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Eero red light – meaning, causes, and how to fix it

Make the red light disappear with these quick fixes!
Last Updated on December 21, 2023
Eero red light
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If you’re facing the Eero red light issue and can’t seem to figure out how to fix it, we’ve got you covered.

The Eero red light of death means that your device is not connected to the internet and has lost the connection. In some cases, the light goes away on its own after a few hours. But if it stays, you need to perform some manual fixes.

To help you out, we’re going to explain what the Eero router red light means and how you can fix it quickly. 

What causes the Eero red light issue?

Here are some possible reasons behind the Eero red light of death. 

  • Internet outage.
  • Server maintenance. 
  • Bug or glitch.
  • Broken or loose cables.
  • Outdated firmware.
  • Corrupt firmware files.
  • Incorrect placement of nodes.
  • Hardware failure. 

How to fix the Eero red light issue 

Here are some methods that can help fix the red light on Eero. 

Step

1

Check for internet outage

Before attempting any troubleshooting steps, it’s wise to verify if there’s ongoing maintenance or an outage affecting your network in the area. You can learn about this by reaching out to Eero’s support team. If there is an ongoing issue, your best course of action would be to wait until the company resolves it, as there’s nothing else you can do. 

Step

2

Examine the cables

Sometimes, if either end of the cable isn’t securely plugged in or if the cable itself is damaged, it can lead to a red light on Eero. To troubleshoot this problem, start by examining the ports where the cables connect. Clean these ports to ensure there’s no debris hindering the connection. Once cleaned, firmly reinsert the cables, ensuring they’re securely and correctly plugged in on both ends. On top of that, try using new cables just to make sure there’s nothing wrong with the existing ones.

Step

3

Power cycle your devices

A temporary bug or glitch can also cause the Eero red light issue. Thankfully, this can be mostly fixed by performing a power cycle. 

  • Disconnect both your Eero and the modem from power. 
  • Wait for approximately one minute. 
  • Begin by reconnecting the modem and allow it to fully boot up. 
  • Once the modem has completed its startup process, reconnect the router (Eero) and allow it to boot up. 
  • Wait until the LED light on the router becomes a steady, solid white.

Step

4

Perform a network restart

Some of you may not know this, but an option exists inside the Eero app that lets you restart the network. This can help clear old or corrupt cache, which may be causing the red light issue. 

  • Open the Eero app.
  • Go to the Settings.
  • Access advanced settings and tap on Restart Network.

Once done, wait for the system to restart. If a connection is established, it means the Eero red light issue has been resolved. 

Step

5

Maintain router capacity

When a network experiences overloading, it means that it’s being pushed beyond its intended capacity by connecting an excessive number of devices to the router. Certain routers are engineered to support a maximum of 15 devices simultaneously. If you exceed this limit and connect more than 15 devices, you’ll encounter performance problems and errors, including the red light on Eero. Therefore, disconnect all unnecessary devices from the device. 

Step

6

Check if the wired connections are working

In some cases, the problem could only be with the wireless function of your device. To confirm this, connect a device directly to the router using an ethernet cable. If the connection works fine, there’s something wrong with the WiFi. In this case, you will have to get it repaired or buy a new router if the current one is beyond repair. 

Step

7

Update the router

Running your router on outdated or corrupt firmware can lead to different issues, including a weak connection. So, if you haven’t updated your device in a while, now would be the right time to do so. 

  • Launch the Eero app and access the menu located at the top left of your screen. 
  • Navigate to the Network settings section within the menu and scroll down to find the network software option. 
  • Look for available updates and select the update option to initiate the update process. 
  • Once the update is completed, the router will automatically restart itself to implement the changes and re-establish the connection.

After the update process is finished, the red light on Eero should be gone.

Step

8

Disable bridge mode

If you were using your Eero app recently, you may have accidentally enabled the bridge mode. This basically disables the WiFi function and can cause the red light on Eero to appear. To fix this, open the Eero app and tap on the DHCP & NAT option in the settings. Then, change the settings from Bridge to Automatic. 

Step

9

Make sure the nodes are placed correctly

For a mesh system to work properly, all nodes should be placed correctly. If you place them too far from each other, you may see a red light on an Eero satellite. So, unplug your nodes and take them a little closer to the central router to see if that fixes the issue. 

Step

10

Factory reset your Eero router

Factory resetting your Eero router should be your last option to fix the Eero red light issue, as this will erase your custom settings from the device. However, it is something that can help fix software-related issues by taking the device back to its default settings.

  • Take a small pin and insert it inside a pinhole on the router’s back. 
  • Press the button inside the pinhole and hold it for around 15 seconds. 
  • After a flashing red light appears, let go of the button and wait for the device to boot up.

After you set up the router again, the red light will be hopefully gone. 

Step

11

Seek help from Eero support

If none of the troubleshooting methods resolve the issue, it’s essential to reach out to Eero support for further assistance. They can arrange for a skilled technician to visit your home at a scheduled time. This technician will thoroughly diagnose the problem and attempt various solutions. But if the technician fails to fix the problem, you may have to get a new router. 

How do I get my Eero back online?

To get your Eero back online, you need to power cycle both your modem and router. This involves turning the devices off, removing their power cables, and waiting for around three minutes before plugging them back in.

What color should Eero be when working?

If your Eero is working fine and the connection is stable, you will see a white LED on the device.

Conclusion

The Eero red light issue may seem difficult to fix, but in most cases, you can make the problem disappear by performing a power cycle or updating the router. If these don’t work, try reconnecting the cables, disconnecting unnecessary devices, or factory resetting your device. But if everything fails, seek help from Eero support. In case you are planning to replace your current device, check out our top picks for the best mesh routers.

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.