Telstra nbn not working, and you don’t know why? Wonder no more, and continue reading!
The nbn box is the main link between Telstra services and your home internet, so when the nbn is not working, you’re either offline or your phone is not working.
Hence, this guide will unwrap why an nbn box suddenly stops working and assist you in troubleshooting the issue efficiently.
When your Telstra nbn box stops working, check the LED indicator to determine what is happening.The next step is to reboot the equipment and inspect whether your wiring is correct.
If you don’t know how this is done, keep reading!
How to Fix When Telstra nbn Not Working?
Tip: Follow the steps chronologically!
1. Check Your nbn LED Indicator!
The first and most crucial step is to check the lights on your nbn connection box, which is the fastest way to identify what’s wrong.
Your type of nbn connection matters when trying to read the light indicators, so let’s start unwrapping.
Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)
LED | Behaviour | Meaning |
Online | OFF | You’re not connected to the nbn network. |
ON | You’re successfully connected to the network. | |
Link | OFF | There is no power to the nbn connection box. |
ON | There is a working power supply to your box. | |
US/DS | OFF | There is no power in your connection box. |
FLASH | Your box is updating, or you’re disconnected. | |
ON | You’re connected to the network and modem. |
Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
Power Lights | |||
⚫OFF | 🔴Solid Red | 🟢Solid Green | 🟢Flashing Green |
There is no power to your nbn box. | The nbn device is working on a backup battery. | The electrical supply of your box is working correctly. | Your nbn box currently turning on and loading. |
Optical Lights | |||
⚫OFF | 🔴Solid Red | 🟢Solid Green | 🟢Flashing Green |
Something external is impacting your nbn. | The nbn has unpaired from the network. | The nbn box is connected and working correctly. | The device is working and showing there is network activity. |
Uni-V ½ Lights | ||
⚫OFF | 🟢Solid Green | 🟢Flashing Green |
An expected regime, your nbn is working normally. | One or more telephone services are currently in use. | Telephone service has been used for over an hour. |
UNi-D1 to Uni-D4 Lights | |||
⚫OFF | 🔴Solid Red | 🟢Solid Green | 🟢Flashing Green |
No devices are currently connected to this port. | A device connected to the port, working on up to 1 gigabit. | A device connected to the port, working on up to 100 megabits. | There is activity on the port up to 100 megabits. |
Fixed Wireless (FW)
Power Lights | Status Lights | ||||
🟢Solid Green | ⚫OFF | 🟢Green Flash | 🔴Solid Red | 🟢Solid Green | 🟠Amber Flash |
The power is working. | There is no power. | Normal operation. | A system fault. | The nbn is in test mode. | The nbn is turning on. |
2. Reboot Your Telstra nbn Setup
The next step is to reboot your Telstra equipment, which involves your nbn connection box and modem, to resolve any connection issues.
This is only a restart, and whenever your Telstra nbn modem not working, refreshing the system is a proven way that should help.
We recommend taking this step further by unplugging your modem and nbn from the electrical outlet for about 5 minutes for complete power circulation.
This method is harmless and will not erase anything; instead, it refreshes your system and clears temporary bugs.
Note: What’s essential is to unplug the power cable on both sides!
3. Check for Telstra Maintenance
It’s not excluded that the Telstra nbn is not working because of an ongoing outage that affects you and all residents in your area.
Luckily, there is a quick and easy way to check for outages and determine whether the problem is on your side.
To check for outages, use one of the following methods:
- Go to the official Telstra Outage Check.
- Go to the official nbn Outage Identifier.
- Visit the Telstra socials for outage reports.
If there’s an ongoing outage, the “Online” or “Status” light on your nbn box is probably off or red, meaning you’re offline.
If that’s the case, there is nothing you can do but wait for the fix.
Note: Outages are typically addressed the same day as they appear!
4. Reconnect Your nbn Wiring
Another reason why your nbn box is not working is due to a fault with the wiring connections in your setup.
This is why, based on your nbn connection type, you must inspect all links, as well as verify that everything is intact, there are no defects, and the cables are connected correctly.
Telstra HFC nbn Connection:
- Plug one end of the white coaxial wire into the nbn.
- Connect the other end to your internet wall socket.
- Verify that the Telstra nbn box is connected to power.
- Connect your modem to the nbn via an Ethernet wire.
- You must use the “WAN” port on your modem’s side.
- On your nbn box’s side, you must use the “LAN” port.
- Finally, ensure the modem is connected to the power.
Telstra FTTP nbn Connection:
- Locate the Ethernet cable with the red connectors.
- Then, connect one end to the “WAN” modem’s port.
- Plug the other cable end into the “Uni-D1” nbn port.
- Connect your Telstra modem to the electrical outlet.
Telstra FTTC nbn Connection:
If your Telstra nbn phone line not working, inspect those connections:
- Locate the grey cable with the grey connectors.
- Then, plug one end into the back of your nbn box.
- Connect the other end to a nearby phone socket.
- Finally, connect your nbn box to the power outlet.
You need to verify that the wires are securely plugged into the correct ports and, if possible, switch to another available port of the same kind.
Note: Pay attention to any defects, bents and damage to your calves, which can reveal why your nbn box is not working correctly.
5. Switch to a Different Socket
If your Telstra nbn box is not working at all and not showing any light indications, this is a prime indication that your device is not receiving power.
You need to confirm that the current power outlet is working or relocate your nbn box to another location and plug the adapter into a tested socket.
Don’t forget that if your nbn box is not turning on, the problem may also be from your A/C line, hence a blown or defective fuse on the circuit.
Here are a few tips to ensure that the Telstra nbn power supply is intact:
- Disconnect the power adapter and port plug.
- Check for melted plastic or bent connectors.
- Test the electrical outlet using another device.
- Remove third-party connectors such as plugs.
- Plug your nbn box directly into a power outlet.
If your nbn box is connected to a proven outlet but not turning on, perhaps the device is faulty!
6. Factory Reset Your nbn Box
If your nbn not working Telstra, even after everything you’re tired, it’s time to perform a factory reset, which will revert the operating system to default.
This is the most potent solution for any issues with the nbn connection box, and you won’t need to undertake any additional steps after.
Here’s how to factory reset your nbn connection box in easy steps:
- First, verify your nbn box is connected to power.
- Locate the Reset button on the back in a pinhole.
- Acquire a pointy-ended tool that can reach inside.
- Press and hold the Reset button for 15 seconds.
- Release when the LEDs on the nbn box turn off.
The reset process may take up to 5 minutes, so buckle up and prepare yourself with patience.
The nbn box will automatically reconnect and re-establish all settings, hence you only must wait.
Note: After the factory reset, your nbn may take up to 15 minutes to reconnect to the network!
7. Check Your Telstra Data Plan
If your Telstra nbn box is not working, your Limited Data Plan may have been exhausted, which will decline your access to the nbn network.
You can quickly check your plan and how much data is left by signing in to the Telstra Account and attending your membership.
There is a way to get more data, but you must pay additionally to restore your service access.
Note: For more help, contact Telstra directly to discuss your inquiry!
Quick Recap:
If your Telstra nbn not working, first check the lights, power cycle your equipment and try to identify a global network outage.
Additionally, you must check your plan if you’re on a limited subscription, switch to a different power supply and finally reset your Telstra nbn.
Follow us for more Telstra nbn guides and solutions!
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.