RouterLightsFixHow to Reset a Cox Router and Fix Cox WiFi Problems
Cox WiFi problems usually fall into three groups: an outage, a connection problem at your home and a gateway that needs a restart. This guide shows how to restart and reset Cox equipment safely and how to work through WiFi that is not working. If a light is blinking orange, our guide to a Cox router blinking orange goes into detail.
Cox equipment varies, from the Cox Panoramic Wifi gateway to customer-owned modems, so use your model's label if steps differ.
How to restart a Cox router or gateway
Unplug the power cord from the back of the device and wait 60 seconds.
While it is unplugged, check that the coax cable is tight at both ends.
Plug the power cord back in and wait about five minutes.
If you have a separate router, restart the modem first and the router after it comes online.
You can also restart from the Cox app, using mobile data if your WiFi is down.
Should you factory reset a Cox gateway?
Use restart first. A factory reset erases your WiFi settings, and for a Cox Panoramic Wifi gateway it can make things worse until Cox re-provisions the device. Reset only if Cox support tells you to.
Cox WiFi not working: quick checklist
Check for an outage in the Cox app or on Cox's outage page, using mobile data.
Read the lights. A blinking orange light means the modem is trying to connect but has not finished.
Restart the gateway, then check cables and remove splitters.
Try connecting a device directly to the gateway with an Ethernet cable to tell WiFi problems from internet problems.
Check a single device: forget the network and reconnect.
If you use your own modem
Customer-owned modems must be provisioned on your Cox account. If a new modem blinks indefinitely, contact Cox with the modem's MAC address to complete activation. Use an RG6 coax cable rather than an older RG59 cable.
When to contact Cox
Contact Cox when there is no outage and the light stays orange or the internet stays down after a restart, cable checks and a splitter test. Ask them to check signal levels and send a refresh; Cox-provided gateways are normally replaced at no charge if defective.
The bottom line
Restart, do not factory reset unless told to, and check the outage status and coax path first. Use the linked guide for blinking lights.
All Cox guides
Frequently asked questions about how to reset cox router
How do I reset my Cox router?
Restart it first: unplug the power cord for 60 seconds, plug it in and wait several minutes. You can also restart from the Cox app. Avoid a factory reset of a Cox-provided gateway unless Cox tells you to.
Why should I not factory reset a Cox Panoramic gateway?
Cox provisions these gateways with specific network settings, and a factory reset can make the situation worse until Cox re-provisions the unit.
Why is my Cox WiFi not working?
Common causes are an outage, a loose coax cable, a gateway that needs a restart or interference. Check the Cox app for outages first.
Do I need to activate my own modem with Cox?
Customer-owned modems must be provisioned on your Cox account before they connect. Give Cox the modem's MAC address, printed on its label.
How do I restart a Cox gateway from my phone?
Open the Cox app, go to the internet section and choose the restart option for your gateway.