Wondering why the Virgin Media hub 5 flashing white light? You’re at the right place!
The Virgin hub blinks in white whenever the remote activation fails, or a newer version of the OS firmware is uploading.
There are many surrounding factors, so the first step to identifying the culprit for the persistent white light on your Virgin Hub 5 is reviewing and understanding all possibilities.
When Virgin Media is flashing a white light, wait 15-20 minutes for the device’s latest OS firmware to be uploaded. If the indicator remains white, power cycle the Virgin Media Hub 5, check for a local Virgin service outage.
Let’s further review the possibilities for the white light on your Virgin hub!
Why is the Virgin Media Hub 5 White Flashing Light?
Here’s what could cause the white indicator light on the Virgin Media Hub 5 to come on:
Virgin White Flashing Light Behaviour!
The white light could temporarily last only 15-20 minutes until the Virgin hub’s firmware is uploaded.
However, if the issue is related to activation, it could last longer than that, in which case the white light would last indefinitely until a human intervention.
Info: The Virgin Media Hub 5 will typically flash in white or stay solid white until activated!
Virgin Media Hub 5 Flashing White Light – 7 Proven Solutions!
Tip: Follow our steps in a consecutive order!
1. Wait for the Virgin Firmware Upload!
As already mentioned, the white flashing light indicates an ongoing system or software upload process.
To determine if the indicator is non-lasting, the first step is to wait at least 15 minutes until Virgin Media Hub 5 successfully uploads the latest operating system firmware version.
Important: Do not interact or restart the Virgin Media Hub 5 during the firmware update!
Is it Possible to Update Virgin Hub Manually?
So far, Virgin has not made it possible for users to upload the latest firmware version available for their hub manually.
As long as the hub is connected with the service outlet, it should receive updates automatically as soon as they are posted by the provider and uploaded to all clients.
How to Know When Virgin Hub is Updating?
Whenever the Virgin hub starts an update, the indicator light will either go solid white or flash in green and then shift into white.
If the hub has an indicator light flashing, then there’s an ongoing system update, and you mustn’t interact with the hub because this can cause further issues.
Note: Whenever the indicator light of the Virgin hub goes off, the device has finished the update!
2. Request Virgin Media Hub Activation
Another cause for the persistent white light could be the failed activation process of the Virgin Media hub 5.
If you’ve had the previous version of the Virgin hub and now installed the series 5 hub, you must request an activation of the device by dialling the Virgin activation line.
Here’s how to request an activation of the latest Virgin Media equipment:
- Unplug the Virgin Media hub 5 from the power.
- Open the “Contacts” app on your mobile device.
- Next, open the keypad and dial “0800 953 9500”.
- Follow the instructions and wait for activation.
Based on how busy Virgin is with other client orders, the activation typically takes up to 2-3 hours, but could also happen immediately.
Do not unplug the hub since this will prevent Virgin from noticing active equipment on your end, which will slow down the process tremendously.
Tip: If you still possess a previous Virgin hub, connect it to the service before dialling!
3. Power Reset the Virgin Media Hub 5
The power cycle process is one of the most effective ways to address temporal bugs with the Virgin Hub.
This type of reset will not target any of the settings or configurations of the hub but only discharge the power supply, refresh all services and optimise the hub’s operating system.
Here’s how to perform a power reset on the Virgin Media Hub 5:
- Press and hold the power button on the back of the hub.
- After the network device powers off, unplug it from power.
- Wait about 60 seconds while the Virgin hub is unplugged.
- Reconnect the power adapter of the hub back into power.
- Wait for the network device to turn on and check the light.
To gain the most benefit from the power cycle, waiting for at least 60 seconds after unplugging the hub is necessary.
So remain patient, and then (if possible) connect the adapter directly to the power outlet to prevent any voltage insufficiency from preventing your hub from updating.
Note: The power cycle is also effective against overheating!
4. Reinstall the Virgin Hub Service Cable
If there’s an issue with the service cable of the Virgin Hub 5, it could possibly cause the white indicator to go off constantly until the connection is stabilised.
To refresh the service income of the Virgin Media Hub, you should reconnect the fibre cable from the service outlet and hub.
Follow these instructions to reinstall the service cable of the Virgin Media Hub 5:
- Disconnect the optical fibre cable from your hub’s back.
- Unplug the other end of the cable from the service outlet.
- Wait for 60 seconds while the Virgin service is uninstalled.
- Inspect the connectors of the cable on both sides for faults.
- Reconnect and secure the connection of the service cable.
Important: Remember that the indicator light on the hub will change while the service cable is unplugged.
5. Check for Virgin Media Service Outage!
Another possibility is that your area of residence has been affected by an ongoing Virgin service outage or maintenance.
To determine if Virgin has something to do with the blinking white light, it is advised to access the Virgin Service Status Centre and enter your locational credentials.
You must enter the correct data into the tool to receive accurate results per the service location.
Virgin Media outages typically last 30 minutes up to an hour, but it may take longer, especially if the maintenance has been planned and scheduled.
If there is no identified outage, then it is likely that your own equipment is responsible for the white indicator light.
We’ll continue the troubleshooting in the next step…
6. Check for Virgin Hub Power Problems
An underlying power complication with the Virgin Media Hub 5 may have caused the occurrence of the white light.
When your hub constantly reboots, the firmware upgrade may never be complete, resulting in a never-ending white light.
Here are the most common signs of power issues with the hub:
- Rebooting
- Shutting down
- Buzzing noises
If the power issues are temporal and are manageable by the user, then some troubleshooting steps should solve the malfunction.
- Connect the network device to a different outlet.
- Inspect the power adapter for visual wear or rips.
- Disconnect third-party equipment from the setup.
- Clean the power port on the back of the Virgin Hub.
Notice: A potential power issue could be related to a hardware malfunction of the hub!
7. Restore the Virgin Hub to Factory Defaults
If the white flashing light doesn’t go away regardless of what you’ve attempted to do, the most potent solution is to factory reset the network device.
This is the ultimate solution and will erase all of the network settings, configurations, saved passwords and personally configured options.
Here’s how to complete a full factory reset on the Virgin Media Hub 5:
- Locate the reset pinhole on the back of the Virgin hub.
- Insert a pin into the reset pinhole of your Virgin Hub 5.
- Press the reset button for 15 seconds to start the reset.
- Wait for 3 minutes while the hub is completing the reset.
When your Virgin Hub 5 is reset to factory settings, you should complete the initial setup through the admin portal to start receiving service.
When ready, the white light will disappear for good.
Quick Recap:
Whenever Virgin Media hub 5 flashing white light, first check if there’s an ongoing Virgin outage and power cycle the hub.
If the Virgin Hub is not activated yet, dial the activation line, inspect your setup for power-related problems and perform the factory restoration!
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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.