It's not something rare to ask why your Linksys router is blinking red or purple. These lights are meaningful as well as beautiful. The router doesn't really communicate, so it utilizes lights to let you know what's going on. A Linksys router red light normally means some problem with your device, but a purple light isn't as prevalent and might leave people confused.
Both of them have their own reasons, and there are solutions for each one of them. Let's dive in!
What the red light on the Linksys router means?
The red light on the Linksys router is its method of letting you know something is not appropriate with the device. Not necessarily bad, but certainly something that needs to be looked at.
Some common explanations are:
⦁ Your provider's internet service is down, not yours.
⦁ The cables aren't tight enough or aren't in the right place.
⦁ The firmware on the router is old.
⦁ After setup, the internet settings were wrong.
⦁ The router is becoming too hot or has a hardware problem.
A lot of users get confused when they see the Linksys router’s red light. But really, majority of the time, it's something easy like a faulty cable connection or the internet being down for a short period.
Step by Step: How to Fix the Red Light
1. Begin with the Basics: Look at the wires. For real. The Ethernet cable from the modem should fit properly into the WAN port. The router turns red if the cable is even a little damaged.
You should also look at your ISP. Connect the laptop directly to the modem. The problem isn't your router if you can't go online there. It's the service.
2. Restart everything: Turn off the modem and router, wait 30 seconds, and then turn on the modem first. Turn on the router when it is steady. That red light goes away a lot of the time immediately after.
3. Go to Linksyssmartwifi.com and log in: If it's still red, connect your device to the router's WiFi, even if there isn't any internet. Open your browser and type linksyssmartwifi.com. That brings up the router's dashboard.
You may do the following here:
⦁ Check to see whether the router can find your internet connection.
⦁ Look at the WAN options, such Dynamic IP, PPPoE, and so on.
⦁ Do some tests.
An incorrect setting here is generally the problem after setup.
4. Install the latest firmware: The Linksys router’s red light could stay on if the firmware is out of date. Check for updates by going to "Connectivity" on the dashboard. If you can, install it and then restart.
5. If you need to, reset: If nothing else works, reset the router to its factory settings. For around 10 seconds, use a paperclip to push the reset button. After it restarts, go back to linksyssmartwifi.com and set it up again. Yes, it's annoying, but it helps you get rid of any poor settings that are creating the problem.
6. Think about problems with the hardware: If the red light continues to turn on after all of this, your router may be broken. Constant red may be caused by overheating or old capacitors. Hence, at this point, the only thing that may work is to replace it.
What about the Linksys purple light now?
People become puzzled since the Linksys purple light doesn't come on as much. The red isn't generally as bad. When purple comes up, it's usually because
⦁ The router is in configuration mode.
⦁ It's attempting to connect to the internet, but it isn't quite there yet.
⦁ The firmware is being updated.
⦁ The system is setting up or synchronizing.
The Linksys purple light means that the router is working. It's similar to a loading bar. But if it remains purple for too long, it's worth looking into.
How to Fix the Purple Light?
1. First, be patient: Wait a few minutes if you recently restarted your computer or updated the firmware. If it's still synchronizing, purple may signify that.
2. Look at the steps for setting up: If you're still setting up, check sure you've done everything in the app or on linksyssmartwifi.com. It might suggest that it's waiting for you to do something.
3. Start over again: If purple stays on for a long time, restart your modem and router. A simple power cycle often fixes it.
4. Updates to the firmware: If the firmware upgrade didn't finish correctly, purple may stay for a while. Check for changes by logging onto the dashboard. Do it right.
5. If you're stuck, try resetting: You may reset it to factory settings and set it up again if the purple doesn't go away.
How do red and purple lights differ?
⦁ Red light: Something is wrong. There might be an issue with the settings, the internet, the cable, or the hardware. It has to be done.
⦁ Purple light: Usually only lasts for a short time. Set up, update, or sync. Not always terrible.
Knowing these distinctions can help you stay calm.
In Conclusion
Like other routers, Linksys speaks in lights. The Linksys router's red light indicates "something's wrong." Linksys' purple light says "wait, I'm busy".
Performing a few simple checks, rebooting your device, or rapidly upgrading it using linksyssmartwifi.com usually fixes both issues. Do not panic. Start with the basics and get WiFi before you finish your coffee.