The lights on the BT Hub tell you what's going on with different functions and whether there are any problems.
Click on your model of Hub to find out what the lights mean.
Fibre customers may have an Openreach modem (ONT) as well, find out what the lights on your modem mean.
When you first plug in your Hub, please wait for it to sync - this usually takes about four minutes.
If you see these colours when you’re not starting up your hub, follow the instructions to resolve the problem.
| Light status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Your Hub is connected to your broadband ok | If you can't get online, it might be your device. Try switching your device off and on. |
| No light | The power is off or the lights have been turned off using the Hub Manager | Full Fibre connection Make sure your Openreach modem is connected to the mains and all the lights are on. Fibre connection Check that the Hub is plugged in, switched on and that its lights haven't been turned off in the Hub Manager. If this doesn't fix your issue, contact us. |
| Green | Your Hub is starting up | Wait for at least three minutes for it to turn blue. If it stays green, turn your Hub off and on again. If the light still doesn't turn blue, use a paper clip to press your Hub's factory reset button. If this doesn't fix your issue, please contact us. |
| Flashing orange | Your Hub is connecting to broadband | Give it at least three minutes to connect. The light will turn blue when your Hub is ready. |
| Flashing purple | Your Hub is working but the broadband cable isn't connected | Full Fibre connection Finally, make sure your hub is configured in Full Fibre mode.
Fibre connection |
| Orange | Your Hub is working but isn't connected to the internet | Connect a device to your Hub. Open a new web browser window and follow the on-screen help wizard to get connected. |
| Red | There's a problem somewhere | Using the Power button, turn your Hub off and on again. If the light still doesn't turn blue, use a paper clip to press your Hub's factory reset button. If this doesn't fix your issue, please contact us. |
| Purple | Your Hub is connected to the EE mobile network via Hybrid Connect | This may be because your broadband connection isn't set up yet, or because there's an issue with your broadband. |
WPS button flashing |
If it's flashing blue, it's waiting for you to press the WPS button on your computer or device (you've got two minutes). If it's flashing red, it didn't connect - give it a couple of minutes and try again. |
When you first plug in your hub, the lights will appear in this order. Please wait for the hub to sync - this usually takes about four minutes.
This table shows how long each stage of the start-up process should last. If you see these colours when you’re not starting up your hub, follow the instructions to try to resolve the problem.
| Light status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No light
|
The power is off or you've turned the lights off | If you haven't turned the lights off, check that the power button is on, the power supply is plugged in correctly at the mains and the power is turned on. If there's still no light, contact us. |
| Green light
|
The Hub is starting up - this takes about one and a half minutes | Wait a couple of minutes for it to start |
| Flashing orange light
|
The Hub is connecting to broadband - this takes about 30 seconds | Give it a minute or two to connect. The light will turn steady blue when your Hub is ready |
| Steady orange light
|
The Hub is working but isn't connected to the internet - this takes about two minutes | Connect a device to your Hub using a cable or WiFi. Open a web browser and follow the on-screen help wizard to get connected |
| Blue light
|
The Hub is working fine | If you can't get online there might be a problem with your computer, tablet or mobile device. Turn it off and then on and try again. if you've still got a problem then get some help from the manufacturer or supplier |
This table shows other lights that you might see and how to deal with them.
| Light status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing purple light
|
The Hub is working but isn't connected to the internet | Check the broadband cable (black with grey ends) is plugged in correctly and you're using a filter if needed. Has your broadband been activated? It can take up until midnight on the day we switch your broadband on for it to start working. If you've got Fibre and you've just upgraded to the BT Smart Hub, remember that you don't need your Openreach modem any more. If you try to use them together, your broadband won't work. Just plug your Smart Hub into your master phone socket. Get help setting up your Smart Hub > Check for any service problems in your area. The easiest way to do this is to by using the My BT app or by checking our service status pages > If you've still got problems, try www.bt.com/help/connectionissue or get in touch > |
| Red light
|
There's a problem somewhere | Using the Power button, turn your Hub off and then on again. If the light doesn't turn blue, use a paper clip to press your Hub's Factory Reset button. If this doesn't fix it call 0800 111 4567. We're usually less busy between 12 and 6.30pm. Make sure you're next to your Hub with a computer or device when you call us |
| WPS button and light
|
If it's flashing blue, it's waiting for you to press the WPS button on your computer or device (you've got two minutes). If it's flashing red, you didn't connect. Give it a couple of minutes and try again. No light means that it's connected successfully |
| Central power light status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Power light is green or flashing green
|
Your Hub is starting up | Wait a couple of minutes for your Hub to start. The light will stay blue for more than 20 seconds when it’s ready |
| Power light is blue
|
Your Hub is working fine | If you can't get online, try restarting the Hub and check your computer or device settings |
| Power light is off
|
The Hub isn't receiving power | Check that the power switch on the back of your Hub is on, the power cable’s plugged in correctly at the mains and that power is on |
| Power light is orange
|
This shows that there's a problem somewhere | Check the other lights in the silver bar at the bottom of the Hub and see the icons table below |
| Power light is red
|
You're not connected to broadband | Press the Restart button and release it when the Power light turns orange. Your Hub will restart and the Power light will glow steady blue. If it’s still red, reset your Hub using a paper clip to press the Reset button on the back of your Hub for a few seconds |
The Broadband and Wireless icon lights only come on if there's a problem, or as a warning - for example, if wireless is switched off.
| Icon light status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband light is orange
|
You’re connected to broadband but your account might not be switched on yet | Wait until after midnight on the day we switch on your broadband |
| Broadband light is red
|
You’ve tried to log in with the wrong username and password | Reset your Hub’s password by using a paper clip to press the recessed Reset button on the back of your Hub for a few seconds |
| Broadband light is flashing red
|
There’s a problem with your broadband line | Check all the cables are plugged in correctly and that it’s after midnight on the day we switch on your broadband |
| Wireless light is orange
|
You’ve switched off wireless security for one or both wireless channels | Turn on your security in the wireless tab in your Hub Manager |
| Wireless light is flashing orange
|
Your Hub is in WPS automatic connection mode | Click the button to connect (on your computer or adapter) without entering a pass key. The Hub will return to normal mode after a few minutes |
| Lights | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Steady blue | Broadband connection working | If you can't get online there might be a problem with your computer, tablet or mobile. Turn it off and on then try again. If you've still got a problem speak to the manufacturer or supplier |
| Steady blue - dimmed | Your Hub is in auto power save mode | The light will go back to a brighter, steady blue once you're connected |
| Flashing blue | Device connecting via WPS | Press the WPS button on your computer or device (you've got two minutes) |
| Flashing orange | Hub starting up or connecting via WPS | Your Hub is trying to connect to the internet or connecting via WPS |
| Steady orange | BT power save mode is activated or there's a problem with your Hub | Press the Restart button. If you're not set to power mode, there's a problem with your internet. Use our BT Troubleshooter for help with connection issues |
| Steady red | You're not connected to broadband | Use the Power button to turn your Hub off and on again. If the light doesn't turn blue, use a paper-clip to press your Hub's Factory Reset button. If this doesn't fix it, call 0800 111 4567. We're usually less busy between 12 and 6.30pm. Make sure you're next to the Hub with a computer or device when you call us |
| Off | The power is off | Make sure the Power button is switched on - you'll find this on the back of your Hub. Is the power cable plugged in and switched on at the mains? |
|
Colour/Shape |
What it means |
|---|---|
|
Solid green circle |
Your device is starting up. |
|
Flashing green circle |
Your device is not paired to your hub. Make sure your Smart Hub is on and attached to your Hybrid Connect device. |
|
Solid blue circle |
Your device is paired with your hub. |
|
Flashing blue circle |
Your device is pairing with the hub. |
|
Solid orange circle |
Your device is too far from the hub. |
|
Solid red circle |
There's a problem. Restart your device, and if the light is still red, contact us. |
|
Flashing red circle |
Your device cannot connect. Try moving Hybrid Connect. If you still can't connect to the mobile network, contact us. |
|
Solid blue bars |
Your device has a strong mobile signal (two or three bars are good). |
|
Flashing blue bars |
Your device is connecting to the mobile network. |
|
Partially blue bars |
Your mobile signal is not strong. |
|
Solid white bars |
Your device is using mobile data because your broadband is not working (two or three bars are good). |
|
Partially white bars |
Your mobile signal is not strong. |
|
Solid red bars |
There's a problem with your device. We'd like to help so please get in touch. |
|
Flashing red bars |
Your device can't connect to the mobile network. |
If you need extra support watch the video below.
If you still can't get online, use our BT Troubleshooter for help with connection issues
Still need help?
For more advice on how to get the best from your BT Hub, visit Help for Hubs >
Or, if you’ve got one of our older Hubs why not buy our latest BT Smart Hub? >