How to turn off the lights on a telecom fiber optic router

You can often turn off or schedule your router's lights through the router's settings or mobile app, but for some ONT units, physical solutions like tape may be necessary.

Using Router Settings or Mobile App

Many modern routers allow you to manage LED lights via their web interface or mobile application. To do this:

1. Log in to the router's web interface using its IP address (commonly 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Navigate to Advanced Settings > System Tools > LED Control or a similar section.
3. Enable Night Mode or turn off LEDs entirely. You can often schedule a time period during which the lights will be off.
4. Save your settings to apply the changes . This method works for routers that provide user-level access to LED controls, including many TP-Link and FTTP routers .

For ONT Units or Locked Fiber Routers

Some Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) provided by ISPs, especially Openreach-installed units, do not allow end users to turn off the lights due to safety and operational restrictions. In these cases:

• Physical solutions are recommended, such as placing a piece of opaque tape or a blackout sticker over the LEDs to reduce light intrusion .
• Ensure the tape does not cover ventilation areas or ports to avoid overheating or connectivity issues.

Additional Tips

• Placement: Position the router or ONT away from bedrooms or areas where light may disturb sleep.
• Check for firmware updates: Some routers may gain LED control features through firmware updates.
• Avoid tampering with fiber connections: Never attempt to disconnect or modify the fiber optic cable to control lights, as this can damage the line and void warranties . By combining software settings where available and physical solutions for locked units, you can effectively manage or eliminate unwanted router lights.