Short answer: is it normal?
Often, yes. Green is the color many routers use for healthy status, and a flashing green light frequently just means the device is working, such as sending data or starting up. It can occasionally mean the router is still trying to connect to your provider. What it means depends on which light is blinking and on your brand.
When flashing green is normal
- Data activity. WiFi, LAN and Ethernet port lights commonly blink green when traffic passes through. A light that flickers faster when you stream or download is behaving as designed.
- Startup. Many devices flash while booting and connecting. This can take a few minutes.
- A firmware update. Some units blink while installing updates. Avoid unplugging the router during this time.
- WPS pairing. If you pressed the WPS button, a blinking light can indicate it is waiting for a device. This is usually temporary.
When flashing green means a problem
Blinking is more worrying when it never ends. Examples include an internet or online light that keeps flashing for a long time after startup while you have no internet, or a light that blinks in a pattern your documentation lists as searching or failing to connect. Providers treat this differently by model, so check the guide for your exact device.
Which light is flashing matters
Most routers have several lights. The power light, the internet or online light, the WiFi light and the port lights each report something different. A flashing green port light is generally just activity (see which router lights should blink), while a flashing internet light is more relevant to connection trouble. If only one light behaves oddly, focus on that one.
What to do if you have no internet
- Wait a few minutes if the router has just been powered on.
- Check for an outage on your provider’s website or app.
- Check the cables. Push each connector in firmly and make sure the modem cable is in the router’s internet or WAN port.
- Restart the equipment (see below).
- Try a wired connection with an Ethernet cable to help work out whether the issue is WiFi only or the whole connection.
If a different color appears instead, see orange light or red light guidance.
How to reboot your router
- Unplug the power from the router, and from the modem if you have one.
- Wait about 30 seconds.
- Plug the modem in first and allow a few minutes.
- Plug the router in and wait for the lights to settle.
This does not erase your settings, unlike a factory reset.
Provider notes
Virgin Media publishes light guides for its Hub 3, Hub 4 and Hub 5, with different meanings per model. If you have one, check the official page for your hub rather than relying on a general rule. Other providers do the same, so a search for your model name plus “lights” is usually the quickest route.
When to contact your provider
Contact them if the internet light keeps flashing and you have no connection after restarting and checking cables, or if their status page shows an outage in your area.
FAQ
Why isn’t the internet light on my modem steady? It may still be negotiating a connection, or there may be a line or provider issue. Allow a few minutes, then check cables and status.
Does yellow blinking mean the same as green? No. Yellow or amber usually signals a warning, though meanings vary by brand.
Can a flashing green light mean the router is fine? Yes, if your internet works and the light is an activity indicator.