With technology playing an increasingly important role in our daily lives, even minor issues with our internet connection can have a negative impact. I personally experienced this when my Cox WiFi Router started blinking orange, preventing me from accessing the internet.
As someone who relies heavily on online meetings and lectures for work, I didn’t have the luxury of waiting for Cox’s support team to resolve the issue. So, I turned to the internet to find solutions and discovered that many others had encountered the same problem.
In this article, I have condensed all the information you need to know about this issue and will guide you through the different ways to fix it.
If you encounter an orange blinking light on your Cox router, try a few solutions such as rebooting the router, checking for loose cables, repositioning the router, upgrading software and hardware, and clearing its DNS cache to rectify the issue. However, if none of these steps work, it is best to contact Cox’s technical support team for further assistance.
What Does the Blinking Orange Light on the Cox Router Mean?
When your WiFi is not working, you may notice that the LED light on your router blinks orange instead of the usual green or yellow color. Each color indicates a different state, condition, or issue of the device.
A blinking orange light indicates that the router is attempting to connect to the network and provide internet access, while a solid orange color indicates that the router has failed to do so.
There are several common causes of this problem, understanding which can help you resolve it quickly.
Loose or Worn-Out Cables and Wires.
The issue with the network could be due to improper connection of the ethernet or coaxial cable of your router, or it may be plugged into the wrong port. Even if you have correctly positioned the cables, the problem may still persist due to wear and tear of the internal components of the wires over years of usage.
Damaged or Unresponsive Ports.
Check to see if all the ports on your router have complete teeth. If any of the ports are missing a part or two, it may cause a network issue. In such cases, you may need to repair the damaged ports or consider purchasing a new router altogether.
IP Address or DNS Cache Glitch.
One of the most common causes of internet access blockage is a DNS Cache or IP address glitch, as experienced by many people. This can be due to various reasons, including saved website data on your device.
Now that you may have identified the reason for the issue with your router, here are some ways in which you can try to resolve the problem on your own.
Reboot the Router.
Sometimes, restarting your devices can be a simple fix for a connection problem. Before proceeding with any other steps, try rebooting your entire Cox set, including the modem and router.
To do this correctly, disconnect the device or turn off the power for at least 30 seconds before turning it back on.
Check for Service Outages.
At times, the issue may not be with your device at all, and there could be a service outage from the ISP’s end. It’s important to keep an eye out for this possibility.
Here’s how to check for outages on the Cox website:
- Login to your account, and hit on the My Account Overview Menu
- From the dropdown menu that just opened, click on Manage My Equipment
- If there is an outage, it will show up at the top of the screen
Alternatively, you could ring up Cox and ask them whether there is an outage, although most people would go for the former option because of Cox’s busy telephone lines.
Check for Loose/Damaged Cables.
To address cable-related issues, start by removing the router’s ethernet cable and reinserting it in the correct port, ensuring that you hear the “click” sound when you connect it back.
Additionally, check the coaxial cable to ensure that each end is properly attached to the gateway and wall. If the cables are damaged or too worn out to function properly, you will need to replace them as there is no other choice.
Reposition the Router for Better Signal.
If your router and device are too far apart or located in a low signal area, it could lead to a decrease in WiFi signal strength.
To address this issue, try bringing the device and router closer to each other. Also, ensure that there are no obstacles between the router and the device that could interfere with the signal.
If you frequently face signal issues around your home, consider investing in the best mesh Wi-Fi routers for thick walls that are available today.
Update Router Firmware.
To consistently provide a stable internet connection, companies routinely upgrade modems to ensure they utilize their maximum potential.
If you experience connectivity issues, it could be because your modem is still using an older version of its firmware.
Updating the firmware through the provider’s website may not only fix the connectivity issue but also improve protection and upgrade the firewall.
Limit the Number of Devices Connected to the Router.
The more devices that connect to your router simultaneously, the more taxing it becomes on the router, resulting in slower performance.
To improve connectivity strength, make sure to close all unnecessary background applications on your devices and disconnect any inactive devices.
Upgrade Your Router.
It’s worth checking if you’re using an outdated version of the router/modem offered by Cox.
If your equipment is outdated, the only solution is to purchase a new, modern one from Cox.
Clear DNS and Cache Data.
A common cause for connectivity issues is a DNS cache glitch, which many people experience.
To see if this is the issue, try completely clearing your cache data and see if it fixes the problem.
Reset the Modem.
Sometimes a simple restart or reboot isn’t enough, and you may need to reset the modem to its factory settings.
To do this, press and hold the reset button on the gateway for over 8 seconds or until all the LED lights go off or flash.
This solution can fix problems such as slow upload speeds and ethernet being slower than Wi-Fi as well.
Contact Support.
If you have followed all the steps outlined in this article and are still experiencing the blinking orange light issue on your Cox router, it is recommended to contact Cox’s technical support team. Explain the problem to them, and they will either provide a solution or dispatch a technician to assist you with the issue.
Final Thoughts.
Now that you have learned why your Cox router blinks orange and what you can do about it, keep in mind that sometimes the issue may not be with the router but rather a problem on the company’s side. If there is a network-wide connectivity issue, Cox will send out a team of experts to resolve it.
Also, keep in mind that resetting your modem will restore it to its factory settings and erase all data, so only do so if necessary. If you need to reset it, be sure to record your current settings beforehand.
Sometimes, simply waiting for the company to resolve the issue is all it takes. When the light on your router turns green, your internet connection has been restored to normal.
Find out more information about the router at the website:Cox Router Login: Updating Your Admin Password