How to Troubleshoot Network Connectivity

One of the least demanding strategies to investigating network connectivity is to check the visual status indicators on network devices. Relatively every network device has some form or other visual indicator that can help find out if the device is working or on the other hand not. Some network devices have LEDs that change color as indicated by the state of the device or an interface of the device.

If you have seen a hub, router or a switch, you have no doubt noticed the LEDs on the front of the device. Each RJ-45 port has one or two dedicated LEDs. These LEDs are designed to provide the network administrator with a quick idea of the status of a connection or a potential problem.



The following list provides guidelines for diagnosing a connectivity problem depending on the status of the LED lights:

No light or yellow
The device or the port is not operational. It is either not connected or is faulty.

Solid green
The device or port is connected but there is no activity on the port.

Blinking green
The device or the port is functioning properly. It is transmitting and receiving data as expected.

Blinking amber
The network is congested and collisions are occurring on the network media, continuously blinking amber LEDs indicate a problem.

Certain devices provide separate LEDs for power, activity, and network collisions. Each of these LEDs can be a good indicator of the connectivity problem.


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