Comcast Cable Box Has Blue Light? (Find Out Why!)

Ordinarily, we don’t have to do too much to our Comcast cable box. And most of the time, it requires very little knowledge to operate and use. From time to time, however, it is good to understand what our magic little box is doing. Like when it has a flashing blue light.

If the blue light on your Comcast cable box is blinking then it means that there is a possible problem with the signal or feed. Additionally, it can indicate there is no feed recognized or alert users to updates in progress. Rebooting the system may be required to resolve some of these issues.

It is also important to note for those who aren’t necessarily up to date on all things cable companies, that Comcast is now Xfinity. So if you hear either name (Comcast or Xfinity), know that these company titles refer to the same cable company and service. The important thing is making sure the cable box is working, regardless of what you call it, so you can access all the benefits of your cable tv service.

Now, about that blue flashing light on the Xfinity cable box and what to do when it happens.

On the Comcast cable box, there is an indicator light. That light can be red, solid blue, or can appear as a blue flashing light. Each of these designations indicates a status or stage of the cable box.

Some of these lights are normal and will simply inform users that the cable services are working correctly. Other times these lights will alert users to a problem or potential problem with the cable box or service.

Figuring out what lights are good and bad or when to take action is fairly simple. And knowing what these indicators represent, simply makes the cable experience and services better.

The solid red light on the cable box indicates two things. First, it indicates that the cable box has been turned off, and secondly, it indicates that the cable box is receiving power.

When the cable box is manually turned off and the on/off button is physically pressed, the light on the cable box will turn solid red. Seeing red and blue lights, however, aren’t the only concern.

If the light on the cable box isn’t exhibiting any colors, then there is a problem with the power supply to the box. Ensure the box is plugged in and that there is power to the outlets. If the problem is with the cable box itself then the Xfinity Customer Care line should be contacted for help.

There are several reasons why the light on the Comcast cable box might be flashing blue. These causes are most often going to be the result of a service interruption problem or software loading issue.

Don’t worry, these issues aren’t as serious as they sound and most situations are simple to fix. Like fixing any problem, however, that begins by realizing there is a problem.

Recognizing when and how this happens can help determine the cause and the appropriate course of action. These are the common issues that cause that blue light on the cable box to flash, and what we can do.

Are you noticing that the cable box continues flashing for a few minutes before becoming steady when you turn on television and cable using the remote? Is the blue light sometimes flash intermittently while watching a program or using the Xfinity box?

These are typically signs that the cable box is not receiving a strong signal, or weak signals are being transmitted during usage. The good news is there is no need for panic, in fact, a “soft” reboot of the cable box most often resolves the issue.

Simply push the power button on the cable box and wait for the light to turn red. Wait about 30 seconds and then push the power button again to restart the cable box and resume programming.

There are times when a “soft” reboot doesn’t resolve the issue. If the blue light on the cable box continues blinking after starting for longer than a couple of minutes or longer than normal, then a problem still exists. If left unattended, unfortunately, these problems don’t typically just go away.

These issues can also cause the blue light to start flashing in the middle of a program. That can result in the interruption of a program or prevent access to cable services. Fortunately, a manual reboot will typically remedy these issues and is a quick and easy process.

To manually restart the Xfinity box simply turn off the power by physically depressing the power button. Then unplug the cable box power cord from the outlet. Wait 60 seconds before plugging the cord back into the outlet or power strip. It may take a few minutes longer than normal to load after a manual reboot, but this is the most common fix to restore signal strength, optimal loading processes, and service.

If a problem with service persists or if you are unable to access your cable services then a call to the Xfinity Support Center will be required. They will also be able to inform customers of any outages or known service issues.

If you have cable, and chances are you do, then you have likely experienced more than a couple of issues with cable service, or hardware, or connections. Like anything we use every day, those things are more prone to experience minor issues here and there.

Here is a look at some of the more frequently asked questions regarding some of those issues.

One of the most common issues people experience with cable regards picture quality. The causes for poor picture quality can include outdated technology, older televisions, substandard equipment, provider issues, and outside sources of interference.

Older Televisions

The technical term is called pixelation, which older or lower-end LCD sets are susceptible to experience. In most cases, the problem with older or less expensive equipment involves the refresh rate.

Cable issues

The physical cables that carry service signals into the house can also be the cause of pixelation or unclear pictures. This can result of wear and damage to cables (e.g. fraying, pinching), or lower standard cables.

Today, RG-59 grade cables are the standard for residential cable services. If you are experiencing poor quality images, lesser cables may be the cause. In these situations, it may be necessary to contact the Xfinity Support Center for more help or to schedule a service call to have the cable inspected and checked.

Provider and Outside Sources of Interference

Other less common reasons for the quality of your picture suffering and experiencing pixelation can be traced to the source, outside influences, or both. In some cases, although it is rare, the problem can be a broadcasting issue.

Severe weather and power outages can also impact the quality of the picture, as these events affect signals, hardware effectiveness, and other transmission-related issues.

Although Comcast (aka Xfinity) offers a cable box with every new subscription, customers can choose to use or buy their own. The only requirements is that they must be an authorized cable box on the Comcast list of supported equipment.

Here is the list of cable boxes supported by Comcast/Xfinity including the manufacturer and model number(s).