Let's go back to the basics. You've probably tried everything to improve your internet connection, but when was the last time you tried resetting your router? Many factors can affect your internet connection. Sometimes, your internet provider is to blame, and in other cases, it could be storm-related or caused by a power outage. However, there are times when your poor internet connection could be linked to minor issues that require just a quick fix. Take your router and modem, for example. Router issues can often be remedied with a simple reboot.
Whether your equipment needs a simple reboot or requires more advanced measures like resetting it to factory settings, read on for instructions to do this as quickly and as painless as possible. As a broadband expert, I've been writing about home internet for more than five years. Rebooting and resetting your router is usually a sure fix. Here are the steps you need to take to get your Wi-Fi up and running again, and what to do if those steps don't work.
Do a hard reboot of your router
"Unplug it and plug it back in" is tried-and-true advice for electronics and your router is no different. Imagine a computer game that's gone hopelessly wrong. Starting the game over lets you walk back all the mistakes you made to get you to that point. A hard reboot works the same way, allowing your device a fresh start from a "known state."
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"It's amazing how that'll solve like 90% of the problems, because the drivers are the interface between the radio and the operating system, and they can get discombobulated," Dave Coleman, a Wi-Fi expert, author and director of wireless networking in the office of the CTO at Extreme Networks, told CNET. "I know it sounds simple, but it's the first troubleshooting thing people should do."
How to hard-reboot your router:
- Unplug the router from the power source. You can unplug the power cord from the wall or the router -- either will work.
- Wait at least 30 seconds.
- Plug it back in.
Once the router is plugged back into the power source, you may need to wait another 30 seconds for it to reboot. Once all the lights are on, try connecting to Wi-Fi from a device.
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Don't forget the batteries
Some routers are equipped with a battery backup to keep your internet on when the power goes out, at least for a brief period. If your router has a battery backup, it's possible that simply unplugging the router will not actually cut the power.
After you've unplugged your router, check to ensure all the lights went out. If lights are still on, your router is still receiving power. Check for a battery compartment and remove any batteries to ensure your router fully shuts off. Wait 30 seconds and plug your router back in, then reinstall the batteries.
Reset your router to factory settings
If your hard reboot didn't work, a more drastic step is to reset your router to its factory settings. A note of caution: This will erase all of your custom settings, like your network name and password, and give you a new public IP address. Your router will be exactly the same as it was when you first took it out of the box.
You may want to take this step if you're having to reboot your router multiple times a day or if your Wi-Fi speeds are drastically slower than the speeds you're getting through a wired connection. Keep in mind that the advertised speeds from your internet provider may differ from the actual speeds in your home. Many factors, such as network congestion, the type of internet mode you have, and the number of connected devices on your network, can contribute to your reduced speeds. Take a quick online speed test after resetting your router to see if it made a difference. I'd also recommend making sure your router's firmware is up to date before resetting it to factory settings.
How to reset your router to factor settings:
- Keep your router plugged into the power source.
- Insert a paper clip into the Reset opening on your router. Some routers will also have a button you can press with your finger.
- Hold this button down for about 30 seconds.
- Wait for the router's lights to come back on. This could take a minute or two.
You can also reset most routers using their app or website. To do so, you'll need your login credentials.
How to tell if it's a modem or router issue
If you have a separate modem and router, you may need to troubleshoot each of them on their own. To find out if your modem is up and running, connect a device to the modem directly using an Ethernet cable. If you can get online this way, the issue is coming from your router. If it's still not working, you should start with a hard reboot of both devices. Here's what you'll do:
- First, unplug your router and modem from the power source.
- Wait about 30 seconds, and plug them back in: first the modem, then the router.
- Wait a few minutes for them to completely power back on.
This restart should fix most issues with your modem and router and your internet should be back up.
Should you upgrade your router?
Experts recommend replacing your router every five years or so, but if you have a lot of smart home gadgets or keep up with the latest electronics, it might be worth pushing that to two or three years. However, if you're having consistent speed issues or outages that require you to reset your router on a regular basis, it might be time for an upgrade. CNET recommends the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 as the best router overall. After visiting the CNET Labs in Louisville, Kentucky, for router testing, it was the only wireless router that scored in the Top 5 in our throughput tests on both 2.4 and 5GHz bands. In other words, this router can deliver the fastest speeds possible over Wi-Fi. To learn more, read how we test Wi-Fi routers.
Your router is only as good as the internet connection that's flowing through it. The best way to tell where the blame lies is to run some speed tests while plugged into your modem with an Ethernet cable and compare the results to the speeds you're getting through Wi-Fi. If the wired speeds are still slower than you'd like, it's probably time to switch to a faster plan or switch internet providers.
Reset your router FAQs
No, unplugging a router reboots it. Resetting your router reverts it to factory settings and erases all your custom settings (like your network name, password, and IP address). You can reset your router with a reset button on it, either by holding the button or inserting a paper clip to hold the button.
Resetting your router reverts it to factory settings and is a good way of clearing any malware giving your router a fresh start. Don't confuse a reset with a reboot, however. You should reboot more often than you reset your router. If you're finding you have to frequently reset your router to factory settings, that might be a sign it's time for an upgrade.
Yes, it's easy to reset your router. To reboot it, unplug it, wait 30 seconds and then plug it back in. To reset it, you'll have to hold in the reset button on your router. Sometimes the button is big enough to push with your finger, but in some cases, you'll have to use a paper clip. Hold the button in for 30 seconds and wait for the lights on the router to come back on.