If the WAN light on your smart meter communications hub is flashing red, it usually means the meter has lost connection to the national smart meter network.
This does not normally affect your electricity supply, but it can stop your smart meter from sending readings automatically to your energy supplier.
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What Is the WAN Light?
WAN stands for Wide Area Network.
This connection allows the communications hub on top of your electricity meter to communicate with the national smart meter network.
Through this connection your energy supplier receives:
• electricity readings
• gas readings
• meter status information.
If the WAN connection fails, the meter can still measure energy but readings may not be sent automatically.
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Signs of a WAN Connection Problem
If the WAN light is flashing red you may notice:
• your energy supplier says the meter is not communicating
• your smart meter app stops updating
• you are asked to provide manual meter readings
• the in-home display stops updating regularly.
In many cases the meter itself is still working normally.
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Common Reasons the WAN Light Flashes Red
1. Communications Hub Fault
The communications hub is the device mounted on top of the electricity meter.
If this unit fails it may enter a distress state, causing the WAN light to flash continuously.
In many cases the hub will need to be replaced by an engineer.
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2. Network Signal Problems
Smart meters connect using different networks depending on where you live in the UK.
Some areas use long-range radio networks, while others use mobile network connections.
Meters installed in locations such as:
• basements
• underground meter rooms
• thick stone buildings
can sometimes struggle to maintain a reliable signal.
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3. Firmware Update Problems
In some cases a remote firmware update can cause the communications hub to stop functioning correctly.
When this happens the hub may repeatedly attempt to reconnect to the network and the WAN light may flash continuously.
This usually requires a hub replacement or engineer visit.
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4. Temporary Network Outage
Occasionally the network used by the smart meter may experience temporary outages.
When this happens the WAN light may flash until the connection is restored.
These issues are normally resolved automatically.
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What Your Energy Supplier Will Do
If your supplier detects that the smart meter is not communicating, they may attempt to fix the problem remotely.
This could involve:
• reconnecting the meter to the network
• resetting the communications hub
• checking the meter configuration.
If the problem cannot be fixed remotely, your supplier may arrange an engineer appointment to inspect or replace the communications hub.
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Does This Affect My Energy Supply?
A flashing WAN light does not normally affect your electricity or gas supply.
Your smart meter will usually continue measuring energy usage, but it may not send readings automatically until the connection is restored.
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Can I Get Compensation?
If your smart meter stops working and your supplier does not repair it within 90 days, you may be entitled to compensation under industry rules.
This is often around £40, with further payments possible if the issue continues.
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Related Smart Meter Problems
You may also find these guides helpful:
• Smart meter not sending readings
• Why your gas smart meter stopped working
• Smart meter display not working
Many smart meter issues are linked to communication problems within the system.