Restarting your router is one of the most straightforward repairs for broken links, slow speeds, and a crowded network.
But are you correctly restarting it?
This post will teach you how to manually and remotely restart a router, when to restart vs. reset, and how to reboot a modem and router simultaneously.
For advanced troubleshooting, review our guide on how to reboot router if you’re seeking remote solutions remotely.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Need to Restart a Wifi Router.
- Why Restarting Can Improve Connectivity.
- How to Restart a Wifi Router
- Step-by-Step Guide to Restart a Router
- How Long Should You Unplug Your Router to Reset It?
- How to Restart a Modem and Router Together
- Steps for Rebooting Both Devices
- Choosing Which to Restart First.
- Resetting Your Wi-Fi Router: When to Reset vs. Restart
- When Should You Reset Your Router?
- How to Reset the Wi-Fi Box
- FAQs About Router Restarting
- How Do You Reset a Router?
- What Happens When You Power Cycle Your Router?
- How Often Should I Restart My Router?
- Will Restarting My Router Make My Internet Faster?
- Is It Better to Restart or Reset a Router?
- Conclusion
1. Understanding the Need to Restart a Wifi Router
Why Restarting Can Improve Connectivity
Restarting your router will help:
- Revive the network connection using your ISP.
- Fix little problems slowing down performance.
- Clear the cache material, which is likely to cause network congestion.
- Fix IP problems upsetting your Wi-Fi signal.
- Reconnect all of your devices in a steady state.
If you find Wi-Fi dropouts are regular, consider configuring an automatic router rebooter to stop more disruptions.
2. How to Restart a Wifi Router
A basic restart can resolve many connectivity issues, but incorrect execution may not always be beneficial.
Use these guidelines to restart a router correctly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Restart a Router
- From the power, unplug the router
- Allow it to power down and wait 30 seconds to 1 minute fully.
- Wait for the lights to stabilize and plug the router back in
- By opening a webpage or streaming a video, you can test your connection
You can’t manually restart your router if you’re in a remote location, but you can automate the reboot process using an Always Router by Keep Connect.
It will automatically detect connectivity failures. A self-healing router reboots to keep your internet running without intervention.
How Long Should You Unplug Your Router to Reset It?
Most network experts advise waiting at least 30 seconds, before putting your router back in,
This clears memory caches and resets the network connection.
According to CNET, power cycling your router regularly helps maintain a stable internet connection and can prevent long-term issues.
3. How to Restart a Modem and Router Together
Rebooting can more successfully repair internet issues if you have a separate modem and router.
Steps for Rebooting Both Devices
- Unplugging the modem and router will turn them off.
- Wait for about a minimum of 1 minute before plugging them back in
- Plug in the modem first, then wait for it to reconnect (this may take a few minutes).
- Plug in the router next, then wait for all indicator lights to stabilize.
- Test your internet speed to ensure a proper connection.
Spectrum offers more advice on correctly restarting a cable modem using a modem-router combo.
Choosing Which to Restart First
- First, the modem and then the router should always be restarted.
- This guarantees that your ISP’s fresh internet signal finds your router.
4. Resetting Your Wi-Fi Router: When to Reset vs. Restart
Restarting and refreshing a router are often mixed up. But there is one difference:
- Restarting: This action turns the router off and on without losing any settings.
- Resetting: Restores network names, Wi-Fi passwords, custom configurations, and router factory settings.
When Should You Reset Your Router?
Should restarting your router prove ineffective, you might have to execute a reset.
There needs to be a complete restart if:
- You forgot the password for your Wi-Fi.
- The router keeps freezing up or disconnecting.
- Devices can’t see your Wi-Fi network.
- Someone has broken into or hacked the router.
How to Reset the Wi-Fi Box
- Search the router’s back for the reset button.
- Holding a paperclip, press the button for 10 to 30 seconds.
- Wait till the router completely resets and restarts.
- Change your Wi-Fi configuration, including password and SSID.
⚠️ Warning: If you reset your router, all your saved settings will be lost. If nothing else works, don’t use this method.
FAQs About Router Restarting
How Do You Reset a Router?
Hold down the reset button on a router for 10 to 30 seconds to restore it to its previous state. After restarting, change the SSID and password for your Wi-Fi network.
What Happens When You Power Cycle Your Router?
Power cycling your router enhances Wi-Fi speed, cleans transient network flaws, and refreshes IP addresses. This method resolves DNS issues, poor speeds, and dropped connectivity.
How Often Should I Restart My Router?
Most people who work in networking say you should restart your router every couple of weeks to keep it running at its best. If you are regularly disconnected, you may need a self-healing solution such as Keep Connect’s Always Router to manage automatic reboots.
Will Restarting My Router Make My Internet Faster?
Restarting a router will help alleviate network congestion and maximize performance, not the speed of your internet plan. Restarting your router can help fix minor problems compromising your connection if you see poor speeds.
Is It Better to Restart or Reset a Router?
Fixing temporary connectivity problems, a restart—reboot—turns off and back on the router. Only in cases of need should a reset wipe all settings and restore factory defaults. See our automated router rebooting guide for further choices to help you decide whether to restart or reset.
Conclusion
Restarting your router correctly can fix network problems, slow internet, and dropped connections. If your router is in a hard-to-reach location, you might need a remote rebooting method using interfaces, smart plugs, or automated solutions.
Consider Always Router by Keep Connect as a hands-free solution. Ensuring uninterrupted connectivity without manual intervention, this self-healing router automatically detects internet failures and reboots itself.
