Why are the Xfinity pods not coming online? Well, in this guide, we will walk you through!
Any complications while attempting to set up one of Xfinity’s xFi pods could signify an underlying issue with your mobile device or the xFi gateway.
Understanding the problem is only a part of the troubleshooting process, so let’s start with unwrapping the essentials right from the start…
An xFi Pod isn’t coming online because of a failed activation process or due to an outdated Xfinity app. To address the issue, power cycle the xFi gateway and all xFi pods, check the power supply of the network device, unplug older Xfinity pods, and reset your gateway!
Let’s continue unwrapping!
Why is the Xfinity Pod Not Showing Up When Connecting?
When the xFi Pod isn’t showing up during the setup process, there could be an issue with the Bluetooth feature of your phone, or the xFi Pod isn’t powering up.
To produce solutions that are of the utmost help, reviewing all the underlying causes first is necessary, so here are them:
Can Xfinity Pods Form a Wireless Mesh Network?
Absolutely!
Once positioned and connected, the Xfinity xFi pods can spread coverage throughout your household and improve the performance of the connection speeds.
Such significant network speeds with Xfinity can only be achieved with the xFi mesh network!
Xfinity Pods Not Coming Online – Steps That Work!
Tip: Follow our steps in a consecutive order!
1. Correct the xFi Pod Activation!
The primary reason why the xFi Pod isn’t coming online is that the activation process was not completed correctly.
To successfully acclimate the Xfinity Pod to the mesh system, you must complete the activation process repeatedly and follow the instructions concisely.
Here are the initials of an xFi Pod activation process:
- Open the Xfinity app on your mobile device.
- Then verify that the xFi gateway is included.
- Next, press on your user icon at the top-left.
- Then, scroll and press “Activate xFi Pods.”
- Securely connect the xFi Pod to a wall outlet.
- Bring your smartphone next to the xFi Pod.
- Finally, follow the on-screen instructions.
Alert: An essential requirement is to stay in the range of the xFi Pod during the setup process!
2. Power Cycle the xFi Gateway
One of the reasons why the Xfinity pods won’t come online is because they haven’t established a connection with the xFi gateway.
The Xfinity xFi gateway is the primary router device, and all pods must remain connected to function correctly and extend the network.
Follow these instructions to power cycle the xFi gateway:
- Unplug the power cable of the network gateway.
- Disconnect the service cable of the xFi gateway.
- Wait for 60 seconds until the gateway discharges.
- Reconnect the power adapter to the network unit.
- Plug the service cable back into the service port.
- Then, determine if you’re able to add an xFi Pod.
How to Power Cycle an Xfinity Pod?
Power cycling an xFi Pod is straightforward and helps with underlying functionality or voltage issues.
If only one or two pods aren’t coming online, there could be a wall outlet issue, or they aren’t connected correctly, so it’s best to power cycle the pod individually.
Here’s how to power cycle an xFi Pod:
- Unplug the xFi Pod from the wall outlet.
- After that, wait for about 20-30 seconds.
- Connect the Pod back to the wall outlet.
- Wait for the xFi Pod to load and turn on.
- Complete the xFi Pod activation again.
Notice: Unplugging the xFi Pod from the electrical supply will not remove it from the Xfinity app!
3. Restart your Phone’s Bluetooth!
A stable wireless connection is essential to the activation process of the xFi pods.
If your mobile device’s Bluetooth feature is not working correctly, none of the xFi pods you have installed will be detected by the application.
So, the quickest way to solve this would be to toggle Bluetooth OFF & ON!
This will refresh the connection with the xFi Pods. If it doesn’t help, reset the network settings!
How to Reset Device Network Settings?
Resetting the network settings will erase the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi configuration, along with some cellular adjustments.
This step is recommended if the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi of your mobile device isn’t working correctly and you want to clear the generated network cache.
- On Android, go to Settings > “Reset” > “Network Data Reset” > “Confirm”.
- On iOS, go to Settings > “General” > “Transfer or Reset [Device]” > “Network Reset”.
Alert: All remembered Bluetooth and Wi-Fi networks and connections will be erased as a result!
4. Update the Xfinity Application
Perhaps the xFi pods aren’t coming online because the Xfinity mobile app is incompatible with the gateway.
The app is incompatible because it is not on the latest firmware version, so your mobile device must be connected to the internet to update the Xfinity app.
How to Update the Xfinity Mobile App On Android?
- Open the Google Play store on your Android device.
- Press on your profile icon situated at the top right.
- Then, tap “Manage apps & device” from the settings.
- Scroll down and locate the Xfinity app from the list.
- Press the “Update” button if an update is available.
How to Update the Xfinity Mobile App On iOS?
- Open the App Store on your iPhone/iPad device.
- Press on your profile icon at the top of the screen.
- Scroll downwards to view the pending updates tab.
- Tap on “Update” next to the Xfinity to start updating.
- Wait until the Xfinity app is updated, and then test.
Tip: Often update the Xfinity app to the latest version to use the platform bug-free!
5. Unplug Older Xfinity Pods!
The Xfinity app recommends disconnecting older Xfinity pods that could negatively impact the connection quality of the Wi-Fi network.
If you haven’t removed older Xfinity pods yet, this could significantly impact the connection quality of the newer mesh system, resulting in errors.
About Removing Old Xfinity Pods?
During the setup process within the Xfinity app, the automated step-by-step guide will mention how to disuse older Xfinity pods.
So, you must unplug them from power.
Hence, disconnect all Xfinity pods that are no longer part of the mesh system and that you won’t add.
If the pods remain connected, your network speeds will be slightly reduced.
Older pods form a different type of mesh network, which can sometimes significantly interfere with the newer xFi pods, so they must remain unplugged.
Tip: To initiate a return or exchange of older xFi pods, visit xfinity.com/xfipodsreturns!
6. Reset the Xfinity xFi Gateway
If the Xfinity pods are still not coming online, the issue is with the xFi gateway rather than the pods individually.
Now that we know how to get Xfinity pods back online, it is recommended to revert the settings of the xFi gateway to default values and set up the device from scratch!
How to Factory Reset Older xFi Gateway?
Older Xfinity xFi gateways have an in-built factory reset button on the back.
Hold the button for 15 seconds to restore the factory defaults of the device.
Once the reset is complete, access the Xfinity mobile app to complete the initial setup of the gateway again.
How to Factory Reset Newer xFi Gateway?
Most of the newer xFi gateway devices do not have an in-built reset button.
Not many know this, but to reset an xFi gateway without an in-built reset button, you must hold the “WPS” button on the front for 30 seconds.
After 30 seconds of holding “WPS,” the Xfinity gateway will be reset.
Xfinity Gateway Reset Content Losses?
The already-created Wi-Fi networks will be erased after the factory reset. Hence, you must set up the network entirely through the Xfinity application.
The content loss after the reset cannot be undone, so we recommend backing up any networking settings you want to set up later.
Tip: If nothing helps, contact Xfinity Customer Service for additional assistance!
Quick Recap:
When the Xfinity Pods not coming online, start with power cycling the xFi gateway and each pod individually.
If the issue is still there, update the firmware version of the Xfinity mobile app, restart your phone’s Bluetooth feature, and factory reset the Xfinity gateway.
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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.