, or securely connecting the wires. Your internet service provider can also help you find out if there is a service outage.

FAQs

If the wifi lights keep on blinking rapidly, does it mean that someone else is using my network?

No. This is not a possible cause, focus on things such as splitter issues, loose wires, or service outage.

What light should I expect from my router?

A solid green light shows that your device is functioning properly.