The One-Second Answer
- All lights solid green — online and working. Nothing to do.
- Broadband red — no line signal (fiber/DSL). Check the cable, restart, look for an outage.
- Service red — line is up but no internet service. The gateway needs re-provisioning.
- Broadband flashing green — connecting. Normal for a few minutes after a restart.
The key to AT&T gateways is understanding the two-stage handshake: Broadband is the physical connection on the line, and Service is whether the gateway has authenticated and obtained internet on top of it. Reading them in that order tells you exactly where the problem is. To reach the gateway settings once the lights are green, see our AT&T router login guide.
AT&T Gateway Light Guide (BGW320 / BGW210 / Pace)
| Light | State | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Solid green | On and booted |
| Power | Solid red | Failed power-on self-test — gateway fault |
| Power | Flashing green | Booting or applying a firmware update |
| Broadband | Solid green | Line connection established (fiber/DSL synced) |
| Broadband | Flashing green | Attempting to sync the line — normal at startup |
| Broadband | Solid red | No line signal detected — cable, ONT, or outage |
| Service | Solid green | Internet service authenticated and active |
| Service | Flashing green | Authenticating / obtaining service |
| Service | Solid red | Line is up but no internet service — not provisioned |
| Wi-Fi | Solid green | Wi-Fi radio on and broadcasting |
| Wi-Fi | Off | Wi-Fi disabled (button on the gateway or in settings) |
| Ethernet | Solid / flashing green | Wired device connected; flashing is data activity |
| Phone (if used) | Solid / flashing | Voice line registered / in use |
Broadband Red vs. Service Red — Read Them in Order
This is the single most useful thing to know about AT&T lights:
- Broadband red → the problem is the line. The gateway isn't getting a fiber or DSL signal at all. This is a physical/cable or upstream issue.
- Broadband green + Service red → the line is fine, but the gateway hasn't been provisioned or authenticated. This is an account/registration issue AT&T fixes from their end.
- Both green → the connection is healthy; any internet problem is now downstream (Wi-Fi or a device).
Fixing a Red Broadband Light
- Check the line cable. On fiber, confirm the green fiber cable (or the cable into the ONT) is firmly seated; on DSL, confirm the grey/green cable is in the Broadband port and the wall jack. Don't force or over-bend a fiber cable.
- Restart the gateway. Use the power button or unplug it for 30 seconds. Let it run through its full startup — the Broadband light will flash green while syncing.
- Check for an outage. Open the AT&T Smart Home Manager app or att.com to see if service is down in your area.
- Inspect the ONT (fiber). If you have a separate Optical Network Terminal, confirm it has power and its lights are normal — a gateway can't sync if the ONT is down.
- Call AT&T. A red Broadband light that survives a restart and isn't an outage typically means a line fault that needs a technician.
Fixing a Red Service Light (Broadband Green)
- Restart the gateway. Re-authentication often completes on a clean reboot.
- Wait for provisioning. After a new install or equipment swap, the Service light can stay red or flash for several minutes while AT&T provisions the device.
- Re-provision from support. If it stays red, AT&T needs to re-register the gateway to your account — this can be done over the phone or in the app.
- Confirm the right gateway. A used or wrong gateway not tied to your account will show Broadband green, Service red — it has to be activated on your line.
Common AT&T Light Scenarios
All green but no Wi-Fi internet
If Broadband and Service are green but devices have no internet, the connection is healthy and the issue is Wi-Fi or a single device. See Wi-Fi connected but no internet.
Lights normal after a storm but slow speeds
A gateway that resynced after an outage can land on a degraded line profile. A second restart often restores full speed; if not, run a speed test and report the numbers to AT&T.
Power light red
A solid red power light means the gateway failed its self-test — this is a hardware fault, not a connection problem. The unit needs to be replaced by AT&T.
When to Call AT&T vs. Fix It Yourself
- Call AT&T — red Broadband light after a restart (line fault), red Service light that won't clear (re-provisioning), red power light (hardware), or a confirmed outage.
- Fix it yourself — flashing green that settles on its own, all-green with a Wi-Fi-only problem, or a Wi-Fi light that's simply off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Broadband light red on my AT&T gateway?
It means the gateway detects no line signal — no fiber or DSL sync. Check that the line cable is firmly seated, restart the gateway, and look for an outage in Smart Home Manager. A red Broadband light that survives a restart usually needs an AT&T technician.
What's the difference between the Broadband and Service lights?
Broadband is the physical line connection; Service is whether the gateway has authenticated and obtained internet. Broadband red means a line problem; Broadband green with Service red means the line is fine but the gateway isn't provisioned.
What color should AT&T gateway lights be?
All solid green — Power, Broadband, and Service — means the gateway is online and working normally.
Why is the Broadband light flashing green?
It's syncing the line, which is normal for a few minutes after a restart or outage. If it flashes green for more than about 5 minutes, the line isn't syncing — check the cable and outage status.