No, the decorative "planets" on the front of the common Gen 2 Starlink router are not lights; only the newer Gen 3 and Mini routers have an actual indicator light on the front, while older models have a power light on the bottom, which typically turns off after connection is established. Many users mistake the front design for lights, but they don't illuminate.
Router light is located at the bottom of the router.
This is key to ensure your router is plugged in and receiving power. A green blinking light indicates the router has power and user services are running. No color on this light means the router has no power.
Understanding the LED lights on your equipment
Many Starlink Gen 2 users are encountering a widespread issue—routers suddenly failing without warning. The most common symptom is the small white LED light on the bottom of the router no longer turning on, indicating a power supply failure.
There are no lights on the front of the router. Solid Light: Power is being supplied to the router. No Light: No power to router. Check the outlet and ensure it is fully plugged in.
How to Know If Your Router is Bad
The green lights on your router typically indicate that the device is receiving power and is connected to the internet. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that your computer is correctly connected to the network or that there are no issues with the internet connection itself.
As you can see there are 4 lights at the top of the OpenReach Full Fibre modem – Power, LOS (Loss of Service or Loss of Signal), PON (Passive Optical Network) and LAN (Local Area Network – but you know this one, right?).
Make sure the Ethernet cables are securely plugged in. The internet LED on the router is on if the Ethernet cable connecting the wireless router and the modem is plugged in securely and the modem and router are turned on.
The simple step of hitting the off switch can lead to a better night's sleep. When on, a WiFi signal may interfere with our brains during sleep, so by turning it off we reduce EMF exposure and hopefully rest more deeply. This is how to remotely turn off wifi router.
Internet light
After the power and DSL lights are green, the modem will then connect to the internet. Once it's online, the internet light will turn GREEN. During normal use, the internet light will flash and flicker green whenever your modem is sending data back and forth between the internet and your devices.
Flashing White Light – Trying to connect. Solid White Light – Connected to internet. No Light – No power to router. Red Light – Not connected to the internet.
Open the Starlink App to check for any alerts, outages, or obstructions. Check the status light on the back of your Starlink. Slow Blinking: Powered on. No Light: No power to Starlink.
It will look exactly like a string of 48 stars moving in a perfectly straight line. These 48 satellites were launched at 6:12 PM last night (12/2), and they will be just a little farther apart tomorrow night (12/4). There are now 1,896 StarLink satellites in orbit. They are used to provide satellite Internet.
Green and White: These colors generally mean everything is fine. They indicate that the modem or router is powered on, connected, and operating as expected. Yellow: Yellow lights often mean processing, like trying to connect to the internet or synchronize with your ISP.
Typically by unplugging the power cord, waiting 20-30 seconds and plugging it back in. If you hit the small RESET button on the back of the router as pictured below, or something like it that may even be recessed, it will do a Factory Reset of that router.
While routers typically last between 3 and 5 years, their lifespan depends on how you use them and how well you maintain them. Keeping an eye on your router's performance and staying informed about the latest technology will ensure you enjoy fast, reliable internet for years to come.
If the light is off, the router is receiving no power. Check it's plugged in. If the light is flashing green and amber, it is upgrading its software.
5 Signs You Need a New Router
Restart your modem and router
Sometimes, your modem appears to be connected, but you still have no internet access. In many cases, a simple power cycle can fix the issue by clearing temporary glitches, resetting background processes, and re-establishing a clean connection between your router, modem, and ISP.
How Often Should You Replace Your Router? Most routers need replacing every 4-5 years or less if it has outdated WiFi Standards or software. If your current router predates the pandemic, it's likely approaching the end of its useful life.
So here are a few telltale signs that your crusty old router is well overdue for an upgrade.
Quick test: If the Internet light is solid on the modem and the router's WAN/Internet light is also solid, your connection should be working.