What does it mean if all the lights on my NBN box are off?

All lights off on the NBN box almost always means a power problem. Check the power adapter is plugged in firmly at both ends and the wall switch is on. If the box is on a power board or surge protector, try plugging it directly into a wall socket. If power is confirmed and lights are still off, the box may have failed and needs replacement — contact your ISP.

How do I check if there is an NBN outage in my area?

Visit nbnco.com.au/support/network-status and enter your address to check for known outages. Note that this only shows outages affecting multiple premises — a fault at your individual property won't appear there. If no outage is listed but your NBN box shows red or off lights, contact your ISP to lodge a single-premises fault.

NBN Box Red Light or No Lights?

Q: What does a red light on my NBN box mean?

A red light on your NBN box indicates a fault on the network outside your home. It means the NBN Co infrastructure — cables, nodes, or fibre — is not delivering a signal to your property. This is not something you can fix yourself. Check the NBN outage map at nbnco.com.au/support/network-status first, then contact your ISP to lodge a fault if no outage is listed.

Q: Should I restart my NBN box if the lights are red?

Yes, restarting is worth trying first. Unplug the NBN box from the wall, wait 60 seconds, then plug it back in and wait 3–5 minutes for it to fully restart. If the red light returns after restart, the fault is on the NBN network and you need to contact your ISP.

Red or off lights on the NBN box usually mean a fault on the network outside your home. The tool below checks whether it's a known outage and tells you exactly what to do — including what to say to your ISP if you need to escalate.

Common questions

What does a red light on my NBN box mean?

A red light indicates a fault on the NBN network outside your home. Check the NBN outage map at nbnco.com.au/support/network-status first, then contact your ISP to lodge a fault if no outage is listed.

What if all lights are off?

All lights off usually means a power problem. Check the power adapter is firmly plugged in at both ends and the wall switch is on. Try plugging directly into a wall socket instead of a power board. If lights are still off, contact your ISP — the box may need replacing.

Should I restart my NBN box if the lights are red?

Yes, try it first. Unplug the NBN box, wait 60 seconds, plug back in and wait 3–5 minutes. If the red light returns, the fault is on the NBN network and needs to be reported to your ISP.

How do I check for an NBN outage in my area?

Visit nbnco.com.au/support/network-status. Note this only shows outages affecting multiple premises — a single-property fault won't appear there.