Arris Modem Lights Explained — DS, US, Online, Send, Receive LEDs
What every Arris modem light means — SB8200, SURFboard, TM3402. DS, US, Online, Send, Receive LED patterns and troubleshooting.
Solid
white
Quick info
Visual description
Arris SURFboard cable modems have a vertical row of labeled LEDs on the front: Power, DS (Downstream), US (Upstream), Online, and sometimes Send/Receive and a Link LED. Each LED independently reports a stage of the cable modem boot process. Understanding the sequence helps pinpoint exactly where startup is failing.
What it means
Arris modems boot through a four-stage sequence, each with its own LED:
1. Power LED: Solid green = modem has power. Off = no power.
2. DS (Downstream) LED: Blinks during lock, goes solid when a downstream channel is locked. If stuck blinking indefinitely, Arris can't find a downstream signal — coax/ISP issue.
3. US (Upstream) LED: Blinks during upstream registration, then goes solid. If stuck blinking, the ISP can't register the modem's MAC address — usually a provisioning issue.
4. Online LED: Solid green = fully connected to internet. This is the goal state.
For the SB8200 (DOCSIS 3.1): the DS LED may blink faster during multi-channel bonding. This is normal and can take 3–5 minutes on first boot.
Brand & model variations
The same light pattern can mean different things across manufacturers.
| Brand / Model | What white solid means | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
Arris SB8200 (DOCSIS 3.1, common ISP modem) | Power steady, DS blinks then solid, US blinks then solid, Online blinks then solid = fully booted and working. SB8200 adds 2.5 GbE and DOCSIS 3.1 bonding that takes longer on first boot. | Allow up to 5 minutes on first power-on. Normal sequence: DS blinks 30-90s → solid. US blinks 30-60s → solid. Online blinks 30s → solid. |
Arris SB6183, SB6190 (DOCSIS 3.0, older Xfinity/Spectrum) | Same LED sequence but no DOCSIS 3.1. Older models. Online LED off after boot = ISP hasn't provisioned the MAC address. Especially common after a modem replacement. | Call ISP with the modem's MAC address (on sticker) to provision it if Online LED won't go solid. |
Arris TM3402 (telephone modem / eMTA) | Adds a Tel1/Tel2 LED for VoIP lines. Tel LED blinking = registering with VoIP server. Tel LED solid = VoIP ready. Tel LED off = no VoIP service provisioned or line issue. | VoIP issues: ensure ISP has provisioned VoIP on your account. Tel LED may take 5 minutes to go solid after Online. |
Diagnose your issue
Answer a few questions to narrow down the cause.
Which Arris LED is showing a problem?
Safe next steps
Ordered from least to most involved. Check each step as you go.
Follow the boot sequence: Power → DS → US → Online. Each should go from blinking to solid in sequence.
DS stuck blinking: inspect coax cable connections. Try bypassing any splitters.
US stuck blinking: power cycle the modem (60s). If still stuck after restart, call ISP to re-provision.
Online stuck blinking: also a call-ISP situation — they control the provisioning from their side.
Allow 5 minutes after power-on before concluding anything is wrong.
When to escalate
Stop troubleshooting and contact your ISP or manufacturer if:
- DS LED never goes solid after checking all coax connections — ISP sends a technician to check the line.
- US LED stuck blinking even after ISP re-provisioning attempt — corroded coax connection or signal problem.