Xfinity is among the most trusted, innovative, and efficient names in the world of Internet service providers. There is no such thing as a perfect Internet service provider, however, and even Xfinity routers are prone to problems. Understandably so, many homeowners are at a loss when they find their Xfinity gateway blinking orange.
An Xfinity modem or gateway blinking orange means that it isn’t connected to the Internet. This often happens if there is an update underway and you need to wait 30-60 minutes for it to complete. Otherwise, you may need to power cycle your Xfinity router to restore the Internet connection or wait for a local service outage to resolve.
Make sure that all of the wires and cables are tightly connected at the back of your Xfinity router. Contact Xfinity through their website, mobile app, or over the phone if the gateway is still blinking orange. Follow along as we explore the best fixes for an Xfinity gateway blinking orange to save you time and trouble.
How to Fix Your Xfinity Router Blinking Orange
You can fix an Xfinity router that is blinking orange easily without professional help in most cases. Most of the solutions are simple whether it be power cycling the router or being patient during a software update. Let’s take a look at the most common and easiest fixes to use when you find your Xfinity gateway blinking orange.
1. Wait for Software Update to Finish
Pending updates are the most common explanation for an Xfinity gateway blinking orange. This can be frustrating, especially if you forgot or didn’t know that it was due for an update. Xfinity typically alerts its customers when they are due for a firmware update, but that isn’t always the case.
Most users don’t even know that their Xfinity gateway has an update underway until they experience a problem. While it is frustrating, updates are always worth it because they will improve your Xfinity router’s performance. Unless there is a service outage, your first instinct should be that the light is blinking orange due to an update in progress.
The best option is to simply wait it out for up to an hour to see if the Xfinity gateway stops blinking orange. It typically only takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour for the update to install, but it’s often much quicker. You can tell that there is something else with your Xfinity router if the lighting continues blinking orange.
2. Reset Your Router
Reset your router if it is clear that there is no update in progress and you are still without Internet access. Luckily, you can easily reset your Xfinity router if you simply power cycle it. Locate all of the wires in the back of your Xfinity router and unplug them.
Leave your Xfinity router unplugged for up to one minute and plug the wires back on. Give your Xfinity gateway a minute or two to reset and the light should be green again. You can repeat this process if the light keeps blinking orange. However, you’ll need to try something else if the blinking is persistent.
Related Read: Xfinity Cable Box Not Working? (It Could Be a SIMPLE restart!)
3. Check for Loose Ethernet & Other Cables
Loose cables are an often underlooked cause of problems with an Xfinity gateway. Check your router’s cables if you find your Xfinity gateway blinking orange. You may lose your Internet connection even if the wires are just barely loose in some cases.
Make sure that the Ethernet cable is secure because that is often the biggest culprit. Move your Xfinity router to a space with less foot traffic if the cables often come loose.
4. Check if the Splitter is Damaged
Did you run a splitter to your Xfinity router? If so, you need to check it to make sure that it’s not damaged if the light is blinking orange. Splitters serve to let you run cables to multiple devices, such as TVs and modems.
They can easily get damaged, especially if you have to stretch them far. You will need to replace the splitter if it is damaged and you’d like to continue using one. Otherwise, you can opt for a direct connection so that you don’t have to worry about damage.
5. Check if There’s a Service Outage In Your Area
Sometimes, it is a sign that there’s a service outage in your area if you find your Xfinity gateway blinking orange. You can quickly find out if there’s a service outage in your area via the Xfinity mobile app and website. Pull up the outage map and search your area to see if there are outages near you.
Otherwise, you can call Xfinity if you are out of cellular data and cannot pull up the outage map on your phone.
6. Try Connecting Directly to Your Router
Connect an Ethernet cable directly to your router to ensure a strong Internet connection. It’s common for homeowners to use a splitter instead of a direct connection. However, that doesn’t always work well because the stretch can often weaken or eliminate the connection.
Simply plug the Ethernet cable directly into the back of your Xfinity router. You should notice the light stop blinking orange and turn static green. This indicates that you have a solid Internet connection, and your devices should work as usual.
7. Check If Your Router is Faulty
Sometimes, it means that your router is faulty if you still see your Xfinity gateway blinking orange. Wi-Fi routers only last for between 3 and 5 years on average. Xfinity makes reliable routers, but they aren’t meant to last for many years and you need to frequently replace them.
Persistent problems with your Internet connection often indicate that it’s time to replace your Xfinity router. You won’t have to pay Xfinity for another router as it is included as part of your subscription agreement. Xfinity will require you to return your old router equipment to them in exchange for the new router.
8. Check if Your OS is Up to Date
Sometimes, Xfinity products fail to update on their own which can lead to frustration and confusing problems. Xfinity devices typically update automatically without the need for any manual action. Mistakes happen though and an Xfinity router may miss an update every once in a while resulting in poor performance.
Check to see if your Xfinity gateway’s OS is up to date. You can search online for an update history if you have cellular data on your phone. Otherwise, power cycling your Xfinity router will often help reboot it and it may initiate an update.
If Nothing Works, Contact Xfinity Support
Call Xfinity support if none of the above solutions can stop your gateway from blinking orange. Luckily, Xfinity has an excellent customer support staff and system to help with persistent problems. You can reach their customer service call center at 1-800-934-6489 to request help.
They can typically walk you through the steps to troubleshoot your Xfinity router. Xfinity support should also be able to dispatch help or set up an appointment with service technicians. It may take a day or two for a technician to come to your house, but it’s important to start the process as soon as possible.
You can also chat with Xfinity support staff online through their website. This option is sometimes faster than calling them depending on the volume of their customer service calls at that time. Either way, Xfinity has a great reputation for providing concise help.
Related Read: Xfinity Modem Blinking Green? (Here’s WHY & How to Fix!)
So, What’s the Best Way to Fix an Xfinity Gateway Blinking Orange?
The best way to fix and Xfinity gateway blinking orange is to power cycle the router. Unplug the wires and cables and leave your router along for 1-2 minutes before you plug them back in. This should effectively reboot your router and restore the Internet connection, and you can do it a few times if necessary.
Inspect the Ethernet cable to make sure that it is securely connected to your Xfinity router. Make sure that your splitter isn’t damaged if you are using one and connect directly to the router instead if so. Wait 30-60 minutes if there are no outages in your area and the Gateway is blinking orange.
It takes 30-60 minutes or less for Xfinity products to update in some cases. The light will keep blinking orange until the update is fully installed. Otherwise, simply call Xfinity at 1-800-934-6489 to ask for help or request a service technician to resolve the problem.
