Updated : Separated a power fault from an internet fault and corrected the reset, power-adapter and fibre-cable advice.
If your router will not turn on, check the power socket, original adapter, power cable and power button first. A factory reset cannot repair a router that has no electrical power. If the router has lights or still gives you Wi-Fi, you may have an internet or LED-setting problem instead.
Work out whether the router has power
| Symptom | First check |
|---|---|
| No lights, Wi-Fi or response | Socket, adapter, cable and power switch |
| No lights, but Wi-Fi works | LED-off or night-mode settings |
| Power light on, internet light off | WAN connection, modem or fibre box, and service status |
| Lights repeatedly start and stop | Unstable power, overheating or a boot problem |
1. Check the power connection safely
Check that the adapter is fully inserted into the socket and the router. Check for a power button beside the power port. If you use a power strip, confirm its switch is on and try a known-working wall socket.
Stop using an adapter with a damaged cable, exposed wires, a burning smell or signs of liquid damage. Do not open the router or power supply to inspect live electrical parts.
2. Use the correct power adapter
A plug that fits is not enough. The replacement must match the router’s required voltage, polarity, connector and power requirements. Use the original or a manufacturer-approved replacement. Do not try random adapters from other devices.
ASUS’s no-power troubleshooting guide recommends checking the outlet and adapter before assuming the router has failed. Contact your provider before replacing the adapter on equipment it supplied.
3. Restart without wiping the settings
If the device responds to power, switch it off, unplug its power supply and wait as directed by its manual. Reconnect power and let it finish starting. A restart preserves settings; holding Reset can erase them.
If the adapter or router becomes unusually hot, place it in a clear, ventilated spot and let it cool. Repeated shutdowns or boot loops need support if a normal restart does not help. Do not repeatedly interrupt a firmware update.
4. If Wi-Fi works, check whether the LEDs are disabled
Some routers have an LED button or a scheduled night mode. Check the router app or settings while connected locally. TP-Link’s LED guide separates abnormal indicators from missing internet connectivity.
A single light does not always mean a fibre fault. Read the label beside that light and check the manual for its colour or blink pattern. Avoid disconnecting delicate fibre cables as a general troubleshooting step.
5. Reset only when the router has power and the manual calls for it
A factory reset can help with some configuration problems, but it cannot fix a dead adapter. It may erase the Wi-Fi name, password and provider settings. Reset timing differs between models, so do not apply a universal 30-second rule.
If a correct adapter and working outlet still produce no response, contact the manufacturer or your provider for testing or replacement. If it powers on but has no internet, use our router identification guide to find the right model instructions and check for an outage.