If you see deco blinking red that only means one thing, the device is losing the connection. However the reason for this can differ. It could be a loose wire, modem not working or may be one of the Decos may just lost the sync. It can also happen if the internet’s down from the backend.
Let’s understand the true meaning of this red blinking light & how to get rid of it.
Why Is My TP-Link Deco Blinking Red
Has your Deco started showing that red light again? When the deco blinking red appears, it’s mostly about the internet not passing through the device. It can also mean main Deco losing connection with the network.
What That Red Light Actually Means
When the deco blinking red or deco flashing red shows up, it’s not just a warning light for fun. The red signal tells you the unit can’t connect properly — either to the modem or to the main Deco node.
If your internet suddenly drops or the light won’t go white or green, it’s a connection fault. Happens when the line from your ISP is down or your main Deco loses sync with the others.
Step 1: Start with the Basics
Look at the modem first. See if those little lights are normal — one should say “Internet” or “WAN.” The light is off or red, then your ISP is down for sure. Unplug both, i.e. modem & deco, wait for a bit & then plug them again. Give it a minute. A lot of times, that clears up the deco blinking red right away.
Still red? Try changing the Ethernet cable between the Deco and the modem. These cables wear out quietly. You don’t notice until the signal drops. Try the connection with another wire, it might work with another.
Step 2: Focus on the Main Deco
The primary Deco unit is considered the main one. If it turns red, then the others will also get red instantly.
Deco app must be opened on a smartphone. It will indicate the off-line one. If the main one displays “No Internet”, that is your hint. Disconnect the cable from both ends — from the modem and from the Deco — and reconnect it tightly. Next, the app should be restarted. Allow some time for synchronization.
Deco flashing red even after this, can only be rectified by resetting.
Step 3: Check for Updates
Firmware that is not updated is a big reason for the Deco blinking red. The app sometimes misses showing the update alerts. You can easily find “Update Deco” in “More” options given in the app. If there is a new version, it will be available there.
The light should change to white or green. If not, try the setup once more. When you see deco blinking red after the updates, the signal between nodes is probably poor due to a physical obstacle.
Step 4: Check Your Internet Settings
However, if everything appears to be right and the problem persists, there might be a minor issue within the settings. Possibly your ISP has made some changes. Access the Deco app, go to “Internet Settings” and confirm that the connection type is appropriate for what your ISP uses — Dynamic IP, PPPoE or Static IP.
Step 5: When Nothing Works
You’ve checked cables, reset, updated, moved them around, and still it stays red? Yeah, at that point, call either TP-Link support or your ISP.
Sometimes it’s not your setup. Could be a damaged Ethernet port or something weird with the signal at the ISP end. TP-Link might ask you to share your device model and firmware version.
A Few Common Mistakes
A lot of people reset the Deco too early. That wipes everything and makes setup harder. Always start with the simple stuff first — unplug, reconnect, check cables, restart modem.
Another mistake — ignoring firmware updates. They fix bugs that make the Deco think it lost internet when it actually hasn’t.
And don’t mix old and new Deco models unless TP-Link confirms they’ll work together. Mismatched models sometimes trigger that deco blinking red or unstable signal issues.
When It Finally Works
When everything’s fine, that red light goes white or green. That’s when you know the Deco’s back online. You can rename your Wi-Fi and set your passwords again if you reset it earlier.
Let it run for a few hours. If no deco flashing red returns, it means the connection’s steady again. If it keeps coming back after a while, maybe your modem signal is dropping now and then. That’s worth checking with your ISP.
Conclusion
All in all you can say that deco blinking red, just mean that the router has connectivity issues. It can be due to any of the above mentioned reasons. The main thing is that all of them can be fixed easily. Solutions given in this guide are tried and tested, hence it’s highly unlikely that you apply any of these & still see deco flashing red.
