What Routers, Modems, and Gateways Look Like

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Learn what a router looks like so you can find it when there are issues

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: July 25, 2026 Fact Checked

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What Routers Look Like

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Where to Find the Router

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Modem vs. Router vs. Gateway

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If you're having trouble with your internet connection, you'll usually be told to locate and restart the router. But what does a router look like? And how does it compare to a gateway or modem? In this article, we'll explain what routers look like, including some of the major brands (like TP-Link, Xfinity, Verizon, and more). We'll also cover where to find a router in a home, and what the difference is between routers, modems, and gateways.

What does a router look like?

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Illustrations of different types of routers one might find in a home.

Most routers are thin, rectangular boxes with antennas and a series of LED lights that may be flashing or solid. The antennas are usually on the sides and/or back of the box. Some routers are horizontal, while others stand vertically. A router is usually connected to the wall (or a separate modem) with a network cable.

Section 1 of 3:

What Routers Look Like

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General routersIn general, routers are flat boxes with antennas coming out of them, but this isn't always the case. Sometimes these boxes sit horizontally, while other times they are oriented vertically. Usually, routers are black, though some may be white or gray. They usually have a series of lights on the front that can help you monitor your connection, with a number of Ethernet ports–which look like thicker phone jacks–on the back.^{[1]
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- If you have a standalone router, it will typically be connected to a separate device called a modem. The modem is the device that's plugged into a wall jack, while the router is plugged into the modem.
- However, many routers today are actually router-modem combos called "gateways." If your router is a gateway, it is a single device that acts as both a router and a modem, and will connect directly to the wall jack.
- Some people colloquially use the word "router" to refer to any device that creates a Wi-Fi or Local Area Network. Learn more about the differences between routers, modems, and gateways below.
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TP-Link routersIf you don't rent a router from your internet service provider (ISP), you're likely to get a TP-Link router. There are a variety of TP-Link routers available, but you're most likely to find the TP-Link Archer. There are multiple TP-Link Archer models, but all of them look similar—they're housed in a black, horizontally oriented box with antennas that attach to the sides and back. These routers can have anywhere from four to eight antennas attached, and they'll usually say "TP-Link" somewhere on the body.
- TP-Link also sells a mesh router system. Each node is white and cylindrical, with some being shorter and some being a bit taller.
- TP-Link also sells modems and gateways (router/modem combos).
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Xfinity/Comcast routersXfinity rents gateways, which are a combination of a modem and a router, to its customers. Xfinity's xFi Gateways are tall, white boxes. They have a light on the front so you can monitor your connection as well as Ethernet ports and a coaxial cable port on the back.^{[2]
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- Unlike some other routers, the modem is built into the Xfinity gateway. This means your Xfinity gateway's network cable plugs right into a wall jack.
- Old Xfinity gateways were tall, black, rectangular boxes with a series of lights on the front and Ethernet ports on the back.
Spectrum's newest router has a tall, black, cylinder-shaped housing. It has a light on the front so you can manage your connection, and it has Ethernet ports on the back.^{[3]
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Research source} This is not a gateway, so Spectrum routers also need a modem. Spectrum modems are tall, rectangular-shaped boxes with lights on the front. The side panels have a textured design.^{[4]
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CenturyLink routersCenturyLink has a number of gateways. Here's what to look for:
- C4000: White, tall, and round, with a tapered top and gray base.
- C3510XZ: Black, tall, and rectangular, with lights on the front and a light gray base
- C3000: Black, tall, and rectangular, with lights on the front. The side panels are higher than the middle part of the box.
- C2300A: Black, tall, and rectangular, with a stand on the bottom.
- PK5000Z: Black, tall, and rectangular, with a Qwest logo on the front.
- C2100T: Black, tall, and rectangular, with lights on the front.^{[5]
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Verizon has a few types of routers. Their Fios router connects to an Optical Network Terminal (or ONT), which is essentially the modem for fiber-optic internet. Their 5G gateways don't need any other hardware and simply plug into the wall. Both the Fios router and 5G router are tall, square-shaped boxes, and are either white or gray. The Verizon logo is on the front, either in the corner or in the middle.^{[6]
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Section 2 of 3:

Common Router Locations

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A central location close to a wallMost advice online says that routers should be in a central location so the Wi-Fi signal can spread out better. Because a router must be plugged into a power source and a network jack (or modem), it should be close to a wall. Many people keep their routers on the floor, but some place them higher for better reception.
- Tip: If you're staying in an Airbnb, most hosts will let you know where to find the router and what the password is! Check the information left for you by the host to see if the router info is available. If you're having an issue with the internet, don't hesitate to reach out to your host, as well!
Since routers have Ethernet ports for wired internet connections, it's common to see routers in home offices. Check behind desks, on shelves, and windowsills, and near telephones and printers. If you can see an Ethernet cord (which looks like a thick telephone cord) coming out of a computer, follow it to find the router.
Many people may keep their routers by their TVs for the same reason they might be in an office—direct Ethernet connection to a smart TV. If the location's internet connection is through a cable service like Xfinity, having the router installed near the TV will be especially likely. An upstairs living room or den is also a good place to keep a router, since they're usually rather central in a house's layout.
In two-story houses, it's usually recommended to keep routers higher up so the signal can easily reach the second floor. If you're searching for the router in a two-story house, check the shelves near the middle of the house.^{[7]
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Some routers work better by a window, like the Verizon 5G gateway. It's not a very common spot for a router, but if you can't seem to find it anywhere else, check the windows.

Section 3 of 3:

Modem vs. Router vs. Gateway

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Most ISPs provide you with a modem (if required), but you may be able to purchase one on your own. A modem is a small box like a router, so it can be hard to tell the difference between the two. The modem usually connects to a coaxial cable or phone line that is then connected to a jack in your wall, though this isn't always the case, depending on the type of internet service you have. They also have a cable that connects to your router, as well as a power cable.^{[8]
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Routers connect to your modem and create a Local Area Network. In theory, you can connect a single computer to a modem to connect to the Internet. To connect multiple devices in one home to the internet (for example, your computer, your phone, and your TV), you'll need a router. Routers can be rented from your ISP, or you can purchase your own. Routers are usually thin boxes with antennas protruding, but their appearance can vary by manufacturer. The router receives the signal from the modem and splits it into multiple lines for your devices. A wireless router creates a Wi-Fi network and also has Ethernet ports on the back so you can connect via wired Ethernet. It has a power cable that connects to the wall.^{[9]
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- Technically, you can use just a modem without a router, but you'll need a router if you want to connect more than one device.
Gateways are very common, and most ISPs will provide a gateway rather than a separate router and modem. Gateways are usually tall and cylindrical or square, though some are more rectangular. The router and modem are already connected inside the device, so you'll just need to connect it to the wall with a coaxial cable or phone line, then plug it into power.