Key Takeaways
- Most eero disconnection problems are fixed by restarting your modem and eero, moving nodes closer together, or updating the eero app and software.
- If only one device keeps dropping, the problem is usually the device, not the eero. If everything drops at once, check your modem and internet connection first.
- A solid red light on your eero means no internet connection, which usually points to your modem or ISP rather than the eero itself.
Why Does My Eero Keep Disconnecting?
An eero usually keeps disconnecting because of a weak connection between nodes, an outdated software version, a modem problem, or wireless interference from walls and appliances. In most cases you can fix it yourself in under 15 minutes without replacing any equipment.
Work through the fixes below in order. They start with the fastest and most common solutions.
Fix 1: Restart Your Modem and Eero
A simple restart clears temporary glitches and resolves most disconnection issues.
Steps
- Unplug your modem from power. If it has a battery backup, remove the battery too.
- Unplug your gateway eero (the one connected to the modem).
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Plug the modem back in and wait 2 to 3 minutes until its lights are steady.
- Plug the eero back in and wait for a solid white light.
Restart in this order every time. If the eero powers up before the modem is fully online, it may not connect properly.
Fix 2: Check the Eero Light Color
The LED on your eero tells you what is wrong.
- Solid white: Connected and working normally.
- Solid red: No internet connection. The problem is your modem or internet provider, not the eero.
- Blinking white: Starting up or connecting. Wait a few minutes.
- Blinking blue: In setup mode, waiting to be added in the app.
- No light: No power. Check the outlet and power cable.
If the light is solid red after a restart, connect a computer directly to your modem with an Ethernet cable. If there is still no internet, contact your internet provider.
Fix 3: Update Your Eero Software
Outdated software is a common cause of random drops. Eero updates itself automatically, but updates can fail or stall.
Steps
- Open the eero app on your phone.
- Tap Settings, then Software Updates.
- If an update is available, tap Update and wait. Your network will briefly go offline during the update.
- Also update the eero app itself in the App Store or Google Play.
Fix 4: Move Your Eero Nodes Closer Together
If a satellite eero (one not connected to the modem) keeps going offline, it is probably too far from the gateway or blocked by obstacles.
Placement rules
- Keep nodes within 50 feet of each other with a clear path when possible.
- Place eeros out in the open, not inside cabinets, closets, or behind TVs.
- Keep them off the floor. A shelf or table works well.
- Keep them at least a few feet away from microwaves, baby monitors, cordless phones, and large metal objects like refrigerators.
- Thick walls, brick, concrete, and mirrors weaken the signal. Fewer obstacles means a stronger connection.
In the eero app, tap on a node to check its connection status. If it shows a poor connection, move it closer to the gateway and check again after a few minutes.
Fix 5: Fix a Single Device That Keeps Dropping
If your WiFi works fine on most devices but one phone, laptop, or smart home gadget keeps disconnecting, the device is usually the problem.
Steps
- Turn WiFi off and back on in the device settings.
- Tell the device to forget the WiFi network, then reconnect and re-enter the password.
- Restart the device.
- Check for software updates on the device.
- Turn off any battery saver or low power mode, which can disable WiFi in the background.
Older smart home devices only support 2.4 GHz WiFi. Eero handles this automatically, but moving the device closer to a node often stabilizes the connection.
Fix 6: Check Your Ethernet Cables
A loose or damaged cable between the modem and gateway eero causes the entire network to drop.
Steps
- Unplug the Ethernet cable from both the modem and the eero, then plug it back in firmly until it clicks.
- Look for kinks, sharp bends, or damage along the cable.
- If drops continue, swap in a different Ethernet cable. Cables are cheap and fail more often than people expect.
Fix 7: Reduce Wireless Interference
Neighboring WiFi networks and household electronics can interfere with your eero signal, especially in apartments.
- Move eeros away from microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth speakers, and baby monitors.
- Avoid placing nodes directly against exterior walls shared with neighbors.
- If you use a smart plug to power an eero, plug the eero directly into the wall instead. Smart plugs can cut power briefly and knock the node offline.
Fix 8: Check for an Eero or Amazon Outage
Eero depends on cloud services for some functions. On rare occasions, a service outage causes widespread problems.
- Search for "eero outage" or check a site like Downdetector from your phone using cellular data.
- If there is a known outage, wait it out. Your equipment is fine.
Fix 9: Reset the Eero as a Last Resort
If nothing else works, a reset gives you a clean start. Try the soft reset first because it keeps your network name and password.
Soft reset (keeps your settings)
- Find the reset button on the eero (a small hole on the back or bottom).
- Press and hold it with a paperclip until the light flashes yellow, about 7 seconds, then release.
Hard reset (erases everything)
- Press and hold the reset button until the light flashes red, about 15 seconds, then release.
- Set the eero up again from scratch in the app.
If the eero still drops constantly after a hard reset, contact eero support. The unit may be failing, especially if it is several years old.
When to Call Your Internet Provider Instead
The eero is often blamed for problems that start at the modem or the line coming into your home. Contact your internet provider if:
- The gateway eero shows a solid red light even after restarting the modem.
- A computer plugged directly into the modem has no internet.
- Your whole network drops at the same times every day, which can point to line or signal problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my eero say connected but no internet?
Your devices are connected to the eero WiFi, but the eero is not receiving internet from your modem. Restart your modem first, then the eero. If it does not resolve, check that the Ethernet cable between them is secure, and contact your internet provider if the modem itself is offline.
Why does my eero disconnect at night?
Eero installs software updates overnight, which causes a brief disconnection. This is normal. If drops happen repeatedly through the night, check whether a scheduled profile pause is enabled in the eero app, and rule out smart plugs or timers cutting power to a node.
What does a red light on my eero mean?
A solid red light means the eero has no internet connection. The issue is almost always the modem or your internet service. Restart the modem, wait for it to fully come online, then restart the eero.
How do I know if my eero is going bad?
Warning signs include constant disconnections after a hard reset, a node that runs very hot, a light that will not turn solid white, or a unit that no longer receives software updates. Eero devices typically last five years or more, but older models eventually lose support.
Why does my eero satellite keep going offline?
The satellite is usually too far from the gateway eero or blocked by walls, appliances, or furniture. Move it closer, place it in the open at least a few feet off the floor, and check its connection strength in the eero app.
Does eero work with any modem?
Eero works with almost any standalone cable, fiber, or DSL modem. If your provider gave you a combined modem-router (a gateway), put it in bridge mode so it does not conflict with the eero. Conflicts between two routers are a common cause of random disconnections.
Should I restart my eero regularly?
No. Eero is designed to run continuously and restarts itself when it installs updates. If you find yourself restarting it weekly to keep it working, something else is wrong, so work through the troubleshooting steps above.
