Why is Steve Modem WAN Flashing Red? (Fix Guide)

Whenever you see your Steve modem WAN flashing red, you know something is wrong with it.

The main cause of this issue is that your modem does not receive any internet signals from your ISP.

It’s an error that you can fix yourself, and you do not even need any technical expertise to do it.

Your Virgin Steve modem flashing red means that it could not make that connection with the internet. The internet may be out or slow enough. Run a speed test. If it shows nothing, you want to check your cables as they may be damaged, preventing the signals from reaching your modem.

Top Reasons Why Steve Modem WAN Flashing Red

Your WAN flashing red on Steve modem can mean a lot of things. There are a few causes that might bring about this problem.

If you are troubleshooting this type of problem, you want to know the root cause to understand how to tackle it and fix it.

1. Service Outage

The most common cause of why the WAN notification light on your Steve modem will flash red is a service outage.

This simply means that there is no internet connection coming from your provider.

If your modem does not detect any data coming in, it will flash red so that you will know something wrong.

2. Outdated Hardware or Software

Your modem comes with its own set of instructions on how it needs to operate, called firmware. Not getting the latest updates can cause your device’s hardware to fail.

If you see the WAN light flashing on your Steve modem, this is a likely cause that you should consider.

3. DNS Glitches

An overloaded DNS cache can lead to glitches which can cause your Steve modem to malfunction.

Routing data is saved on your devices to make it easier for your modem to locate them again. However, if too much of it, it’s likely to cause issues.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Steve Modem WAN Flashing Red

You can fix your Steve modem flashing red error. It seems complicated at first since you do not have any access to the internet.

However, as long as you follow the instructions described, you should be able to resolve it in no time and start browsing the web.

Solution #1: Check Your Internet Speeds

The first thing you have to suspect when the WAN light of your Steve modem starts flashing red is a loss of service.

Now, if there’s no internet service and you can confirm that it’s your provider’s fault, there’s nothing you can do about it but wait.

Another factor you need to check is your current internet speed. It’s possible that your internet is not completely out, but it’s just too slow that your devices have a hard time making use of the signal.

If this is the case, you want to make sure that your internet speeds are at least 15 Mbps so you can still use it for streaming or work.

Here’s what you need to do if you suspect you have no internet or low bandwidth:

1. Open Speedtest.net on your browser.
2. Click Go to start the test.
3. Wait for the process to finish.
4. Make sure your speeds are over 15 Mbps.

Note: If you cannot connect to the Speedtest.net website, your internet may be down.

Contact Virgin Plus’ customer support hotline to let them know. You will also need to call them if your internet speeds are below 15 Mbps.

Solution #2: Check Your Cables for Damage

If you find out that you have no internet or it’s unbearably slow, you will want to check if there is damage to your cables.

It can be as simple as a loose connector on the modem or a snapped cable outdoors on the modem.

If your connection is delivered with over-the-ground wires from poles, there is a possibility that tree branches could fall on them.

1. Unplug your internet cable from the WAN port.
2. Leave it unplugged for at least 2 minutes.
3. Plug it back in.
4. Check the cables outside to see if there is evidence of breakage.

Note: Symptoms of cable damage include your internet dropping at random times or running incredibly slow. 

Check your cables if you experience these issues persistently.

Solution #3: Perform a Network Reboot

Whenever you experience your Steve modem WAN light flashing red, one of the best things you can do is reboot it.

It certainly is an excellent step. However, it may not be the most effective step since you may not fix the root cause of the issue.

The most effective thing to do would be to reboot your entire network, so any software or connection bug is flushed and not isolated with a particular device.

Here are the steps to restart your entire network:

1. Turn off your modem, router, and other networking devices.
2. Unplug them for at least 2 to 5 minutes.
3. Plug in your modem and turn it on.
4. Power up the rest of your network.
5. Reconnect your devices to the network.

Solution #4: Reset TCP/IP Settings

Resetting your TCP/IP settings is a simple step that you can take to resolve your internet issues.

This is an effective process, especially if you have problems with your overall internet connection, like when you lose your signal from your provider.

Here are the steps to reset your TCP/IP settings using a computer or laptop:

1. Go to your computer’s Command Prompt.
2. Run it as an administrator.
3. Type in netsh int ip reset in the console.
4. Press Enter and wait for your IP to reset.

Note: For best results, after you reset your TCP/IP settings, you want to reboot your network. 

This will ensure that your settings are loaded properly when your devices are powered up again.

Solution #5: Clear Your DNS Cache

Together with resetting your TCP/IP settings, another troubleshooting step you want to perform is to clear your DNS cache.

Not flushing your cache for some time will overload the temporary storage it occupies and cause internet connectivity issues for your network.

Here’s how to clear your DNS cache:

1. Open Command Prompt on your computer.
2. Make sure to run it as an administrator.
3. Type ipconfig /flushdns.
4. Press Enter and wait for the confirmation message.

Note: You should do both the reset TCP/IP and Flush DNS commands right after the other. 

Restart your entire network after clearing these settings and wait for the issue to resolve.

Solution #6: Reset Your Steve Modem to Factory Settings

If your modem does not work properly, you can reset it to factory settings.

This troubleshooting step can be helpful, especially if you experience the WAN light flashing red.

It will revert all of the modem’s settings to when it was shipped out of the factory. This step will eliminate any configuration issues that are causing this particular error.

Here’s what you need to do to reset your Steve modem to factory settings:

1. Look for the reset button on the side of the modem.
2. Press and hold it for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
3. Wait for the power light to flash red 5 times.
4. Wait for it to power back up again.
5. Open your web browser to finish the reset process.

Note: This step will delete all of the settings you have configured. You will need to set them up again, especially the SSID name and password.

You will need to reconnect all of your devices to the network after completing the reset process.

Thus, if your Steve modem WAN is flashing red, it means that your internet service is down. This means that your provider has no service or there are issues with your network. Perform a network reboot and reset your modem to factory settings. These steps should get your internet back up and running.

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Last Thoughts

If your Steve modem WAN flashing red continues, it means that you still do not have internet connectivity.

You want the notification LED to be blue to know that your internet is back. For the most part, this is an issue with your provider, so being patient and waiting a few minutes is something we recommend.

However, if your internet does not come back in a few minutes or so, you can call Virgin Plus’ customer support hotline at 1 888 999-2321.

You can also chat with them through their website to know if the issue is for the entire network or isolated to your area or home.