Freebox blocked at the’step 6 : How to fix it ?
As an Internet service provider, Free is highly regarded for the quality of its fiber offer and its equipment. However, the service is not free of concerns related to the network and equipment. Thus, Freeboxes can sometimes get stuck on step 6 of the initialization process.
However, you have several options to try to solve the problem before contacting Free's technical service.
What does step 6 mean?
Step 6 is the authentication of your box on the Free network. The operation concretely consists in configuring the identification number of the box. The modem will thus be recognized and accepted by the operator's infrastructure. Without the login, you will not have access to the Internet and to the services associated with your subscription (TV, telephony, messaging, etc.).).
equipment will be ignored by the operator. As a result, you will also be exposed to a Freebox blocking step 7 .
At stage 6, the equipment has already successfully passed the first part of the operator's service initialization process. It is supposed to be connected to the network and have an address assigned by the DHCP servers. In the details, the device has already gone through :
- Start-up and verification of components (step 1);
- Search for a signal on the fiber or ADSL network (step 2);
- Establishing the internet connection (step 3);
- Recovering server information from the network (step 4).
Step 5 does not involve any concrete action. The numbering goes directly to phase 6. In any case, the blocking at this stage means that the box could not authenticate itself on the network. You will then have to solve the problems causing the anomaly to be able to use your installation.
Why my Freebox does not pass this step 6 ?
The blockage in step 6 may be caused by a power failure, incomplete update or hardware failure. It is often advisable to consider the faulty box as a last resort, for practical reasons. It requires a technical service intervention or a hardware replacement.
In both cases, the problem is quite rare and the solution can take time.
Well before the failure, you can consider the effects of a power failure or an update error. The Freebox is first and foremost a device that uses electricity. Consequently, your equipment is exposed to disturbances on the electrical network and to malfunctions caused by these anomalies.
A power failure can, for example, cause some elements to fail.
Step 1 is used to check that all the components and services are working properly. However, some problems may well go unnoticed during the systematic check. They will only be noticeable in step 6, when you are waiting for the Freebox to authenticate.
In this case, rebooting is a potentially effective option to resolve the situation. This solution also allows you to fix unfinished updates.
How to pass the stage 6 of the Freebox
Step 6 requires information exchange on the Free network. Therefore, you must first check your equipment and your installation. A bad connection can actually cause a loss of the signal found in step 2 and of the connection established in step 3. To be sure, you will need to start with a visual check of the devices and wiring for possible damage.
You will also have to unplug all the cables and check the end caps. Then, insert each cable correctly into the ports of the box, the TV decoder and the wall (ADSL or fiber). It is also advisable to remove extension cords and power strips from your installation. These elements can affect the proper functioning of Free's equipment.
Moreover, the problems caused can take a wide variety of forms.
On the other hand, you need to consider the behavior of the electrical network in your area. A Freebox can be affected by frequent power cuts or regular voltage fluctuations. The second anomaly is generally recognized by the frequency and punctuality of the malfunction. The electrical track will be privileged, if the box refuses to start at the same time.
To verify this, test your equipment on a source independent of the network.
Restarting the Freebox
Restarting is a simple and effective solution to solve common problems on a Freebox. Moreover, you do not necessarily need to know the origin of the problem. However, you can't just turn the box off and on again with the power button.
You must unplug the device, wait five to ten minutes, then plug it in again and turn it on.
With the reboot, you will be able to fix minor problems and failures when launching the box. The modem has an embedded software (firmware). Like any program, it can encounter bugs and other anomalies at startup.
It is enough to restart the device to restore its configuration. Thereafter, you will have access to the various services of the operator.
If necessary, you can also consider restoring the factory settings of your box. You must however be aware that the operation erases all the settings made on your equipment (box and decoder). Similarly, all updates will be removed.
It is nevertheless an excellent solution in case of a system error caused by an unfinished or corrupted update.
What are the other steps of the Freebox ?
You have already discovered the first steps of the Freebox initialization. The visualization of the phases nevertheless helps to understand the start-up cycle of the operator's modem. In addition, the device will not allow you to connect to the internet without going through each phase, namely :
- Step 1: Control and launch of internal components;
- Step 2: Search for a signal on the network ;
- Step 3: Establishing a connection with the signal found ;
- Step 4: Receiving and using the server information provided by the ISP ;
- Step 5: Not assigned (or not communicated to users);
- Step 6: Authentication of the modem at the operator level ;
- Step 7: Check the firmware and update, if necessary.
- Step 8: Finalize the start-up process.
The box is now operational and allows access to internet services. At this stage, it is supposed to display a digital clock and a fixed white dot on the front.