Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.14
What are the five HSRP states a router transitions through, and in what order?
The five HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol) states in order are: Initial → Learn → Listen → Speak → Standby (or Active). A router progresses through these states during startup and election.
* HSRP state progression. *
| State | What the Router Does | Sends Hellos? |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | Starting state after a configuration change or interface comes up. HSRP is not yet running | No |
| Learn | Router has not yet determined the virtual IP address. Waiting to hear from the active router | No |
| Listen | Router knows the virtual IP but is neither active nor standby. Listens for Hello messages from both active and standby | No |
| Speak | Router sends periodic Hello messages and actively participates in the election for active/standby roles | Yes |
| Standby | Router is the next candidate to become active. Continues sending Hellos and monitoring the active router | Yes |
The Active state (not listed in the five) is the state where the router is actually forwarding traffic.
State progression for a new router joining:
Initial → Learn → Listen → Speak → Standby (or Active)
Who sends Hello messages?
- Only Active and Standby routers send Hellos
- Listen-state routers just... listen
Tip: If you see a router stuck in the Learn state, it means it can't hear from the active router — likely a Layer 2 connectivity issue (VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) mismatch, cable problem, etc.).