There are five lights on your Netgear DG834G modem router. Check each light in turn to make sure it’s not indicating a problem.
By the way, your router might look different to this (depending on which model you have), but the way the lights work will be the same or very similar. Have a look at the guide that came with your router if you’re not sure.
1 - Power
The Power light should be lit solid green after you connect the router to the power supply. If it isn’t, there’s a problem.
If the Power light is off, check that:
- The power cable is securely connected to the router.
- The power cable is plugged in at the power socket.
- The power socket is switched on (if there is a power switch).
If the power light still doesn’t light, try a different socket. Still nothing? Call technical support and we’ll help you get to the bottom of it with some more tests.
If the Power light is lit solid red, the router has malfunctioned. Try switching off the router at the power socket (unplug it, if necessary), leave it for ten minutes, then turn it back on again. If this doesn’t fix it, call technical support.
2 – Ethernet ports 1-4
If you connect over wireless, you can skip this bit, since the Ethernet lights won’t be used.
When you connect a computer to one of the router’s Ethernet ports with the Ethernet cable, and login to the computer, the light that corresponds to that port should light solid green or amber (it’ll flash green or amber if the router is receiving and transmitting data). If the light is off, this means there’s a problem.
Do these checks to try and solve the problem:
- Make sure you’re using the yellow Ethernet cable supplied with the router.
- Make sure the Ethernet cable is firmly connected to your computer and to the router.
- Make sure that the Ethernet port is enabled. Click to find out how to do this in Windows XP, Windows Vista, or on a Mac. If you are using another operating system, check out the guide that came with your computer.
- Test the router by connecting Ethernet port 1 to Ethernet port 2 on the back of the router, using the yellow Ethernet cable that came with it.
- If Ethernet port lights 1 and 2 on the front of the router are lit, the problem is with the Ethernet port on your computer. Check to make sure there is no dust or blockage in the Ethernet port on your computer, then try to connect it to the router again.
If the router light corresponding to the Ethernet port still does not light up, and you’ve already checked that the port is enabled, contact the provider of your computer and tell them you have a faulty Ethernet port. - If Ethernet port lights 1 and 2 on the front of the router are not lit, try the same test with ports 3 and 4. If these don’t light up, either the router or the Ethernet cable is faulty. Contact technical support for guidance.
3 – Wireless
If you connect over Ethernet, you can skip this bit, since the wireless light won’t be used.
If the Wireless light is lit solid green the wireless access point is enabled. If the Wireless light is flashing green, data is being received or transmitted by the router. If the light is off, this might indicate a problem.
It can take up to two minutes for a router to complete its start-up procedure, so make sure that you’ve given it enough time to switch on all its wireless features. If the Wireless light isn’t lit after two minutes, the router’s wireless access point might be disabled. To check it, or switch it on, follow these steps:
- With your computer connected to the router using the yellow Ethernet cable, type 192.168.0.1 into the address line of your web browser (like Internet Explorer or Mac Safari). You’ll then be asked to enter your user name and password.
- Enter your user name and password - you’ll find them on the label on the bottom of the router. If you’ve already run the Wireless Set-up CD, you might have changed them.
- From the main menu, select Wireless settings
- Look for the Enable Wireless Access Point tick box, and check that it’s ticked. If not, click on the box to tick it.
- Click on Apply at the bottom of the page.
If the Wireless light still isn’t lit, please contact us via remote assistance.
4 – DSL
If this light is not green, it could be that your service has not been activated yet. If the date of activation hasn’t passed, please wait, as the service could go live late in the day. If the activation date has passed, there might be an issue with the broadband service. Contact technical support for help.
5 – Internet
If the Internet light is lit solid green or flashing green, the Internet connection is active. If the Internet light is lit solid red, or is off, this means there’s a problem.
A red light or no light at all means that the router isn’t able to “talk to” Virgin Media Broadband. If you’re new to our broadband service, it could be that your broadband service just hasn’t been activated yet. We’ll send you an email when your broadband service is activated, so click here if you want to check your email.
If your service has been activated and the Internet light is off, try these steps:
- Make sure that the router is plugged into the main phone socket in your house, using an ADSL filter.
- Make sure that all devices that connect to the same phone line as the router are connected through an ADSL filter. This includes devices (like fax machines) connected to other sockets in your house, unless they’re using a different phone number.
- Try temporarily removing all other devices from your phone line including any digital TV and set-top boxes. Connect the router to the main telephone socket in your home, using the supplied ADSL filter. Now unplug the router, wait 15 seconds and try again.
- Make sure you are using the power adapter that came with the router.
- Check the current Virgin Media service announcements page or call 0800 052 4329 and we’ll be happy to help.
If the Internet light still isn’t lit solid or flashing green, contact technical support.
