3G Microcell - 3G Red Light Flashing

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

• Off– No power to MicroCell.
• Solid Green– Microcell has power.
• Solid Red– MicroCell is either still powering up or is in an error state. Please unplug the MicroCell from power and plug it back in. If the LED remains red, please try an alternate power outlet or alternate power cable. You can also test the ac adapter with a voltmeter. It should read 16VDC ± 0.5. If not, replace the adapter with one of the exact same power rating.

Ethernet LED

• Off– No Ethernet cable connected. Please make sure both sides of the Ethernet cable are firmly attached. One side should be plugged into the Ethernet port on the MicroCell and one side should be plugged into an Ethernet port on the modem or router. Ethernet cables should click when inserted into an Ethernet port. If the LED does not light when both sides are firmly attached, please try an alternate Ethernet cable. The MicroCell has been tested and works with Ethernet cables up to 15 feet long.
• Solid Green– The Ethernet cable is connected and the MicroCell has been assigned a valid IP address.
• Flashing Green– The Ethernet cable is connected but the MicroCell has not been assigned a valid IP address. Please power cycle the modem, then router, then MicroCell in that order. If the Ethernet LED continues to flash, please ensure DHCP is enabled on the modem or router. The MicroCell requires DHCP to work.

GPS LED

• Off– No location check is being performed at this time. The MicroCell is either unplugged or is going through activation.
• Flashing Green– The MicroCell is performing a location check. It is scanning both for GPS satellites and for local cell sites.
• Solid Green– The MicroCell has completed the location check.

Computer LED (only on white model MicroCells)

• Off– Nothing is plugged into the computer port.
• Flashing Green– Traffic is passing through the MicroCell.
• Solid Green– No traffic is passing through the MicroCell.
• If continued issues occur, it is recommended to not use the Computer Port because of potential issues with the connected computer’s internet settings.

Network or 3G LED

• Off– The MicroCell is not activated. It is either powered off or going through activation.
• Flashing Green– The MicroCell is not activated. It is going through activation or is experiencing a connectivity issue. Please wait 90 minutes after registration. If the 3G LED continues to flash after 90 minutes, please review the Firewall &Router settings and make sure the modem or router are appropriately configured for use with a MicroCell.
• Flashing Red– The MicroCell has failed the location check. Please ensure the MicroCell is registered to the correct address. Please power cycle the MicroCell to trigger a new location check. It may also help to relocate the MicroCell to a location with a clear view of the sky. If the MicroCell fails the second location check, please contact AT&T Customer Care.
• Solid Green– The MicroCell is fully activated and is broadcasting signal.

We also have comprehensive Video content to help you navigate any issues you might be having:

• Microcell Activation
• Firewall and Router Settings
• Microcell and Linksys Router Support

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

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 wrote:
It states right in the user guide a red flashing 3G light may be a device issue. Sounds like it is broken.

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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.

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 wrote:
my microcell is a solid red and I don't remember it being that way

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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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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].

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]