> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.centipidbilling.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Maintenance mode

> What happens to connected users, PPPoE subscribers, and new hotspot logins when you put a router in maintenance mode, and how to turn maintenance mode on or off.

# Put a router in maintenance mode

Maintenance mode changes one thing: the **hotspot buy page** (captive portal) for one router. Instead of plans, customers who open that page see a "Network maintenance" screen with your message, your support number, and the time you expect to be back.

It does not touch the router, RADIUS, or anyone's session.

## What happens to each kind of customer

| Customer                                                                          | During maintenance mode                                                                                                                  |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Already connected (hotspot or PPPoE)                                              | Stays connected. Maintenance mode does not disconnect anyone.                                                                            |
| PPPoE subscriber who reconnects                                                   | Connects as normal. PPPoE never shows the buy page.                                                                                      |
| Hotspot customer who opens the buy page                                           | Sees the maintenance screen. No plans are listed, so nobody can buy.                                                                     |
| Hotspot customer who already paid, with **Allow existing customers to log in** on | Sees the maintenance screen plus the login options (voucher, receipt, username and password), under "Already paid? Log in to reconnect." |
| Hotspot customer who already paid, with that switch off                           | Sees only the maintenance screen. They cannot log in from the page until you turn maintenance mode off.                                  |

If you need to take people offline, maintenance mode will not do it. Disconnect sessions from **Network → Live sessions**, or do the work on the router itself.

## Turn it on

1. Open **Network → Devices → Routers** and open the router.
2. Choose **Actions → Enable maintenance mode**.
3. Fill in the dialog. Every field is optional:
   * **Allow existing customers to log in**: keeps the login options on the page. New purchases stay blocked either way.
   * **Back online by**: the time maintenance ends. Customers see it on the page. When it passes, maintenance mode switches off by itself. A background check runs every 5 minutes, and the buy page stops showing the maintenance screen as soon as the time has passed.
   * **Maintenance message**: up to 500 characters. If you leave it empty, customers see a standard "performing scheduled maintenance" message with your brand name.
4. Choose **Enable**. The router header shows a **Maintenance** badge.

The support number on the screen is the router's own support number, or your account's number if the router has none. Change it with **Actions → Change support number**.

## Turn it off

Open the router and choose **Actions → Disable maintenance mode**, then confirm. The buy page shows plans again straight away. If you set **Back online by**, you do not need to do this: it switches off at that time.

## Who can do it

Anyone whose role allows editing routers.

## Related

* [Routers and NAS](/network/routers)
* [Captive portal](/network/captive-portal)
* [Live sessions](/subscribers/active-sessions)