How often have you been in a situation where your internet is down, and you don’t know how to fix it? You need to get back online quickly! Don’t panic, because many ways can help. Restarting the router is one of these solutions.
This post will provide step-by-step instructions on how to restart your router so that you can reconnect with the world wide web as soon as possible.
Table of Contents
When to Restart My Router?
There is no set timing for restarting your router. However, you should be aware of some of the symptoms and cautions to ensure that your router is in excellent working order. If you are having any of the following issues, you should reboot your router:
- Slow internet connection
- Not able to connect at all
- The network disconnects from the network frequently and unexpectedly
- Intermittent connection problems
- Experiencing some lags when surfing the internet
- Your router heats up too much
- It can prevent hacking and cyber attacks
How to Restart Your Router
As mentioned above, restarting your router will solve most of your problems with wireless connectivity. You can reboot your router in several ways:
- Using the reset button on the backside of the device
- Unplugging the router for about 30 seconds and plugging it back in again
- Smart plug or smart home device
- Via router’s web interface
Restarting Router Using Reset Button
This guide may work in general. However, the detailed step-by-step guide may vary depending on how your router is configured.
- Take a paper clip or pin, insert it into the reset hole located at the back of most routers and press down until you feel resistance (for 15-20 seconds).
- Now unplug the power cord from the wall socket for 30 secs so that all data is cleared out completely.
- Plug the power cord back in and wait till the router boots up before connecting any devices to its network ports.
Plugging and Unplugging Method
This method might seem like a bit of work compared to how much easier it would be to reboot your router. But if you do this correctly, it will pay off in the long run. You can restart the router by performing the following steps:
- First, turn off both devices that are connected – i.e., modem and router.
- Now disconnect power cables from both routers for about 30 seconds.
- After 30 seconds have passed, reconnect the router’s power cable back into its socket. Leave the modem disconnected until the reboot is complete (this may take up to one minute).
- Once you’ve done this step correctly, wait another few minutes before turning on either device.
- If everything goes smoothly, then at this point, all should be working fine again.
Using Smart Plug
Most routers have a reset button, but how many times has that worked for you? If not, then it might be time to try using a smart plug. These are basically like extension cords that can turn on and off any device plugged into them remotely (via an app).
It means if your router suddenly stops working when you’re away from home, all you need is access to your phone to restart it. Smart plug takes up less space than most routers, even though they will occupy one socket each. Since the plugs only cost roughly $25 every couple of months, it is worth considering how useful the internet is these days!
Via Routers Web Interface
Do you know that you can also restart your router through its web interface? Yes, you heard it right! It is the second to the easiest way to restart your router.
To perform this:
- Open any browser and enter “your router’s IP Address” in your computer’s browser address bar, and press Enter on the keyboard. This action will open a login window.
- Enter your username and password for accessing the settings panel.
- After providing the required credentials, simply press the OK button.
- You may see a reboot button. Just click it, and our routers will restart.
Note: This guide may vary depending on your router’s model or manufacturer.
Benefits of Rebooting Your Router
- Increases the connection speed
- Rebooting the device allows refreshing the firmware if there are software problems with the router
- Eliminates any bugs that occur from previous device use
- May give a speed boost
Restarting a Router FAQ
1. What if rebooting didn’t fix the issue?
Suppose your internet still isn’t working after completing the steps mentioned above. In that case, something else may have gone wrong, in which case you may need to contact your Internet Service Provider for additional support.
2. How often can I restart my router?
Although experts suggest resetting your router every few months, there is no definitive solution to this issue, even if you have minimal internet outage. A reboot may resolve internet connectivity problems, improve sluggish connections, and is one of the primary troubleshooting tools at your disposal at home.
3. How can restarting a router prevent cyber attacks?
By restarting your router regularly, you are essentially removing any malware that may have infected the system. So, one of your devices may have been compromised by a virus, but resetting the router can eliminate this risk.
4. Does restart my router extend its life?
Yes, it certainly does. It is said that router reboots can help improve the overall performance of your wireless internet connection and extend its life.
5. What’s the difference between rebooting and resetting your computer?
In general, it is safe to assume that they are the same. However, it may vary depending on the model of your router. For example, some people may choose to reboot their router by simply unplugging it from power for a few seconds before plugging it back in again.
Others might opt for a reset instead, which will involve pressing a button or pushing a pin into a small hole on the device itself. This step depends on how old your specific brand of wireless internet connection happens to be.
Conclusion
Restarting your router is essential to prevent a sudden interruption of internet access. It will ensure that the connection between your modem and wireless devices stays strong. By following these steps, you can keep disruption from happening again! We hope this step-by-step guide has helped you through starting your router.