The router’s signal broadcast isn’t a straight line to your device. It’s also important to place the router as high as possible. The Wi-Fi signal meter on your device helps you judge the strength of the current Wi-Fi signal. You want to have your device well within your router’s broadcast range. Wi-Fi radio waves get weaker the farther they travel. Furthermore, do your best to avoid placing the router near any electronic devices (especially microwaves) or any disruptive surfaces. So, when picking a spot for your router, choose somewhere central and elevated relative to your devices. If the equipment lights aren’t revealing your internet issue, read on for the next steps.įor router placement, the key factors to consider are distance, elevation, and obstructions. Skip to the Wi-Fi troubleshooting section to begin troubleshooting. If the Wi-Fi light(s) are off or red, your router isn’t broadcasting a signal.

Labels for Wi-Fi lights vary but usually will read “2.4G” and “5G,” “WLAN,” or “Wireless.” These lights should be on and are usually blinking. The WiFi light(s) will be on your router or somewhere below the internet connection light if you have a modem/router combo unit. If this is you, skip ahead to our internet signal troubleshooting section. If the light is red or not on at all, you have an internet signal problem as your modem isn’t successfully connecting to the internet. The light for an internet connection is on your modem and is usually labeled WAN, Internet, or with a globe icon, and you can tell the internet is on if the light (usually white or green) is solid. Either way, the LED status lights on your equipment are very helpful for quickly diagnosing network problems. You may also have a combo unit that is an all-in-one modem/router (also called a gateway). Nearly all modems and routers have LED status lights.

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