Modems come with a variety of LED lights and symbols, each indicating different statuses and functions.

The meaning of these lights can change based on their color and whether they are blinking or steady. 

For example, a rapidly blinking light may signal an active process, while a solid light might indicate a stable connection.

This guide explains what different modem light colors represent, how to interpret modem symbols, and where to find official support documents for popular internet providers.

What Do Modem Light Colors Indicate?

The LED lights on a modem help communicate its status, showing whether it’s functioning properly, experiencing an issue, or disconnected. 

Since different internet providers and modem models may use slightly different indicators, the following explanations serve as a general reference.

Common Modem Light Colors and Their Meanings

• Green – Typically signals that the modem has power, an active internet connection, successful pairing with another device, a working phone line, or a strong internet signal.

• Blue – Often indicates an ongoing firmware update, device pairing process, detected internet provider, completed connection, or an active phone call.

• Orange – May suggest a moderate internet connection, early connection process after powering on, phone service limited to emergency calls, or an active pairing attempt.

• Red – Usually points to an issue such as overheating, service errors, weak or no internet connection, failed authentication, setup failure, or fully disconnected phone service.

• White – Often means the modem is powered on, in the process of pairing, detecting a provider, connecting to the internet, or undergoing a firmware update.

Understanding Modem Light Activity

Beyond color, the way modem lights behave can provide additional information about the device’s status.

• Solid Light – A steady light generally means the function it represents is operating correctly. However, steady red or orange lights may indicate a problem that needs to be addressed.

• Blinking Light – A flashing light can signal various activities, such as internet data transmission, pairing processes, or a phone line in use. Slow blinking may indicate an ongoing process, while rapid blinking often signals the final stages of that process.

• No Light – If a light is completely off, this could mean the modem has no power, is disconnected from the service provider, or a particular feature is disabled. In some cases, no lights might indicate normal operation.

Modem Symbols and Their Meanings

Many modems and modem-router combos feature small icons instead of text labels, making it challenging to determine their meanings.

While symbols vary by model and brand, here are some of the most common ones and what they represent:

• Power – This universally recognized symbol indicates whether the modem is turned on.

• Wi-Fi & Internet – Depending on the modem, this may refer to the general internet connection or distinguish between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.

• Internet (Globe or @ Symbol) – Usually represents the modem’s connection to the internet or WAN (Wide Area Network).

• Ethernet (LAN/WAN) – An empty square often indicates a WAN connection, while a box with a line at the bottom represents a LAN connection. A symbol with three connected squares may also indicate a LAN network.

• USB – The trident-like icon represents a USB port, which may be used for connecting external storage or network devices.

• WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) – Two arrows forming a circle represent WPS, which allows for quick Wi-Fi connections by pressing a button on the router.

Where to Find Official Modem Guides

Since modem indicators vary by manufacturer, it can be helpful to refer to official support documents when troubleshooting specific devices.

If you’re unsure what the lights on your modem mean, check the manuals from your internet service provider:

• CenturyLink

• Spectrum

• Arris

• Xfinity

• AT&T

• Verizon

• Cox Internet

FAQs

Why do all my modem lights appear green, but I have no internet?

Try restarting your modem by turning it off, unplugging it, and waiting about 15 minutes before reconnecting everything.

If the lights turn green again, check your device’s network settings for possible issues.

Which lights should be on when my modem is working properly?

While indicators differ by brand, a modem with a stable internet connection will typically display solid green or blue lights near the power, internet, and Wi-Fi indicators.

Additional lights may appear depending on the modem’s features and connections.