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Tutor
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1 Message
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 3:32 AM
3G Microcell - 3G Red Light Flashing
My GPS, Ethernet, and power light are on with a solid green. My 3G light is a solid red that flashes every three seconds. I use a Netgear router/modem; honestly, I'm not sure what a modem or router looks like but I plugged the microcell's ethernet into the Netgear. I've tried disconnecting then reactivating the microcell. No luck.
Any advice on how to troubleshoot this issue would be awesome. I live in the countryside where cell phone reception is severely limited. Thanks!
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Accepted Solution
Official Solution
ATTMobilityCare
Community Support
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15.2K Messages
5 years ago
Hello Community!
One of the most common topics we see on the forums is regarding the Microcell. Specifically, how to identify and understand the differences between the LED light indicators on the device as well as troubleshooting steps to resolve any issues.
The information contained below is a combination of the great community content, as well as information provided by our Advanced Technical Support team that supports the Microcell every day.
MicroCell LED Guide
Power LED
Ethernet LED
GPS LED
Computer LED (only on white model MicroCells)
Network or 3G LED
We also have comprehensive Video content to help you navigate any issues you might be having:
Note: A failing AC adapter can affect any of the LED lights so it’s always a good idea to check the adapter with a voltmeter, especially if the MicroCell is a few years old or you have experienced numerous or unexpected power outages.
You can also find a full list of Microcell support by visiting our Microcell support site!
Thanks again for all your fantastic questions and support, and please comment below if there is anything we’ve missed!
Katie, Community Specialist
AT&T Customer Care
Need help with an account specific question? Post a new question here on the forums by clicking the "Ask a Question" button.
For additional support, please visit us at our AT&T services hub.
Follow us on: Twitter @ATTHelp and @DIRECTVService
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Official Solution
PAFURN
Contributor
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1 Message
9 years ago
I just wanted the forum to know that my experience with AT&T Support was positive. I had the flashing red light shortly after I completed my set-up at home. It was easy to get the light back to steady green for an hour or two. Just pull the plug and restart.
You can also follow the Microcell troubleshooting guide. It may ask you to select your device, and the choice is "other" and "AT&T" and "Microcell. Under "select an Issue", choose the problem you are running into and it will provide step by step troubleshooting.
After two days of the flashing red light, I called AT&T Support. I waited about 10 minutes for a support person (early Sunday morning). I asked her if she knew about the flashing red light problem. She said she did and had proposed solutions depending on the diagnosis. I told her that the AT&T Store had activated the Microcell for me. I didn't return home and complete the rest of the steps for about two hours. She said that was too long of an interval and Support will advise stores not to activate at purchase. She deactivated and reactivated my Microcell for me. Second, her screen indicated that my GPA signal was not locking permanently. She asked how close was my Microcell to a window and were there any obstructions. I was at the margin of the recomended distance to the window (3-4') and the window is at a corner and I am surrounded by lots of trees. I moved the Microcell to almost touch the window and opposite from the corner. Her screen showed the GPS lock problem had disappeared from her screen.
I have been up and running now for more tha 48 hours with a steady green light.
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Kimen
Teacher
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22 Messages
9 years ago
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JFizDaWiz
Professor
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2.4K Messages
9 years ago
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OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
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13.6K Messages
9 years ago
Not necessarily. If AT&T updates the MicroCell (and this is usually done in the middle of the night without advanced notice or reason), and there is a problem re-connecting, the 3G light will start blinking red because the update either failed or the MicroCell thinks it has because of no connection. That happened to me a couple of weeks ago and a quick power cycle of my modem/router/ MicroCell resolved the blinking red light and I was back up and running in under 10 minutes.
___________________________________________________________
MicroCell Technical Guide by OttoPylot
Cellular Booster Guide by OttoPylot
"Quick Tips: My Microcell Doesn't Work"
*I am not an AT&T employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
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adedamola
Contributor
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1 Message
9 years ago
My GPS light has been blinking red for several days now. Yet the Microcell seems to be working fine. Do I need to do anything to get the light solid green as it should be or should I not bother myself since the phone seems to be connecting to the Microcell?
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damomics
Contributor
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1 Message
9 years ago
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OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
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13.6K Messages
9 years ago
AT&T probably attempted an update (usually done in the middle of the night) that either didn't go well or after the update the MicroCell didn't properly reset itself so it thinks the update failed. Power cycle and see if that corrects it. When my 3G started blinking red I just power cycled everything and was back up and running with solid green all the way down in about 10 minutes. What was odd though is that even with a red blinking 3G light, I still had a solid connection.
___________________________________________________________
MicroCell Technical Guide by OttoPylot
Cellular Booster Guide by OttoPylot
"Quick Tips: My Microcell Doesn't Work"
*I am not an AT&T employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
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kevinb8088
Contributor
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3 Messages
9 years ago
Same issue here. The microcell worked fine for well over a year and then suddenly I started getting the red blinking 3G light a few weeks ago, right around the time others started reporting the same issue. Seems pretty obvious that AT&T pushed some kind of software update to the microcell that didn't go very well. Hopefully they'll figure it out and push another update to correct it.
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hjmicka
Contributor
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1 Message
9 years ago
I power cycled down and restarted and also was able to get a green light again. However within an hour or so it goes red again. I thought it might be my wireless router so I bought a new one and that did not make a difference. Everything on my phones and Micro Cell indicate that I should not be able to make a phone call yet we are able to do so. We will let the light blink red and just keep using the phones I guess.
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Muligan21
Contributor
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2 Messages
9 years ago
I am having the same issue.
I wake up, red flashing light, I power cycle everything, get a green light, and within hours right back to flashing red.
Anyone know anything new or further about this issue?
Thanks in advance
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OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
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13.6K Messages
9 years ago
___________________________________________________________
MicroCell Technical Guide by OttoPylot
Cellular Booster Guide by OttoPylot
"Quick Tips: My Microcell Doesn't Work"
*I am not an AT&T employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
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mcellreally
Tutor
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2 Messages
9 years ago
Does anyone consider this to be a long term solution? Yes, resetting the Microcell fixes the blinking red 3G led, for some time but it is not a lasting fix. I have to reset my device nearly every day. Today, I have reset it twice. Is there no better fix than this?
I am disturbed that AT&T is not supporting this product better than this.
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OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
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13.6K Messages
9 years ago
No. I don't think that resetting everyday is considered a long term solution but it may be the only workaround for some. If you haven't done so already I'd check your setup, ISP, etc. You may just have a defective MicroCell that just can't properly reset itself either after an update by AT&T or something that your ISP has done. If you're still under warranty, document your issues with support and then get approval to go down to your local corporate AT&T store and get a replacement. The support, or total lack of by AT&T, has been an ongoing issue since they were first introduced. [Per Guidelines: Keep it Relevant and Appropriate].
___________________________________________________________
MicroCell Technical Guide by OttoPylot
Cellular Booster Guide by OttoPylot
"Quick Tips: My Microcell Doesn't Work"
*I am not an AT&T employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
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overclockedpc
Teacher
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9 Messages
9 years ago
I also have had the flashing 3g light problem for a while and I MAY have come up with some kind of fix but need someone to help me test it.
So, if your microcell is flahing a red 3g light, please try the following and let me know what happens.
1) With the microcell flashing red, unplug the ethernet cable while leaving power plugged in.
2) Wait 2 mnutes, unplug power cable.(whileethernet is unplugged).
3) Wait 30 seconds, plug power cable in with ethernet cable unplugged.
4) Wait 2 minutes, plug in ethernet cable. (while microcell is powered on)
5) Wait 2 minutes, unplug power cable (leaving ethernet plugged in).
6) Wait 30 seconds, plug in power cable. (with ethernet cable plugged in).
This should clear the red 3g light. If it does not, try power cycling again (unplug power, wait 30 seconds and plug back in).
If anyone is dealing with the red 3g light issue and can try this, please report back and let us know if it works or not. AT&T support is clueless on this issue, but maybe we can help each other find a solution.
Thanks for everyone's help in testing this.
[Edited to comply with Guidelines]
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