3G Microcell - 3G Red Light Flashing

[jpenaflorida]

My GPS, Ethernet, and power light are on with a solid green. My 3G light is a solid red that flashes every three seconds. I use a Netgear router/modem; honestly, I'm not sure what a modem or router looks like but I plugged the microcell's ethernet into the Netgear. I've tried disconnecting then reactivating the microcell. No luck.

Any advice on how to troubleshoot this issue would be awesome. I live in the countryside where cell phone reception is severely limited. Thanks!

[Kimen]

It states right in the user guide a red flashing 3G light may be a device issue. Sounds like it is broken.

[JFizDaWiz]

There is a"unknown"issue causing this.not sure why yet as a lot odd people had this happen last week

[Otto Pylot ACE - Czar]

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Kimen wrote:
It states right in the user guide a red flashing 3G light may be a device issue. Sounds like it is broken.

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Not necessarily. If AT&T updates the MicroCell (and this is usually done in the middle of the night without advanced notice or reason), and there is a problem re-connecting, the 3G light will start blinking red because the update either failed or the MicroCell thinks it has because of no connection. That happened to me a couple of weeks ago and a quick power cycle of my modem/router/ MicroCell resolved the blinking red light and I was back up and running in under 10 minutes.

[adedamola]

My GPS light has been blinking red for several days now. Yet the Microcell seems to be working fine. Do I need to do anything to get the light solid green as it should be or should I not bother myself since the phone seems to be connecting to the Microcell?

[damomics]

my microcell is a solid red and I don't remember it being that way

[Otto Pylot ACE - Czar]

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damomics wrote:
my microcell is a solid red and I don't remember it being that way

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AT&T probably attempted an update (usually done in the middle of the night) that either didn't go well or after the update the MicroCell didn't properly reset itself so it thinks the update failed. Power cycle and see if that corrects it. When my 3G started blinking red I just power cycled everything and was back up and running with solid green all the way down in about 10 minutes. What was odd though is that even with a red blinking 3G light, I still had a solid connection.

[kevinb8088]

Same issue here.  The microcell worked fine for well over a year and then suddenly I started getting the red blinking 3G light a few weeks ago, right around the time others started reporting the same issue.  Seems pretty obvious that AT&T pushed some kind of software update to the microcell that didn't go very well.  Hopefully they'll figure it out and push another update to correct it.

[hjmicka]

I power cycled down and restarted and also was able to get a green light again. However within an hour or so it goes red again. I thought it might be my wireless router so I bought a new one and that did not make a difference. Everything on my phones and Micro Cell indicate that I should not be able to make a phone call yet we are able to do so. We will let the light blink red and just keep using the phones I guess.

[Muligan21]

I am having the same issue.

I wake up, red flashing light, I power cycle everything, get a green light, and within hours right back to flashing red.

Anyone know anything new or further about this issue?

Thanks in advance

[Otto Pylot ACE - Czar]

If you've power cycled and let it sit unpowered for about 5 minutes and still can't get a solid green 3G, then the update is causing the MicroCell to think there's a hardware failure because it can't reset itself. There is a reset button just above the power cord connector on the back. Try pressing that for about 30 seconds or whatever the instructions say to reset it.

[mcellreally]

Does anyone consider this to be a long term solution?  Yes, resetting the Microcell fixes the blinking red 3G led, for some time but it is not a lasting fix.  I have to reset my device nearly every day.  Today, I have reset it twice.  Is there no better fix than this?

I am disturbed that AT&T is not supporting this product  better than this.

[Otto Pylot ACE - Czar]

No. I don't think that resetting everyday is considered a long term solution but it may be the only workaround for some. If you haven't done so already I'd check your setup, ISP, etc. You may just have a defective MicroCell that just can't properly reset itself either after an update by AT&T or something that your ISP has done. If you're still under warranty, document your issues with support and then get approval to go down to your local corporate AT&T store and get a replacement. The support, or total lack of by AT&T, has been an ongoing issue since they were first introduced. [Per Guidelines:  Keep it Relevant and Appropriate].

[overclockedpc]

I also have had the flashing 3g light problem for a while and I MAY have come up with some kind of fix but need someone to help me test it. 

So, if your microcell is flahing a red 3g light, please try the following and let me know what happens.

1) With the microcell flashing red, unplug the ethernet cable while leaving power plugged in.

2) Wait 2 mnutes, unplug power cable.(whileethernet is unplugged).

3) Wait 30 seconds, plug power cable in with ethernet cable unplugged.

4) Wait 2 minutes, plug in ethernet cable. (while microcell is powered on)

5) Wait 2 minutes, unplug power cable (leaving ethernet plugged in).

6) Wait 30 seconds, plug in power cable. (with ethernet cable plugged in).

This should clear the red 3g light.  If it does not, try power cycling again (unplug power, wait 30 seconds and plug back in).

If anyone is dealing with the red 3g light issue and can try this, please report back and let us know if it works or not.  AT&T support is clueless on this issue, but maybe we can help each other find a solution.

Thanks for everyone's help in testing this.

[Edited to comply with Guidelines]

[a49ac]

We have 2 microcell's in 2 different houses in different cities, and within days both have switched from green 3G to red.  Just Still  have microcell service.  Can't figure it out and seems nobody knows why either.  Can't believe 2 would become defective at same time. 

[midget3376]

Well I tried your method...

I did it last night and it was flashing red this morning.  I disconnected power for 30 seconds, this morning (6 AM ish) and it is currently green. 

I am very interested in what can causes it to flash red, in the first place.  When my first one flashed red, I called tech support, as the owners manual stated.  Basically they told me it was broken.  I went to the AT&T store, where I bought it, and found out it had gone out of warranty a few weeks ago.  I then purchased a new microcell and it is doing the same thing.

[overclockedpc]

As far as I can tell, the red light is a general error light.  I think that light comes up anytime anything goes wrong with the Mcell (no internet connection, software update failure, etc.)

I've been trying to activate my microcell for the past week or so and I keep getting a "software update failed" message when I check the activation progress online.  AT&T still doesn't know what's wrong with it or how to fix it. 

I find it kind of distrubing that AT&T is selling products that we shouldn't have to buy in the first place, and then not having a clue as to how to fix them if something goes wrong.

[midget3376]

It's still green!  Let's see if it can last more than 24 hours.  I'll keep you updated.

[GaMountainHiker]

Just bought the 3G MicroCell,  has not been able to establish a GPS signal even when I was standing beside it with a Garman GPS that said it saw 3 satilites and had a solid lock and location with in 20 feet.  After multiple calls, the techs said they "hard wired it to my location", ran for two days and failed over night.  Tech support started over at ground zero, CLUELESS of what had gone on before.  Device appears to be constantly checking GPS location, stupid, when it worked going over my DSL the service was very good.  When it fails the GPS check the device locks up with red light. 

They are now "getting back to me" which means they are trying to re-register it themselves(sends me an email-guess they have not figured out that it tells me how many times they are trying to register it).  Will give it another couple of days and if they cannot figure out how to make it work will take it back and get my money back.  Appears to be VERY bad design of software and hardware interface.  Since you have to give them your address, 911 needs that, constantly relocating itself is self defeating.  Guess if you have a storm and it loses GPS then you have to go back thru the re-registeration process, stupid design....

[GaMountainHiker]

Red light means it has lost the GPS connection and best I can tell, you have to go back thru the registration process....

[Otto Pylot ACE - Czar]

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GaMountainHiker wrote:
Red light means it has lost the GPS connection and best I can tell, you have to go back thru the registration process....

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The blinking satellite logo means you have lost GPS, and it usually blinks green if it can't get a lock. A blinking red 3G means the MicroCell has a hardware failure, or an update (by AT&T) was attempted but failed and now the MicroCell thinks it's broken because it can't reset itself. This seems to be happening more and more with the updates that AT&T is performing in hopes of correcting other issues. However, not everyone has these issues. My MicorCell has not experienced the issues that have been, and are being, reported here. I think it's multiple issues based on your location in relationship to the towers, geography, location of the MicroCell,  your ISP, router configuration, and type of phone. Way too many variables to have it work successfully for everyone. Not a very well thought out product.

[midget3376]

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Otto Pylot wrote:

 I think it's multiple issues based on your location in relationship to the towers, geography, location of the MicroCell,  your ISP, router configuration, and type of phone. Way too many variables to have it work successfully for everyone. Not a very well thought out product.

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Mine ran fine for a year, then all of a sudden, blinkin red 3G light.  I called tech support and they were of little help.  I took the unit to the store were I bought it and ended up buying a new one $200.  It started doing the same thing.  I talked to my ISP and replaced the modem and because of an issue with WiFi for the iPhones, I have replaced the router.

That being said, I tried the recipe that overclockedpc posted, and it seemed to have worked.

So, if your microcell is flahing a red 3g light, please try the following and let me know what happens.

1) With the microcell flashing red, unplug the ethernet cable while leaving power plugged in.

2) Wait 2 mnutes, unplug power cable.(whileethernet is unplugged).

3) Wait 30 seconds, plug power cable in with ethernet cable unplugged.

4) Wait 2 minutes, plug in ethernet cable. (while microcell is powered on)

5) Wait 2 minutes, unplug power cable (leaving ethernet plugged in).

6) Wait 30 seconds, plug in power cable. (with ethernet cable plugged in).

This should clear the red 3g light.  If it does not, try power cycling again (unplug power, wait 30 seconds and plug back in).

So we will see...

[ajesmum]

 Hi MC Users:

I am also experiencing this same issue where my MC is working fine and suddenly, the 3G LED goes from Green to RED Flashing but yet, stipp operational (able to make and recv voice calls and data is fine too).  I might know what the issue is but I need some answers from you before I can conclude. 

1. Your location/ State?  

2. Around what time does the MC goes into this Red flashing state? anytime or or early twilight hours? Please observe this if you can.

3. When did it start? Jan ..March.April 2012? 

4. How frequent does it happen? For instance, 3G LED is green then goes Flashing RED... you powercycle ..its back green ... then how soon after does it go flashing red again (but still operational)? 

IF YOU CAN ANSWER these 4 questions, I can tell you how to resolve it. But I need your help to get a consensus of what we are dealing with. 

Waiting on your replies! --- thank you! 

[midget3376]

1. KY
2. Usually late at night
3. April 2012
4. At least daily. Sometime after it would flash, it would die.

[midget3376]

I tried to use it this morning and I had no service and a red flashing light.

Another datat point.

I'm just restarting.

[ajesmum]

Thanks for this information - very valuable as I consolidate the evidence. I just need a few more MC users with the same issue to answer the 4 questions. 

[Otto Pylot ACE - Czar]

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1. CA

2. Late at night

3. April 2012

4. Once only. A simple power cycle corrected it and it hasn't happened since.

[ajesmum]

Is it that the MC is flashing red and MC is still operational or not operational? This makes a big difference. I am looking for specific users whose MC 3g LED goes flashing red and still able to make calls. Anyone in this situation?

[Otto Pylot ACE - Czar]

My MicroCell is not flashing red and is operational. When the red light flashed, it was not operational. I don't the MicroCell will work if the 3G light is flashing red because that's an indicator of a hardware failure (either real or the inability to reset itself after an update).

[midget3376]

I have had it where the 3G light is flashing red and I still have a signal.  It usually fails after that.

Mine is currently solid green.

It lost its Internet signal, yesterday (the modem took a short break).  It flashed green (and I had no signal) for about 20 minutes and went solid green and I had a connection.