Flashing/steady power light, no other lights lit

[Retired-George]

We’ve created this thread to help with an issue that some people find during setup.

This issue has the following symptoms:

• The power light either constantly flashes or remains steady
• No other lights flash or light up

Please note that whether the power light is flashing or remains steady, this still points to the same issue - the Sure Signal hasn't established a connection to the internet.

The only difference is that if the light’s steady, then the Sure Signal has previously downloaded a profile from the server, if it's flashing then it hasn't.

Troubleshooting steps:

Check the physical connection between your Sure Signal and the router/modem.

In order to work, the Sure Signal needs to be connected to a spare Ethernet port on your router or modem, or a Hub/Switch that is connected to an internet gateway.

In some cases, it’s possible for an Ethernet cable to be faulty, in which case it may not allow your router and Sure Signal to talk to each other.

To verify that the Ethernet cable works, check the lights at the back of your Sure Signal where the cable is plugged in.

There should be a link light on permanently which indicates that an electrical circuit has been established through the cable.

There should also be a light which flashes whenever data is being passed through the cable. If either the data light or the link light do not come on, this could indicate a problem with the cable itself. Please try a spare cable, or plug the cable into a different port on your router/modem.

Check that you’ve got an active internet connection.
Make sure you can connect to the internet on another device, such as your PC or phone. If you can’t connect, this indicates a problem with your router or your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

We recommend rebooting the router to see if this then allows you to connect to the internet.

Reboot your router/modem:

1. Turn off your router or modem at the wall for 10 seconds and then turn it back on
2. Wait for the lights on your modem/router to indicate that an internet connection has been established
3. Press the reset button on the Sure Signal

Check that your Sure Signal has been assigned an internal IP address by your router.

The Sure Signal must be assigned an internal IP address by your router. If your router supports DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), this must be enabled, as doing so will enable the router to assign an IP address to your Sure Signal automatically.

For more instructions on how to do this, please check your router manual, or contact your ISP or router manufacturer.

If your router or network configuration doesn’t allow DHCP, you’ll need to assign a static IP address to your Sure Signal's MAC Address by using your router's configuration panel. Please contact your ISP or router manufacturer for instructions on how to do this. The MAC address can be found on the sticker at the back of the Sure Signal.

BT Infinity customers.

If you’re a BT Infinity customer, you’ll need to log into your router admin page and select port clamping.

Once this has been selected please restart your router and Sure Signal.

Check your MTU settings.

Log into your router admin page and find the location of the MTU field. This varies depending on the make and model so you’ll need to look for it.

Change the value of the MTU size to 1500.

Log out of the router, this will usually result in a reboot.

Perform a reset of the Sure Signal:

1. Hold in the reset button until all lights go solid
2. Pull the power lead out with the reset button still pushed in
3. Continue to hold down the reset button and reconnect the power lead
4. Wait for all lights to come on and then release the reset button

The Sure Signal will now try to contact the network and download its profile. This can take up to 6 hours.

Post your router/ISP details and Sure Signal serial number.

If you’ve done all of the above, or you’re struggling with configuring your router, please post your router's make and model number below. Please also include your Sure Signal serial number and the name of your ISP.

We find that other users of the same router will usually be able to share tips with you, to get things working.

We’ll also attempt to help with this, but due to the number of different manufacturers and models, it is not always possible. We don’t officially support any form of router configuration, so we’ll always recommend contacting your router manufacturer or ISP for assistance first.

Thanks,

Jenny

[Retired-George]

Hi guys,

For anyone experiencing these issues with the Sure Signal and a Live Box, please see the following post from another thread. Many thanks to krisbiker2 for this guide .

I'm sorry if any other threads already cover this- I did a search and did not find the info so here goes:

Problem: power on, power LED on, unit flashes all LEDs as it goes thro self test, then only power LED lit. After approx 30secs, power on LED starts flashing. Wait 24 hours-(Voda reccomend,) no difference.

in spite of numerous calls and a replacement unit, I could not get my Sure signal to work with my THOMPSON Livebox. I tried addressing ports etc (oh ****!!!insert appropriate depending on computer ability, here its not much)- no joy. I found the problem eventually- it was a most basic setting on the LiveBox, namely it was set up for Digital TV. This makes the second LAN port on the LiveBox an output for TV, not a LAN port,so no LAN goes to the Sure Signal, hence it dont work. Vodafone did not suggest this as a prob, Orange help= chocolate fireguard. Once I turned this option off, all seems well- my Sure signal has all correct lights up and signal stength has gone from 2 to 4 bars on fone. The Phone on line LED also lights when I make a call.

heres what I did, hope it may help someone:

1.Open Internet Explorer window, type in IP address of Live Box in address window (192.168.1.1), hit enter or go
2. Click settings
3. Log in, password is normally admin
4. On left of screen, select Services
5. Select Digital TV
6. Select disable
7. Hit save

After a restart of SureSignal, all booted up ok, took about 2 hours to become fully operational, from some accounts may take longer.

If this helps anyone, I'm glad- good luck!

George
eForum Team

[davjoma]

Hello Davjoma

The possibilities are that the VSS has developed a fault, however it may be worth giving it a full 24 hours after your latest reset, without any additional trouble shooting steps being performed.

I would appreciate another update after this period so we can establish what our further options are.

Thanks

Reidar

eForum Team

Reidar, thanks for the reply. Still having the problem. have replied to the thread called http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/topic/76585-vodafone-sure-signal-mine-is-offline-again/ a few minutes ago. Let me know if you can't get this link and I'll reply here. Cheers!

[sbraynor]

I am not at all technical, but am OK at following clear instructions - I am following the instructions on the Portforwarding site for a Netgear DGN2000 router here: http://portforward.c...Sure_Signal.htm

I am having some difficulty being sure which IP addresses need entering where - apologies if some of these questions seem a bit stupid.

To start it says I need to set up a static IP address for my computer - which computer? There are 4 on this network. Or does it mean the SureSignal box?

Then a bit further down, it shows how to enter the data for inbound and outbound services, but it does not show what data to enter. It says, when you've finished entering the above infirmation but there doesn't seem to be any entered in the picture. Do I need to enter the range of IP addresses from the troubleshooting post here?

That will do for starters.

Confused Shirley.

[grmartin]

I am not at all technical, but am OK at following clear instructions - I am following the instructions on the Portforwarding site for a Netgear DGN2000 router here: http://portforward.c...Sure_Signal.htm

I am having some difficulty being sure which IP addresses need entering where - apologies if some of these questions seem a bit stupid.

To start it says I need to set up a static IP address for my computer - which computer? There are 4 on this network. Or does it mean the SureSignal box?

Then a bit further down, it shows how to enter the data for inbound and outbound services, but it does not show what data to enter. It says, when you've finished entering the above infirmation but there doesn't seem to be any entered in the picture. Do I need to enter the range of IP addresses from the troubleshooting post here?

That will do for starters.

Confused Shirley.

Static IP is for the VSS (Sure Signal) - This is the IP used under "Inbound Services" for 'Lan Server'

For "Services" define those you need. VPN-IPsec (UDP Port 500) should already be defined. It won't let you enter the same port twice. The then defined services are used in the next step "Inbound Services". Make sure you get the protocol (TCP/UDP) correct for the particular port.

For Inbound Services:
Service - select the name you have defined for each port required
Lan Server - IP of VSS as above
Wan Users:
either select Single Address or Address Range
enter a Vodafone IP address as given in the guide. These can be entered as a range (Start-Finish), where they are sequential or as single IP addresses.

Repeat Inbound Services steps for each Vodafone IP address/range and for each Service definition you need.

Note: You can use "Any" for Wan Users to avoid repeating Inbound Services steps, but this opens those ports to ALL internet addresses - not such a good thing - rather than just Vodafone. (so scanners and hackers would find the open ports on your network.)

PS If using port forwarding, I would turn off UPNP if it is enabled.

[mozzas]

Hi, variation on the general theme.......

Status
Out of the box, the SS is not working (yet?).
Tried the standard set-up procedure - left it for about 7 hours - no change.
Tried changing various firewall settings as per forum suggestions.
I have Netgear DGN2000 with PlusNet
Visible as attached device, pinged ok with no packets lost, Internet and Broadband all working ok.
Currently power light flashing slowly - no other lights at any time

I have looked through the forum but would like clarification:
Some suggest just waiting (up to 24hrs).
However, others say that during the wait various lights flash.
Logic would suggest to me that if the only light flashing slowly is the power light then all the waiting in the world won't make any difference.

My Question
Is there any point in just waiting if the only light flashing slowly is the power light or is this an indication that there is a problem/error?

Thanks
(no hair left to pull out!)

[sbraynor]

Static IP is for the VSS (Sure Signal) - This is the IP used under "Inbound Services" for 'Lan Server'

For "Services" define those you need. VPN-IPsec (UDP Port 500) should already be defined. It won't let you enter the same port twice. The then defined services are used in the next step "Inbound Services". Make sure you get the protocol (TCP/UDP) correct for the particular port.

For Inbound Services:
Service - select the name you have defined for each port required
Lan Server - IP of VSS as above
Wan Users:
either select Single Address or Address Range
enter a Vodafone IP address as given in the guide. These can be entered as a range (Start-Finish), where they are sequential or as single IP addresses.

Repeat Inbound Services steps for each Vodafone IP address/range and for each Service definition you need.

Note: You can use "Any" for Wan Users to avoid repeating Inbound Services steps, but this opens those ports to ALL internet addresses - not such a good thing - rather than just Vodafone. (so scanners and hackers would find the open ports on your network.)

PS If using port forwarding, I would turn off UPNP if it is enabled.

Thanks very much, Inspector, very useful. I will check my settings again.

Thanks

Shirley

[sbraynor]

Hi, variation on the general theme.......

Status
Out of the box, the SS is not working (yet?).
Tried the standard set-up procedure - left it for about 7 hours - no change.
Tried changing various firewall settings as per forum suggestions.
I have Netgear DGN2000 with PlusNet
Visible as attached device, pinged ok with no packets lost, Internet and Broadband all working ok.
Currently power light flashing slowly - no other lights at any time

I have looked through the forum but would like clarification:
Some suggest just waiting (up to 24hrs).
However, others say that during the wait various lights flash.
Logic would suggest to me that if the only light flashing slowly is the power light then all the waiting in the world won't make any difference.

My Question
Is there any point in just waiting if the only light flashing slowly is the power light or is this an indication that there is a problem/error?

Thanks
(no hair left to pull out!)

Hi Mozza

I have the same router as you - DGN2000. I took delivery of my SS about 10 days ago, and so far have not got it to work at all. Like you I just get a flashing power light. I have left it flashing for a couple of days (just in case) but no difference. No other lights flashed that I know of. I need to check my portforwarding settings, but I'm pretty sure I got them right.

Sorry I can't offer any help, as I don't know what to try next. If you have a brainwave, please let me know.

I am beginning to think this must be a faulty SS - can anyone tell me how to get a replacement?

Shirley

[sbraynor]

Thanks very much, Inspector, very useful. I will check my settings again.

Thanks

Shirley

I have now checked the port settings and they are all correct. The router shows the SS as an attached device. I reset both router ans SS more than 24 hours ago.

I still have jusrt the flashing power light.

Can I have some help from the Vodafone team, please?

Shirley

[r1chardc]

Hi, variation on the general theme.......

Status
Out of the box, the SS is not working (yet?).
Tried the standard set-up procedure - left it for about 7 hours - no change.
Tried changing various firewall settings as per forum suggestions.
I have Netgear DGN2000 with PlusNet
Visible as attached device, pinged ok with no packets lost, Internet and Broadband all working ok.
Currently power light flashing slowly - no other lights at any time

I have looked through the forum but would like clarification:
Some suggest just waiting (up to 24hrs).
However, others say that during the wait various lights flash.
Logic would suggest to me that if the only light flashing slowly is the power light then all the waiting in the world won't make any difference.

My Question
Is there any point in just waiting if the only light flashing slowly is the power light or is this an indication that there is a problem/error?

Thanks
(no hair left to pull out!)

Had the same problem for weeks. Single flashing indicates no communication yet with Vodafone.

If firewall rules are set as posts, including ICMP 8 plus respond to ping, consider whether Plus Net routing is causing a problem.
My VSS never worked until I connected in another house (same router) got a working connection; moved the whole set up back: zilch except power light stable indicating config file has been downloaded. The only thing I may have done was a factory reset keeping the reset button down when power reconnected until lights started to flash. have you tried the path ping to see if your internet suffers any packet loss?

I have been trying to get Vodafone to respond as to whether their servers time out or how they respond to packet loss

regards

[sbraynor]

I have now checked the port settings and they are all correct. The router shows the SS as an attached device. I reset both router ans SS more than 24 hours ago.

I still have jusrt the flashing power light.

Can I have some help from the Vodafone team, please?

Shirley

Anyone?

I think the SS I have been sent is faulty - I have followed all of the instructions and guidance and the box has never given more than a flashing power light. Please can I arrange an exchange? Can someone on the Vodafone team tell me how to do this, please?

Shirley