AT&T Router Blinking Red: What It Means and How to Fix It

When an AT&T router or fiber gateway shows red, the first thing to figure out is which light is red. AT&T's published gateway chart gives each red pattern a different meaning, and each has a different fix. This guide walks through them.

Gateway models vary, particularly across older gateways and newer fiber gateways, so check your model's guide if your lights look different.

Which red light do you have?

Step-by-step fixes

1. Check for an outage

Use the myAT&T app or AT&T's outage information on mobile data. If there is an outage, wait for it to end.

2. Check the connection to the network

Make sure the cable from the wall or the fiber terminal to the gateway is firmly seated. If you have AT&T Fiber, check that the Optical Network Terminal has power and is not showing a fault.

3. Restart the gateway

Unplug the gateway, wait about a minute and plug it back in. Wait several minutes and watch the Broadband and Service lights. Do not unplug while the Power light is solid amber, because that indicates an update in progress.

4. Try another outlet

For a solid red Power light, plug the gateway into a different wall outlet, not a power strip, to rule out a power problem.

5. Factory reset

If a restart fails, reset the gateway with the reset button, following your model's guide. This erases WiFi settings.

6. Contact AT&T

A red Broadband light that persists, a solid red Service light and a solid red Power light after a power test all warrant contacting AT&T. Tell them which light is red and what you have tried.

If your own router sits behind the AT&T gateway

If you added your own router, a red light on that router is a different problem. Check the cable to the gateway and see our guide to router lights meaning.

The bottom line

Identify the red light, check for an outage and cables, restart, and contact AT&T if a Service or Power light is solid red.

Frequently asked questions about att router blinking red

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