The "Blue vs. Green" Rule: Which is Better?

Target Keyword: Arris SB8200 blue light vs green

This is one of the top questions we get at ModemGuides. On almost every other electronic device, Green means "Go" and Blue is just a style choice. On Arris Surfboard modems (specifically the SB8200, S33, and SB6190), Blue indicates a higher performance connection.

• Solid Green: Your modem is connected using DOCSIS 3.0 channels. This is a standard connection. It works fine, but you aren't getting the maximum theoretical speeds.

• Solid Blue: Your modem is connected using DOCSIS 3.1 (Bonded Channels). This is the "High-Speed" mode. It means your ISP is bonding multiple channels together to give you the fastest possible gigabit speeds.

Verdict: If your lights are Blue, do not troubleshoot! That is the best possible status.

Troubleshooting: Why is the "Online" Light Blinking?

If your Power, Receive, and Send lights are solid, but the Online light (the globe icon) keeps blinking endlessly, your hardware is fine, but your ISP is rejecting you.

What is happening: The modem has successfully found the cable signal (the physical wire works), but the ISP's server has not sent the "configuration file" to let you on the internet.

How to Fix It:

1. The "Walled Garden" Check: Open a web browser on your computer. You might automatically be redirected to an Xfinity/Cox/Spectrum activation page.

2. Call for Provisioning: If you recently bought this modem, you likely forgot to call your ISP to add the MAC Address (found on the bottom sticker) to your account.

3. The Factory Reset: If this happened suddenly on an old modem, the internal configuration might be corrupted. Hold the Reset button on the back for 10 seconds.

Troubleshooting: Receive (DS) or Send (US) Light Blinking

The "Receive" (Downstream) and "Send" (Upstream) lights indicate the physical signal coming from the street. If these are blinking, the modem is screaming, "I can't hear the cable company!"

Common Causes:

• Loose Coax Cable: Check the metal connector on the back of the modem. Finger-tighten it—don't use a wrench.

• Bad Splitter: Do you have a cable splitter (a small metal piece splitting the TV and Internet line)? These fail often. Remove the splitter and plug the modem directly into the wall to test.

• Service Outage: If you can't get a solid lock on these lights, there is likely an outage in your neighborhood. Check your ISP's outage map on your phone.

The "Red Light of Death" (Power or Internet)

While Green and Blue are status indicators, Red or Amber (Orange) usually signals a hardware fault.

1. Solid Red Power Light: This often indicates a critical hardware failure or overheating.

   • Fix: Unplug the modem for 30 minutes to let it cool down. Ensure it is standing upright (not on its side) for airflow. If the red light returns immediately upon plugging it in, the unit is dead.

   • Recommendation: [Shop our Refurbished Arris Modems]

2. Blinking Amber "Send/Receive": On some older models, this means the modem is performing a Firmware Update.

   • Fix: DO NOT UNPLUG IT. Wait 15 minutes. Interrupting a firmware update can permanently "brick" the modem.

A Note on the Arris S33 (The Single Light)

The Arris S33 is unique because it doesn't have a row of icons; it has one single LED ring on the front.

• Solid Blue: DOCSIS 3.1 Operation (Best).

• Solid Green: DOCSIS 3.0 Operation (Good).

• Blinking Green: Scanning for frequencies (No connection).

• Blinking Yellow: Firmware download in progress (Wait!).

Still Seeing Red?

If you have factory reset your device and checked your cables, but the Power light remains Red or the Online light refuses to go solid, your modem's internal chipset may have failed.

Don't pay full price for a replacement. ModemGuides stocks professionally refurbished Arris Surfboard modems at a fraction of the retail cost, compatible with Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, and more.